244 Be Careful Using Your Hands When Presenting In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Release Date: 03/27/2025
244 Be Careful Using Your Hands When Presenting In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Don’t get this wrong. Good posture never goes out of style, yet many presenters struggle with it. Standing straight projects confidence, enables better breath control, and conveys energy. However, the presenting environment often tempts us into poor habits. Even seasoned performers—actors and singers—struggle with posture during award acceptance speeches. Instead of standing tall, they hunch over microphones, giving audiences an unflattering view of their bowed heads. These professionals, familiar with microphone technology, should excel at its use but often fail to adapt to the setup....
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243 Setting the Foundations For Making The Sale In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Nemawashi, translates to “groundwork” and is rooted in the practice of moving large trees. This intricate process—preparing roots, wrapping them, and relocating the tree—serves as a metaphor for meticulous preparation before decisions in business. In Japan, decisions are typically made before meetings, with the gathering itself serving as a formality to approve prior agreements. The groundwork involves engaging stakeholders individually, securing their buy-in, and addressing potential concerns. In contrast, Western decision-making often occurs during meetings, with open discussions and...
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242 Mood Control In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Don’t be delusional. Do you consider yourself moody? Perhaps not, but as a boss, your team may perceive you differently. Employees are keenly attuned to your every movement, tone, body language and expression, constantly evaluating your mood to gauge whether it's a good time to approach you with work-related matters. Your ability to mask emotions or maintain equilibrium amidst challenges significantly influences the workplace atmosphere. As the leader, your mood sets the tone for the day. A positive attitude can uplift the team, while a negative one can drag them down. The challenge lies in...
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241 Open The Kimono When Presenting In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Stop wrecking your presentations. When delivering talks, many speakers separate their personal identities from the content, focusing solely on facts, data, and evidence. This approach, often favored by technical individuals, misses the opportunity to create deeper engagement with the audience. As an introvert, I understand the hesitation to share personal stories. However, keeping oneself out of the narrative is a significant mistake. Injecting personal experiences and insights into a presentation transforms it from theoretical to practical, resonating more deeply with the audience. Audiences...
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240 Buyer Styles In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Salespeople are ignorant. When interacting with Japanese buyers, personality differences play a more critical role than cultural differences. Understanding personality styles can help improve communication and sales success. A two-axis framework categorizes personality types: a horizontal axis measures from low assertion on the left across to high assertion on the right, and a vertical axis measuring people orientation at the top vs. outcome focus down below. Bottom right, the Driver type is highly assertive and outcome-driven. Often business founders, they value results over...
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239 Taking Accountabilty In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Stop being weak. The beauty, weight loss, fashion, and entertainment industries inundate us with images of unattainable perfection, leaving many feeling inadequate—too tall, short, fat, thin, or unsuccessful. It’s easy to fall into the trap of wishing for better circumstances: wealthier parents, a better education, or a more favorable start in life. But wishing changes nothing; the past cannot be undone. While mistakes, poor choices, and misfortunes may weigh us down, the key is to stop dwelling on what lies behind us and channel that energy into moving forward. To progress, we must act as...
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238 How To Quieten the Crowd In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Some MCs are idiots. At a sports related event filled with free-flowing drinks, idle chatter, and hundreds of attendees, the presentations quickly unraveled into a comedy of errors. The MC, tasked with introducing the main speaker, faced an uninterested crowd more captivated by their own conversations than the proceedings on stage. In a desperate bid for attention, the MC resorted to shooshing the audience, first gently, then with exaggerated, strident authority, as if addressing unruly schoolchildren. This tactic only drew ridicule, amplifying the noise and making the atmosphere even more...
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237 Never Stop Selling In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Salespeople leave money on the table. The sales process doesn’t end with a signed agreement; delivery is the critical next step. Whether immediate or delayed, it’s often handled by someone other than the salesperson—usually agents, contractors, or back-office staff. Salespeople, meanwhile, quickly shift focus on new deals, leaving follow-up with buyers neglected. This is a common mistake that can cost opportunities and relationships. Instead, it is vital to schedule post-delivery meetings with buyers to ensure satisfaction, address issues, and explore further opportunities. A...
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236 Developing Women For Leadership In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Japan discriminates against women in business. Former Prime Minister Abe’s modest targets for increasing female leadership numbers failed miserably. Abe’s campaign got nowhere, and with their tail between their legs, the Government significantly lowered their targets. This lack of progress is mirrored in Japan’s Rotary Clubs, traditionally male-dominated bastions within a global organization designed to foster professional connections and community contribution. Until recently, 94% of Japanese Rotary Clubs had no women members, including my own club. Since I joined in 2002, debates...
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235 Being Conversational In Japan
The Japan Business Mastery Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Presenters get this wrong. Avoid creating a barrier between yourself and the audience. Presenters are often elevated on a stage or positioned at the front of the room, surrounded by podiums, slides, lighting, and microphones, all of which can inadvertently distance them from their audience. In Japan, standing above a seated audience requires an apology at the start of the speech, as such positioning implies superiority in a hierarchy-conscious society. Similarly, using a commanding voice or overly formal demeanour can create unnecessary separations. Instead, focus on building rapport and...
info_outlineDon’t get this wrong. Good posture never goes out of style, yet many presenters struggle with it. Standing straight projects confidence, enables better breath control, and conveys energy. However, the presenting environment often tempts us into poor habits. Even seasoned performers—actors and singers—struggle with posture during award acceptance speeches. Instead of standing tall, they hunch over microphones, giving audiences an unflattering view of their bowed heads. These professionals, familiar with microphone technology, should excel at its use but often fail to adapt to the setup.
As a presenter, you can avoid this by preparing beforehand. Test the microphone to ensure it suits your needs, and request alternatives like a handheld or lavaliere mic if necessary. If caught off guard, don’t hesitate to remove the microphone from its stand or lift the entire stand to bring the mic to your level. The key is to take control of the tech, not let it dictate your posture or delivery.
Podiums are another culprit behind poor posture. Many speakers clutch the podium for balance or as a substitute for gestures, especially if unsure what to do with their hands. This restricts movement and leaves the speaker hunched over, further diminishing their presence. Instead, step slightly back from the podium so the temptation to go for the grip is eliminated, stand tall, and use a slide clicker to navigate your presentation. Free from the restrictions of the physical podium, your gestures can enhance your words and engage the audience.
If you must use a podium for notes or as a laptop stand, maintain good posture by standing upright and away from the podium’s edge. I often rotate the podium toward me, so that I can easily see my laptop screen, as I stand to the side. This prevents reliance on the podium for support and keeps my hands free for natural gestures.
Good posture marks a professional who commands their environment, tech, and presentation space. By addressing these physical and technical challenges, you can focus entirely on engaging your audience—our ultimate goal.