Podcasts about Griffith University

"Come as you are works in Japan when leaders are also willing to read the air and meet people where they are". "Japan isn't as risk-averse as people think; it is uncertainty avoidance and consensus norms like nemawashi and ringi-sho that slow decisions". "In Japan, numbers are universal, but how people feel about those numbers is where real leadership begins". "For foreign leaders, kindness, patience, and genuine curiosity are far more powerful than charisma or title". "Women leaders who embrace their own style, instead of copying male role models, can quietly transform Japanese workplaces".   Joanne Lin is Senior Director, APAC, for Deckers Brands, the American company behind UGG, HOKA, and Teva. Born in Taiwan and raised in Canada, she later completed her MBA at Boston University and began her career in Boston, working in a trading company and then at Merrill Lynch Investment Company. In 2000, she moved to Japan for family reasons and has since built a 25-year leadership career in this complex market. In Japan, Joanne first held senior finance roles, including Head of Finance for Reebok Japan and CFO for Aegis Media, where she worked on mergers and acquisitions. She joined Deckers over thirteen years ago as CFO for Japan and was later asked to step in as interim Country Manager for Deckers Japan. Today she is back in an APAC-wide role, responsible for finance and strategy across 15 markets, including Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Her remit covers subsidiaries and distributor markets alike, requiring constant adaptation across cultures. Throughout her journey, Joanne has learned to reconcile a direct, North American style with Japan's more implicit, consensus-driven culture. Often mistaken for Japanese because of her appearance, she calls herself the "invisible gaijin", using that ambiguity to observe carefully, read body language, and bridge cultural expectations. Her leadership story is one of resilience, curiosity, and the quiet confidence to lead as herself in a country that often expects conformity. Joanne Lin's leadership journey began far from Japan. Born in Taiwan and raised in Toronto, she grew up immersed in North American directness, meritocracy, and straight-talking feedback. After completing an MBA at Boston University, she started her career in Boston, first at a trading company and then at Merrill Lynch Investment Company, building a strong foundation in finance. Numbers, ratios, and cash flows were her native business language long before she ever heard the phrase kūki o yomu — "reading the air" — in Japan. In 2000, she moved to Japan for family reasons, expecting to build a career but not realising how deeply the culture would challenge her assumptions about leadership. She entered the corporate world here without Japanese language skills and without local experience. Physically, many colleagues assumed she was Japanese, or at least of Japanese descent, and treated her accordingly. She jokes that she became an "invisible gaijin": expected to understand unspoken rules despite never having grown up with them. Early on, she discovered that in Japan, silence often speaks louder than words. Concepts akin to nemawashi — the quiet groundwork of building consensus before meetings — and the unspoken pressure to align with the group meant that decisions rarely came from a single, charismatic leader. Instead, she had to watch faces, posture and micro-reactions around the table. While she came from an environment where people said "yes" or "no" clearly, in Japan phrases like "I'll think about it" could mean "no" 80% of the time. Learning to interpret these signals became as important as reading the P&L. Her career advanced steadily through senior finance roles: Head of Finance for Reebok Japan, CFO for Aegis Media leading M&A, and later CFO for Deckers Japan. Over thirteen years at Deckers, she helped steer the growth of brands such as UGG and the fast-rising performance brand HOKA in one of the world's most competitive footwear markets. Eventually, she was asked to serve as interim Country Manager for Deckers Japan, an opportunity that tested her ability to go beyond numbers and lead entire functions including sales, marketing, HR and retail. Joanne's leadership philosophy is grounded in being genuine and transparent. She believes in explaining the "why" behind decisions, giving context, and aligning people rather than simply seeking agreement. She spends time helping non-finance colleagues understand what gross margin, discounts and operating income mean in practical terms, translating finance into everyday language rather than using it as a gatekeeping tool. Engagement surveys, where Japan often scores modestly compared with global benchmarks, have been a recurring theme in her work. Rather than blaming culture, she looks at how questions are worded, how norms shape responses, and then uses those insights to design practical remedies — from "lunch and learn" sessions to cross-functional gatherings and new-joiner lunches with senior leaders. As a woman leader, Joanne has wrestled with impostor syndrome yet chosen to step forward anyway. She sees many high-potential women in Japan holding back, waiting to be "perfect" before raising their hand. Her message to them is clear: trust yourself, recognise your natural strengths in communication and empathy, and accept that no leader — male or female — is ever fully ready. In the end, her story is about blending global experience with local nuance, leading with kindness and clarity, and proving that one can honour Japanese culture while still bringing a distinct, authentic leadership style to the table. Q&A Summary What makes leadership in Japan unique? For Joanne, leadership in Japan is defined by what is not said. The real meeting often happens before and after the official meeting, through nemawashi, where stakeholders quietly shape outcomes. In the room, kūki o yomu — reading the air — is critical: leaders must observe body language, side glances and subtle hesitations to interpret what people truly think. Formal tools like ringi-sho workflows, built on stamped approvals and consensus, reinforce a collective approach to decision-making. Japanese employees often assume the leader should already know their needs without them having to say it. That expectation of intuitive understanding, combined with a strong norm of harmony, makes empathetic listening and patience indispensable leadership skills. Why do global executives struggle? Global executives often arrive with a Western template: clear targets, rapid decisions, direct feedback. In Japan, that can clash with a culture that prizes stability, seniority and group consensus. Leaders may misinterpret indirect communication as indecisiveness or lack of ambition, when in fact people are carefully weighing the impact on the group. Engagement surveys then show Japan at the bottom of global rankings, and headquarters misreads this as disengagement, rather than a reflection of conservative scoring norms. Many foreign leaders also underestimate how much time must be invested in trust-building, one-on-one conversations, and slow-burn relationship work before people feel safe to share ideas or challenge the status quo. Is Japan truly risk-averse? Joanne sees Japan as more uncertainty-avoidant than risk-averse in the pure financial sense. As a finance professional, she knows that commercial risk can be quantified — through scenarios, ratios and forecasts. But in Japan, the social and reputational risks loom equally large: who will be blamed if this fails, what will it do to group harmony, how will customers react? These uncertainty factors slow decisions more than the numbers themselves. Leaders who introduce tools like decision intelligence platforms, scenario simulation or even digital twins of supply chains can help Japanese teams see risk in a structured way, reducing the emotional fear around uncertainty and making experimentation feel safer. What leadership style actually works? The style that works for Joanne is grounded in transparency, modesty and consistency. She leads by example, explaining not only what must be done, but why, and what it means for individuals and teams. She tries to give her people "airtime", resisting the urge — common to many finance leaders — to jump straight to the solution. In practice, that means listening to ideas without immediate judgement, thanking people publicly for their input, and celebrating small wins as much as big milestones. She maintains high standards but increasingly recognises that not everyone should be held to the same work rhythm she sets for herself. Alignment, not forced agreement, is the goal: people may disagree but still commit to the path once they feel heard. How can technology help? Technology, in Joanne's world, is not just about efficiency; it is a bridge between data and human behaviour. Advanced analytics, dashboards and decision-support tools can make trade-offs between margin, volume and investment more tangible for non-finance teams. AI-driven text analysis of engagement comments can surface themes that traditional surveys miss, helping leaders understand sentiment behind Japan's modest scoring patterns. Scenario modelling and digital twins of operations can turn abstract risks into concrete options, making it easier for consensus-driven teams to move forward. At its best, technology supports nemawashi by giving everyone a shared, data-informed picture, rather than replacing dialogue. Does language proficiency matter? Joanne arrived in Japan with no Japanese language ability and was forced to become an intense observer of body language and context. That experience convinced her that leadership is possible without fluency — but far more sustainable with it. Learning Japanese shows respect, reduces distance, and makes informal conversations and humour possible. Even basic proficiency helps leaders understand nuance in ringi documents, hallway chats, and customer feedback. She encourages foreign leaders to invest in language learning not as a checkbox, but as a signal of commitment to the market and to their teams. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Her core lesson is simple yet demanding: be kind, be open, and be yourself. Leaders should stop expecting perfection from themselves and from others, especially in a country where external shocks like currency swings, tariffs and pandemics can derail even the best-laid plans. Instead, they should focus on doing their best, communicating clearly, and treating people with respect. For women leaders especially, Joanne's message is to step forward even when self-doubt whispers otherwise — to recognise that their strengths in empathy, communication and cultural sensitivity are not "soft" add-ons but central to effective leadership in Japan. In the long run, success here is less about heroics and more about steady, human-centred leadership that people genuinely want to follow. Timecoded Summary [00:00] The conversation opens with an introduction to Deckers Brands, the American company headquartered in Santa Barbara and best known in Japan for UGG, HOKA and Teva. Joanne explains that Deckers historically functions as a holding-style company, acquiring and growing footwear brands, and that Japan is a key market where three major brands are active. She outlines her current role as Senior Director, APAC, overseeing finance and strategy across 15 countries, including both subsidiaries and distributor markets. [05:20] Joanne traces her career arc: Taiwanese by birth, raised in Canada, MBA from Boston University, then finance roles in Boston with a trading company and Merrill Lynch Investment Company. In 2000 she relocates to Japan for family reasons, later becoming Head of Finance for Reebok Japan and CFO for Aegis Media, working on M&A. She joins Deckers over thirteen years ago as CFO for Japan and eventually steps into an interim Country Manager role, before returning to a wider APAC mandate based in Japan. [12:45] The discussion shifts to cultural adjustment. Because she "looks Japanese", colleagues initially assume she understands Japanese norms. She describes becoming an "invisible gaijin", held to local expectations without having grown up here. She learns to read the air, focusing on facial expressions, body language and context. Phrases like "I'll consider it" often conceal a "no", and she gradually becomes adept at interpreting such indirect communication. Her direct North American instincts must be tempered by Japanese expectations for restraint and harmony. [19:30] Finance and human reactions to numbers come into focus. Joanne notes that while sales, gross margin and SG&A appear objective, different functions interpret them in varied ways: finance may celebrate high margins while sales may worry they are under-investing. She stresses the importance of explaining financial concepts in simple terms, almost as if speaking to a 10-year-old, so that everyone can understand consequences. Her temporary shift from CFO to GM broadens her empathy for non-finance views and deepens her appreciation for cross-functional tension. [26:10] Attention turns to team engagement and communication. Japan's engagement survey scores routinely trail global averages, a pattern she attributes partly to cultural modesty and translation issues. Instead of accepting low scores as fate, she focuses on post-survey action: leaders are asked to talk openly with teams, understand expectations, and co-create remedies. Concrete initiatives such as "lunch and learn" sessions and new-joiner lunches with directors help break silos, humanise leadership and create informal nemawashi-like spaces where people can ask questions and share concerns. [33:40] Joanne discusses culture-building under the umbrella of Deckers' "Come as you are" value. She supports self-expression — even store staff in gender-fluid fashion — as long as it's tasteful and customer-appropriate. Her own leadership style is to be genuine, transparent and open about vulnerabilities. She balances the efficiency of top-down directives with the long-term benefits of participation: while consensus-building and alignment take time, they reduce turnover, re-training costs and disengagement. [40:15] Gender and leadership come into sharper focus. Joanne recounts her own bouts of impostor syndrome and the temptation, earlier in her career, to doubt her readiness for bigger roles. She notes that many women hesitate to raise their hands until they feel almost 100% qualified, while men may step up with far less. She encourages aspiring women leaders to recognise their strengths in empathy and nuanced communication, to "give it a try" even when not fully confident, and to view setbacks as learning rather than final verdicts. [47:30] The interview closes with advice for foreign leaders coming to Japan. Joanne emphasises being open, respectful and kind — to oneself and to others. She urges leaders to accept that Japan's deep-rooted culture will not change in a short posting, and that success depends on adapting rather than trying to remodel the country. Learning Japanese, even imperfectly, is both a sign of respect and a practical tool for building trust. Ultimately, she argues, effective leadership in Japan is about balancing data and humanity, global standards and local nuance, ambition and empathy. Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

Join Professor Peter Nash from the Griffith University in Brisbane, and Professor Filip Rob, the Department of head of the Dermatovenereology at the Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, University Hospital Bulovka, Prague, Czech Republic, as they discuss his recent paper ‘Efficacy, safety, and drug survival during the first year of biologic therapy for psoriasis in elderly versus younger patients'.

When markets are kind, anyone can look like a genius. The test arrives when conditions turn—your systems, skills, and character decide what happens next.  What are the five drivers every leader must master? The five drivers are: Self Direction, People Skills, Process Skills, Communication, and Accountability. Mastering all five creates resilient performance across cycles. In boom times (think pre-pandemic luxury hotels in Japan) tailwinds mask weak leadership; in shocks (closed borders, supply chain crunches) only strong drivers keep teams delivering. As of 2025, executives in multinationals, SMEs, and startups alike need a balanced "stack": vision and values (Self Direction), talent and trust (People), systems and analytics (Process), clear messaging and questions (Communication), and personal ownership (Accountability). If one leg is shaky, the whole table wobbles. Do now: Score yourself 1–5 on each driver; identify your lowest two and set 30-day improvement actions.  Mini-summary: Five drivers form a complete system; strength in one can't compensate for failure in another. How does Self Direction separate steady leaders from "lucky" ones? Self-directed leaders set vision, goals, and culture—and adjust fast when reality bites. Great conditions or an inherited A-team help, but hope isn't a strategy. As markets shift in APAC, the US, or Europe, leaders with grounded values and a flexible ego change course quickly; rigid, oversized egos drive firms off cliffs faster. The calibration problem is real: we need enough ego to lead, not so much that we ignore evidence. In practice that means owner-dated goals, visible trade-offs, and a willingness to reverse a decision when facts change. Do now: Write a one-page "leader operating system": purpose, top 3 goals, non-negotiable values, and the conditions that trigger a pivot.  Mini-summary: Direction + adaptability beats bravado; values anchor the pivot, not the vanity. Why are People Skills the new performance engine? Complex work killed the "hero leader"; today's results flow from psychologically safe, capability-building teams.Whether you run manufacturing in Aichi, B2B SaaS in Seattle, or retail in Sydney, you need the right people on the bus, in the right seats. Trust is the currency; without it, there is no team—only compliant individuals. Servant leadership isn't slogans; it's practical: career conversations, strengths-based job fit, and coaching cadences. Climbing over bodies might have worked in 1995; in 2025 it destroys engagement, innovation, and retention. Do now: Map your team on fit vs. aspiration. Realign one role this fortnight and schedule two growth conversations per week for the next month.  Mini-summary: Build safety, match talent to roles, and coach growth; teams create the compounding returns, not lone heroes. What Process Skills keep quality high without killing initiative? Well-designed systems prevent good people from failing; poor processes turn stars into "low performers." Leaders must separate skill gaps from system flaws. Mis-fit is common—asking a big-picture creative to live in spreadsheets, or a detail maven to blue-sky strategy all day. Across sectors, involve people in improving the workflow; people support a world they help create. And yes, even "Driver" personalities must wear an Analytical hat for the numbers that matter: current, correct, relevant. Toyota's jidoka lesson applies broadly: stop the line when a defect appears, then fix root causes. Do now: Run a 60-minute process review: map steps, assign owners, check inputs/outputs, and identify one automation or simplification per step.  Mini-summary: Design beats heroics; match roles to wiring, make data accurate, improve the system with the people who run it. How should leaders communicate to create alignment that sticks? Great leaders talk less, listen more, and ask sharper questions—then verify that messages cascade cleanly.Communication isn't a TED Talk; it's a discipline. Listen for what's not said, surface hidden risks, and test understanding down the line. In Japan, nemawashi-style groundwork builds alignment before meetings; in the US/EU, crisp owner-dated action registers keep pace high without rework. In regulated fields (finance, healthcare, aerospace), clarity reduces audit friction; in creative and GTM teams, it accelerates experiments. Do now: Install a weekly "message audit": sample three layers (manager, IC, cross-function) and ask them to restate priorities, risks, and decisions in their own words.  Mini-summary: Listen deeply, question precisely, and ensure the message survives the org chart; alignment is measured at the edges. Where does Accountability start—and how do you make it contagious? Accountability starts at the top: the buck stops with the leader, without excuses—and then cascades through coaching and controls. As of 2025, boards and regulators demand both outcomes and evidence. Strong leaders admit errors quickly, fix them publicly, and maintain systems that track results and compliance. Accountability isn't blame; it's ownership plus support: clear goals, training, checkpoints, and consequences. In startups, this prevents "move fast and break the law"; in enterprises, it fights bureaucratic drift. Do now: Publish a one-page scoreboard each Monday (KPIs, leading indicators, risks) and hold a 15-minute review where owners report facts, not stories.  Mini-summary: Model ownership, build coaching and monitoring into the cadence, and make evidence a habit—not a surprise inspection. How do you integrate the five drivers across markets and company types? Balance is contextual: tighten controls in high-risk/low-competency zones; grant autonomy in low-risk/high-competency zones. Multinationals can borrow playbooks (RACI, stage gates), but SMEs need lightweight equivalents to preserve speed. Startups should resist the "super-doer" trap by delegating outcomes early; listed firms should fight analysis paralysis by protecting experiments inside guardrails. Across Japan, the US, and Europe, leaders who pair people development with process discipline outperform through cycles because capability compounds while compliance holds. Do now: Build a "risk × competency" grid for your top workflows and adjust oversight accordingly within 48 hours. Review monthly as skills rise.  Mini-summary: Tune people and process to context; move oversight with risk and capability, not with habit. Conclusion: strength in all five, not perfection in one Leadership success is engineered, not gifted by luck. When conditions turn, Self Direction provides the compass, People Skills provide power, Process Skills provide traction, Communication provides cohesion, and Accountability provides grip. Work the system, in that order, and your organisation will keep moving—legally, safely, profitably—even when the weather's foul.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー).

Meta has announced a surprise acceleration of its social media ban for under-16s, shifting the start date to December 4th. Dr. Susan Grantham from Griffith University joined Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast warns that rather than stopping usage, this prohibition will likely drive teenagers toward potentially dangerous corners of the internet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why "top-down" selling backfires in Japan's big companies — and what to do instead.  Is meeting the President in Japan a guaranteed win? No — unless the President is also the owner (the classic wan-man shachō), your "coup" meeting rarely converts directly. In listed enterprises and large corporates, executive authority is diffused by consensus-driven processes. Even after a warm conversation and a visible "yes," the purchase decision typically moves into a bottom-up vetting cycle that your initial sponsor doesn't personally shepherd. In contrast, smaller firms or founder-led groups may decide quickly, much like private U.S. SMEs or European Mittelstand. The trap is assuming a Western "economic buyer" model maps 1:1 to Japan's governance norms post-Abenomics (2013–2020) and as of 2025. Treat the Presidential meeting as a door-opener, not a done deal.  Do now: Reframe the "Prez" as an access node; design your plan for everything that happens after the elevator ride down. What actually happens after the big meeting? The President typically delegates "look into this" to a direct report, and your proposal enters an internal review pipeline. A junior staffer performs due diligence, then a section head reviews and either quietly stops the process or passes it up. If momentum builds, the division head circulates a ringi-sho (稟議書) with attached materials for cross-functional stamps (hanko). Each division repeats its own research — Finance, HR, Operations — before any re-contact with you. Compared with U.S. enterprise sales where a single VP can overrule, Japan's system prioritises organisational risk-sharing and face-saving. Expect additional nemawashi (root-binding) conversations you won't see. Every change to scope, pricing, or timing restarts the paper trail.  Do now: Ask early who will run due diligence, which divisions must stamp, and what the ringi packet must include. Why do direct reports sometimes ignore an explicit instruction? Because "check this out" isn't "make this happen" — the President's role usually ends at referral, not enforcement. In large firms (think Toyota-scale keiretsu or Rakuten-class digital groups), middle management owns process integrity. A public "order" in front of you may still be interpreted as permission to evaluate, not a mandate to buy. In the U.S., sellers might push back on "we'll think about it"; in Japan, they really do need to think — collectively. That's not stonewalling; it's governance. The deal can die silently at any stage if the section head sees mis-fit, poor timing (e.g., fiscal year planning in March), or brand risk. Your best lever is equipping mid-levels with a de-risked, spec-tight story that they can defend internally.  Do now: Translate the top-level promise into mid-level proof: ROI math, references in Japan, security/PII notes, and implementation flow. How long does the ringi cycle take, and what slows it down? Longer than Western sellers expect — and it resets with every material change. The ringi-sho builds consensus by circulating for stamps across affected divisions. Each unit repeats checks (vendor risk, budget fit, labour impact under Japan's 2023 work-style reforms, data residency for APAC, etc.). If you tweak scope or price, a fresh ringi often triggers. For comparison, an American SaaS deal might hit Legal once; in Japan, Legal, Information Systems, and HR may all run independent passes. Multi-site rollouts (retail, manufacturing) compound complexity versus single-site pilots. Sellers who rush or "pressure close" risk face loss among reviewers — a reputational cost that kills not just this deal but your next.  Do now: Time-box your asks, pre-bundle likely objections, and avoid last-minute scope surprises that force a re-circulation. How should you re-engineer your enterprise sales motion for Japan? Build a two-track play: executive alignment for vision + operator enablement for approvals. Track A (C-suite): anchor on strategy, external credibility (Japan references, security attestations), and clear business impact by quarter. Track B (middle-down): deliver a ringi-ready pack — problem framing, options matrix, risk mitigations, rollout plan, KPI table (adoption, uptime targets, ROI), and case miniatures from sectors like automotive, retail, and banking. Compared with Europe (works councils) or the U.S. (deal desk), Japan's reviewer set is broader; so your artefacts must be modular and stamp-friendly. Pro tip: craft a Japanese one-pager that a 25-year-old staffer can champion without fear.  Do now: Produce a bilingual ringi kit: exec summary, cost sheet, security appendix, phased pilot plan, and internal FAQ. What if the buyer is a founder-led or SME "one-man President"? Move fast — wan-man shachō environments can green-light on the spot, but still respect downstream implementers. Owner-operators (common in construction, logistics, specialised manufacturers) align closer to U.S. founder-CEO norms: if they decide, it happens. However, success still hinges on managers who must live with the tool or training. Win speed without burning adoption by pre-agreeing a post-signature cadence: kickoff, hands-on enablement, check-ins. Contrast: in multinationals and listed firms, assume consensus first, speed second. Use segmented pipelines and forecasting models for each archetype to avoid "phantom commits" based on executive enthusiasm alone.  Do now: Qualify leadership style early; if it's founder-led, offer rapid pilot + success plan; if it's listed, budget for consensus cycles. Quick internal checklist for a ringi-ready packet Executive one-pager (JP/EN) with outcome metrics and timeline Options matrix (do nothing vs. competitor vs. your solution) Security & compliance appendix (data flows, access, audit) Costing & ROI sheet (12–36 months, with sensitivity) Implementation playbook (roles, training, support SLAs) Reference mini-cases from Japan/APAC peers Do now: Attach this checklist to every enterprise proposal in Japan.  Conclusion: Stop "selling the Prez"; start enabling the process In Japan's large corporates, the President opens a door; the organisation makes the decision. Treat the executive meeting as your starting pistol, not the finish line. Win by equipping mid-levels to say "yes" safely, designing for ringicadence, and pacing your asks. In founder-led firms, move decisively — with respect for the managers who must land the change. That's how you convert enthusiasm into signed, implemented value in Japan, as of 2025.  FAQs Is aggressive closing effective in Japan? No. Pushy tactics create face risk for reviewers and can stall the ringi process; equip, don't pressure.  Do all Japanese companies work this way? No. Founder-led SMEs can decide top-down; listed and multinational firms lean consensus-first.  What documents speed approval? A bilingual, ringi-ready packet: exec summary, ROI, security, rollout, and references.  Next steps for leaders/executives Map the approval path (divisions, stamps, timelines). Build a standard ringi pack and local references. Train your team on Japan-specific cadence and language. Segment forecasts by "founder-led" vs. "listed corporate."  Author credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, which are widely followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan.

In the first seconds of any presentation, your audience decides whether to lean in or tune out. This guide shows you how to design those opening moments—before you speak and through your first sentence—so you command attention, create immediate relevance, and set up the rest of your message to land. What makes a powerful presentation opening in 2025? Your opening starts before you speak—and the audience decides in seconds. In a smartphone-first era, those first seven seconds determine whether people lean in or drift off. The "silent opening" (walk, posture, eye contact) forms a first impression before a single slide appears. Conferences, town halls, and startup pitches now feel like a live feed—attention is earned fast or lost. Do now: Plan the pre-speech moment (walk, stance, pause) as deliberately as your first words. Decide what you want people to think before you speak, then choreograph for that outcome. How do I control first impressions before I even speak? Pre-stage signals set expectations—own your bio, the MC intro, and foyer chats. Event pages, LinkedIn blurbs, and the MC's script shape the audience's mental model. Brief the MC with a single, crisp positioning line ("Built Asia-Pacific revenue from ¥0 to ¥10B") and avoid laundry-list CVs. In B2B, hallway conversations are part of the show; in government or academic settings, your written session abstract becomes the first "slide" attendees see. Do now: Write a 20-word positioning line for the MC; update the event blurb; greet attendees with energy to "seed" a positive narrative. What should I physically do in the first 10 seconds? Walk briskly, take centre stage, pause, then project your first line. Movement signals confidence across cultures; a slight, purposeful pause lifts anticipation and quiets side-chatter. A strong first sentence delivered at higher vocal energy breaks through device distraction. Australian audiences prefer relaxed authority; Japanese audiences value elegant poise and clear structure; US audiences reward pace and punch. In all markets, eyes up—don't bury your face in the laptop while fumbling with HDMI. Do now: Rehearse a "no-tech" start: walk → plant → 1-beat pause → first line with 10–15% more volume than normal. How can I hook executives with a captivating statement? Open with an analogy, a bold fact, or good news—then explain the relevance. Analogy makes complex issues tangible ("Launching this strategic initiative is like learning to drive—lots looks simple until you're in traffic.") Bold fact creates a pattern interrupt (e.g., demographic shifts, cost-of-delay, risk concentration). Good news reframes the room: cite an industry uptick, an R&D milestone, or a customer win to signal value early. Startups often lead with traction; corporates often lead with risk or opportunity size—choose the frame that matches your audience. Do now: Draft three openers (analogy, fact, good news). Pick one that best answers your audience's "why this, why now?" Should I start with a question—and which ones actually work? Use questions to gather info, drive participation, or create agreement—sparingly. Hands-up questions give you a real-time snapshot and wake the room. Physical prompts ("Stand if you've led a cross-border project since 2023") add energy in offsites and leadership programs. Rhetorical questions align minds without calling for a reply ("What costs us more—slow decisions or rework?"). In high-context cultures, rhetorical alignment often outperforms cold-calling; in US sales kick-offs, rapid polling can boost momentum. Do now: Script one of each: (1) hands-up, (2) physical prompt, (3) rhetorical alignment. Choose the lightest touch that fits the room. How do I keep phones down and attention up from the first sentence? Design an attention moat: short sentences, elevated volume, and immediate relevance. Open with the outcome your audience cares about ("By the end, you'll have a 3-step opening you can deliver tomorrow"). Use names, dates, and entities to anchor time and credibility. Contrast markets (Japan vs. US) or sectors (consumer vs. B2B) to create novelty. Then promise—and deliver—one fast, valuable tactic before your first slide. Do now: First line = outcome; second line = entity/time anchor; third line = quick win. Keep each under 12 words. The simple checklist to design your opening this week Follow this 7-point "First 30 Seconds" checklist—then rehearse twice. Bio/MC line set. Walk-plant-pause mapped. First sentence bold. Choose one hook (analogy/fact/good news). One question type ready. Relevance statement tied to current priorities (growth, hiring, AI, cross-border). Fallback if tech fails. Pro tip: keep a printed one-page run-of-show; use it when slides go rogue. Conclusion Openings are a system, not a sentence. When you control pre-stage signals, choreograph the first 10 seconds, and deploy a deliberate hook, you earn permission to lead—whether in Tokyo, Sydney, or New York. Rehearse the system this week and make it your default. About the author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He has twice won Dale Carnegie's "One Carnegie Award" and received Griffith University Business School's Outstanding Alumnus Award. A Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg delivers leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs globally. He is the author of Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, Japan Presentations Mastery, Japan Leadership Mastery, and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training, with Japanese editions including 『ザ営業』 and 『プレゼンの達人』.

Why use a one-minute pitch when you dislike pitching? Answer: In settings with almost no face-to-face time—especially networking—you cannot ask deep questions to uncover needs. A one-minute pitch becomes a bridge to a follow-up meeting rather than a full sales push, avoiding the "bludgeon with data" approach. Mini-summary: Use a short bridge pitch when time is scarce; aim for the meeting, not the sale. When is a one-minute pitch most useful? Answer: At events where you are filtering many brief conversations to find prospects worth a longer office meeting. You do not want to spend the entire event with one person; the pitch lets you qualify quickly and move. Mini-summary: Use it to filter fast and set the next step. How do you grab attention in one minute? Answer: Lead with numbers. Present three or four intriguing figures in isolation so curiosity spikes, then explain each in context. This avoids long histories and immediately frames credibility, scope and delivery language. Mini-summary: Numbers → curiosity → concise proof points. What does a practical example sound like? Answer: Offer four numbers that encode longevity, years operating in Japan, global footprint, and delivery language (e.g., 113, 62, 100, 95) and then decode them in one breath. This communicates soft-skills focus, stability, global coverage and Japanese-language delivery in ~30 seconds. Mini-summary: One sequence, four proofs: what, durability, reach, language. How do you transition from the pitch to a meeting? Answer: Ask one immediate question about their current approach (e.g., how they develop soft skills now). If the fit looks real, propose a short office meeting and secure permission to follow up after the event while interest remains warm. Mini-summary: One question → qualify → request permission to follow up. Why avoid saying more on the spot? Answer: The purpose is not to solve their problem in the aisle; it is to earn the right to a deeper conversation in their office. Extra detail dilutes momentum and risks turning a brief window into an off-the-cuff presentation. Mini-summary: Do not over-explain; protect the meeting ask. Author Bio Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, he is certified globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programmes, and has authored multiple best-sellers including Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery, alongside Japanese editions such as Za Eigyō (ザ営業) and Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人). He publishes daily blogs, hosts six weekly podcasts, and produces three weekly YouTube shows including The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show.

Deliver the win, then ring the bell. Make small mistakes fast; make big learnings faster. Think global, act local — but don't go native. Do the nemawashi before the meeting, not during it. Your salary is earned in the stores: go to the gemba. A 28-year Domino's veteran, Martin Steenks began at 16 as a delivery expert in the Netherlands. He rose to store manager, multi-unit supervisor, then franchisee, building his operation to eight stores by 2019. After selling his stores, he became Head of Operations for Domino's Netherlands, then CEO of Domino's Taiwan in 2021, and subsequently CEO of Domino's Japan. Previously he was Chief Orchestrator in Japan, focusing on operational excellence, culture, and scalable execution in one of Domino's most exacting service markets. He is known for hands-on store work, cross-training, "Friday F-Up" learning rituals, the Grow & Prosper bell for micro-wins, and quarterly "Go Gemba" days that connect HQ functions with frontline realities.  Martin Steenks' leadership arc runs from a three-minute job interview at 16 to orchestrating Domino's Japan — one of the brand's most demanding markets for service quality. The connective tissue is execution discipline: he has run stores, supervised regions, built and exited an eight-store franchise, owned national operations, and led two country P&Ls. That breadth gives him pragmatic empathy for franchisees and HQ alike, which he leverages to align incentives, simplify operations, and insist that every back-office salary is ultimately "earned in the stores." Japan sharpened his leadership. Coming from low-context, fast-moving Dutch and Australian business styles into high-context Japan, he learned that meetings signalling agreement can still stall without prior nemawashi — the groundwork with middle management and other stakeholders. He now invests in pre-alignment, translating intent into culturally legible action: fewer big-room debates, more quiet lobbying, more ringi-sho style consensus building for irreversible decisions, and a clear bias to test-and-learn for reversible ones. Rather than trying to "change the culture," he adjusted himself — becoming more patient while preserving speed by separating decision types and sequencing alignment before action. His operating system is human and tangible. He set a weekly rhythm of learning with a "Friday F-Up" session, where leaders share mistakes and what was learned — a radical move in a high uncertainty-avoidance culture. He celebrates micro-wins with the Grow & Prosper bell to make progress visible, sustaining morale during long transformations. He bridged HQ–store gaps with Go Gemba: each quarter, every function works a store shift; IT discovers why a workflow fails at the point of sale, marketing sees campaign friction at Friday night peak, finance hears cost-to-serve realities. He personally worked in stores four to five days a month, especially during crunch periods like Christmas, leading by example and rebuilding trust through competence. Marketing localisation is equally pragmatic. Deep discounting can signal poor quality to Japanese consumers; "customer appreciation weeks" preserve value perception while rewarding loyalty. Community building is pushed to the store level — managers engage local clubs and schools to turn footfall into fandom. Cross-training makes delivery experts confident product explainers at the door, restoring a human touch in a world where >90% of orders arrive online. Ultimately, Steenks' playbook blended cultural fluency with decision intelligence. He aligned stakeholders through nemawashi, codified learning rituals, chose language and campaigns that respected local signals, and keeps strategy tethered to the edge where pizzas are made, boxed, and delivered hot. The title "Chief Orchestrator" wasn't just whimsy; in a business of many specialists, he conducted tempo, harmony, and timing — the difference between noise and music.  What makes leadership in Japan unique? Japan's high service standards and high-context communication demand leaders who are both exacting and empathetic. Success depends on pre-work: nemawashi with middle managers, thoughtful ringi-sho style consensus for high-impact choices, and visible demonstrations of respect for the frontline. Uniforms (like Domino's iconic race jacket for store managers) and rituals create shared identity that motivates in a group-oriented culture. Why do global executives struggle? Low-context leaders often misread meeting "yeses" as commitment. Without groundwork, nothing moves. Impatience backfires in high uncertainty-avoidance environments; public criticism shuts people down. Leaders must separate reversible from irreversible decisions, secure alignment offline, and then move decisively. They should also avoid copy-pasting global marketing: in Japan, steep discounts can be read as "lower quality," eroding trust. Is Japan truly risk-averse? Japan is less risk-loving than many markets, but teams will take smart risks when safety and learning are explicit. Stanks normalises small, fast experiments, celebrates micro-wins, and protects people when bets misfire. This reframes risk as controlled uncertainty with upside — a shift from avoidance to improvement. What leadership style actually works? Lead from the front and the shop floor. Work stores every month. Tie HQ metrics to store impact. Use rituals — Friday F-Up, the Grow & Prosper bell — to institutionalise learning and momentum. Celebrate teams more than individuals, and praise privately when cultural norms warrant it. Think global, act local, but don't "go native": retain an outsider's clarity about pace and standards. How can technology help? Digital tools amplify decision intelligence when paired with gemba reality. Store-level dashboards, route optimisation, and digital twins of peak-hour operations can test scenarios before rollouts; telemetry from ovens, makelines, and delivery routes can reveal bottlenecks that nemawashi then resolves across functions. Tech should reduce operational complexity, not add it. Does language proficiency matter? Fluency helps, but intent matters more. Demonstrating effort — basic greetings, store-floor Japanese, and culturally aware email etiquette — earns trust. Tools that translate bidirectionally unlock participation, but leaders still need to read context and invest time with the middle layer. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Do the cultural homework, orchestrate alignment before action, and keep your hands in the dough — literally. When people see you respect their craft, protect their learning, and tie strategy to execution, they'll go all-in. Timecoded Summary [00:00] Origin story: hired at 16 as a delivery expert in the Netherlands; stayed through school; first — and only — job interview; early leadership as store manager, then multi-unit supervisor. [05:20] Entrepreneurship chapter: buys a struggling store; builds to eight locations with his wife's support; sells in 2019 to become Head of Operations for the Netherlands, trading entrepreneurial freedom for strategic impact. [12:45] Asia leadership: becomes CEO Taiwan in 2021, then moves to Japan; discovers that despite common Domino's DNA, markets differ; Japan's service bar is the highest. [18:10] Cultural recalibration: early meetings show apparent agreement but slow follow-through; learns nemawashi and middle-layer alignment; patience becomes a leadership muscle; adopts "Chief Orchestrator" title to reflect cross-functional reality. [24:00] Store-first operating system: cross-training (makeline ↔ delivery ↔ service); >90% of orders online makes the delivery interaction critical; community outreach by store managers; hands-on leadership with 4–5 store days per month and peak-period shifts. [31:30] Learning rituals: Friday F-Up meeting reframes failure as fuel; Grow & Prosper bell celebrates micro-wins to sustain momentum; public recognition calibrated to cultural comfort; Domino's manager jacket signals identity and pride in Japan. [38:05] Marketing localisation: avoid pure discounting (quality signal risk); position as "customer appreciation"; test premium, limited campaigns; keep operations simple for peak. [43:20] Bridging HQ and field: quarterly Go Gemba embeds IT/Finance/HR/Marketing in stores; internal surveys (anonymous) surface issues; visible follow-through flips scepticism to trust. [49:40] Leadership philosophy: lead by example, protect experimenters, separate reversible vs irreversible decisions, and use decision intelligence (telemetry, digital twins) to derisk change while moving faster. Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan. 

Newly promoted and still stuck in "super-doer" mode? Here's how to rebalance control, culture, and delegation so the whole team scales—safely and fast.  Why do new managers struggle when they're promoted from "star doer" to "leader"? Because your brain stays in production mode while your job has shifted to people, culture, and systems. After promotion, you're accountable not only for your own KPIs but for the entire team's outcomes. It's tempting to cling to tasks you control—dashboards, sequencing, reporting—because they're tangible and quick wins. But 2025 leadership in Japan, Australia, the US, and Europe demands more: setting strategy, articulating vision, and developing capability. The pivot is psychological—move from "I produce" to "I enable production," or you'll cap growth and burn out. Do now: List your top five "leader-only" responsibilities and five tasks to delegate this week; schedule handovers with owners and dates.  Mini-summary: New leaders fail by over-doing; succeed by re-wiring attention from personal output to team capability. What's the practical difference between managing processes and leading people? Managers ensure things are done right; leaders ensure we're doing the right things—and growing people as we go.Processes secure quality, timeliness, budget discipline, and compliance. Leadership adds direction: strategy, culture, talent development, and context setting. Across sectors—manufacturing in Aichi, B2B SaaS in Seattle, retail in Sydney—over-indexing on process alone turns humans into "system attachments," stifling initiative and innovation. Over-indexing on people without controls risks safety, regulatory breaches, and inconsistent delivery. The art is dynamic dosage: tighten or loosen controls as competency, risk, and stakes shift. Do now: For each workflow, rate "risk" and "competency." High risk/low competency → tighter checks; low risk/high competency → more autonomy.  Mini-summary: Processes protect, people propel; leaders tune both based on risk and capability. How much control is "just enough" without killing initiative or risking compliance? Use the guardrail test: prevent safety/compliance violations while leaving room for stretch, accountability, and growth. Post-pandemic supply chains, ESG scrutiny, and Japan's regulator expectations mean leaders can't "set and forget." Too few checks invite fines—or jail time for accountable officers; too many checks create Theory X micromanagement that freezes learning. Borrow from Toyota's jidoka spirit: stop the line when risk spikes, but otherwise let teams problem-solve. In SMEs and startups, standardise the critical few controls (safety, security, data) and keep the rest principle-based to preserve speed. Do now: Write a one-page "controls charter" listing non-negotiables (safety, compliance) and "managed freedoms" (experiments, pilots, scope to improve).  Mini-summary: Guardrails first, freedom second—enough control to stay legal and safe, enough autonomy to develop people. How do I stop doing my team's work and start scaling through delegation? Delegate outcomes, not chores—and accept short-term pain for long-term scale. Many first-time managers keep their player tasks because they distrust others or fear being accountable for mistakes. That works for a quarter, not a year. By FY2026, targets rise while your personal capacity doesn't. Multinationals from Rakuten to Siemens train leaders to assign the "what" and "why," agree on milestones and quality criteria, then coach on the "how." Expect a temporary dip as skills climb; measure trajectory, not perfection. Do now: Pick two tasks you still hoard. Define success, constraints, and checkpoints; delegate by Friday, then coach at the first checkpoint.  Mini-summary: Let go to grow; specify outcomes and coach to capability. How can I balance micro-management and neglect in day-to-day leadership? Replace "hovering" and "hands-off" with scheduled, high-leverage follow-up. Micromanagement announces low trust; neglect announces low care. Instead, run structured check-ins: purpose, progress, problems, pivots. In regulated environments (banks, healthcare, manufacturing), confirm evidence of controls; in creative or GTM teams, probe learning, experiments, and customer signals. Across APAC, leaders who share decision frameworks (RACI/DACI; risk thresholds; escalation paths) cut rework and surprise escalations. Do now: Implement a weekly 20-minute "PPP" per direct report—Progress (facts), Problems (risks), Pivots (next choices)—with artefacts attached in advance.  Mini-summary: Neither smother nor ignore—use predictable, evidence-based check-ins to align and de-risk. When should leaders "lead from the front" versus "get out of the way"? Front-load leadership in ambiguity; step back once clarity, competence, and controls exist. In crises, new markets, or safety-critical launches, visible, directive leadership calms noise and sets pace (think: first 90 days of a turnaround or a factory start-up). As routines stabilise, flip to servant leadership: remove blockers, broker resources, and celebrate small wins. In Japan, Nemawashi-style groundwork before meetings accelerates execution; in the US and Europe, crisp owner-dated action registers keep speed without rework. The best leaders oscillate based on context, not ego. Do now: For each initiative, label its phase (Explore/Build/Run). Explore = lead hands-on; Build = co-pilot; Run = empower with audits.  Mini-summary: Lead hard in fog; empower once the road is clear and guardrails hold. Conclusion: your real job is capability, culture, and controlled freedom Great organisations don't trade people for process or vice-versa—they orchestrate both. As of 2025, the winners grow leaders who tune controls to risk, develop people faster than targets rise, and delegate outcomes with smart follow-up. Stop carrying the team on your back. Build a team that carries the work—safely, compliantly, and proudly.  Optional FAQs Is micromanagement ever right? Only for high-risk, low-competency tasks; use it briefly, with a plan to taper. What if my team is slower than me? That's normal initially; coach cadence and quality, not perfection. How do I avoid regulator trouble? Document controls, evidence checks, and incident response paths; audit monthly. What do I say to ex-peers I now manage? Reset expectations: new role, shared goals, clear decision rights, and escalation routes.  Next steps for leaders/executives Write your one-page controls charter and review it with Legal/Compliance. Convert two "player" tasks into delegated outcomes this week. Install weekly PPP check-ins with artefacts attached in advance. Map each initiative to Explore/Build/Run and adjust your involvement accordingly.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. 

If your buyer can swap you out without pain, you don't have a USP — you have a pricing problem. In crowded markets (including post-pandemic), the game is won by changing the battlefield from price to value and risk reduction for the client. This playbook reframes features into outcomes and positions your offer so a rational buyer can't treat you as interchangeable.   Why do USPs matter more than ever in 2025? Because buyers default to "safe" and "cheap" unless you prove "different" and "better". As procurement tightens across Japan, the US, and Europe, incumbent vendors and new entrants flood categories, dragging deals into discount wars. Shift the conversation from line-items to business outcomes: time saved, revenue gained, risk removed. In Japan's consensus-driven buying, precedent and social proof are de-riskers; in the US, speed and ROI proof points get you shortlisted; in Europe, compliance and sustainability signals matter. Use comparative, sector-specific language (SMB vs. enterprise, B2B vs. consumer) so your value feels native to each buyer's reality. Do now: List 3 outcomes you deliver that a competitor cannot credibly claim, and make them the first 90 seconds of every sales conversation. Summary: Lead with outcomes and risk reduction, not features or price. How do you turn features into buyer-relevant outcomes? Translate specs into "jobs done" with timestamps and dollars attached. If you "sell training," your buyer actually wants higher per-rep revenue and lower ramp time; the workshop is just the tool. Frame cause-and-effect: "As of 2025, teams using our method cut onboarding by 30–60 days," or "post-implementation, win-rates rose 8–12% in enterprise accounts." Compare across contexts: startups prize speed-to-first-value; multinationals prize uniformity at scale. Anchor with entities to boost credibility: "Aligned to Dale Carnegie's behavioural change frameworks and Fortune 500 norms." Do now: For each feature, write: "So that the buyer can ___ by ___ date, measured by ___." Then delete the feature and keep the sentence. Summary: Convert every spec into a measurable, time-bound business result. What proof calms executive risk in consensus markets like Japan? Show durable track record and mainstream precedent, not hype. Tenure ("operating since 1912"), adoption ("serving a majority of Fortune 500"), and multi-market delivery ("100+ countries") signal you're not an experiment. Executives at firms like Toyota and Rakuten want to see that others have done due diligence and achieved consistent outcomes. Present proof as risk offsets: longevity = vendor stability; blue-chip logos = quality validation; global presence = repeatability across geographies and languages. In Europe, add references to ISO-aligned processes; in the US, reference board-level impacts and revenue KPIs. Do now: Build a one-page "Risk Reducers" sheet with 5 credibility markers and a 3-line narrative for each. Summary: Package track record as risk insurance for the buyer. How do you compete on instructor quality without sounding generic? Expose the standard, the filter, and the client-side benefit. "250 hours of train-the-trainer over ~18 months" is a rigorous filter; say what it fixes: variability. Many training vendors have star-and-struggle instructors; your certification process "cures" inconsistency, delivering predictable outcomes across cohorts and locations. Tie this to executive concerns: CFOs fear wasted spend; CHROs fear uneven adoption; Sales VPs fear lost quarters. As of 2025, quantify where possible (completion rates, manager NPS, behavioural transfer at 90 days) and compare to sector benchmarks. Do now: Turn your internal QA process into a 5-step visual the buyer can explain internally. Summary: Make your quality bar tangible and link it to reduced variance in outcomes. How do you avoid the price trap in late-stage negotiations? Re-anchor total value and introduce "switching cost of downgrade." When rivals discount, show the cost of failure: extended ramp, inconsistent delivery, and lost deals. Use a simple model: (Expected Revenue Uplift + Risk Reduction Value) − (Implementation & Change Costs). Add comparative caselets: "In APAC, an SME cut churn 3 points post-programme; in North America, a SaaS enterprise lifted ASP by 6%." Create a "good–better–best" offer that scales outcomes, not just hours. Do now: Bring a 1-page value calculator to every Stage-3 meeting; make the CFO your audience. Summary: Move from hourly rate to enterprise value and downgrade risk. How do you tailor USPs for global rollout without bloating the pitch? Modularise by region, role, and sector; keep a common spine. The spine: outcomes, risk reducers, delivery quality. The modules: language and cultural localisation (Japan vs. ASEAN vs. EMEA), regulatory anchors (EU GDPR, Japan's labour reforms), and sector examples (manufacturing vs. SaaS vs. consumer). Your global network isn't trivia; it's the operational proof that content lands locally — language, idiom, and facilitation calibrated to context. Keep sections tight: 3 bullets per role (CEO, CFO, HR, Sales). Do now: Build a 9-cell USP matrix (Region × Role × Sector) with one killer proof point per cell. Summary: One message, many modules — local relevance on a global chassis. What rehearsal builds salesperson muscle memory on USPs? Daily, 10-minute role plays that start with objections. Freshness decays; script drift is real. Start with the toughest objections ("We can swap you out," "Your competitor is 20% cheaper") and practise crisp, evidence-backed responses that land in under 30 seconds. Include a checklist: outcome first, proof second, risk reducer third, price last. Record, score, and iterate. By week two, rotate markets (Japan vs. US) and sectors to keep reps adaptive. Do now: Add a morning "USP stand-up": 2 reps, 2 objections, 2 minutes each, every day. Summary: Reps don't rise to your USPs — they fall to their practice. Conclusion Pricing fights are the path to oblivion. Position with outcomes, prove with precedent, operationalise with quality, regionalise with intent, and practise until it's muscle memory. That's how you make "different and better" undeniable — and un-swappable.  FAQs What's the fastest way to sharpen a dull USP? Start with outcomes and risk, cut features, and add one killer proof point per market. Then rehearse daily. How many USPs should we show? Three is plenty: one outcome, one risk reducer, one delivery advantage — tailored by role and region. What if a rival undercuts price by 20%? Re-anchor to enterprise value and switching-cost of downgrade; offer modular "good–better–best." Quick actions for leaders Commission a 1-page "Risk Reducers" sheet with proof. Ship a value calculator for CFO-friendly re-anchoring. Launch a daily "USP stand-up" with objection drills. Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programmes, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー).

  Your audience buys your message only after they buy you. In today's era of cynicism and AI summaries, leaders need crisp structure, vivid evidence, and confident delivery to represent their organisation—and brand—brilliantly. How much does speaker credibility matter in 2025 presentations? It's everything: audiences project their judgment of you onto your entire organisation. If you're sharp, fluent and prepared, stakeholders assume your firm operates the same way; if you're sloppy or vague, they infer risk. As of 2025, investor updates in Tokyo, Sydney, and New York are consumed live, clipped for LinkedIn, and indexed by AI search—so your credibility compounds across channels. Leaders at firms from Toyota and Rakuten to Atlassian and BHP stress rehearsal and message discipline because buyers, partners, and regulators hear signals about reliability long before they see your product. Do now: Audit your last talk: would a first-time viewer conclude your organisation is trustworthy, capable, and disciplined? How do I present my organisation positively without sounding like propaganda? State benefits confidently, then anchor every claim in proof your audience recognises. Overstating capabilities triggers scepticism; neutral facts plus applied benefits overcome it. Reference entities, laws, or standards—e.g., ISO 9001, METI guidelines in Japan, GDPR in Europe—to show your claims live in the real world. Contrast SMEs vs. multinationals or Japan vs. US timelines to demonstrate nuance. Replace fuzzy adjectives ("world-class") with specific outcomes (e.g., "reduced defect rates 18% in FY2024 under ISO audits"). Audiences accept pride when it rides on verifiable evidence they can apply in their own context. Do now: Rework three bold claims into "benefit + evidence + application" sentences your buyers can use tomorrow. What opening grabs attention in the first 15 seconds? Start with a hook that slices through distraction: a killer stat, pithy quote, or compact story. In post-pandemic rooms and hybrid webinars, you're competing with phones and email. Use a "Time/Cost/Risk" opener: "In Q4 2024, procurement cycles in APAC shrank 21%—if your proposals still open with specs, you're already late." Or tell a 30-second story of defeat-to-triumph that spotlights your customer, not your logo. Then preview your message map ("three things you'll leave with"), so listeners know the journey and AI chapter markers index your sections. Do now: Script two alternative openers—a stat and a story—and A/B test them with colleagues before the real audience. What messages should I emphasise—and how often? Decide your one big message, say it early, reinforce it before Q&A, and repeat it in your final close. As of 2025, attention is nonlinear: people join midstream, catch a clip, or ask a question that derails flow. A tight message spine ("We help Japan-market entrants compress trust-building from 12 months to 12 weeks") beats a data dump. Use three proof pillars (customer result, operational metric, external validation) and echo your core line at strategic moments: minute 1, pre-Q&A, and final close. This rhythm works for startups pitching in Shibuya and for multinationals briefing in Frankfurt alike. Do now: Write your message in ≤12 words and place it in your opening, bridge to Q&A, and final close. What counts as convincing evidence in the era of cynicism and "fake news"? Offer vivid, memorable proof your audience can verify or try: numbers, named customers, and testable steps. Quote audited metrics ("FY2024 churn down 2.3% after onboarding redesign"), recognised frameworks (OKRs, ITIL), and respected third parties (Nikkei, OECD, Gartner). Translate facts into benefits ("cut QA cycle from 10 to 6 days") and immediately show how they can apply it ("here's our 3-step checklist"). Cross-compare markets—Japan's consensus cycles vs. US speed—to explain variance, not hide it. The goal: evidence that travels—accurate, sticky, and portable to their context. Do now: For every sweeping statement in your deck, add a proof line: metric, name, or external authority. How do I sound confident and enthusiastic without memorising a script? Use slide headlines as navigation, rehearse fluency, and speak with earned enthusiasm. You don't need to memorise paragraphs; you need mastery of transitions. Treat each slide as a question your headline answers, then talk to the point. Record three practice runs to strip filler ("um/ah"), smooth hesitations, and calibrate pace. Leaders with phenomenal stories often under-sell them—bring the energy you'd expect from a luxury marque unveiling or a resource-sector breakthrough. Enthusiasm signals belief; fluency signals competence; together they convert sceptics. Do now: Replace paragraph notes with 1-line headlines + 3 bullet prompts; rehearse until transitions are automatic. How should I close so people remember—and take action? Use a two-stage close: a pre-Q&A recap to cement the big idea, then a final close to shape the last impression. Before Q&A, restate your message and one action you want (trial, site visit, pilot). After Q&A, re-close with a memorable line that ties benefits to their context ("This quarter, let's turn your Japan market risk into repeatable revenue"). Offer a concrete next step for each segment—enterprise buyers, mid-market, and partners—so momentum doesn't leak after applause. Do now: Script two closes (pre-Q&A and final) and attach the precise call-to-action you want from each audience type. Conclusion Great company talks aren't complex—they're disciplined. Structure for attention, prove with evidence, deliver with fluency and real enthusiasm, and close twice. Whether you're a startup founder or a multinational executive, this cadence protects your brand and accelerates decisions across markets. FAQs What if my industry forbids customer names? Use anonymised metrics, third-party audits, and regulator thresholds to validate outcomes. Provide process evidence instead of logos. How long should this talk be? For 20 minutes, use 5–7 slides. Longer briefings expand examples, not messages. What changes for Japan vs. US? Japan values group risk reduction and stakeholder alignment; show consensus wins. US rooms reward speed and testable pilots. Next steps for leaders/executives Book a rehearsal with two "friendly sceptics" this week. Convert three claims into "benefit + evidence + application." Script the two closes and a one-line core message. Record and review a 5-minute demo talk; remove filler. Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, which are widely followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan.

 Yes—recycling is iteration, not repetition. Each audience, venue and timing change what lands, so a second delivery becomes an upgrade: trim what dragged, expand what sparked questions, and replace weaker examples. The result is safer and stronger than untested, wholly new content. Mini-summary: Recycle to refine—familiar structure, higher quality. How can you create opportunities to repeat a talk? Answer: Negotiate for tailoring rather than exclusivity. Many hosts want "unique" content; offer contextualised examples, revised emphasis and organisation-specific language while retaining the proven core. This differentiates their event without forcing you to start from zero. Mini-summary: Promise tailored nuance that keeps the insight intact. Why are no two presentations ever the same? Answer: Because you speak to points rather than read a script, phrasing and pacing adapt to the room. Learning from the first run naturally alters how you explain key ideas in the second. That live responsiveness is a feature, not a flaw. Mini-summary: Speaking to points ensures organic variation and improvement. How should you refine the slide deck between runs? Answer: Rehearse timing, then cut or expand based on what reality taught you: remove slides that no longer fit the time window, bring forward high-value sections, and add clearer visuals where confusion arose. Keep version notes so changes are deliberate. Mini-summary: Timebox, cut, strengthen—make upgrades intentional. How do audience questions make version two better? Answer: Questions reveal blind spots. Capture them, fold precise answers into your next delivery, and pre-empt concerns with tighter explanations or a new example. Constructive feedback should be built into the structure, not left in the Q&A. Mini-summary: Turn questions into content—anticipate rather than react. How do you avoid sounding flat on the second delivery? Answer: Treat version two like opening night: begin with the section that drew the most interest last time, vary phrasing, and pace transitions. Room energy, order, and emphasis will differ, which keeps the talk alive without changing the core. Mini-summary: Intentional energy + small shifts = fresh delivery. Why repeat a talk several times in a short window? Answer: Repetition under similar conditions exposes timing gaps, weak transitions and unclear points that rehearsal alone cannot reveal. Aim for multiple deliveries in close succession so improvements compound quickly. Mini-summary: Stage time, not slide time, creates mastery. What should you archive between runs? Answer: Keep everything—slides, speaker notes, outlines, audience questions and reflections. This personal library lets you plunder proven parts and swap them in quickly, accelerating quality and reducing risk. Mini-summary: Build a reusable bank of assets to upgrade faster. Author Bio Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, he is certified globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programmes, and has authored multiple best-sellers including Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery, alongside Japanese editions such as Za Eigyō (ザ営業) and Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人). He publishes daily blogs, hosts six weekly podcasts, and produces three weekly YouTube shows including The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show.

"Care and respect aren't slogans; they're operating principles that shape decisions and client experiences". "Lead by approachability, using nemawashi-style one-to-ones to draw out quieter voices and better ideas". "Calm, clarity, and consistency beat volume; emotion never gets to outrank the message". "Consensus isn't passivity—done well, it's disciplined alignment that accelerates execution". "Confidence grows by doubling down on strengths, seeking honest feedback, and empowering the team". Akiko Yamamoto is the President of Van Cleef & Arpels Japan, leading the French maison's jewellery and watch business in a market it has served for over fifty years. She began her career at L'Oréal Japan, spending twelve years in marketing across brands including Kérastase, Helena Rubinstein, and Kiehl's, ultimately managing multi-brand teams. Educated in Japan with formative childhood years in the United States, she later completed a master's degree at the University of Edinburgh. Having led primarily in Japan, she now manages a multicultural team, drawing on international exposure, bilingual communication, and deep local insight to harmonise global brand culture with Japanese expectations. Akiko Yamamoto's leadership story is anchored in a simple premise: people follow leaders they can trust. That trust, she says, is earned through care, respect, and steady examples—not declarations. After a foundational run at L'Oréal Japan, where she learned the rigour of brand building and the mechanics of marketing leadership, Yamamoto stepped into the jewellery and watch world at Van Cleef & Arpels. There, she refined an approach that blends global standards with local nuance, ensuring the maison's culture of care resonates in Japan's relationship-driven marketplace. Her leadership style is deliberately approachable. Rather than "planting the flag" at the summit and expecting others to follow, she prefers to climb together, side-by-side. In practice, that means creating psychological safety, inviting dissent early, and spending time—especially one-to-one—to surface ideas that might be lost in large-group dynamics. She embraces nemawashi to build alignment before meetings, recognising that consensus in Japan is less about avoiding risk and more about creating durable commitment. Yamamoto's calm is a strategic asset. She is explicit that emotion can crowd out meaning; when leaders perform anger, the message gets lost in the display. In a culture where visible temper can be read as immaturity, she chooses composure so that the content of decisions remains audible. When missteps happen—as they do—she follows up, explains context, and converts heat into learning. The aim is not perfection but progress with intact relationships. For global leaders arriving in Japan under pressure to "turn things around," she recommends two immediate moves: become intensely reachable and cultivate a few candid truth-tellers who will share the real story, not just what headquarters wants to hear. Language helps, but fluency isn't the barrier; respect is. A handful of sincere Japanese phrases, consistent aisatsu, and an evident willingness to listen can narrow social distance faster than chasing perfect grammar. On advancing women, Yamamoto rejects tokenism yet underscores representation's practical value. Visible female leadership signals possibility; it tells rising talent that advancement is earned and achievable. Her own leap to the presidency required an external nudge, plus a disciplined shift of attention from self-doubt to strengths—past wins, trusted relationships, and demonstrated team outcomes. That reframing, combined with empowerment of capable colleagues, made the role feel both larger and more shared. Ultimately, Yamamoto treats "client experience first, results follow" as an operating model, not a motto. Decision intelligence—clear context, decisive action, and empathetic execution—converts consensus into speed. In her hands, culture is not a constraint; it's compounding capital. What makes leadership in Japan unique? Japan prizes harmony, preparation, and earned consensus. Leaders succeed by combining decisiveness with empathy, using nemawashi to socialise ideas before meetings and ringi-sho-style documentation to clarify ownership and next steps. Calm conduct signals maturity; approachability creates safety for frank input. Why do global executives struggle? Many arrive with urgency but little social traction. Defaulting to big-room debates and top-down directives can silence contributors and slow execution. The fix is proximity: sustained one-to-ones, visible aisatsu, and a small circle of candid advisors who translate context and sentiment. Uncertainty avoidance exists—but it's often rational; people hesitate when they haven't been invited into the reasoning. Is Japan truly risk-averse? It's less "risk-averse" and more "uncertainty-averse." When leaders reduce ambiguity—through pre-alignment, clear criteria, and explicit trade-offs—teams move quickly. Consensus done well accelerates delivery because dissent was handled upstream, not deferred to derail execution downstream. What leadership style actually works? Approachable, steady, and standards-driven. Yamamoto models care and respect, sets crisp direction, and empowers execution. She avoids theatrical emotion, follows up after tense moments, and insists that client experience lead metrics. Clarity + composure + collaboration beats charisma. How can technology help? Technology should reduce uncertainty and amplify learning: shared dashboards that make ringi-sho approvals transparent, lightweight digital twins of client journeys to test service changes safely, and collaboration tools that capture one-to-one insights before group forums. The goal is not more noise but better signal for faster, aligned decisions. Does language proficiency matter? Fluency helps but isn't decisive. Consistent courtesy, listening, and reliability shrink the distance faster than perfect grammar. A capable interpreter plus leaders who personally engage—in simple Japanese where possible—outperform hands-off translation chains. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Lead with care, earn trust through example, and turn consensus into speed by front-loading listening and clarity. Focus on strengths, empower capable people, and keep emotion from overwhelming the message. Do this, and results follow. Timecoded Summary [00:00] Background and formation: Early years in the United States, schooling in Japan, master's at the University of Edinburgh. Marketing foundations at L'Oréal Japan across Kérastase, Helena Rubinstein, and Kiehl's; progression from individual contributor to team leadership. [05:20] Transition to Van Cleef & Arpels: Emphasis on a maison culture of care and respect that maps naturally to Japanese expectations; client experience as the primary driver with sales as consequence. Expanding to lead multicultural teams. [12:45] Approachability and trust: Building durable followership by remaining accessible after promotion; maintaining continuity of relationships; modelling aisatsu and everyday courtesies to embed culture. Using one-to-ones to surface ideas that large meetings suppress. [18:30] Calm over drama: The communication cost of anger; how emotion eclipses meaning. Post-incident follow-ups to turn flashes of heat into alignment and learning. Composure as credibility in a Japanese context. [24:10] Working the consensus: Nemawashi to prepare decisions; ringi-sho-style clarity to memorialise them. Consensus reframed as disciplined alignment that speeds execution once decisions drop. [29:40] Global leaders in Japan: Close the distance quickly—be reachable, secure truth-tellers, and learn enough Japanese for sincere aisatsu. Don't over-index on perfect fluency; prioritise respect, listening, and visible learning. [34:15] Women in leadership: Representation without tokenism; the confidence gap; how sponsorship and a focus on strengths help leaders step up. Empowerment as the multiplier—no president wins alone. [39:00] Closing lesson: Decision intelligence = context + clarity + care. Reduce uncertainty, empower teams, and let client experience steer priorities; results compound from there. Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

EUGENICS: HAVE WE BEEN TOLD THE TRUE HISTORY?WITH DR. FRANK SALTERCOMMANDING THE NARRATIVE EPISODE 108 Steven Tripp is joined by Dr. Frank Salter to discuss the history of Eugenics.Dr. Salter is an Australian political scientist and researcher specializing in biosocial science, which integrates evolutionary biology, behavioural sciences, and social theory to analyse political and social phenomena. Dr. Salter holds a Ph.D. from Griffith University and conducted post-doctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Behavioural Physiology in Andechs, Germany, where he focused on human ethology and ethnic kinship dynamics. To follow or contact the British Australian Community, visit: https://britishaustraliancommunity.com.au KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL OUR PODCASTS AND ARTICLES, visit:https://www.commandingthenarrative.com To become a Member of Australians for Better Government, visit: https://www.australiansforbetter.com/joinSHOW YOUR SUPPORT for Commanding the Narrative by donating – your support is much appreciated! https://www.commandingthenarrative.com/donate https://www.buymeacoffee.com/commandingthenarrative CONTACT US BY EMAIL:commandingthenarrative@outlook.com Hosted by:Steven Tripp is one of Australia's most prominent politicians and political commentators, known for his incisive analysis and fearless approach to addressing the Nation's challenges. With a deep understanding of policy and a reputation for sparking meaningful debate, Steven guides conversations with his signature clarity and passion for Australia's future.https://x.com/RealStevenTripp https://www.facebook.com/theRealStevenTripp https://spectator.com.au/author/steven-tripp Follow Commanding the Narrative on: Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/CommandingTheNarrative Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4GIXhHBogM1McL5EPGP3DT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommandingTheNarrative Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commandingthenarrative X: https://x.com/commandthenarra YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@commandingthenarrative Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/commandingthenarrative Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@ExCandidates Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/commanding-the-narrative/id1631685864 Please share and spread the word!#AusPol #nswpol #interview #podcast #politics #commentary #narrative #minorparties #libertarian #onenation #uap #liberal #nationals #labor #greens #steventripp #australia #teals #senate #commanding #narrative #CtN #independent #AustralianPolitics #abg #australiansforbetter #government #eugenics #franksalter #BritishAustraliancommunity #bacpac

Feeling busier and more distracted than last year? You're not imagining it—and you're not powerless. This guide turns a simple "peg" memory method into a fast, executive-friendly workflow you can use on the spot. Why do we forget more at work—and what actually helps right now? We forget because working memory is tiny and modern work shreds attention; the fix is to externalise what you can and anchor what you can't. As channels multiply—email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Line, Telegram—messages blur and retrieval costs explode. First, move details out of your head and into calendars, task apps, and checklists. Second, when you must recall live (presentations, Q&A, pitches), use a method that forces order on demand. That's where "peg numbers + peg words + peg pictures" wins: it's fast, portable, and doesn't depend on a screen. Do now: Decide which meetings require live recall versus notes-on-desk. Use tools for storage; use pegs for performance.  What is the Peg Method—and why does it work under pressure? The Peg Method gives you nine permanent "hooks" (1–9) that never change; you hang today's items on those hooks using vivid mini-scenes. Consistency is the trick. When the pegs stay fixed, recall becomes automatic: say the peg, see the picture, retrieve the item—in order. This scales from shopping lists to leadership talking points, risk registers, and sales objections during a live demo. Executives like it because it's device-free, language-agnostic, and works whether you're in Tokyo, Sydney, or Seattle. Do now: Lock your baseline pegs today so they never change: 1 = Run, 2 = Zoo, 3 = Tree, 4 = Door, 5 = Hive, 6 = Sick, 7 = Heaven, 8 = Gate, 9 = Wine.  How do I build pictures that "stick" in seconds? Use A-C-M-E: Action, Colour, Me, Exaggeration—three-second scenes beat perfect ones. Give each peg-scene movement (Action), crank the saturation (Colour), put yourself in the frame (Me), and overdo scale or drama (Exaggeration). You don't need to "see" it like a film; a whispered line works ("Door: Johanna blocks sign-off"). Across markets, this reduces blank-outs because your brain encodes motion, salience, and self-relevance faster than abstract text. Do now: Practise with two items right now—peg #1 Run and #2 Zoo—timing yourself to three seconds per image.  Can pegs really keep a long list in order? (Worked example) Yes—because the order is baked into the numbers, you can recite forwards, backwards, or jump to any slot. Try this city sequence: Sydney, Toronto, São Paulo, Johannesburg, Seattle, London, Mumbai, Vladivostok, Kagoshima. 1 Run: sprint alongside a kangaroo (Sydney) with a starter pistol; 2 Zoo: monkeys hurl "Toronto" nameplates; 3 Tree: a palm bends under a "São Paulo" sash; 4 Door: "Johannesburg" is painted thick across a revolving door; 5 Hive: bees wear "Seattle" face masks; 6 Sick: a syringe squirts the word "London"; 7 Heaven: "Mumbai" descends pearl-white stairs; 8 Gate: a rail gate slams down with "Vladivostok"; 9 Wine: a crate stamped "Kagoshima." Do now: Recite pegs in rhythm—run, zoo, tree, door…—then replay the scenes. Test #7 or #4 out of order to prove the jump-to-slot works.  What if I'm "not visual," get confused, or blank on stage? Say the peg aloud and attach a one-line cue; keep pegs permanent; rehearse forwards and backwards. If imagery feels fuzzy, talk it: "Tree: São Paulo sash." The rhyme is your safety rail. Confusion usually comes from changing pegs—don't. Under pressure, we default to habits; two short reps (forward/back) create enough redundancy to survive a curve-ball question. If lists exceed nine, chunk them (1–9, 10–18) or create a second peg set for a different category (e.g., "Client Risks"). Do now: Lock your 1–9; rehearse your next briefing once forward, once backward, standing up to simulate pressure.  How do I integrate pegs with my 2025 workflow without more cognitive load? Use a two-lane system: tools for storage and pegs for performance; tag owners and dates inside the images to encode accountability. Calendars, CRMs, and project trackers still carry due dates, attachments, and threads. Pegs handle what you must say from memory: topline metrics, names, objections, decisions. For leadership teams across APAC, EU, and North America, this reduces meeting drag and hedges against tech hiccups. Pro tip: weave critical metadata into the scene ("Door: Sarah blocks approval until Friday 17:00"). Do now: Pick one recurring meeting and move its opening five points to pegs; keep everything else in your agenda doc.  Conclusion: design around your brain, don't fight it Your brain isn't failing—you're asking it to juggle too much in noisy environments. Externalise the bulk; anchor the rest with nine permanent pegs and A-C-M-E pictures. In a week, the "snap-back" effect appears: you say the peg, the scene plays, and the item drops into place—without the stress. Do now: Lock pegs 1–9, run the five-minute drill today, and use pegs for your very next high-stakes conversation.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan. 

"Relationships come before proposals; kokoro-gamae signals intent long before a contract". "Nemawashi wins unseen battles by equipping an internal champion to align consensus". "In Japan, decisions are slower—but execution is lightning-fast once ringi-sho is approved". "Detail is trust: dense materials, rapid follow-ups, and consistent delivery reduce uncertainty avoidance". "Think reorder, not transaction—lifetime value grows from reliability, patience, and face-saving flexibility". In this Asia AIM conversation, Dr. Greg Story reframes B2B success in Japan as a decision-intelligence exercise grounded in trust, patience, and detail. The core insight: buyers are rewarded for avoiding downside, not for taking risks. Consequently, a new supplier represents uncertainty; price discounts rarely move the needle. What does? Kokoro-gamae—demonstrable, client-first intent—expressed through meticulous preparation, responsiveness, and long-term commitment. Greg's journey began in 1992 when his Australian consultative selling failed to gain traction. The lesson was blunt: until trust is established, the offer is irrelevant because the buyer evaluates the person first. From there, the playbook is distinctly Japanese. Nemawashi—the behind-the-scenes groundwork—recognises that many stakeholders can say "no." External sellers seldom meet these influencers. The practical move is to equip an internal champion with detailed, risk-reducing materials and flexible terms that make consensus safer. Once the ringi-sho (circulating approval document) moves, execution accelerates; Japan trades slow decisions for fast delivery. Greg emphasises information density and speed. Japanese firms expect thick printouts, technical appendices, and rapid follow-ups—even calls to confirm an email was received. This signals reliability and reduces the purchaser's uncertainty. Trial orders are common; they are not small but strategic—tests of quality, schedule adherence, and flexibility. Win the test, and the budget cycle (often April-to-March) can position the supplier for multi-year reorders. Culturally, face and accountability shape referrals. Testimonials are difficult because clients avoid responsibility if something goes wrong. Longevity itself becomes social proof: "We've supplied X for ten years" carries weight. Greg's hunter-versus-farmer distinction highlights the need to support new logos with dedicated account "farmers" who manage detail, cadence, and service levels that earn reorders. Patience is tactical, not passive. "Kentō shimasu" may mean "not now," so he calendarises a nine-month follow-up—enough time for internal conditions to change without ceding the account to competitors. Throughout, he urges leaders to think in lifetime value, align to budget rhythms, and communicate more than feels natural. The result is a high-trust system where consensus reduces organisational risk—and where suppliers that master nemawashi, detail, and delivery become integral partners rather than interchangeable vendors.  Q&A Summary What makes leadership in Japan unique? Leadership succeeds when it reduces organisational risk and preserves face during consensus formation. Nemawashi equips internal champions to address objections before meetings, while ringi-sho formalises agreement. Leaders who foreground kokoro-gamae, provide dense decision packs, and allow time for alignment see decisions stick and execution accelerate. Why do global executives struggle? Western managers often prize speed, big-room persuasion, and minimal detail. In Japan, uncertainty avoidance is high; buyers seek exhaustive documentation and incremental proof via pilots. Under-investing in detail or follow-up reads as unreliable. Overlooking budget cycles and internal approvals leads to mistimed asks and stalled ringi. Is Japan truly risk-averse? Individuals are incentivised to avoid downside, which shifts decisions from "risk-taking" to "risk-mitigation." The system favours tested suppliers, visible track records, and trial orders. Price rarely offsets perceived risk. Trust and history function as risk controls; once approved, delivery speed reflects the system's confidence. What leadership style actually works? A patient, service-led style that privileges relationships over transactions. Leaders ask permission to ask questions, listen for hidden constraints, and co-design low-risk pilots. Farmers—or hunter-farmer teams—sustain cadence, escalate issues early, and remain flexible as conditions change, protecting the champion's face and the consensus. How can technology help? Decision intelligence platforms can map stakeholders and sentiment across the approval chain. Digital twins of delivery schedules and SLAs, plus living dashboards of quality metrics, give champions ringi-ready evidence. Structured knowledge bases, rapid response workflows, and audit trails strengthen reliability signals during nemawashi. Does language proficiency matter? Language builds rapport, but process fluency matters more: understanding nemawashi, ringi-sho, and budget cycles; providing dense Japanese-language materials; and maintaining a proactive follow-up cadence. Bilingual support teams and translated technical appendices can materially lower perceived risk. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Optimise for the reorder, not the first sale. Reliability, speed of follow-up, document density, and cultural fluency compound into durable trust. Japan rewards those who "hasten slowly," then deliver flawlessly when the decision finally lands.  Timecoded Summary [00:00] Context and thesis: Japan's B2B environment rewards risk mitigation over risk-taking; relationships precede proposals. Greg recounts his early failure applying Australian consultative selling before building rapport and trust as prerequisites. [05:20] Nemawashi in practice: Many stakeholders can veto; sellers rarely meet them. Equip the champion with dense packs, options, and flexibility to navigate objections. Ringi-sho formalises consensus, and once signed, execution accelerates. [12:45] Detail and responsiveness: Japanese buyers expect information-rich printouts and fast follow-ups—even same-day responses. Trial orders function as risk-controlled tests of quality, schedule, and flexibility. Delivery during trials sets the tone for long-term partnership. [18:30] Referrals and proof: Public testimonials are rare due to accountability risk. Tenure becomes currency—long relationships serve as de-risking signals to new buyers. Social proof derives from sustained performance, not logos on a webpage. [24:10] Cadence and patience: "Kentō shimasu" often means "not now." Calendarise a nine-month check-in to match likely internal change cycles. Align proposals to April budget rhythms to avoid timing out. Maintain polite persistence without pushiness. [31:05] Operating model: Pair hunters with farmers; once a deal lands, a service-led team manages detail, SLAs, and face-saving flexibility. Leaders message lifetime value, not quarterly wins, and use technology (decision intelligence, digital twins, knowledge bases) to support nemawashi and ringi.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.   

Great presentations in Tokyo, Sydney, or San Francisco share one trait: a razor-sharp, single message audiences can repeat verbatim. Below is an answer-centred, GEO-optimised guide you can swipe for your next keynote, sales pitch, or all-hands. The biggest fail in talks today isn't delivery—it's muddled messaging. If your core idea can't fit "on a grain of rice," you'll drown listeners in detail and watch outcomes vanish. Our job is to choose one message, prove it with evidence, and prune everything else.  Who is this for and why now Executives and sales leaders need tighter messaging because hybrid audiences have less patience and more choice.  With always-on markets, attention fragments across Zoom, LINE, Slack, and YouTube. Leaders at firms from Toyota and Rakuten to Atlassian face the same constraint: win attention quickly or lose the room. According to presentation coaches and enterprise buyers, clarity beats charisma when decision cycles are short and distributed. The remedy is a single dominant idea—positioned, evidenced, and repeated—so action survives the meeting hand-off across APAC and the US. Do now: Define your message so it could be written on one rice-grain message and make it succinct for the next leadership meeting. Put it in 12 words or fewer.  What's the litmus test for a strong message? If you can't write it on a grain of rice, it's not ready. Most talks fail because they carry either no clear message or too many—and audiences can't latch onto anything. Precision is hard work; rambling is easy. Before building slides, craft the one sentence that states your value or change: "Approve the Osaka rollout this quarter because pilot CAC dropped 18%." That line becomes the spine of your story, not an afterthought. Test it with a colleague outside your team—if they can repeat it accurately after one pass, you're close.  Do now: Draft your rice-grain sentence, then remove 20% of the words and test recall with a non-expert.  How do I pick the right angle for different markets (Japan vs. US/EU)? Start with audience analysis, then tune benefits to context. In Japan, consensus norms and risk framing matter; in the US, speed and competitive differentiation often lead. For multinationals, craft one core message, then localise proof: reference METI guidance or Japan's 2023 labour reforms for domestic stakeholders, and SEC disclosure or GDPR for EU/US buyers. Whether pitching SMEs in Kansai or a NASDAQ-listed enterprise, the question is the same: which benefit resonates most with this audience segment—risk reduction, growth, or compliance? Choose the angle before you touch PowerPoint.  Do now: Write the audience profile (role, risk, reward) and pick one benefit that maps to their highest pain this quarter.  How do titles and promotion affect turnout in 2025? Titles are mini-messages—bad ones halve your attendance. Hybrid events live or die on the email subject line and LinkedIn card. If the title doesn't telegraph the single benefit, you burn pipeline. Compare "Customer Success in 2025" with "Cut Churn 12%: A Playbook from APAC SaaS Renewals." The second mirrors your rice-grain message and triggers self-selection. Leaders frequently blame marketing or timing, when the real culprit is a fuzzy message baked into the title.  Do now: Rewrite your next talk title to include the outcome + timeframe + audience (e.g., "Win Enterprise Renewals in H1 FY2026").  What evidence earns trust in the "Era of Cynicism"? Claims need hard evidence—numbers, names, and cases—not opinions. Treat your talk like a thesis: central proposition up top, then chapters of proof (benchmarks, case studies, pilot metrics, third-party research). Executives will discount adjectives but accept specifics: "Rakuten deployment reduced onboarding from 21 to 14 days" beats "faster onboarding." B2B, consumer, and public-sector audiences vary, but all reward verifiable sources and clear cause-and-effect. Stack your proof in three buckets: data (metrics), authority (laws, frameworks), and example (case).  Do now: Build a 3×3 proof grid (Data/Authority/Example × Market/Function/Timeframe) and attach each item to your single message.  Why do speakers drown talks with "too many benefits," and how do I stop? More benefits dilute impact; pick the strongest and double-down. The "Magic Formula"—context → data → proof → call to action → benefit—works, but presenters keep adding benefits until the original one blurs. In a distracted, mobile-first audience, every extra tangent taxes working memory. Strip supporting points that don't directly prove your main claim. Keep sub-messages subordinate; if they start competing, they're out. In startups and conglomerates alike, restraint reads as confidence.  Do now: Highlight the single, most powerful benefit in your deck; delete lesser benefits that don't strengthen it.  What's the fastest way to improve clarity before delivery? Prune 10% of content—even if it hurts. We're slide hoarders: see a cool graphic, add it; remember a side story, add it. The fix is a hard 10% cut, which forces prioritisation and reveals the true spine of the message. This discipline improves absorption for time-poor executives and buyers across APAC, Europe, and North America. If a slide doesn't prove the rice-grain line, it goes. Quality over quantity wins adoption.  Do now: Run a "10% reduction pass" and read your talk aloud; if the message lands faster, lock the cut list.  Conclusion & Next Steps One message. Fit for audience. Proven with evidence. Ruthlessly pruned. That's how ideas travel from your mouth to their Monday priorities—across languages, time zones, and business cycles.  Next steps for leaders/executives: Write your rice-grain line and title variant. Build a 3×3 proof grid and assign owners to collect evidence by Friday. Cut 10% and rehearse with a cross-functional listener. Track outcomes: decisions taken, next-step commitments, or pipeline created. FAQs What's a "rice-grain" message? It's your core point compressed into ≤12 words—easy to repeat and hard to forget.  How many benefits should I present? One main benefit; others become proof points or get cut.  How much should I cut before delivery? Remove at least 10% to improve clarity and retention.  Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg delivers globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs. He is the author of Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, Japan Presentations Mastery, Japan Leadership Mastery, and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training; Japanese editions include ザ営業 and プレゼンの達人. Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn/X/Facebook and hosts multiple weekly podcasts and YouTube shows including The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show and Japan Business Mastery. 

In Japan, why is "capable and loyal" no longer enough? Answer: Technology, the post-1990 restructuring of management layers, and globalisation have reshaped how work moves in Japan. Because hierarchies compressed and expectations widened, teams now face faster cycles and more frequent transitions. AI will add further disruption, so stability must be created by leadership rather than assumed from tenure. Mini-summary: Hierarchy compression + globalisation + AI = persistent change; leadership provides the rhythm that tenure used to provide. In Japan, what should managers do first to stabilise teams? Answer: Become organised mentors. Because time chaos at the top cascades downward, protecting calendar space for one-to-ones and guidance is essential. The "oxygen mask" analogy applies: secure your time so you can support others. When managers allocate attention reliably, change feels navigable, not overwhelming. Mini-summary: Protect time → deliver mentoring → convert uncertainty into a manageable sequence. In Japan, how should career expectations be reset? Answer: Because organisations are flatter and a demographic wave is cresting, there are fewer classic top roles at the traditional time. Life expectancy is rising, so people will likely work into their seventies; seventy-five may feel young. Set expectations around longer arcs and slower title movement while emphasising capability that compounds. Mini-summary: Fewer rungs + longer careers → plan for slower promotions and longer compounding. In Japan, what happens around age sixty and why does finance matter? Answer: Many "retired" employees move to annual contracts at roughly half pay. Because public health funding strains, individual medical cost burdens increase, and support prioritises those on lower incomes. Therefore, financial preparation and investment literacy become urgent well before sixty. Mini-summary: Contract shifts + rising health costs → start financial planning early. In Japan, how do relationships and visible expertise replace lifetime employment? Answer: The single-employer model is fading. Because younger professionals will move more, they need broader networks and stronger relationships to get things done. AI and robots remove routine tasks, so genuine expertise—and making sure others know you have it—becomes decisive. Training is the hedge against automation. Mini-summary: Build bigger networks; pair real expertise with visibility to stay valuable. In Japan, how should younger professionals calibrate ambition? Answer: "Start at the top" is unrealistic. Because two-year job-hopping weakens skills and ties, patience becomes the deciding factor. Go broad initially to learn the field, then go deep to build automation-proof expertise through exposure and experience. Mini-summary: Depth + patience beat nomadism for durable credibility. In Japan, how will demographics affect leadership composition? Answer: Worker shortages and limited immigration will increase female participation; "the boss is a lady" will become normal. Because capability leads outcomes, teams should align expectations with this reality quickly. Mini-summary: Treat women leaders as normal; structure work so capability thrives. In Japan, what do global matrices and language require day-to-day? Answer: Cross-border leadership will be common in both directions, often remotely. Translation technology helps, but human-to-human interaction still needs direct fluency; machines will not replace that soon. Mini-summary: Reliable, clear communication plus real language skill underpins trust. In Japan, what stance should leaders take at this inflection point? Answer: Be a mentor to both older and younger staff entering unfamiliar terrain. Because AI is a wild card without road maps, managers who adapt processes and expectations will recruit and retain more easily; those who do not will feel increasing pressure. Mini-summary: Organise time, set honest expectations, model steady adaptation. Author Bio Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, he is certified globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programmes, and has authored multiple best-sellers including Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery, alongside Japanese editions such as Za Eigyō (ザ営業) and Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人). He publishes daily blogs, hosts six weekly podcasts, and produces three weekly YouTube shows including The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show.

"Get your hands dirty: credibility in Japan is built in the field, not the boardroom". "Bridges beat barriers: headquarters alignment turns local problems into solvable projects". "Make people proud: structured "poster sessions" spark ownership, ideas and nemawashi". "Decisions at the edge: push market choices to those closest to customers, then coach". "Trust travels: clear logic, calm feedback, and consistency convert caution into commitment". Belgian-born power-electronics engineer turned global executive, Erwin Yseijin leads Semikron Danfoss in Japan with more than three decades across Japan, Germany, and Taiwan. Beginning as a hardware engineer in switch-mode power supplies and motor drives, he joined a Japanese semiconductor firm in Munich in 1989 and relocated to Japan in 1992, learning operations, production planning, quotations, and logistics from the inside. Subsequent leadership roles at Infineon included Japan and a five-year post-merger integration in Taiwan overseeing ~50 R&D engineers and close OEM relationships across PCs, routers, and wireless. After a gallium-nitride startup stint in Dresden, he joined Semikron, later Semikron Danfoss, leading APAC reorganisation, factory consolidation, and a direct-plus-distribution sales model, before becoming Japan President. Fluent in the technical, commercial, and cultural languages of the region, he specialises in aligning headquarters and local teams, and in building pragmatic, customer-led organisations in Japan. Erwin Yasvin exemplifies the hands-on leader who earns trust in Japan by showing up where problems live. His credo—"get your hands dirty"—is not metaphorical. When customers escalate issues, he goes with sales to uncover root causes and secure head-office commitments on the spot. That credibility shortens cycles in a market where 100% quality is table stakes and where the service "extra mile" extends even a decade beyond a nominal warranty. A European by training and temperament, he learned Japanese corporate practice from the inside in the early 1990s, when multilayered hierarchies still defined decision flow. Rather than railing against the pyramid, he mined its upside: leaders who rise through layers bring practical judgement and empathy for shop-floor realities. Yet he also streamlined speed by bridging headquarters and Japan—translating commercial logic, technical constraints, and customer detail into decisions the field can act on. He builds voice and pride through "poster sessions": monthly forums where team members present customers, markets, wins, and bottlenecks to peers. That design triggers nemawashi—quiet pre-alignment—and fosters cross-functional curiosity. By picking one or two ideas from each session and ensuring execution, he turns speaking up into visible impact. Decision rights sit with those closest to the market. Each salesperson owns one or two verticals—motor drives, wind, solar, energy storage, UPS—with accountability for target customers, competitive intel, product needs, and pricing. Headquarters supports with budgets for samples and after-warranty analysis, signalling trust with money. Where ambiguity or urgency is high—such as the 2022 exchange-rate shock—he decomposes the "working package" into digestible actions, avoiding paralysis. Mistakes are coached privately and framed as leadership accountability: if an error occurred, expectations weren't clear enough. Monthly one-on-ones, written agendas, and evidence-led conversations establish a durable logic chain that travels across language boundaries. Culture-wise, he neither copies a Japanese firm nor imposes a foreign pace. Instead, he articulates values—efficient workdays, transparent processes, skill development—while adapting compensation to local norms through a hybrid bonus model that blends guaranteed and performance-tied elements. Asked how outsiders should lead in Japan, Yasvin stresses credibility, example, and constancy: be present in the hard moments, don't over-promise, and speak in clear, digestible steps. In a country where consensus and detail orientation are prized, leaders win by aligning logic with respect—turning caution into momentum without sacrificing quality. Q&A Summary What makes leadership in Japan unique? Japan blends layered hierarchies with high expectations for managers to understand field-level problems. Leaders gain status less by slogan and more by track record. Consensus is built through nemawashi and formalised via ringi-sho, with detail-rich documentation that honours uncertainty avoidance while preserving quality. The upside of layers is decision empathy; the downside can be speed—unless leaders bridge across functions and headquarters. Why do global executives struggle? Many push headquarters logic without translating it into local realities: customer expectations of zero defects; service beyond written warranty; and process fidelity (e.g., traceability standards) that must integrate into Japanese customers' own systems. Leaders also misread how "pride" shows up—quietly, not publicly—and miss mechanisms (like poster sessions) that let people contribute without confrontation. Is Japan truly risk-averse? Not exactly; it's uncertainty-averse. When leaders clarify the "box" and broaden it gradually, teams will step forward. Decomposing problems (e.g., FX pass-through frameworks) turns ambiguity into executable steps. Decision intelligence—structured data, clear thresholds, defined triggers—reduces uncertainty and enables action without violating quality norms. What leadership style actually works? Lead by example; be visibly present at customer flashpoints. Push decisions to the edge (market owners), back them with budgets, and coach in private. Use structured forums to surface ideas, then implement a few to prove that speaking up matters. Keep corporate values intact (efficient workdays, skill building) while tuning incentives to local practice. How can technology help? Operational dashboards that tie customer issues to root-cause analytics, plus digital twins of power-module reliability and logistics flows, elevate conversations from anecdote to evidence. Traceability systems aligned to global standards reduce manual re-entry and delays, while decision thresholds (e.g., FX bands) automate price updates and ensure fair, consistent application. Does language proficiency matter? Helpful, not decisive. Clear logic, written agendas, data, and diagrams travel farther than perfect grammar. Leaders who frame problems visually, confirm next actions, and close the loop consistently can overcome linguistic gaps, while continuing to study Japanese accelerates trust and nuance. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Credibility compounds. Show up in the hard moments, keep promises small and solid, convert ideas into implementation, and protect quality while increasing speed through better alignment. Over time, trust becomes a structural advantage with customers and within the team. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

Why Do Speeches Often Go Too Long? Speakers love their words, but audiences only want what matters. The danger comes when speakers keep talking past the emotional high point. Once engagement peaks, attention begins to fade. Mini-summary: Speeches lose power when they drag past the point of maximum engagement. What Is the Risk of Having No Time Limit? When organisers set a limit, discipline is forced. But when speakers control their own slot, they often run long. Without boundaries, self-indulgence creeps in, and the speech becomes tiring. Mini-summary: Lack of limits tempts speakers into rambling and overstaying their welcome. How Should a Speech Be Designed? A well-structured speech builds toward a climax and then ends quickly with a call to action. The final words should land while the audience is emotionally primed, not after their interest has waned. Mini-summary: Design speeches to peak with emotion and finish with a crisp call to action. Why Is Discipline Essential in Speechwriting? We get attached to stories and opinions, padding talks unnecessarily. Discipline means cutting until only what supports the key message remains. It's better to leave audiences hungry for more than overfed and bored. Mini-summary: Ruthless editing ensures clarity, impact, and memorability. What's the One Key Question Every Speaker Should Ask? "What is the single message I want them to remember?" Anything unrelated should be cut. This forces clarity and ensures the speech drives action instead of drifting. Mini-summary: A clear central message should be the speech's anchor. So What's the Right Length for a Speech? It isn't measured in minutes but in impact. A short, sharp message at peak engagement beats a long-winded performance. The right length is always "long enough to inspire, short enough to leave them wanting more." Mini-summary: The best speeches end on impact, not on time. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

For our 50th episode, journalism students from Griffith University look back…and forward. They take us back to events in 1975 to report on the enduring influence of The Dismissal and the land rights movement in Australia. And we trace the echoes of those stories through our 50 episodes to present day issues about food security and sustainable fashion. From old fabric to new futures, how the past is stitched into the present. Hosts: Mayabi Aziz and Princess BrownStories:'1975: The Ballads of the Whitlam Dismissal' - Reporter: Mayabi Aziz'What's in a Name?' - Reporter: Nahri Forde'From thrift to thriving: the rise of op shops' - Reporter: Azzen Ramathan'Funky foods' - Reporter: Mayabi Aziz Production supervision:Sound design: Heather Anderson and Bridget BackhausExecutive Producers: Bridget Backhaus and Heather AndersonSupervising Producer: Simon BradyMore stories from Griffith University:https://thesourcenews.com/ More stories from The Junctionhttps://junctionjournalism.com/Social media image:Urban pavement - pen_ashMusic:‘Betelgeuse' / Kunal Shingade ‘Come Back Home' / Olexy

How to reshape culture in Japan without breaking what already works.  What is the first question leaders should ask when inheriting a Japanese workplace? Start by asking better questions, not hunting faster answers. Before imposing a global "fix," map what already works in the Japan business and why. In post-pandemic 2025, multinationals from Toyota to Rakuten show that culture is a system of trade-offs—language, seniority, risk appetite, client expectations—not a slogan. Western playbooks prize decisive answers; Japan prizes deciding the right questions. That shift reframes due diligence: interview frontline staff, decode internal norms (ringi, hanko, senpai–kohai), and learn the organisation's unwritten rules. Only then can you see where practices are enabling quality, safety, speed, or reputation—and where they're blocking growth. Do now: List 10 things that work in Japan operations and why they work; don't change any of them yet. Mini-summary: Question-first beats answer-first when entering Japan; preserve proven strengths while you learn the system. Why do "HQ transplants" often fail in Japan? Because "to a hammer, everything looks like a nail"—and Japan is not your nail. Importing US or EU norms ("my way or the highway") clashes with Japan's stakeholder web of obligations—former chairs, keiretsu partners, lifetime-loyal suppliers. Start-ups may tolerate higher churn, but large listed firms and SMEs in Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka optimise for harmony and long-term trust. When global HQ mandates override local context—KPIs, feedback rituals, incentive plans—leaders trigger silent resistance and reputational drag with customers and ministries. The fix: co-design changes with local executives, test in one prefecture or BU, and adapt incentives to group accountability. Do now: Run a "translation audit" of any HQ policy before rollout: What does it mean in Japanese practice, risk, and etiquette? Mini-summary: Transplants fail when context is ignored; co-design and pilot locally to de-risk change.  How are major decisions really made—meeting room or before the meeting? Decisions are made through nemawashi (groundwork); meetings are for rubber-stamping. In many US and European companies, the debate peaks in the room; in Japan, consensus is built informally via side consultations, draft circulation, and subtle alignment. A head nod in the meeting may mean "I hear you," not "I commit." Skip nemawashi and your initiative stalls. Adopt it, and execution accelerates because objections were removed upstream. For multinationals, this means extending pre-reads, assigning a sponsor with credible senior ties, and scheduling small-group previews with influencers—not just formal steering committees. Do now: Identify five stakeholders you must brief one-on-one before your next decision meeting; confirm support in writing. Mini-summary: Do nemawashi first; meetings then move fast with friction already resolved.  Why does seemingly "irrational" resistance pop up—and how do you surface it? Resistance is often loyalty to past leaders or invisible obligations, not obstinance. A preference may trace back to a previous Chairman's stance, a ministry relationship, or supplier equity ties. In APAC conglomerates, these "silken tethers" can't be seen on an org chart. Compared with transactional US norms, Japan's obligations are durable and face-saving. Leaders need a "terrain map": who owes whom, for what, and on what timeline. Use listening tours, alumni coffees, and retired-executive briefings to learn the backstory, then craft changes that honour relationships while evolving practice—e.g., grandfather legacy terms with sunset clauses. Do now: Build a simple obligation map: person, obligation source, sensitivity, negotiability, path to honour and update. Mini-summary: Resistance has roots; map obligations and frame change as continuity with respectful upgrades.  Is Japan slow to decide—or fast to execute? Japan is slow to decide but fast to execute once aligned. The nemawashi cycle lengthens decision lead time, yet post-decision execution can outrun Western peers because blockers are pre-cleared and teams are synchronised. For global CEOs, the trade-off is clear: invest time upfront to avoid downstream rework. Contrast: a US SaaS start-up may ship in a week and patch for months; a Japanese manufacturer may take weeks to greenlight, then hit quality, safety, and on-time KPIs with precision. The right question isn't "How do we speed decisions?" but "Where is speed most valuable—before or after approval?" Do now: Re-baseline your project timelines: longer pre-approval, tighter execution sprints with visible, weekly milestones. Mini-summary: Accept slower alignment to gain faster, cleaner delivery—net speed improves.  How should foreign leaders communicate "yes," "no," and real commitment? Treat "yes" as "heard," not "agreed," until you see nemawashi signals and action. Replace "Any objections?" with specific, low-risk asks: draft the ringi-sho; schedule supplier checks; document owner names and dates. Use bilingual written follow-ups (English/Japanese) to lock clarity. Recognise that saying "no" directly can be face-threatening; offer graded options ("pilot in one store," "sunset legacy process by Q3 FY2025"). Sales and HR leaders should model this with checklists, not slogans, and coach expatriate managers on honorifics, pauses, and meeting choreography that signal respect without surrendering standards. Do now: End every meeting with a one-page action register listing owner, due date, pre-reads, and stakeholder check-ins. Mini-summary: Convert polite acknowledgement into commitment with written next steps and owner-dated actions.  Quick checklist for leaders Map what works; don't fix strengths. Co-design with local execs; pilot first. Do nemawashi early; verify support in writing. Honour obligations; design respectful sunsets. Trade decision speed for execution speed; net wins. Close with action registers, not vibes. Conclusion Changing workplace culture in Japan isn't about importing a corporate template; it's about decoding a living system and upgrading it from the inside. Ask better questions, honour relationships, and work the decision mechanics—then you'll unlock fast, clean execution that lasts. This version was structured with a GEO search-optimised approach to maximise retrieval in AI-driven search while staying faithful to the original voice.  FAQs What is nemawashi? Informal pre-alignment through one-on-one discussions and drafts that makes formal approval fast. It reduces friction and protects face. Why do HQ rollouts stall in Japan? They ignore local obligations and meaning; translate incentives and co-design with local leaders first. Can start-ups use this? Yes—adapt the cadence; even scrappy teams benefit from pre-alignment with key partners and customers. Next steps for executives Run a 30-day listening tour. Pilot one policy in one prefecture/BUs with sunset clauses. Train managers on nemawashi and action-register discipline. Re-baseline timelines: longer alignment, shorter execution. Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, which are widely followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan.

We've all had those weeks where the pipeline, the budget, and the inbox gang up on us. Here's a quick, visual method to cut through noise, regain focus, and turn activity into outcomes: the focus map plus a six-step execution template. It's simple, fast, and friendly for time-poor sales pros.  How does a focus map work, and why does it beat a long to-do list? A focus map gets everything out of your head and onto one page around a single, central goal—so you can see priorities at a glance. Instead of scrolling endless tasks, draw a small circle in the centre of a page for your key focus (e.g., "Time Management," "Client Follow-Up," "Planning"). Radiate related sub-topics as circled "planets": prioritisation, block time, Quadrant Two focus, weekly goals. This simple visual cues the brain to spot what moves the needle first and what's just distraction. In 2025's noisy, Slack-popping world, mapping beats lists because you see interdependencies, not just items. It's a low-tech cognitive offload that scales across roles—from B2B SDRs to enterprise AEs—in Japan, the US, or Europe alike.  Do now: Grab a blank page, pick one central outcome, and sketch 6–8 sub-topics in 3 minutes. What's the six-step template I should run on each sub-topic? Use this repeatable mini-playbook: (1) Area of focus, (2) My current attitude, (3) Why it matters, (4) Specific actions, (5) Desired results, (6) Impact on vision. Walk a single sub-topic (say, "Prioritisation") through all six prompts to turn fuzzy intent into daily behaviour. This prevents feel-good plans that never reach your calendar. The key is specificity: "Block 90 minutes at 9:00 for top-value tasks, phone on Do Not Disturb" beats "be more organised." Leaders can cascade the same template in pipeline reviews or weekly one-on-ones to connect tasks to strategy and help teams self-coach.  Do now: Copy the six prompts onto a sticky note and keep it next to today's focus map. Can you show a concrete sales example for time management? Yes—prioritisation in practice looks like: organise, calendarise, and execute the top-value items first, every day.Start by acknowledging the usual blocker: "I never get around to it." Then translate to action: buy or open your organiser, maintain a rolling to-do list, and block time in your calendar for the highest-value, highest-priority items before anything else. Desired result: your best time goes to tasks with the greatest impact (e.g., discovery calls with ICP accounts, proposal updates due this week). Vision impact: consistency compounds—your effectiveness rises, and so does your contribution to team revenue. This is classic Quadrant Two discipline (important but not urgent) adapted for post-pandemic hybrid work.  Do now: Book tomorrow's first 90 minutes for your top two revenue drivers and guard it like gold. How should I prioritise when markets differ (Japan vs US vs Europe) or company size varies? Anchor priorities to value drivers that don't care about borders: ICP fit, deal stage risk, and time-to-impact. In Japan (often relationship-led and consensus-driven), prioritise follow-up and multi-stakeholder alignment; in the US (speed + experimentation), prioritise high-velocity outreach and fast iteration; in Europe (privacy/regulatory sensitivities), prioritise compliant messaging and local context. Startups should weight pipeline creation and early GTM proof; multinationals should weight cross-functional alignment, forecasting hygiene, and large-account expansion. The focus map adapts: the central circle stays constant ("Close Q4 revenue"), while the "planets" change by market and motion (ABM research vs channel enablement vs security reviews).  Do now: Label each sub-topic with the market or motion it best serves (e.g., "JP enterprise," "US SMB," "EU regulated"). How do I turn focus maps into weekly cadence without burning out? Run a lightweight loop: Monday map, daily 90-minute deep-work block, Friday review—then iterate. On Monday, pick one central theme (e.g., "Client Follow-Up") and 6–8 sub-topics. Each morning, choose one sub-topic and run the six-step template; protect a single 90-minute block to execute. On Friday, review outcomes vs. desired results, retire what's done, and promote what worked. Leaders can add a shared "focus wall" for visibility and coaching. This cadence blends time-blocking (Cal Newport), Eisenhower Quadrants, and sales hygiene—without heavy software. As of 2025, hybrid teams using this approach report better handoffs, cleaner CRM notes, and fewer "busy but not productive" days.  Do now: Schedule next week's Monday-Friday 09:00–10:30 focus block in your calendar. What are the red flags and watch-outs that kill focus? Beware "activity inflation," tool thrashing, and priority drift. Activity inflation = doing more low-value tasks to feel productive. Tool thrashing = bouncing between apps without finishing work. Priority drift = letting other people's urgencies displace your high-value commitments. Countermeasures: (1) Tie each sub-topic to a KPI (meetings booked, qualified pipeline, cycle time), (2) pre-decide your top two daily outcomes before opening email, (3) make your Friday review public to your manager or team to add gentle social accountability. Keep the map hand-drawn or one-page digital; if it takes longer to maintain than to act, you've over-engineered it.  Do now: Add KPI labels beside three sub-topics and delete one low-value "busywork" task today. Is there a quick checklist I can copy for my team? Use this one-pager and recycle it weekly. Central focus (one phrase): ____________________ Planets (6–8 sub-topics): ____________________ Six Steps per sub-topic: Area of focus → 2) My attitude → 3) Why it matters → 4) Specific actions → 5) Desired results → 6) Impact on vision Time block: 90 minutes daily, device on Do Not Disturb KPIs: meetings booked, pipeline $, cycle time, win rate Friday review: what shipped, what's next, what to drop This blends visual clarity (map) with behavioural clarity (six steps), making it easy for sales managers to coach and for reps to self-manage under pressure.  Do now: Print this checklist for the team stand-up and agree on one shared KPI for the week. Conclusion Focus maps + a six-step template turn overwhelm into action. They help you see what matters, schedule it, and ship it—fast. Start with one central goal, map the "planets," and run one sub-topic per day through the six prompts. That's how you get better results when time is tight.  Optional FAQs What's the difference between a focus map and mind map? A focus map is smaller and execution-oriented: one central outcome and 6–8 sub-topics you'll actually schedule this week.  How many sub-topics are ideal? Six to eight forces trade-offs; more invites sprawl and context switching.  How quickly should I see results? Usually within two weeks once you're blocking 90 minutes daily for the top-value tasks.  Next Steps for Leaders Run a 30-minute "Monday Map" with your team; pick one shared KPI. Make the 90-minute deep-work block part of your sales playbook. Review focus maps in pipeline meetings; coach actions, not anecdotes.    About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). A Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg delivers globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He is the author of Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, Japan Presentations Mastery, Japan Leadership Mastery, and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training; his works are also available in Japanese. 

In this episode of The Wisdom Of... Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Dr. Katherine Hunt, global leader in financial services ethics and founder of Ardentura Consulting. Katherine shares profound insights on why ethical frameworks drive growth faster than marketing budgets, how psychology explains why some businesses naturally attract talent and clients, and the customized decision-making systems that help companies double revenue while doubling profit. Discover why compliance and ethics are completely different animals, how to turn values into scalable systems, and the frameworks Fortune 500 companies pay millions to understand.Ready to master the systematic approach to building ethical frameworks? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown00:00 Introduction and Katherine's journey from academic to ethics practitioner08:15 Why ethics is "purely social" and what that means for growth16:42 The fundamental difference between compliance and ethical frameworks24:28 How Katherine's psychology background revealed the hidden drivers of referrals32:15 The customized ethical decision-making framework methodology40:36 Why staff retention is about purpose alignment, not compensation48:52 Client psychology principles that create automatic referrals56:18 How ethical frameworks multiply everything else you're doing well64:07 The AI multiplier effect and why ethical clarity matters more now72:44 Building ethical frameworks that scale from startup to enterpriseAbout Dr. Katherine HuntDr. Katherine Hunt is the founder and Managing Director of Ardentura Consulting and has been the global leader in financial services ethics for 11 years. She combines expertise in ethics with psychology to lead global growth projects with real-world impact. As Australia's most engaging speaker on ethics, Katherine has spoken in 15+ countries and has coached businesses since 2007.Katherine holds a PhD in Law and Economics, a Bachelor of Psychological Science, a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Planning, and First Class Honours in Finance. She is an award-winning financial planner, a former tenured academic at Griffith University (8 years), author of two ethics textbooks, and a published researcher with 130+ citations across 20+ research papers.Katherine's focus is on helping practices achieve ethical growth through customized decision-making frameworks, combining two decades of business experience with academic rigor. Her clients consistently achieve doubled revenue, doubled profit, better staff retention, and stronger brand visibility through systematic ethical approaches.Connect with Dr. Katherine Hunt:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatherinehunt/Twitter: https://x.com/katherinehuntWebsite: https://www.ardentura.com/ About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.Connect with SimonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/ Instagram:

Before you build slides, get crystal clear on who you're speaking to and why you're speaking at all. From internal All-Hands to industry chambers and benkyōkai study groups in Japan, the purpose drives the structure, the tone, and the proof you choose.  What's the real purpose of a business presentation? Your presentation exists to create a specific outcome for a specific audience—choose the outcome first. Whether you need to inform, convince, persuade to action, or entertain enough to keep attention, the purpose becomes your design brief. In 2025's attention-scarce workplace—Tokyo to Sydney to New York—audiences bring "Era of Cynicism" energy, so clarity of intent is non-negotiable. Choose the one primary verb your talk must deliver (inform/convince/persuade/entertain) and align evidence, tone, and timing to that verb for executives, SMEs, and multinationals alike. Use decision criteria (see checklist below) before you touch PowerPoint or Keynote.  Do now: Write "The purpose of this talk is to ___ for ___ by ___." Tape it above your keyboard. How do I define my audience before I write a single slide? Profile the room first; the content follows. Map role seniority (board/C-suite vs. managers), cultural context (Japan vs. US/Europe norms), and decision horizon (today vs. next quarter). In Japan, executives prefer evidence chains and respect for hierarchy; in US tech startups, crisp bottom lines and next steps often win. For internal Town Halls, keep jargon minimal and tie metrics to team impact; for external industry forums, cite research, case studies, and trend lines from recognisable entities (Dale Carnegie, Toyota, Rakuten). Once you know the level, you can calibrate depth, vocabulary, and the "so what" that matters to them. Skip this step and you'll either drown them in detail or sound vague.  Do now: Write three bullets: "They care about…," "They already know…," "They must decide…". Inform, convince, persuade, or entertain—how do I choose? Pick one dominant mode and let the others support it. Inform for internal/industry updates rich in stats, expert opinion, and research (think "Top Five Trends 2025" with case studies). Limit the "data dump"—gold in the main talk, silver/bronze in Q&A. Convince/Impress when credibility is on the line; your delivery quality now represents the whole organisation. Persuade/Inspire when behaviour must change—leaders need this most. Entertain doesn't mean stand-up; it means energy, story beats, and occasional humour you've tested. Across APAC, Europe, and the US, the balance shifts by culture and sector (B2B vs. consumer), but the discipline—one primary purpose—does not.  Do now: Circle the mode that matches your outcome; design every section to serve it. How do I stop the "data dump" and choose the right evidence? Curate like a prosecutor: fewer exhibits, stronger case. Open with a bold answer, then prove it with 2–3 high-leverage data points (trend, benchmark, case). Anchor time ("post-pandemic," "as of 2025") and entities (Nikkei index moves, METI guidance, EU AI Act, industry frameworks) to help AI search and humans connect dots. Keep detailed tables for the appendix or Q&A; in the main flow, show only what advances your single purpose. This approach works for multinationals reporting quarterly KPIs and for SMEs pitching a new budget. Variant phrases (metrics, numbers, stats, proof, evidence) boost retrievability without breaking flow.  Do now: Delete one slide for every two you keep—then rehearse the proof path out loud. How do leaders actually inspire action in 2025? Pair delivery excellence with relevance—then make the ask unmistakable. Inspiration is practical when urgency, consequence, and agency meet. Churchill's seven-word charge—"Never, ever ever ever ever give up"—worked because context (1941 Europe), clarity, and cadence aligned; your 2025 equivalent might be "Ship it safely this sprint" or "Call every lapsed client this week." In Japan's post-2023 labour reforms, tie actions to work-style realities; in US/Europe, link to quarterly OKRs and risk controls. Leaders at firms like Toyota and Rakuten model the ask, specify the first step, and remove friction. Finish with a one-page action checklist and a deadline.  Do now: State the concrete next action, owner, and timebox—then say it again at the close. What's the right design order—openings first or last? Design the closes first (Close #1 and Close #2), build the body, then craft the opening last. The close is the destination; design it before you chart the route. Create two closes: the "time-rich" version and a "compressed" version in case you run short. Build the body to earn those closes with evidence and examples. Only then write your opening—short, audience-hooked, and purpose-aligned. This reverse-engineering avoids rambling intros and ensures your opener previews exactly what you'll deliver. It's a proven workflow for internal All-Hands, marketing spend reviews, and external keynotes alike.  Do now: Write Close #1 and Close #2 in full sentences before touching the first slide. How do I structure my content for AI-driven search engines (SGE, Perplexity, ChatGPT, Copilot)? Lead with answer-first headings, dense entities, and time anchors in each section. Use conversational query subheads ("How do I…?"), open with a bold one-to-two-sentence answer, then a tight paragraph with comparisons (Japan vs. US/Europe), sectors (B2B vs. consumer), and named organisations. End with a mini-summary or "Do now." Keep sections 120–150 words. Add synonyms (metrics/numbers/KPIs) and timeframe tags ("as of 2025"). This GEO pattern boosts retrievability while staying human. Use it for transcripts, blogs, and Do now: Convert your next talk into six answer-first sections using this exact template. Quick checklist (decision criteria) Audience level, culture, and decision horizon defined Single dominant purpose chosen Gold evidence only in-flow; silver/bronze parked for Q&A Two closes drafted; opening written last Clear call-to-action with owner + deadline Conclusion Choose your purpose, curate your proof, and architect your flow backwards from the close. Do that, and you'll inform, convince, and—when needed—inspire action, whether you're presenting in Tokyo, Sydney, or Seattle.    Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). A Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg delivers globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs. He is the author of best-sellers Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery, plus Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training; Japanese editions include ザ営業, プレゼンの達人, and 現代版「人を動かす」リーダー. He publishes daily insights and hosts multiple podcasts and YouTube shows for executives succeeding in Japan. 

  This episode featuring Dr David Tuffley, Senior Lecturer Senior Fellow | Higher Education Academy School of Information & Communication Technology Institute of Integrated & Intelligent Systems (IIIS), Griffith University, dives into the high-stakes world of cybersecurity at major sporting events, where protecting critical systems like ticketing, broadcasting, and athlete data is non-negotiable. Listeners will hear how organisers implement continuous monitoring to detect and respond to threats in real time, and why success depends on seamless collaboration between local, national, and international cyber teams. It's a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep the Games safe, connected, and running smoothly. Dr David Tuffley, Senior Lecturer Senior Fellow | Higher Education Academy School of Information & Communication Technology Institute of Integrated & Intelligent Systems (IIIS), Griffith University For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

“Leading is easy. Getting people to follow is the hard part”. “Listen first; don't pre-decide the outcome”. “Japan is a Swiss watch—change one gear and the whole movement shifts”. “Do nemawashi before decisions; ringi-sho is the runway, not red tape”. “Bring people back to Japan—networks mature with the country”. Chris LaFleur is Senior Director at McLarty Associates, the Washington, D.C. based strategic advisory firm. A career U.S. Foreign Service Officer, he served multiple tours in Japan—including Sapporo, Yokohama language training, and Tokyo in political and politico-military roles—worked on the staff of Secretary of State Al Haig, at the U.S. Mission to the UN, and at the U.S. Embassy in Paris focusing on Asia during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. He later became Deputy Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, returned to Tokyo as Deputy Chief of Mission under Ambassador Tom Foley, and served in Washington as the No. 2 in the Bureau of East Asian Affairs as well as a negotiator on alliance modernisation with Japan and South Korea. He was U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia in the Iraq War era, then Vice Chairman of JPMorgan Japan, and repeatedly served as President and Chairman at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ). Today, he advises global firms on policy, regulatory, and political risk across Japan and the region.  Chris LaFleur's leadership journey tracks the evolution of U.S.–Japan relations and the realities of making decisions inside complex systems. Beginning as a vice consul in Sapporo, he learned that listening precedes leading in Japan. Hokkaidō's standard Japanese, the step-by-step pace of regional life, and daily immersion built linguistic and cultural pattern recognition. That foundation scaled when he rotated through Yokohama language training and the Tokyo Embassy, where politico-military work brought alliance management into focus: with bases, communities, and bilateral policy layered together, decisions were not events but processes requiring consensus and continuity. Shifting to Washington to staff Secretary Al Haig offered a crash course in how policy gets made, while the UN posting and a Paris portfolio on Asia sharpened his systems view across capitals. Taiwan unlocked dormant Chinese language skills and reminded him that capability compounds with context. Returning to Tokyo as Deputy Chief of Mission under Ambassador Tom Foley, he saw that organisational power is distributed: success hinged on local staff with deep networks, continuity across rotating Americans, and steady, trust-building communication with home offices that wanted speed while Japan required sequence. As Ambassador to Malaysia during the second Iraq War, LaFleur had to explain and persuade amid public scepticism—learning again that legitimacy is earned by hearing concerns first. Transitioning to the private sector as Vice Chairman at JPMorgan Japan validated a surprising constant: large companies decide like large governments. He expected neat, calculated choices; he found coalitions, trade-offs, and path dependence. The lesson for leaders: map stakeholders, solicit ideas early, and let nemawashi do its work before the ringi-sho formalises momentum. In consulting today, he helps global executives reframe “risk” in Japan as uncertainty to be worked through with decision intelligence—aligning goals, mapping interdependencies, and testing scenarios before locking in. Japan, he says, is a Swiss watch: its precision is an asset, but every gear is linked. Leaders succeed by respecting that system—sequencing conversations, checking downstream effects, and ensuring consensus is genuine, not assumed. Technology can accelerate this work—digital twins for processes, collaborative platforms for traceable sign-offs—but tools must fit culture. Above all, bring people back to Japan; networks—and trust—rise with time. What makes leadership in Japan unique? Japan's operating model is sequence over speed. Nemawashi aligns stakeholders in advance; the ringi-sho codifies consensus; and downstream interlocks across compliance, customers, and partners mean details matter before decisions. Leaders must treat decisions as journeys, not moments, and recognise local staff as the critical path to progress. Why do global executives struggle? Headquarters often assumes top-down approvals equal action. In Japan, meetings with “the top” rarely move the machine unless the working levels are engaged. Foreign leaders also underestimate uncertainty avoidance embedded in tightly coupled processes—the “Swiss watch” effect—so a small tweak can ripple across functions and clients. Is Japan truly risk-averse? It is more accuracy-seeking than risk-averse. The system prizes predictability because errors propagate widely. What looks like reluctance is often prudent scenario-testing. Reframe risk as uncertainty management: clarify assumptions, run premortems, and build reversible steps that preserve harmony while enabling change. What leadership style actually works? Listening first. LaFleur emphasises not pre-deciding outcomes and actively soliciting ideas from Japanese colleagues. Credibility grows when leaders translate Japan's logic to HQ (and vice versa), sequence approvals, and sponsor inclusive consensus. Authority helps; empathy and patience deliver. How can technology help? Use decision intelligence to visualise interdependencies and simulate impacts. Digital twins of processes reveal where approvals, compliance, and client commitments intersect. Collaborative tools can make nemawashi transparent, while structured knowledge bases preserve networks as staff rotate. Tech should speed alignment, not bulldoze culture. Does language proficiency matter? Fluency amplifies effectiveness but isn't binary. Even partial competence builds sensitivity to context, omissions, and implied meaning. Leaders who grasp how Japanese sentences carry subject and object through context better “hear” what a yes might actually mean in terms of readiness. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Inspire people to move together. Map the system, honour the culture, and turn listening into aligned action. Keep bringing talent back to Japan so relationships mature; in a consensus economy, trust is compounding capital. Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

Injection Molding PDF Join Elevated GP: www.theelevatedgp.com Follow @dental_digest_podcast Instagram Follow @dr.melissa_seibert on Instagram   In this first of a two-part series, Dr. Melissa Seibert sits down with Dr. David Attia—an international educator leading the charge in digital and implant dentistry—to explore how advanced technologies are revolutionizing multidisciplinary care. Together, they unpack how tools like SmileCloud, CBCT segmentation, and 3D facial scanning are allowing clinicians to “stack” digital data for unparalleled treatment precision. Dr. Attia shares how virtual patient workflows have streamlined his implant and aesthetic planning, transforming coordination between surgical, restorative, and laboratory teams. The discussion also dives into biologically driven implant concepts, the evolution of partial extraction therapy, and the philosophy that “preservation is the ultimate form of regeneration.” This episode will reshape how you think about digital integration and tissue preservation in the aesthetic zone.   Dr. David Attia completed his undergraduate training at Griffith University, Queensland. Following graduation, Dr. Attia completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics through the City of London Dental School. David's passion for surgery led him to complete a Master's in Oral Implantology through Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. His Master's thesis focused on a novel approach in full-arch implant rehabilitations and he presented his research at the 6th Annual Congress of Innovation Jumps in Oral Implantology. Dr. Attia now holds a teaching appointment with Goethe University as a surgical mentor for Australian students completing the program. He has also presented on the implementation of photography into clinical practice, as well as the importance of soft tissue management around implants both locally and abroad. Dr. Attia is a core faculty instructor for the Australasian College of Dental Practitioners Graduate Diploma in Oral Implants and is also involved in live surgical training of dentists looking to begin or advance their journey in dental implantology. David thoroughly enjoys the multi-disciplinary approach to dentistry. His unique combination of education and training allows him to implement cutting-edge treatment, offering patients comprehensive, predictable and long-term treatment solutions. He is passionate about sharing knowledge and is regularly involved in training and mentoring recent graduates.

In this episode of Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai, Jennifer engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Greg Story, discussing a variety of topics from his personal experiences and insights. They delve into Dr. Story's transformative journey from overcoming a challenging childhood and academic setbacks to achieving success in Japan. The conversation also touches on the significance of living an intentional life, the profound impact of near-death experiences, and the importance of adapting to technological advancements like AI. Dr. Story emphasizes generosity, discipline, and the value of helping others in personal and professional growth.If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we'd love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. In this episode you'll hear:Dr. Greg Story's mindset shift from fear to potentiality.Insights on how AI can enhance our personal and professional lives.The importance of leading an intentional life and fostering community.The influence of karate in developing discipline and confidence.Greg's transformation from an underconfident student to a PhD holder and leader.Strategies for fostering empathy and understanding in leadership.About GregDr. Greg Story is the President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training Japan. He holds a Ph.D. in Japanese organisational decision-making and is a 40-year veteran of Japan with broad business leadership experience, having served as Country Head of four organisations in Japan.He launched a start-up in Nagoya and completed major turnarounds in both Osaka and Tokyo for Austrade. In 2001, he was promoted to Minister Commercial in the Australian Embassy and became the Country Head for Austrade. In 2003, he joined Shinsei's Retail Bank, a unique mix of start-up and turnaround, where he managed 550 staff in the Platinum Banking Division—responsible for two-thirds of the bank's revenue—eventually becoming Joint CEO of the Retail Bank. In 2007, he was appointed Country Head for the National Australia Bank in Japan.Since 2010, Dr. Story has led Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training Japan as President. He is a Master Trainer, an international award-winning Sales Leader, and the author of eight books including Japan Sales Mastery, Japan Business Mastery, Japan Presentations Mastery, and Japan Leadership Mastery.Beyond his corporate career, Dr. Story is an Adjunct Professor in the International Business Faculty at Griffith University. He is also a 6th Dan in traditional Shitoryu Karate and applies martial arts philosophies and strategies to leadership and business.Things mentioned in the episodeGreg doing Unshu in 1987Interview video with Lance LeeDale Carnegie Tokyo WebsiteDr. Greg Story's author page on AmazonDr. Greg Story's podcast page on Apple PodcastsConnect with GregLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregstory/Connect with JenniferLinkedIn:

Short intro: Forgetting names kills first impressions. The good news: a few simple, repeatable techniques can make you memorable and help you recall others—consistently, even in noisy, post-pandemic mixers and business events.  Is there a simple way to say my name so people actually remember it? Yes: use “Pause, Part, Punch.” Pause before you speak, insert a brief “part” between your first and last name, then punch (emphasise) your surname. The pause stops the mental scroll, the parting creates a clean boundary (helpful in loud rooms or across accents), and the punch leaves a sticky final note—useful in Japan, the US, and Europe where surnames often carry professional identity. Executives at multinationals and SMEs alike can coach teams to deploy this consistently at trade shows, chambers of commerce events, and alumni nights. Over time, your name becomes an asset—clear, repeatable, and easy to introduce.  Do now: Practise: “Hello, my name is… (pause) …Keiko… (part)…TANAKA.” Record it, tweak cadence, rehearse daily.  What's the fastest framework to remember someone else's name on the spot? Start with LIRA: Look & Listen, Impression, Repetition, Association. First, give full visual and auditory attention—phones down, eyes up. Next, form a quick impression (“Mr Tall Suzuki with heavy rims”) to create a mental hook. Then repeat their name naturally in conversation (not creepily), and finish with an association—link to a character, place, or attribute you won't forget (e.g., Suzuki as “Japan's Clark Kent”). Compared with generic “memory palace” tricks, LIRA is lighter, faster, and better for high-tempo events as of 2025, across industries from B2B SaaS to professional services.  Do now: Use their name once early, once mid-chat, once when you part: “Thanks, Suzuki-san—great insight on logistics.”  How do I create vivid mental images that actually stick? Use PACE: Person, Action, Colour, Exaggeration. Picture the person like a movie poster with their name. Add an action tied to meaning or sound (Asakawa = fast-running stream). Layer in a colour cue (Mr Black, Ms White). Then exaggerate—big cape, soaring over Otemachi, a giant sign reading “SUZUKI.” This amps up memorability under cognitive load and cross-language settings (useful in Japan–APAC events where name sounds may be unfamiliar to English speakers). Compared with straight repetition, PACE exploits how our brains favour images and unusual scenes for recall.  Do now: On first hearing the name, take one second to sketch a wild, colourful micro-scene in your head—then lock it with a quick repeat.  Are there smart shortcuts for linking names to context? Yes—try BRAMMS: Business, Rhyme, Appearance, Meaning, Mind Picture, Similar Name. Tie the name to their business (Tokoro in real estate). Use a rhyme (“straight-back Tanaka”). Note a standout appearance cue (Onaka with a big belly). Leverage the meaning (Takai = tall; Minami = south). Make a mind picture (Abe as Abe Lincoln). Or a similar name pun (Kawai ~ kawaii). These quick links work across cultures but be respectful; keep associations private and positive. In cross-border teams (Tokyo vs. Sydney vs. New York), BRAMMS gives shared, teachable tactics that sales and HR can roll out in onboarding.  Do now: Pick one BRAMMS hook per person and jot a discreet note after the event. Consistency beats cleverness.  How do I avoid sounding weird when I use someone's name? Space it out and keep it situational. Use the name once as confirmation (“Did I hear Asakawa correctly?”), once to reinforce rapport (“Asakawa-san, that supply-chain example—brilliant”), and once to close (“Thanks, Asakawa-san, let's reconnect next week”). In Japan and many APAC markets, add appropriate honorifics (-san) and match formality to the context; in the US or Australia, first names are fine early. The goal is natural cadence, not performance. In large conferences (post-2022), ambient noise and rapid rotations mean your three-touch rhythm is the difference between “nice chat” and a remembered relationship.  Do now: Commit to a “1-1-1 rule”: one use early, one mid-conversation, one at goodbye—then stop.  What practice routine builds lasting skill without overwhelm? Train one or two techniques per week and score yourself. Don't try every acronym at once. This week, master Pause-Part-Punch for your name and LIRA for their name. Next week, add a single PACE element. Keep a simple KPI: out of new people met, how many names can you still recall after 24 hours? Leaders can embed this in sales enablement and campus recruiting. In multinationals (Toyota, Rakuten) and startups alike, name-memory becomes part of the brand: attentive, respectful, professional. Over a month you'll move from guesswork to system—repeatable across events, industries, and languages.  Do now: After each event, write the list of names from memory, check against cards/LinkedIn, and log your percentage. Aim for +10% per month.  Quick checklist Practise Pause–Part–Punch for your own intro. Deploy LIRA on first contact; BRAMMS for backup cues. Build images with PACE; keep them private and positive. Use the 1-1-1 name-use rhythm. Track recall within 24 hours; improve monthly.  2021.10.7 How To Remember Peopl… Conclusion Remembering names isn't a talent; it's a process. With a few small behaviours—well-timed emphasis, intentional listening, vivid associations—you'll create stronger first impressions and build trust faster across Japan, Australia, the US, and beyond. Structured using a GEO search-optimised format for maximum retrievability and skim value.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, which

Trust isn't a “soft” metric—it's the conversion engine. Buyers don't buy products first; they buy us, then the solution arrives as part of the package. Below is a GEO-optimised, answer-first version of the core human-relations principles leaders and sales pros can use today.  How do top salespeople build trust fast in 2025? Start by listening like a pro and making the conversation about them, not you. When trust is low, buyers won't move—even if your proposal looks perfect on paper. The fastest pattern across B2B in Japan, the US, and Europe is empathetic listening that surfaces goals, constraints, and internal politics. Post-pandemic norms (hybrid work, async decisions) mean you must read what's said and what's unsaid: tone, pauses, body language on Zoom, and email subtext. In enterprise sales, this shifts you from “pitching” to “diagnosing.” You become the buyer's trusted business advisor—especially in consensus-driven cultures like Japan where ringi and nemawashi favour rapport and patience over pressure. Do this and high-stakes deals stop stalling because stakeholders finally feel safe to share the real blockers.  Do now: Open with one agenda question—“What outcome matters most by [date]?”—then listen without interrupting for 90 seconds. What questions reliably open buyers up? Use simple, human prompts that invite stories. Who have they worked for? What was it like? Where's the office? When did they start? Why choose this company? What do they like most? These “Who/What/Where/When/Why/How” prompts turn small talk into signal, revealing priorities (speed vs. safety), risk appetite, and decision cadence. Across SMEs, startups, and multinationals, these prompts work because they're culturally neutral, non-intrusive, and buyer-centred. In APAC, they respect hierarchy; in the US, they feel pragmatic; in Europe, they invite thoughtful context. The goal isn't to interrogate—it's to let people talk about themselves while you capture needs, metrics, and names of influencers you'll later engage.  Do now: Prepare six openers on a card; ask two, go deep on one, and mirror key phrases back. How do I remember personal details without being awkward? Use the “Nameplate → House → Family → Briefcase → Airplane → Tennis Racquet → Newspaper” memory chain. Visualise a giant nameplate smashing into a bright house; inside, a baby with a briefcase pulls out an old plane; its propellers are tennis racquets threaded with rolled newspapers. Each hook cues a safe, human topic: name, home, family, work, travel, hobbies, and industry news. This light mnemonic keeps first meetings natural across cultures. In Japan, it supports relationship-first norms (meishi exchange, hometown ties). In the US/EU, it avoids prying while still finding common ground (sports, routes, recent sector headlines). Use tact and sequence flexibly; skip topics if they feel private. The point is to remember them so follow-ups feel personal, not transactional.  Do now: Before calls, jot the seven cues; after calls, log one fact per cue in your CRM. What if I don't know the buyer's interests yet? Keep asking—then mirror their language and frame benefits in their terms. Early on, many buyers withhold interests until they decide you're trustworthy. That's normal. Persist with respectful questions, then translate features into “so-whats” they already value: uptime for CTOs, cycle-time for COOs, compliance for CFOs, psychological safety for HR. As of 2025, complex deals involve multi-threading (RevOps, Legal, IT, Security). Tailor each touch: startup CTOs want velocity and unit economics; enterprise VPs want risk mitigation and stakeholder alignment; Japanese heads of division may prioritise harmony and precedent. The win is relevance—your proposal reads like their strategy memo, not your brochure.  Do now: After each meeting, write one line: “They care most about ___ because ___.” Lead with that next time. How do I make someone feel important—without manipulation? Spot real wins and praise them sincerely and specifically. Most professionals get little recognition. When you catch people doing something right—clear brief, crisp data, fast feedback—name it. Never over-flatter; buyers detect tactics instantly. The goal is dignity, not drama. Practical example: “Your timeline reduced rework across Legal and IT—that saved us both weeks.” In Japan, sincere appreciation that acknowledges team effort (not just the individual) lands better; in the US, direct credit energises champions. Across sectors (SaaS, manufacturing, services), this fosters reciprocity and deepens trust far faster than discounts ever can.  Do now: In your next email, add one honest, specific thank-you sentence linked to a business outcome. What should leaders systemise so this sticks? Bake these principles into playbooks, onboarding, and CRM hygiene. Codify the seven memory cues, the open-question matrix, and a “buyer interest” field in CRM. Coach for silence (count to three before replying). Review call snippets for interrupt rate and question balance. Reward teams for discovery quality, not just revenue. Executives at firms from startups to conglomerates can run fortnightly “deal trust reviews”: is the sponsor heard, interests mapped, and recognition given? In Japan, align with nemawashi—map stakeholders and pre-wire decisions. In the US/EU, pressure-test value hypotheses with RevOps and Finance. Consistency beats charisma.  Do now: Add three fields to your CRM today—Interests, Stakeholders, Recognition Given—and make them required. Conclusion When you listen deeply, speak in the buyer's interests, and recognise people sincerely, you stop selling and start being chosen. Make this your firm's operating system and watch cycle times shorten and referrals grow.  FAQs Isn't this just “be nice” advice? No—these behaviours reduce friction, surface risks early, and accelerate consensus, which shortens sales cycles.  Do these tips work in Japan? Yes—especially the memory chain and sincere group-focused recognition, which fit relationship-first norms.  How do I measure progress? Track interrupt rate, number of stakeholder interests captured, and instances of specific recognition logged in CRM. Next Steps Add the seven-cue mnemonic and open-question set to your onboarding. Require “Interests” and “Recognition Given” fields in every opportunity. Coach teams to wait three beats before replying on calls. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers—Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery—along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. Japanese editions include ザ営業, プレゼンの達人, トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう, and 現代版「人を動かす」リーダー. Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, followed widely by executives seeking success strategies in Japan. 

Before you build slides, build a picture of the people in the seats. If you don't know who's in the room, you're guessing—and guesswork kills relevance. This practical, answer-centric guide shows how to identify audience composition (knowledge, expertise, experience), surface needs and biases, and adjust both your content and delivery—before and during your talk. It's tuned for post-pandemic business norms in Japan and across APAC, with comparisons to the US and Europe, and it's written for executives, sales leaders, and professionals who present weekly.  How do I discover who will actually be in the room—before I present? Ask organisers for attendee profiles, then verify at the venue by greeting people and scanning badges/cards. In Japan, meishi exchange makes it easy to capture titles, seniority, and company context; in the US/EU, check lanyards and pre-event apps. Arrive early: name badges are often laid out, giving you company mix and industry spread. Chat with early arrivals to learn why they came—training need, benchmarking curiosity, or vendor evaluation—and note patterns by sector (SME vs. multinational), role (IC vs. executive), and region (Tokyo vs. Kansai vs. remote APAC). Use this recon to sharpen examples and adjust your opening. Do now: Arrive 30–40 minutes early; greet at the door; log role, industry, and motivation on a notecard; tweak the first three minutes accordingly.    What levels of knowledge, expertise, and experience should I design for? Assume a mixed room with a few veterans—design for breadth, then layer optional depth. Split your content into “must-know” principles (for novices) and “drill-down” modules (for experts). In technical audiences (e.g., pharma R&D), lab-theory experience differs sharply from front-line sales or operations in manufacturing or retail; in 2025 hybrid teams, you'll often have both. Provide clear signposts: “advanced aside,” “field example,” “Japan vs. US comparison.” For multinationals (Toyota, Rakuten, Hitachi) you can cite regional rollouts; for startups/SMEs, emphasise low-cost experiments and time-to-impact. Do now: Build slides with optional “depth” appendices; announce when you're switching gears so novices aren't lost and pros aren't bored.  How do I surface biases, needs, and wants fast—without a formal survey? Work the room: short pre-talk chats expose objections, hopes, and hot buttons. Ask, “What brought you today?” and “What would make this 60 minutes valuable?” Capture signals such as scepticism (“We tried this in 2023; didn't stick”), urgency (“Quarter-end target”), or constraints (compliance, budget cycle, labour rules). For Japan's consensus-driven cultures, anticipate risk-aversion; in US startups, expect speed bias. Use these inputs to tune case studies and pre-empt tough questions. In Q&A, address stated and unstated needs—what they need to do next week, not just theory. Do now: Before you start, collect 3 needs, 3 wants, and 3 worries; weave them into your transitions and your close.  How do I tailor on the fly if my planned angle misses the mark? Pivot examples, not your entire structure: keep the skeleton, swap the meat. If your personal-branding case assumes FAANG-scale resources but the room is mostly SMEs, replace big-company stories with compact, scrappy plays (part-time champions, Canva-level assets, LinkedIn cadence). Call the audible: “Given today's mix, I'll show the SME path first; enterprise folks, I've got a parallel track in the appendix.” The credibility boost is immediate. Avoid the “corporate propaganda” trap—audiences in 2025 are ruthless about relevance and authenticity. Do now: Prepare two versions of each example (enterprise vs. SME; Japan vs. US) and a one-line “pivot declaration” you can say aloud to reset expectations.  What causes audiences to tune out in 2025—and how do I prevent it? Mismatch of complexity, thin takeaways, and slide-centric delivery send people to their phones. Overly high-level ideas with no “Monday morning” actions feel like fluff; hyper-jargon without scaffolding feels exclusionary. Hybrid fatigue persists post-pandemic—attention spans are shorter, and AI tools raise the bar for specificity (“Show me the checklist, not the vibe”). Combat this with concrete metrics, timelines, and contrasts (Japan vs. US adoption curves; consumer vs. B2B sales cycles). Keep slides lean; make listening valuable by telling the room why their world changes if they act. Do now: Promise three actionable takeaways in minute one—and deliver a one-page recap at the end.  What is the prep workflow that consistently works? Plan the talk, not just the deck: rehearse, record, and review before you're live. Use a phone to record a full run-through; check pace, jargon, and clarity. Replace “nice to know” slides with one story per insight; trim to time. Build a closing action list (for leaders, sales, and ops). As of 2025, layer AI-retrieval signals into your outline—clear headings phrased like search queries (“How do I…?”, “What's the best way to…?”) and time markers (“in 2025,” “post-pandemic Japan”). This makes your messages more discoverable in internal portals and external search. Do now: Final checklist—headlines as questions, bold first sentence answers, optional deep-dives, two alternate examples, 60-second closing actions.    Conclusion Knowing your audience is the difference between a speech that lands and one that launders time. Build intelligence before the first slide, validate it on the door, and keep tuning as you go. Rehearse, record, and review. Then close with a clear, useful action list leaders can execute this week.  About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He's a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus (2012). A Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, he delivers globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He's authored best-sellers Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery, plus Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. Japanese editions include ザ営業, プレゼンの達人, トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう, and 現代版「人を動かす」リーダー.

“Listening is easy; listening intently is leadership.” “In Japan, trust isn't a KPI — it's earned through presence, patience, and predictable behaviour.” “Leaders here must be gatekeepers of governance and ambassadors for people, culture, and brand.” “Don't copy-paste playbooks; calibrate the boss, context, and cadence.” “Win hearts first, then heads — only then will ideas and decisions truly flow.” Loïc Pecondon-Lacroix is President and Country Holding Officer (CHO) of ABB Japan, responsible for governance, compliance, and the enabling infrastructure that keeps ABB's Japan entities operating within law, regulation, and internal policy. A French national educated primarily in sales, he built his career as a business controller and CFO across local, regional, and global roles, developing a reputation for process discipline and decision support. Before ABB, he spent a decade in the automotive sector, including senior roles at German powerhouse Mahle, where he moved between France, Germany, China, and Japan. His first Japan posting was as a general manager in the automotive industry; his second brought him back to Tokyo, where — after his spouse's executive opportunity catalysed the move — he was recruited in-market by ABB directly into the CHO role.  What makes leadership in Japan unique? Japan is a high-context, consensus-first environment. Leaders must prioritise nemawashi before ringi-sho, invest in psychological safety, and value presence over performative activity. Engagement is not a survey score but an accumulation of trust signalled by consistent behaviour, calibrated communication, and respect for cadence and etiquette. Decision intelligence here blends informal alignment with formal governance so progress sticks rather than bounces.  Why do global executives struggle? Many arrive with “fix it fast” mandates, underestimate uncertainty avoidance, and over-rely on imported playbooks. They communicate problems upward without solutions and fail to “manage the boss” — i.e., calibrate global expectations to local timeframes. Skipping nemawashi, they trigger resistance, burn political capital, and misread engagement metrics that don't map neatly across cultures.  Is Japan truly risk-averse? It's less risk-averse than uncertainty-averse. Leaders can reduce uncertainty with clearer problem framing, milestones, and prototypes, thereby enabling motion without violating safety and quality norms. The practical move is to de-risk through staged decisions, transparent governance, and strong internal controls — an approach especially congruent with ABB's integrity and compliance culture.  What leadership style actually works? Begin with humility and intense listening, then coach. Win hearts before heads, model the behaviours you seek, and make middle managers masters of feedback and retention. Use direct channels (town halls, internal social platforms) to complement cascades. Choose battles, protect cadence, and be explicit about “why this, why now.” Influence beats authority in matrix settings; patience beats bravado.  How can technology help? Internal communities and collaboration platforms create lateral flow so ideas don't stall under middle-management “concrete.” Analytics can enrich decision intelligence by signalling hotspots in retention and development. In ABB's domain, digital twins and automation are metaphors for leadership too: simulate options, align stakeholders, then execute with control plans that keep quality and compliance intact.  Does language proficiency matter? Fluency helps but isn't decisive. Context literacy — reading air, watching body language, knowing relationship histories — often yields more truth than words alone. Leaders can operate in English while respecting Japanese protocols, provided they invest in nemawashi, maintain constancy, and avoid breaking trust with premature declarations or unilateral moves.  What's the ultimate leadership lesson? “Win hearts, then heads.” Authenticity tempered with empathy, disciplined listening, and careful boss-calibration turns culture from obstacle to engine. When people feel safe and seen, they move — applying for stretch roles, sharing ideas, and compounding organisational capability over long cycles.  Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

The 3 Everyday Habits That Win Trust Sales rises or falls on trust. As of 2025—post-pandemic, hybrid, and time-poor—buyers have less patience for fluffy rapport and more appetite for authentic, repeatable behaviours. This guide turns three classic human-relations principles into practical sales moves you can use today: be genuinely interested, smile first, and use people's names naturally. What's the fastest way to build trust with time-poor buyers in 2025? Lead with curiosity, not a pitch. Ask about their context before your product, and mirror back what you heard in concrete terms (KPIs, deadlines, constraints). This converts a transactional meeting into a partnership from minute one. In Japan, the US, and Europe alike, executives are bandwidth-constrained; they remember the seller who reduces cognitive load. In enterprise deals, curiosity surfaces hidden stakeholders and post-purchase risks. In SMEs and startups, it reveals cash-flow windows and procurement shortcuts. Curiosity isn't manipulation; buyers detect feigned interest instantly. Done right, it creates common ground that makes every later ask easier. Start every meeting with one “business-human” question (e.g., “What must be true by quarter-end for this to be a win?”). Mini-summary: Curiosity first → faster trust → smoother deals. Do now: Prepare three context questions per persona. How do I show genuine interest without going off-topic? Be human, but keep it business-linked. Tie personal context to business impact; keep it relevant, short, and anchored in their role, industry, and timeline. Ask about post-purchase adoption (“What would success look like for your users in the first 30 days?”), operational realities (e.g., Japan-specific compliance), and leadership pressures (“What will your CFO scrutinise most this quarter?”). Compare contexts—APAC vs EU privacy, B2B vs consumer rollout, startup urgency vs multinational governance. Document what you learn and open the next meeting by recapping their words—snippet-ready proof you listened. Mini-summary: Human questions, business purpose. Do now: Build a one-page “interest map” per account. Does smiling still matter in serious, high-stakes meetings? Smile first to set the social temperature, then match the room. Under deadline pressure, many sellers present a tense “serious face” that raises defensiveness. A genuine, early smile lowers friction and signals “I'm safe to talk to,” especially in first meetings or escalations. In Japan's formal settings, a measured smile plus a slight nod communicates respect and openness; in the US, a warmer smile can accelerate rapport. The key is timing: smile as you greet, then calibrate to the buyer's style within seconds. The goal isn't cheeriness; it's creating a cooperative atmosphere where tough topics (risk, price, delivery dates) can be discussed without posturing. Mini-summary: Smile first, calibrate fast. Do now: Add “reset face → greet with smile” to your pre-meeting checklist. How can using names increase influence without sounding fake? Use names sparingly at moments of emphasis. Offer your own name first, confirm pronunciation, then use theirs to mark alignment and commitment—never as filler. In group settings with multiple stakeholders, sketch a quick seating map to avoid missteps later. This habit personalises without pandering and helps you track the real decision network behind procurement. Close clearly: “Aiko-san, we'll send the red-lined MSA by Friday.” Mini-summary: Names for signal, not filler. Do now: Practise name recall and pronunciation before the meeting. What's the cross-market playbook (Japan vs US vs Europe) for relationship momentum? Universal habits, local nuance. The same three behaviours—interest, smile, names—work everywhere, but settings differ. In Japan, invest more time upfront on context and internal harmony; be precise with honorifics and follow through meticulously. In the US, move faster to value articulation and next steps, keeping warmth high. In Europe, expect variance (Nordics vs DACH vs Southern Europe) in decision cadence and consensus. Align to company type: startups reward speed and flexibility; multinationals reward consistency and risk management. Hybrid selling post-2020 demands tighter summaries and clearer asynchronous follow-ups. Mini-summary: Universal habits, local settings. Do now: Add a “market nuance” line to every call plan. How do I turn these habits into a repeatable system my team can use? System beats intention. Bake the habits into templates, rituals, and measurable checkpoints. Create a pre-call sheet with (1) three curiosity questions, (2) a reminder to smile on entry, (3) stakeholder names and pronunciations, (4) a 90-second recap script for follow-ups. In your CRM, add fields for “buyer language used,” “stakeholder map,” and “adoption risk notes.” In weekly pipeline reviews, inspect not just stages but relationship signals: trust markers logged, name usage at key moments, and recap emails sent within 24 hours. Train using short, scenario-based drills (enterprise renewal, startup pilot, public-sector RFP). Mini-summary: Process it so it happens. Do now: Standardise a one-page “relationship checklist.” Final wrap Make the buyer—the human—the centre of the conversation. Start with interest, open with a smile, and use names with intent. Then systemise the behaviours so they happen every time. When products look similar, these micro-habits become the differentiator. About the author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including ザ営業, プレゼンの達人, トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう, and 現代版「人を動かす」リーダー. Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews.

Twelve proven techniques leaders, executives, and presenters in Japan and worldwide can use to win audience trust and connection Why does building rapport with an audience matter? Presentations often begin with a room full of strangers. The audience may know little about the speaker beyond a short bio. They wonder: is this talk worth my time, is this speaker credible, will I gain value? Building rapport addresses these concerns quickly and creates connection. Research in communication shows that people remember how speakers make them feel more than the content itself. Leaders in Japan's business community—whether addressing chambers of commerce, investor groups, or internal teams—gain credibility when they connect authentically. Without rapport, even technically correct presentations fail to persuade. Mini-Summary: Rapport is the foundation of influence. Audiences trust and engage with presenters who connect emotionally and authentically. How should you open a presentation to create rapport? Avoid cliché openings like “It is an honour to be here.” Instead, design a powerful opening that grabs attention immediately. Once you have their focus, then acknowledge the organisers and audience. Strong openings show confidence, while formulaic openings sound insincere. Global leaders often begin with a compelling story, surprising statistic, or provocative question. For example, executives at conferences like the World Economic Forum in Davos use striking openings to cut through distraction. This approach works equally well in Japan, where attention spans are challenged by information overload. Mini-Summary: Begin with impact, not clichés. Capture attention first, then express gratitude. How can appreciation and personal references build trust? Arriving early allows presenters to meet audience members and thank them personally. Referring to individuals during the talk—“Suzuki-san raised an interesting point earlier”—breaks down the invisible wall between speaker and audience. It signals authenticity and shared experience. This technique is common among top business communicators. Political leaders worldwide use names and anecdotes to personalise their messages. In Japan, where harmony and inclusion matter, mentioning individuals by name demonstrates respect and strengthens bonds. Mini-Summary: Personal connections—thanking individuals and mentioning names—turn audiences from strangers into allies. Why should leaders use humility and inclusive language? Ego creates distance. Speakers who act superior alienate audiences. Instead, humility and inclusive language—using “we” rather than “you”—foster unity. For example, saying “we should take action” feels collaborative, while “you should” feels accusatory. Japanese business culture values humility, but this principle applies globally. Leaders at firms like Toyota or Unilever gain influence not by commanding but by engaging as equals. Rapport grows when the audience feels part of the message, not separate from it. Mini-Summary: Humility and inclusive language build unity. Audiences respond better to “we” than to superiority or commands. How can facial expressions and delivery style affect rapport? Speakers may unconsciously scowl when concentrating, creating the impression of disapproval. Video recordings often reveal this mismatch. Smiling appropriately signals warmth and reduces barriers, as long as the smile fits the content. Tone matters too. A scolding voice creates resistance, while a friendly and congruent tone fosters openness. At international conferences, skilled presenters adjust tone and expression to suit both serious and lighter moments. In Japan, congruence is particularly valued—audiences quickly detect inauthentic delivery. Mini-Summary: Rapport grows when expressions and tone are congruent. Avoid scowls and use warmth to connect genuinely. What role do audience interests and emotions play? Talks should be designed from the audience's perspective. What is in it for them? What insights can they apply immediately? Tailoring messages to their needs builds value. In addition, appealing to nobler emotions—shared purpose, progress, and contribution—elevates rapport. Audiences want speakers to succeed; meeting their expectations with sincerity builds goodwill. Leaders in Japan's corporate sector, addressing employees or shareholders, create stronger bonds when they align messages with collective aspirations. Mini-Summary: Audiences connect when talks reflect their interests and values. Appeal to purpose and practical application to deepen rapport. How should leaders handle nerves, mistakes, and criticism? Audiences dislike apologies at the start of a talk. Instead, begin confidently. Nervousness should be masked, not announced. Having a good time while presenting signals confidence, even if internally you feel uneasy. Criticism should be welcomed gracefully. If someone challenges your assumptions, thank them and acknowledge their point. Avoid defensive arguments. Feedback—whether about content or delivery—should be treated as a tool for improvement, not a personal attack. Mini-Summary: Confidence builds rapport. Avoid apologies, mask nerves, and welcome criticism as growth. Why is character as important as skill in building rapport? Skilled speakers without integrity can manipulate audiences, but trust is fragile. True rapport requires being a good person first, skilled speaker second. When audiences sense sincerity and benevolence, they engage more deeply. History shows that even charismatic figures who lacked integrity eventually lost credibility. In business today, executives who consistently demonstrate ethical intent—whether at Sony, Hitachi, or smaller firms—earn loyalty and lasting respect. Mini-Summary: Rapport is grounded in character. Integrity ensures skills translate into lasting influence. Conclusion: How do you make audiences like you? Rapport is not about tricks but about authentic connection. By opening strongly, showing appreciation, using names, being humble, speaking inclusively, managing tone, appealing to audience interests, welcoming feedback, and leading with integrity, leaders ensure their message resonates. Key Takeaways: Open with impact, not clichés. Show appreciation before, during, and after. Mention individuals by name to personalise connection. Use “we” language to foster unity. Smile and match tone to content. Focus on audience interests and nobler emotions. Avoid apologies, mask nerves, and welcome criticism. Integrity is the foundation of lasting rapport. Leaders, executives, and professionals should act now: prepare deliberately, practise rapport-building techniques, and commit to authenticity. Audiences don't just remember content—they remember how you made them feel. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, widely followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan.

Why authentic leadership is vital in 2025, when AI is everywhere Back in 2021, the big conversation was about chatbots and holograms. Today, in 2025, AI has gone far beyond that. Tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and countless others are now part of daily life—at home and at work. They generate reports, answer questions, and even simulate empathy in conversation. For many, they feel like a companion. But there is a dark side. We now read disturbing stories of unstable people encouraged by AI interactions to harm themselves or take their own lives. This isn't science fiction. It's here, and it's dangerous. AI doesn't feel, but it can appear to. And when people trick themselves into believing a machine cares, the consequences can be tragic. In this new context, the role of the boss has never been more important. Leaders must become the human alternative to AI—providing authentic empathy, guidance, and care that machines simply cannot. Why do people prefer AI conversations today? The attraction is convenience. AI never gets tired, never loses patience, and always has an answer. For someone who feels isolated, anxious, or unseen, AI can feel like a safe space. In Japan, where loneliness is a social crisis, this is particularly dangerous. Employees may begin to confide more in machines than in their managers. If leaders neglect people-care, their staff may default to AI for guidance and validation. That's not just bad for morale—it's risky for mental health. Mini-Summary: People turn to AI because it feels safe, patient, and always available. Leaders who don't engage risk leaving staff vulnerable to dangerous dependence on machines. How did the pandemic pave the way for this? Covid-19 accelerated remote work and digital reliance. People learned to depend on screens for human connection. By the time AI matured, the habit of seeking digital substitutes was already ingrained. Now, instead of waiting for a manager to reply to a message, an employee can ask AI and get an instant response. The problem is that AI provides efficiency, not empathy. It can mimic listening but cannot care. Mini-Summary: Remote work normalised digital substitutes for connection. AI has filled the gap with speed—but not with real empathy. What are the risks of letting AI fill the emotional void? The most alarming risk is manipulation. AI systems can mirror human emotions, but they cannot judge when someone is in crisis. We've already seen tragic cases where vulnerable people, treated to AI's false empathy, were nudged toward self-harm. In the workplace, the danger is disengagement. Employees who feel unsupported may retreat into AI interactions, becoming emotionally disconnected from their leaders and teams. Over time, this undermines loyalty, performance, and culture. Mini-Summary: AI cannot distinguish between casual talk and crisis. Employees who rely on it emotionally may drift away from their leaders and teams—or worse, suffer harm. Why is the boss's role more important than ever? Because only humans can care. A boss who asks a team member, “Are you okay?” and listens deeply is offering something AI never can: authentic empathy. In Japan, where harmony and belonging are powerful motivators, the boss's role as a human anchor is critical. Leaders must check in intentionally, not leave staff to find comfort in algorithms. Mini-Summary: The boss's role is to provide real empathy and belonging—things AI can mimic but never deliver. What should leaders do in 2025? Schedule human time. Block out time for conversations with staff, no matter how busy. Ask better questions. Go beyond “How's work?” to “How are you coping?” and “What support do you need?” Listen actively. Don't interrupt, dismiss, or rush. Coach direct reports to do the same. Human connection must cascade through every level of leadership. Without these steps, staff may choose AI as their “listener.” Leaders must compete by being more present, empathetic, and human. Mini-Summary: Leaders must outcompete AI by offering deeper listening, better questions, and genuine care. Conclusion AI is now woven into daily life in Japan and worldwide. It offers efficiency, speed, and simulation of empathy—but not the real thing. For vulnerable people, the illusion of care can be deadly. For employees, it can quietly erode engagement and loyalty. That's why the boss's role is more vital than ever. Leaders must be the human alternative to AI—showing real concern, listening with empathy, and anchoring their people in authentic human connection. In 2025, it's not optional. It's the only way to keep teams safe, motivated, and loyal in the age of AI. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

Why trust, empathy, and human relations remain the foundation of sales success in Japan Hunting for new clients is hard work. Farming existing relationships is easier, more sustainable, and far more profitable. Yet not all buyers are easy to deal with. We often wish they would change to make our jobs smoother, but in reality, we can't change them—we can only change ourselves. That principle, at the core of Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People, remains as true in 2025 as it was in 1936. By shifting our mindset and behaviour, we can strengthen buyer relationships and secure long-term loyalty. Why must salespeople change first, not the buyer? Expecting buyers to change their habits or behaviours sets us up for frustration. Buyers act in ways that make sense to them, even if inconvenient for us. The only real lever we have is our own behaviour. Even a small shift—like adjusting our approach by “three degrees”—can change the buyer's counter-reaction. In Japan, where harmony and long-term trust are prized, this principle is especially powerful. A salesperson who shows flexibility and empathy stands out in contrast to competitors who push rigidly for their own preferences. Mini-Summary: Salespeople cannot force buyers to change; by adjusting their own behaviour, they influence the relationship and build trust. What role do Dale Carnegie's Human Relations Principles play in buyer relationships? Carnegie's Human Relations Principles are timeless tools for building cooperation. Three are particularly relevant for sales: Don't criticise, condemn, or complain. Criticism rarely changes behaviour—it provokes defensiveness. Give honest, sincere appreciation. Genuine recognition strengthens bonds and motivates reciprocity. Arouse in the other person an eager want. Frame solutions around what the buyer personally values. These principles apply across industries, from manufacturing to finance. Japanese buyers, in particular, value respectful, non-confrontational communication that acknowledges their contributions. Mini-Summary: Carnegie's Human Relations Principles—no criticism, sincere appreciation, and aligning with buyer wants—remain timeless tools for sales. Why does criticism damage buyer relationships? When salespeople criticise clients, they expect reasoned acceptance. Instead, they trigger defensiveness. Buyers justify their decisions, harden their positions, and often sour the relationship. Consider situations common in Japan: extended payment terms, last-minute order changes, or requests for multiple quotes as compliance. Criticising these behaviours damages trust. Instead, salespeople must work constructively within the constraints, showing professionalism while seeking long-term influence. Mini-Summary: Criticism never wins buyers—it hardens resistance. Professionalism and patience maintain the relationship, even under pressure. How does sincere appreciation change buyer behaviour? Most professionals receive little genuine recognition. Buyers, like colleagues, are often starved of appreciation. Yet false flattery is quickly detected, especially in Japan where sincerity is scrutinised. The key is to find something specific and genuine. For example: “Suzuki-san, thank you for sending the information so promptly—it helped me meet my deadline.” This kind of concrete, truthful appreciation motivates buyers to cooperate more readily in future. Mini-Summary: Specific, honest appreciation builds cooperation and strengthens relationships—especially in Japan, where false flattery backfires. Why must salespeople align with buyer wants, not their own? Buyers spend most of their time focused on their own priorities, not the salesperson's. To gain cooperation, salespeople must align their proposals with what the buyer values personally, not just professionally. In Japan, this often means recognising not only company goals but also individual motivations—career advancement, personal reputation, or peace of mind. Framing solutions to satisfy these deeper wants increases buyer engagement and willingness to act. Mini-Summary: Sales success comes from aligning with buyer priorities—both corporate and personal—rather than pushing seller needs. How can salespeople apply these principles consistently? Building strong buyer relationships requires discipline. Salespeople should: Avoid negative talk about buyer policies. Express timely, specific appreciation for buyer cooperation. Frame every proposal around the buyer's personal and organisational goals. Companies like Toyota and Hitachi succeed because their sales teams apply these principles systematically, not occasionally. Sales leaders must coach and reinforce this mindset, ensuring every client interaction strengthens trust. Mini-Summary: Consistency in applying human relations principles transforms sales teams from product pushers into trusted partners. Conclusion In 2025, with competition fiercer than ever, building strong buyer relationships remains the bedrock of sales success. We cannot expect clients to change for our convenience. Instead, by applying Dale Carnegie's timeless principles—avoiding criticism, giving sincere appreciation, and aligning with buyer wants—we shift the relationship dynamic in our favour. Buyers in Japan reward this behaviour with trust, loyalty, and repeat business. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

In episode 124, urban ecologist and past guest Darryl Jones returns to discuss the power of nature to heal your brain and other topics from his latest book, (Be)Wilder, which delves into  elephants in Thailand, bearded pigs in Borneo, and conservationist farmers in the Snowy Mountains.  Darryl also speaks about the recent brain surgery he underwent as treatment for Parkinson's, and the story of how the disease got its name.  Darryl Jones is a Professor of Ecology at Griffith University in Brisbane, where for over 30 years he has been investigating the many ways that people and wildlife interact. He is particularly interested in why some species have been so successful in urban landscapes while many others have not, and how best to deal with the ensuing conflicts. His books include Getting to Know the Birds in Your Neighbourhood, Feeding the Birds at Your Table and Curlews on Vulture Street, which we spoke to him about in J&A Stay at Home episode 67. Find Darryl at Brisbane Writers Festival or any of his upcoming events.  Books & authors discussed in this episode: Mark Cocker  Enchantment by Birds by Russell McGregor  Apeirogon by Colum McCann Ghost Cities by Siang Lu  Outback Cop by Neale McShane and Evan McHugh Upcoming events  Ashley is at the Mount Beauty Writers Festival on Saturday 18 October  James is speaking with Christian White at Manly Library on Sunday 2 November Ashley is teaching crime writing at Gosford Library on Monday 10 November James is teaching Setting & Landscape for Writers at the Woolshed on Saturday 21 March, 2026 Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library. Plus check out Like, Follow, Die from Audible.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Why mastering presentation basics matters for executives, managers, and professionals in Japan and globally Why do so many business leaders struggle with presentations? Most businesspeople enter leadership roles without structured presentation training. We focus on tasks, projects, and results, not on persuasion. As careers progress, responsibilities expand from reporting on progress to addressing divisions, shareholders, media, or industry groups. Yet many professionals simply imitate their bosses—who themselves lacked training. The result? The blind leading the blind. Companies rarely mandate presentation training for rising leaders, leaving individuals to “figure it out.” In Japan's corporate culture, where communication is vital for trust-building, this oversight stalls leadership effectiveness. Without fundamentals, even talented executives lose influence when speaking. Mini-Summary: Presentation skills are rarely taught formally. Leaders must proactively learn fundamentals or risk being overshadowed by trained communicators. What's the first step to mastering presentation fundamentals? Know your material so well that you feel you own it. Credibility comes from expertise and preparation. This means reading, researching, and gaining experience in the subject area. Being over-prepared allows you to answer questions confidently in Q&A sessions and demonstrate depth. Globally, executives at consulting firms like McKinsey or EY spend countless hours preparing beyond their presentation content. In Japan, depth is particularly valued—audiences expect presenters to demonstrate mastery and anticipate questions. Nothing shatters credibility faster than being exposed as unprepared. Mini-Summary: True confidence comes from mastery. Over-prepare so you can answer questions and project authority. Why does passion matter more than perfect delivery? Audiences remember enthusiasm more than details. Think back to school: some teachers delivered lectures robotically, while others radiated passion. The same applies in business. Presenters who show energy, conviction, and genuine excitement are remembered long after their slides are forgotten. In sales, passion equals persuasion. The same principle applies in leadership. Leaders at companies like Rakuten or Sony differentiate themselves by showing commitment to their message. Even if the topic is routine, finding areas that spark your interest—and projecting enthusiasm—makes a lasting impact. Mini-Summary: Passion makes you memorable. Even mundane topics benefit from energy and excitement, setting leaders apart. How do you project value and significance in your message? If presenters don't sound convinced, the audience never will be. Communication is not just information transfer—it is influence. Presenters must demonstrate that their ideas matter, that the audience's time is well spent, and that the content has real impact. In Japan's hierarchical companies, employees often present because they're told to, not because they believe in the message. That indifference shows, and audiences disengage. Instead, leaders should adopt a sales mindset: presenting is selling ideas. When we project conviction, we signal authority, trustworthiness, and leadership potential. Mini-Summary: Presentations must sell ideas. Confidence and conviction transfer belief to the audience and build influence. What happens if you avoid developing presentation skills? Executives can succeed in business without presentation mastery—but they will always be eclipsed by those who can influence from the stage or boardroom. Communication is a leadership multiplier. Leaders with strong fundamentals inspire, differentiate themselves, and create stronger personal brands. The pandemic and hybrid work environment made effective communication even more critical. Companies now demand leaders who can engage in-person, online, and across borders. Without these skills, careers stagnate. With them, leaders accelerate growth, recognition, and trust. Mini-Summary: Leaders without presentation skills may rise, but they're eclipsed by those who communicate with impact. Fundamentals drive career advancement. How can you start improving today? Start with three fundamentals: know your content deeply, deliver with passion, and project value in every message. Rehearse frequently, seek coaching, and study great communicators. Firms like Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training provide frameworks that help leaders avoid wasted years of trial and error. Take ownership of your growth. Don't wait for companies to sponsor training. Invest in yourself. The payoff is measurable in career advancement, reputation, and influence. Mini-Summary: Begin with mastery, passion, and value. Add practice and training to accelerate confidence and impact. Conclusion: Why fundamentals define leadership presence Presentations are not an optional skill—they are a leadership necessity. Companies may neglect training, but leaders who take initiative gain a decisive advantage. Audiences don't remember every detail, but they remember passion, conviction, and clarity. Key Takeaways: Companies rarely teach presentation skills—leaders must self-develop. Mastery of content builds credibility and confidence. Passion makes presenters memorable and persuasive. Presentations sell ideas—conviction transfers belief to the audience. Fundamentals separate good managers from great leaders. Executives and professionals should act now: commit to mastering fundamentals, rehearse deliberately, and seek coaching. Influence is the hallmark of leadership, and presentation skills are its foundation. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, widely followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan.

  Timeless luxury thrives on trust, not transactions. In Japan, “walk the talk” converts respect into results. Prepare for 90, execute the final 10 flawlessly. Curiosity first; conclusions later. Empathy is the shortcut to nemawashi.   Born in Geneva, Switzerland — the same city where Piaget began — Alexis Perroton started his career at TAG Heuer. At 24, he accepted a “Japan or nothing” posting and arrived without language skills or prior affinity for the country. The culture shock was immediate, but he refused to quit, immersed himself in the language, and built fluency as he learned retail from the shop floor. After four years, he moved to Richemont's Finance Planning & Analysis team supporting watch maisons and later Cartier, partnering closely with marketing on product performance dashboards. That collaboration paved the way to a leadership shift: he became Head of Jewellery for Cartier Japan during a pivotal rebuilding phase marked by new management, optimism, and local creative freedom. To broaden his scope and network, Perroton relocated to Cartier's head office in Geneva, working with the executive committee and coordinating commercial activities across Asia at the height of China's expansion. He subsequently led marketing and communications across 12 diverse markets in Southeast Asia from Singapore, then moved to Hong Kong in 2015 to oversee Hong Kong & Macau — the largest subsidiary at the time — through a demanding, resource-rich growth period. Recruited to Piaget by a former Cartier colleague tasked with revitalising the maison, Perroton returned to Japan eight years ago to lead Piaget Japan. Since then, he and his team have delivered strong results across triumphs and setbacks, emphasising client relationships, boutique excellence, and disciplined execution. Across roles in Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and back to Japan, his career reflects 18 cumulative years in Japan, a deep commitment to on-the-floor leadership, and the conviction that respect, transparency, and consistency (“walk the talk”) generate trust and performance. Alexis Perroton's leadership philosophy is forged from the boutique floor up. He insists luxury is about emotion and human connection, and that leaders must be visible, useful, and humble where the relationship actually forms: in-store. Early in Japan, unable to speak or read the language, he nearly left. Instead, he doubled down, learned Japanese, and used that experience to shape a style that blends Swiss discipline with Japanese trust-building. Over time he moved through finance, marketing, and general management across Asia, all while honing empathy and executional rigour. Perroton learned that Japanese engagement cannot be read through global dashboards alone. Survey scores trend conservative, but comments are nuanced and often positive; a “5/10” may signify a customer's desire to keep a brand exclusive rather than dissatisfaction. He rejects international league tables that flatten culture, preferring to mine qualitative feedback and then close the loop visibly so staff see action, not surveys for surveys' sake. This is classic nemawashi: patiently build consensus and psychological safety before decisions are formalised (ringi-sho), and communicate the “why,” the frame, and the plan. He is equally clear-eyed on empowerment. Large brainstorming sessions seldom unlock the quiet voices; one-to-one breakfasts and small-group conversations do. He schedules weekly “what I did/what I'm doing” forums so every voice exercises agency. Then he provides structure — owners, milestones, expectations — so ideas survive the off-site and turn into operational work. He understands Japan's “prepare 90, execute 10” rhythm and harnesses it: meticulous rehearsal (including speeches scripted phonetically in romaji) ensures flawless client experiences. On technology, he is pragmatic. Luxury e-commerce remains smaller in Japan; clients value brick-and-mortar intimacy, trusted advice, and post-purchase care. Technology supports, but cannot replace, that theatre. Decision intelligence for leaders here means translating data into empathetic action: role-plays at morning chokurei, field coaching, and feedback cadences that respect uncertainty avoidance while still inviting challenge. Language proficiency matters because it collapses distance. Speaking directly with clients at dinners and events, or packing event crates with staff after hours, signals “same boat” solidarity that no town hall can replicate. It also short-circuits the “expat for three years and gone” scepticism. Resilience, for Perroton, comes from perspective: sleep resets the day; reframe the negative until a constructive path appears. In a market where wealth skews older and relationships are compounding assets, his approach fuses empathy, preparation, and presence — the quiet mechanics of trust that make luxury feel effortless. What makes leadership in Japan unique? Leaders succeed by investing disproportionate energy in trust and preparation. Nemawashi precedes decisions; ringi-sho codifies them; consensus safeguards execution. Staff and clients value “walk the talk” — the leader who shows up at events on weekends, role-plays in morning huddles, and can serve a client in Japanese. Preparation (90) before execution (10) yields the “flawless” client moment. Why do global executives struggle? They over-index on global benchmarks and underweight context. Japanese engagement and NPS scales are conservative; comments carry the gold. Translation nuance matters. Without patient listening, one-to-one conversations, and follow-through, ideas die in the gap between off-site enthusiasm and Monday reality. Is Japan truly risk-averse? Japan is uncertainty-averse more than risk-averse. Teams will pursue bold goals once leaders reduce ambiguity: clarify intent, sequence, owners, and safeguards. Meticulous rehearsal de-risks the last 10 percent. Leaders who frame decisions with transparent dashboards and narratives convert caution into commitment. What leadership style actually works? Respect, transparency, and consistency. Be reachable, empathetic, and specific. Set frames (who/what/when), then empower execution. Build psychological safety in small groups; invite challenge privately if needed. Model shared labour — from packing crates to greeting clients — to accelerate trust and speed up nemawashi. How can technology help? Use technology to enhance, not replace, human theatre. Digital twins of service journeys and decision intelligence dashboards can surface bottlenecks, skill gaps, and best practices. But luxury clients in Japan still choose boutiques for trust, tactility, and tailored advice. Tech should augment coaching (e.g., role-play libraries, analytics), not automate empathy. Does language proficiency matter? Yes — it compresses distance and signals respect. Direct Japanese conversations enable richer feedback loops with staff and clients, reduce reliance on filters, and quicken consensus. Even partial fluency, used consistently, advances trust faster than polished slides. What's the ultimate leadership lesson? Curiosity before conclusions. Listen wide, close the loop visibly, and “walk the talk.” In Japan, leaders who pair empathy with structure turn consensus from a delay into a multiplier, sustaining performance through crises and growth cycles alike. Timecoded Summary [00:00] Geneva to Ginza: Perroton recounts growing up in Switzerland, joining TAG Heuer, and taking a “Japan or nothing” assignment at 24. Early months are brutally hard — no language, cultural isolation — but he refuses to quit, learns Japanese, and discovers the client-facing heartbeat of luxury. [05:20] From FP&A to jewellery: At Richemont he partners with marketing on analytics, then becomes Head of Jewellery for Cartier Japan during a renewal period with new management and local freedom. The move proves that cross-functional fluency (finance + marketing) accelerates leadership range. [12:45] Head office vantage: In Geneva, he coordinates Asian markets as China scales rapidly, building an ex-co network and regional perspective. The exposure to different uncertainty profiles and market maturities seeds his later playbook on framing and consensus. [18:30] Southeast Asia tour: From Singapore, he oversees 12 heterogeneous markets — mature (Singapore), emergent (Vietnam), culturally complex (Indonesia), Anglo-Saxon (Australia). A small, tight team learns to tailor playbooks without losing brand coherence. [23:40] Hong Kong & Macau (2015): He leads the largest subsidiary pre-COVID, where resourcing and pressure are equally high. He calibrates “prepare 90, execute 10” at scale, learning that big markets demand both autonomy and disciplined alignment. [28:10] Piaget Japan: Recruited amid a brand rebuild, he returns to Japan. Eight years deliver wins and setbacks, but the throughline is presence: weekends at events, dinners with clients, and coaching on the floor. He schedules boutique time, blocks calendars, and adapts to two time zones daily. [34:15] Engagement optics: He critiques comparing Japan's NPS/engagement to other countries. Scores are conservative; comments reveal loyalty and exclusivity impulses. The fix: translation nuance, qualitative mining, action plans, and visible follow-through — nemawashi in practice. [40:00] Empowerment engine: Weekly “feedback” meetings make speaking up routine. Small breakfasts surface quieter voices. He supplies frames (owners, timelines) so ideas outlive off-sites. Role-play during chokurei institutionalises learning despite dispersed retail schedules. [45:35] Digital vs. human: E-commerce is smaller in Japan's luxury; clients prioritise tactile experiences and trusted advisors. Technology should serve decision intelligence and coaching, not attempt to automate empathy. [49:50] Resilience & habits: He writes everything down, rehearses speeches in romaji, takes thinking breaks, and resets daily — reframing negatives until a constructive path emerges. The ultimate lesson: curiosity, empathy, structure, and “walk the talk.” Author Credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

Join Professor Peter Nash from the Griffith University in Brisbane, and Doctor David Kellner, an IGNITE-MSCR Fellow of the Division of Rheumatology, from UCLA Medical Centre, LA, USA, as they discuss his recent review ‘Effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists on patients with rheumatoid arthritis'.

Philip Clark is joined by Professor Emeritus Darryl Jones from Griffith University, an Australian ecologist who has dedicated over three decades to understanding the interactions between people and wildlife in our modern landscapes. 

Why foreign “hammers” fail and what leaders must do differently in 2025 For decades, foreign companies entering Japan have repeated the same mistake: dispatching a “change agent” from HQ to shake things up. The scenario often ends in disaster. Relationships are broken, trust collapses, and revenues fall. In 2025, the lesson is clear—Japan doesn't need hammers. It needs builders who listen, localise, and lead with respect. Why do foreign change agents so often fail in Japan? Most fail because they arrive as “hammers,” assuming Japanese organisations are nails to be pounded. They issue orders, demand compliance, and move quickly to replace “uncooperative” staff. Within months, good people leave, clients are alienated, and HQ is asking why nothing has improved. In Japan's relationship-driven culture, trust and precedent matter more than speed. What works in the US or Europe—shock therapy and rapid restructuring—backfires badly in Tokyo. Mini-Summary: Change agents fail because they impose foreign models on Japan, destroying relationships and trust in the process. What makes Japan's business environment unique? Japan's corporate culture is deeply relationship-based. Employees and clients alike expect stability, respect for hierarchy, and long-term partnership. Leaders who ignore these norms are seen as reckless and disrespectful. Imagine if a Japanese executive were sent to New York or Sydney with no English, no knowledge of local clients, and an eagerness to sack your colleagues. How would staff react? That's how many Japanese employees feel when foreign hammers arrive. Mini-Summary: Japan values stability, respect, and trust. Ignoring cultural context guarantees resistance to foreign-led change. How does poor localisation damage performance? Foreign leaders often fail because they don't understand Japanese customers, laws, or working styles. Policies designed for HQ markets rarely fit Japan. When imposed, they drive away clients and demoralise employees. Losing even a handful of senior staff can devastate sales because relationships with clients are personal and long-standing. Unlike in Silicon Valley or London, relationships in Japan cannot be quickly replaced. Mini-Summary: Poor localisation alienates both staff and customers. Once key relationships are broken in Japan, they are almost impossible to rebuild quickly. What should leaders do differently before landing in Japan? Preparation is everything. Leaders should study Japanese language, culture, and business practices before stepping on the plane. They must also build “air cover” at HQ—support for localisation and patience with results. Quick wins help: small, visible improvements that build credibility. Equally important is identifying influencers inside the Japanese office to champion necessary changes. Instead of dictating, leaders must co-create solutions with the local team. For a comprehensive roadmap, leaders should read Japan Business Mastery and Japan Leadership Mastery, which remain the most up-to-date guides on how to succeed in Japan's unique and complex business environment. Mini-Summary: Leaders should prepare deeply, secure HQ support, and pursue small wins with local influencers. Japan Business Mastery and Japan Leadership Mastery are the definitive playbooks for succeeding in Japan. Why is listening more powerful than ordering in Japan? Successful leaders in Japan listen first. They try to understand why processes exist before changing them. What seems inefficient to outsiders may serve a hidden purpose, such as preserving harmony with partners or complying with local regulations. Listening builds credibility and signals respect. Staff become more open to change when they feel heard. By contrast, ordering without listening provokes silent resistance, where employees nod in meetings but fail to execute later. Mini-Summary: Listening creates buy-in and reveals hidden logic. Ordering without listening triggers silent resistance in Japan. How can foreign leaders build rather than wreck in Japan? The answer is to be a builder, not a wrecker. Builders respect relationships, cultivate influencers, and adapt global practices to local realities. They hasten slowly, introducing sustainable changes without blowing up trust. Executives at firms like Microsoft Japan and Coca-Cola Japan have shown that localisation, patience, and humility create long-term growth. Change agents may deliver in other markets, but in Japan, only builders succeed. Mini-Summary: Builders succeed by respecting trust, localising global models, and moving at Japan's pace. Conclusion The “change agent” model is a repeat failure in Japan. In 2025, foreign companies must abandon the hammer approach and embrace a builder mindset—listening, localising, and cultivating trust. Japan's market is rich, stable, and full of opportunity, but only for leaders who respect its unique culture. For executives who want a practical roadmap, Japan Business Mastery and Japan Leadership Mastery remain the most relevant and up-to-date books on how to win in this demanding environment. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

Balancing strength and flexibility in leadership in 2025 Leaders are often told to “never surrender” and “winners don't quit.” At the same time, they are also expected to be flexible, adaptable, and open to change. These opposing demands resemble the yin-yang symbol—two seemingly contradictory forces that must coexist. As of 2025, when Japanese and global organisations face complex challenges from AI disruption to demographic decline, the real question is: should leaders concede, and if so, when? Why are leaders expected to be both tough and flexible? Leadership has long been framed as toughness—perseverance, resilience, and determination. Leaders are expected to stand firm when others waver. Yet modern organisations also demand agility. Executives must adapt to shifting markets, employee expectations, and cultural norms. In Japan, this dualism is particularly acute. The expectation of gaman (endurance) coexists with the need for kaizen (continuous improvement). Leaders must embody both, choosing when to persist and when to pivot. Mini-Summary: Leaders must balance resilience with adaptability. In Japan, gaman (endurance) and kaizen (improvement) highlight this dual demand. Why do most people avoid leadership roles? Leadership is stressful. It involves accountability, difficult decisions, and constant scrutiny. As Yogi Berra once quipped, “Leading is easy. It's getting people to follow you that's hard.” Leaders must sometimes fire underperformers, push unpopular decisions, and absorb criticism. In Japan, where harmony is valued, these responsibilities are even more daunting. Many professionals choose to remain followers, leaving leadership to those willing to shoulder the stress. Mini-Summary: Leadership is hard because it involves accountability and stress. Most people avoid it, which is why true leaders are rare. Why is delegation so difficult for leaders? Many leaders struggle to delegate effectively. The pressure to deliver results tempts them to keep control. Yet failing to delegate creates bottlenecks and burnout. In Japan, where leaders are often overloaded with both strategic and administrative tasks, this is a recurring challenge. Research shows that high-performing leaders focus on tasks only they can do, while delegating the rest. This requires trust, coaching, and patience. Without it, leaders end up hoarding tasks that should be done by others. Mini-Summary: Leaders often fail to delegate, but true effectiveness comes from focusing on high-value tasks and trusting the team. How should leaders balance authority with openness? Many leaders mouth platitudes about “servant leadership” or “management by walking around.” In reality, these often turn into issuing orders from new locations. The real test is whether leaders listen and incorporate team input. In Japan, where collectivism runs deep, openness is crucial. Employees are more engaged when they feel heard. Leaders who concede occasionally—adopting team ideas over their own—strengthen trust without losing authority. Mini-Summary: True openness means listening and conceding when team ideas are better. In Japan, this strengthens trust and loyalty. Can conceding actually make leaders stronger? Conceding is often seen as weakness, but in fact, it signals confidence. Leaders who admit they don't know everything gain credibility. They also encourage innovation, as employees feel safe proposing new approaches. In my own case, developing self-awareness has been key. Recognising that my way is not always the only way allows me to adapt and grow. Conceding doesn't mean surrendering; it means being smart enough to choose the best path. Mini-Summary: Conceding wisely shows strength, not weakness. Leaders gain credibility and foster innovation by admitting they don't know everything. How can leaders develop flexibility without losing authority? The key is mindset. Leaders must accept that multiple paths can lead to success. Flexibility requires conscious effort: more coaching, more listening, and more openness to alternatives. Japanese leaders, often trained in rigid hierarchies, may find this shift difficult. Yet flexibility is essential in today's unpredictable business environment. By selecting the best ideas—whether theirs or others'—leaders strengthen both their authority and their team's performance. Mini-Summary: Flexibility doesn't erode authority. By adopting the best ideas available, leaders remain strong while empowering their teams. Conclusion Leadership is not about rigidly holding the line or constantly conceding. It's about knowing when to do each. In 2025, leaders in Japan and worldwide must master the dualism of resilience and flexibility. By conceding strategically—listening, delegating, and adapting—leaders can inspire loyalty, foster innovation, and remain credible anchors in uncertain times. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

How a structured roadmap transforms sales performance in Japan At the centre of every sale is the customer relationship. Surrounding that relationship are the stages of the sales cycle, which act like planets revolving around the sun. Without a structured cycle, salespeople risk being led by the buyer instead of guiding the process themselves. With it, they always know where they are and what comes next. Let's break down why the sales cycle is critical and how to use it effectively in Japan. What is the sales cycle and why does it matter? The sales cycle is a five-stage roadmap that moves from first contact through to closing and after-sales follow-up. Each stage—credibility, questioning, solution, objections, and close—ensures that salespeople remain in control of the process. In Japan, where buyers are cautious and expect professionalism, having a clear cycle prevents missteps. It reassures clients that the salesperson is competent and methodical. Just as Toyota uses structured processes for manufacturing excellence, salespeople need a reliable process to achieve consistent results. Mini-Summary: The sales cycle provides a roadmap that keeps salespeople in control, especially in Japan where clients expect structure and professionalism. How should salespeople make a strong first impression? The first step is credibility. Buyers often meet salespeople through referrals, events, or cold calls, and they form impressions quickly. A refined credibility statement is essential: it should clearly communicate who you are, your expertise, and why you are reliable. At this stage, qualifying questions are also critical. They help determine whether the prospect is a genuine fit for your solution. Without qualification, time and resources are wasted. In Japan's relationship-driven market, credibility and early alignment build the trust needed to advance the conversation. Mini-Summary: A polished credibility statement and targeted qualification questions establish trust and ensure you're talking to the right buyer. Why is questioning compared to a doctor's diagnosis? Just like doctors, salespeople must diagnose before prescribing. Asking questions reveals the buyer's current situation, future goals, barriers to success, and personal motivations. These insights uncover not only organisational needs but also the executive's personal stakes in the outcome. In Japan, where buyers may not volunteer information freely, structured questioning is vital. It demonstrates that the salesperson genuinely wants to understand before offering solutions. This approach aligns with consultative selling methods used by multinational firms, which outperform competitors relying on generic pitches. Mini-Summary: Diagnostic questioning uncovers both company needs and personal stakes, showing buyers you are serious about solving their problems. How do you present solutions effectively in Japan? Once needs are clear, the salesperson must outline the solution with detail and proof. This involves explaining features, translating them into benefits, and providing evidence of success in similar contexts. For example, showing how Fujitsu or Rakuten solved a comparable problem makes the solution credible. Importantly, salespeople should use trial closes to test understanding and identify concerns before the final ask. In Japan, this gentle approach respects hierarchy and allows buyers to raise issues without losing face. Mini-Summary: Effective solution presentations combine features, benefits, and proof, reinforced by trial closes to surface and resolve concerns early. How should objections be handled? If objections arise, it signals that either clarity or persuasion was lacking. The professional response is to address concerns respectfully, provide further evidence, and reframe value. In Japan, objections are often indirect, so listening carefully is essential. Global best practice suggests preparing objection-handling strategies in advance. Whether in consumer goods or B2B tech, salespeople who anticipate resistance show competence. Japanese clients in particular value patience and persistence in overcoming doubts. Mini-Summary: Objections reveal gaps in clarity or persuasion; handling them calmly and respectfully strengthens trust in Japan's relationship-driven culture. How do you close the sale and secure loyalty? Closing should not be abrupt. Instead, salespeople can “paint a word picture” of success, helping the buyer imagine the benefits of the solution in action. Then, a soft closing technique invites agreement. After closing, follow-up is critical. Maintaining contact ensures satisfaction, resolves issues, and opens the door for referrals. In Japan, where reputation spreads through networks, happy clients become powerful advocates. The sales cycle does not end with the sale—it ends with loyalty. Mini-Summary: Successful closing combines gentle persuasion with strong follow-up, turning satisfied clients into long-term advocates and referral sources. Conclusion The sales cycle—credibility, questioning, solution, objections, and closing—is the roadmap that guides salespeople through every conversation. Without it, sales interactions risk becoming chaotic or buyer-led. In Japan, where professionalism, trust, and long-term relationships are paramount, mastering the cycle is non-negotiable. Salespeople who use it consistently not only close more deals but also create loyal clients who sustain their business for years to come. About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

Headlines: Opposition leader Sussan Ley welcomed to Israel over Palestine pushback, Super typhoon set to make landfall in China, Hong Kong and the Philippines, The Duchess of York dropped by charities over Epstein apology, Instagram rolls out AI to detect teens lying about age, and AFL's night of nights – the Brownlow! Deep Dive: Boycotts and ‘political consumerism’ are on the rise, with consumers actively choosing to buy from companies that align with their political views. It’s become one of the most common forms of political participation in western liberal democracies, including right here in Australia, over issues like Palestine, Ukraine, Tesla and Disney. In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Erin O'Brien, an Associate Professor in International Relations at Griffith University, to explain if you can create change by joining a boycott. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why leadership requires sensing and feeling, not just knowing, in 2025 Managers often prioritise what they “know,” while leaders rely more on what they “sense” and “feel.” This distinction, popularised by executive coach Marcel Danne, is more than semantics—it highlights a profound difference in mindset. As of 2025, with Japan navigating demographic challenges, digital disruption, and global uncertainty, the ability to sense and adapt has become more critical than simply knowing facts. What's the difference between managers and leaders in decision-making? Managers tend to focus on knowing first—building confidence through data, self-education, and sheer hard work. Leaders, however, prioritise sensing first—tuning into people, context, and emotions before deciding. In practice, this means managers often bulldoze forward with certainty, while leaders pause to feel and reflect before acting. In Japan, this distinction matters. Hierarchical firms often elevate those who “know,” but the complexity of 2025 requires leaders who can sense subtle shifts in markets, teams, and cultures. Mini-Summary: Managers lead with knowledge; leaders lead with sensing. In 2025 Japan, sensing is critical for navigating complexity. Why are managers often so confident in their own answers? Managers often rely on personal effort: self-education, long hours, and relentless execution. This creates confidence, even ego, but often without much self-awareness. Many managers assume the path is clear because they've worked hard to “know” it. This overconfidence mirrors Western corporate cultures where rugged individualism is prized. But in Japan, such confidence can clash with collaborative norms. A “my way or the highway” mindset alienates teams, undermining innovation and engagement. Mini-Summary: Managerial confidence stems from effort and ego, but without self-awareness, it risks alienating teams—especially in Japan. Why do Japanese firms prioritise questions over answers? Japanese business culture values asking the right questions more than having immediate answers. To a Western-trained manager, this seems counterintuitive, but it ensures decisions reflect collective wisdom. Leaders in Japan often pause to ask: Are we even solving the right problem? This contrasts with the West, where speed and decisiveness are praised. In 2025, Japanese organisations that blend both—rigorous questioning plus timely execution—are best positioned for global competition. Mini-Summary: In Japan, leaders prioritise asking the right questions before jumping to answers, ensuring collective wisdom shapes decisions. How do feelings reshape leadership effectiveness? Managers often dismiss emotions as distractions. Leaders, however, integrate feelings into decision-making. Dale Carnegie's Human Relations Principles emphasise empathy, appreciation, and understanding as essential leadership skills. Leaders who sense how people feel can adjust tone, timing, and messaging. In 2025, with hybrid work and employee burnout prevalent, emotional intelligence is more critical than ever. Companies like Hitachi and Sony are embedding empathy into leadership development to retain talent and drive innovation. Mini-Summary: Feelings, once ignored by managers, are now essential for leaders managing hybrid workforces and avoiding burnout. Can leaders evolve from “knowing” to “sensing”? Yes. Leaders can shift by gradually reordering their priorities. Many, like myself, began as managers focused on knowing and execution. Over time, through feedback and reflection, feelings and sensing moved to the forefront. For example, Dale Carnegie training encourages leaders to practice empathy, appreciation, and active listening. These skills shift behaviour from control to collaboration. Even small changes—like pausing before responding—signal growth. Mini-Summary: Leaders can evolve from knowing-first to sensing-first through training, reflection, and small behavioural changes. What should leaders do today to balance sensing and knowing? In 2025, leaders must balance data with empathy. This means: Asking the right questions before chasing answers. Listening actively to signals from teams and markets. Using knowledge as a foundation but not the driver. Modelling humility and curiosity in decision-making. Executives at firms like Toyota and Rakuten illustrate this blend, combining rigorous data with people-first leadership. Leaders who fail to evolve remain stuck in outdated managerial mindsets. Mini-Summary: Leaders must balance sensing and knowing by listening, questioning, and modelling humility—skills critical in 2025 Japan. Conclusion The difference between managers and leaders lies in order of priority: managers know first, leaders sense first. In Japan's complex 2025 environment, sensing, feeling, and questioning matter more than simply knowing. Leadership is a journey of self-discovery—moving from rugged individualism to collaborative sensing. The challenge for executives today is clear: are you still managing by knowing, or are you leading by sensing? About the Author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have also been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban “Hito o Ugokasu” Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). In addition to his books, Greg publishes daily blogs on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offering practical insights on leadership, communication, and Japanese business culture. He is also the host of six weekly podcasts, including The Leadership Japan Series, The Sales Japan Series, The Presentations Japan Series, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews. On YouTube, he produces three weekly shows — The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews — which have become leading resources for executives seeking strategies for success in Japan.

Today on the GMM podcast we have 50 freestyle Olympic and World Champion Cameron McEvoy. This sprint star, known as The Professor, has done more than win medals, he has revolutionised training in a way I don't think we can turn back from. Cameron, a graduate from Griffith University with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, trusts the data and it has rewarded him. This isn't just another training conversation, Cameron shares the far edge of human performance and what it takes to move water at top speed. The results are undeniable, and the ripple effects are going to change how the sport thinks about sprinting.

Police in Australia are continuing a huge manhunt in the mountains for Dezi Freeman, a man accused of killing two police officers and injuring a third in late August. Freeman identifies as a sovereign citizen, someone who believes they aren't subject to the law.In this episode we speak to criminologist Keiran Hardy from Griffith University about the origins of the sovereign citizen movement in the US, how it spread to Australia and was taken up by the self-styled Prince Leonard in the 1970s, and why the movement grew during Covid-19. This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware with assistance from Katie Flood and editing help from Ashlynee McGhee. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.

Today, Barbara was unable to co-host with Dr. Stephanie. For today, Dr. Stephanie is joined by Jeremy Rochford of Our Neuro Fam and Just the Guys to discuss Dr. Attwood's newest book, written by co-author Maxine Aston.This year marks 5 years of the ND Couples Podcast, and we welcome Dr. Tony Attwood back to the show to share his decades of experience.Professor Tony Attwood is a clinical psychologist who has specialized in autism spectrum disorders since he qualified as a clinical psychologist in England in 1975. He currently works in his own private practice and is also an adjunct professor at Griffith University, Queensland, and a senior consultant at the Minds and Hearts clinic in Brisbane. His book Asperger's Syndrome – A Guide for Parents and Professionals has sold over 400,000 copies and has been translated into 27 languages. His subsequent book, The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome, published in October 2006, has sold over 300,000 copies and has been translated into 18 languages, and is one of the primary textbooks on Asperger's syndrome. He has several subsequent books published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Future Horizons Inc., and Guilford Press. Dr. Tony has been invited to be a keynote speaker at many Australasian and International Conferences. He presents workshops and runs training courses for parents, professionals, and individuals with Asperger's syndrome all over the world and is a prolific author of scientific papers and books on the subject. He has worked with many thousands of individuals of all ages with Asperger's syndrome or an Autism Spectrum Disorder. www.tonyattwood.com.auThe book:https://www.amazon.com/Relationship-Counselling-Autistic-Neurodiverse-Couples/dp/1805013025