Building Anticipation With Your Audience

How do great presentations build your personal brand in Japan?

In Tokyo, many business leaders will register for a talk just because they trust the speaker’s name. Jesper Koll, CEO of WisdomTree Investments Japan, is a good example. People sign up for his sessions on Japan’s economy without even reading all the details, because they know the value he delivers.

You can create the same kind of trust in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies) through strong presentation skills. High-quality プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training) plus repeated practice is the foundation. Once you are known as a clear and engaging speaker, your name becomes a “reason to attend”.

Mini-summary: Great presentations turn your name into a trusted brand that attracts opportunities.

Most people hate public speaking and avoid it. That is your chance.

Inside your company, volunteer for:

• team updates

• project reports

• section or department presentations

There is usually no long line of people wanting to present. Others “bumble” through, but you prepare, practice, and deliver clearly. Over time, colleagues see you as the one who can explain complex ideas simply.

Mini-summary: Say “yes” to every internal speaking chance; this is where your reputation begins.

Top management in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies) notice who can represent the firm well. When your slides are simple, your message is sharp, and your delivery is confident, you are seen as someone with:

• communication skill

• persuasion power

• leadership potential

Often, these same skills are what companies look for in future leaders. This leads to more responsibility, more visibility, and more career growth.

Mini-summary: Clear, persuasive presentations signal leadership readiness and speed up your promotion path.

As you rise in the organization, more speaking spots will appear. Sometimes senior executives themselves dislike presenting and are happy to give you the stage.

You can also create your own chances in the broader Tokyo business community:

• Propose talks to local business groups and chambers

• Choose hot, relevant topics (e.g., digital transformation, cross-cultural leadership, DEI研修 (DEI training))

• Write your own strong session title and description, not leaving it to the host

Over time, your name becomes linked to a topic, just like Jesper Koll is linked to Japan’s economy.

Mini-summary: Don’t wait to be invited — propose timely topics and take control of how your brand is promoted.

How do you build anticipation before and during your presentation?

Anticipation starts before you speak:

1. Write your own MC introduction.
   Make it short, credible, and focused on why you are the right person for this topic. Give it to the MC and ask them to follow it closely.

2. Pause before you start.
   After the introduction, walk on stage and pause for a few seconds before speaking. It feels long to you, but it builds focus and attention.

3. Keep the energy rising.
   Use a strong opening, clear structure, and powerful stories. The audience should feel they are learning something valuable that they cannot get elsewhere.

We are not Michael Jackson at the Super Bowl, but even a short, confident pause can make a big impact.

Mini-summary: A clear introduction and a controlled start help you capture the room and raise audience expectations.

• Strong presentation skills are a fast path to building your personal brand in Tokyo’s business community.

• Volunteering for internal presentations is the easiest way to start and stand out.

• Clear, persuasive communication is a key signal for leadership and promotion in both 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (foreign multinational companies).

• By choosing hot topics and managing your own introduction and session description, you actively shape your expert brand.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.