Episode #159 How To Personalise Your Presentation

Why Do Many Business Presentations in Japan Fail to Connect With the Audience?

In many 日本企業 (Japanese companies — Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (global companies — foreign multinational companies) in Tokyo, presentations still rely on a one-way flow of information. Executives talk at their audience rather than with them.
The result? Despite valuable content, the speaker feels distant, the delivery is dry, and the message disappears the moment the session ends.

Mini-Summary: Most talks fail because they are one-directional and impersonal, weakening both impact and speaker credibility.

Your personal brand is built on the “personal” — yet many presenters deliver content mechanically. Often this comes from copying presenters who also appear detached.
Instead of sharing raw data, effective presenters wrap insights in stories, relatable examples, and emotional anchors. This is core to Dale Carnegie’s 100+ years of global presentation expertise and our 60+ years of training leaders in Tokyo.

Mini-Summary: Story-driven, personalized communication increases listener engagement and elevates your leadership presence.

In business, personalization is everything. Companies customize their services to win customers — presenters must do the same to win attention.
Ironically, even speakers discussing marketing often deliver their message in a detached way. Let’s not follow that pattern.

To define a message that resonates:

1. What is the core message, and why does it matter?

2. How will following your advice benefit the audience?

3. Who will gain the most, and when should they act?

A useful metaphor: refine your key message as if writing it on a single grain of rice — small, clear, and unforgettable.

Mini-Summary: Start with a crisp value-driven message and tailor it to the actual people in the room.

Some organisers may not provide attendee names. However, you should at least request company names or industries. This allows you to:

• Link your message to their business reality,

• Replace generic statements with industry-specific insights,

• Build instant rapport and credibility.

Even if you can’t personalize for every firm, doing this for several industries in the room significantly increases engagement — especially in sectors like 東京 (Tokyo — Tokyo) consulting, tech, manufacturing, or services.

Mini-Summary: Knowing industries represented in the room allows you to align your content with their real business challenges.

When you use examples from industries actually present at your session, credibility skyrockets.
Businesspeople prefer practical, real-world insights — not abstract theory. Personalized examples signal expertise, preparation, and respect for your listeners.

Even audience members not directly referenced recognize your effort and competence, strengthening your position as a trusted advisor.

Mini-Summary: Industry-relevant examples transform abstract concepts into practical value and strengthen trust.

1. Identify who will be in the room (companies, industries, job functions).

2. Define your single, sharp core message.

3. Build stories, comparisons, and case-style examples tailored to the industries attending.

4. Deliver insights in a conversational style that feels “with” the audience, not “at” them.

Mini-Summary: Start with the audience, not the speaker — then design examples that speak directly to their challenges.

• Most presentations fail because they are informational, not conversational.

• Personalization is essential to strong leadership and persuasive communication.

• Industry-specific examples dramatically increase engagement and credibility.

• Dale Carnegie’s global + Tokyo experience provides proven frameworks for impactful business communication.

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.