Episode #177: Covid-19 And On-Line Presentation Skills

How Can Japanese and Global Companies Prevent “GIGO” (Garbage In, Garbage Out) in Online Meetings?

The rapid shift to remote work has exposed a major business risk: when meetings move online, poor communication multiplies, productivity drops, and leaders lose visibility into their teams. In Japan—where many employees work from small apartments, have limited home-office setups, and often hesitate to appear on camera—the challenges become even more pronounced for 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational corporations).

The lesson is simple: low-quality input creates low-quality output, especially in virtual environments.
Summary: Leaders must upgrade both the human and technical sides of online communication to avoid virtual “Garbage In, Garbage Out.”

Many companies rushed into remote work without preparing employees for online communication. Key constraints include:

1. Technical Limitations

• Unstable connections and platform limitations

• Poor audio quality from built-in laptop microphones

• Lack of printers or home-office tools

2. Cultural & Environmental Barriers

• Small apartments (“rabbit hutches”) create camera reluctance

• Employees feel self-conscious showing their private space

• Japanese companies traditionally rely on in-office desktops, not laptops

When cameras remain off, presenters face a grid of names instead of faces—making engagement nearly impossible.
Summary: Technical gaps and Japan-specific cultural norms reduce visibility and weaken communication effectiveness.

Even in face-to-face meetings, many professionals struggle to present confidently. Online, the problem intensifies:

• Tiny on-screen video boxes make reactions hard to read

• Presenters talk “into a void,” losing energy and audience connection

• Meetings become monotonous and unproductive

Solution: Present Bigger Than Usual

To counteract the reduced screen presence, presenters must increase vocal power, use larger gestures, and project more energy—the same principles used in プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training).

Summary: Leaders must coach teams to amplify presence online, compensating for smaller screens and limited feedback.

Because visual feedback is limited, presenters must intentionally design interaction:

• Use chat boxes for reactions and real-time questions

• Encourage digital hand-raises, check marks, or icons

• Invite frequent micro-feedback to monitor understanding

• Keep the presenter—not the interface—as the focal point

These methods mirror Dale Carnegie’s global best practices for interactive online facilitation.
Summary: Structured digital interaction replaces lost visual cues and strengthens engagement.

To help companies and their employees navigate the emotional strain of sudden remote work, Dale Carnegie Tokyo offers free Live Online Stress Management Sessions (in English and Japanese 日本語 Japanese language).

English Sessions: March 19, April 17
Japanese Sessions: March 24th, April 16th

Registration link: http://bit.ly/dale_stress_e

In addition to public programs, we also deliver in-house Live Online programmes for existing and prospective corporate clients.
Summary: Free and in-house stress management programs help organizations support their people during the COVID-19 disruption.

• Low-quality virtual communication results in “GIGO”—poor business outcomes.

• Japan-specific cultural and environmental factors make camera-on communication challenging.

• Presenters must project more energy, volume, and confidence online than in person.

• Structured digital engagement tools restore interaction and visibility.

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 (DEI研修 DEI training).
Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has empowered both Japanese企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational organizations) with world-class business training for more than 60 years.