Sourcing Ideas For Speeches

Why do many presenters start with slides instead of strategy?

Many managers in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational companies) open PowerPoint first and think about content later.
Event themes and topics are given, so people rush to recycle old slides and create new ones.

This is backwards.
First, you need one clear key message: a short sentence that explains why this talk matters to your audience.

Mini-summary:
Start with your message, not your slides. Slides should support your idea, not replace your thinking.

We always say “teamwork” and “collaboration,” but when we prepare a talk, we often work alone.
In プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training) at Dale Carnegie Tokyo, we see that:

• One person’s view is limited.

• Two or more people see risks, questions, and better examples.

• External contacts can share real “field issues” that make your story relevant.

Example:
Before a keynote for the relocation industry in Osaka, the speaker called people in that industry to ask about their problems, headaches, and challenges.
This kind of input makes a talk real and practical for business leaders in 東京 (Tokyo) and across Japan.

Mini-summary:
Use other people’s experience to make your presentation more relevant, concrete, and credible.

How should leaders ask others for ideas in Japan?

If you suddenly ask,

“Do you have any ideas for this talk I’m giving?”

you may only get shallow answers.
In many 日本企業 (Japanese companies), people hesitate to share ideas on the spot.

Instead:

1. Set the context:

   • Explain the theme, audience, and goal of the talk.

2. Give time:

   • Ask for ideas a few days later, not immediately.

3. Ask for diversity:

   • Include people from different departments, ages, and backgrounds.

4. Listen quietly:

   • No interrupting, no finishing their sentences, no judging in the moment.

You can then privately decide which ideas to keep, modify, or reject.

Mini-summary:
Create psychological safety and time, and you will get deeper, better ideas for your presentation.

We “only know what we know.” Others often see better phrases and angles.

Example from sales:
A book on selling in Japan was being translated. The author was unsure about the best Japanese title.

• A friend suggested “ザ営業 (Za Eigyo) / The Sale.”

• The author’s son then suggested mixing languages: “The 営業 (The Eigyo).”

This mix worked because:

• The author is a foreigner writing about sales in Japan.

• The title shows both English and Japanese worlds.

Without collaboration, this unique and powerful title would never have appeared.

Mini-summary:
Ask trusted people to challenge and refine your message and title. They will see options you miss.

Use this 5-step process, useful for leaders joining リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training), 営業研修 (sales training), or プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training):

1. Clarify your core message

   • One sentence that explains the main point of your talk.

2. Share the theme with 3–5 people

   • Explain the audience, time, and purpose.

   • Set a follow-up meeting a few days later.

3. Ask guiding questions

   • “What do you like about this idea?”

   • “How could I make it even better?”

4. Stay positive and protect confidence

   • First ask for what they like, then ask how to improve.

   • This keeps your motivation high before the talk.

5. Decide privately

   • You choose which ideas to adopt.

   • This keeps the final message consistent and powerful.

Mini-summary:
A simple, planned feedback cycle gives you richer ideas without delaying your preparation.

How does this connect to Dale Carnegie Tokyo?

Dale Carnegie has supported leaders worldwide in:

• Leadership training — リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training)

• Sales training — 営業研修 (sales training)

• Presentation skills — プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training)

• Executive coaching — エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching)

• DEI training — DEI研修 (DEI training)

For executives in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational companies) in 東京 (Tokyo), collaborative preparation is a core skill.
It builds confidence, clarity, and stronger impact in every high-stakes presentation.

Mini-summary:
Using collaboration in your presentation preparation is not “extra work” — it is a leadership habit that raises your influence.

• Don’t start with slides. Start with one clear key message.

• Use collaboration intentionally: explain the theme, give time, and listen deeply.

• Ask people to share what they like first, then how to make it even better.

• Decide privately which ideas to use, so your message stays focused and strong.

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.