Ever since I started producing content related to Japan’s booming tourism industry, I have consistently encountered one question: What will Tokyo be like during the 2020 Olympic Games? So, I set out to find some answers from those who would know best.
Read MoreDuring my latest workshop on making successful presentations, I received several questions on a wide range of topics related to public speaking. Since we didn’t have time to cover everything in person, I decided to do a deep dive into these topics here in this blog post. Even if you weren’t able to join the workshop, you’ll still find some useful advice among the links below.
Read MoreIn the spirit of Presentation Zen, my seminars on advanced presentation techniques emphasize clean slides and powerful images.
After a recent seminar, a participant asked me where I sourced my photos--a good sign that my message was hitting home. Finding the right images for your presentation without breaking the bank can often be as challenging as giving the presentation itself.
Read MoreAs summer fades into fall, let’s take a look back on some recent highlights from my work with Tadaima Japan. Despite record-breaking temperatures, there was still plenty to see and do in Shinjuku.
Read MoreOnce again, we are proud to collaborate with LIFE.14 to produce video interviews and social media content at the 2018 ACCJ Kansai Women in Business Summit. This year's event will be held at the Hilton Osaka on September 13. For those attending, look for us during the reception for a chance to share your thoughts and impressions on video.
Read MoreLast month, I gave a 30-minute version of Social Networking and Personal Branding on the Global Stage for Global Taskforce at an event in central Tokyo. This quick presentation focused primarily on global social media use, emphasizing LinkedIn as a key tool for Japanese professionals who want to expand their global professional network.
As with previous versions of this presentation, the main takeaways are:
Read MoreHere in Tokyo, we're about halfway through the rainy season. For many of us, that means spending more time indoors, despite our best efforts to enjoy spring scenery before a long, humid summer.
Why not make the most of the situation, and catch up on some of our latest articles on Arakicho and Shinjuku?
Read MoreRead the news about Japan on any given day, and you’ll be bombarded with stories and opinion pieces on how the country needs to internationalize. There’s a lot of talk and discussion about fostering diversity in Japan, however concrete action plans to achieve this goal are hard to come by.
That’s why I was excited to meet Yoko Kuroda, executive director of the Global Human Resource Career Support Association (GHCA). Through this organization and its flagship product, the Business Skills Test for Global Human Resources (G-ken), she has transformed words into actions with a practical process to gradually globalize Japan’s workforce.
Read More最近のSagaクライアントは、英語のコピーライティングや英語版HPの修正だけでなく、日本に興味のある外国人向けの記事作成の依頼が増えてきています。
Read MoreSo you’ve taken the steps to prepare for the Q&A session of your presentation. Despite your best efforts, a tough question takes you by surprise. What should you do? How should you handle it? Here are a few tips that can help you through the experience.
Read MoreWe are proud to announce our collaboration with Tadaima Japan to introduce the historic Arakicho district to the world. Located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Arakicho is famous for it's rich history and bustling nightlife. Arakicho is like a time capsule, and a walk through its back alleys will quickly transport you to Showa-era Japan and beyond.
Read MoreOne of the most common questions I receive about presenting is, “How do I deal with Q&A?” Practice makes perfect, but how does one practice for the unknown? Although you can never fully anticipate what will happen during a Q&A session, there are a few things that you can do to make Q&A go more smoothly.
Read MoreIf you study or experience Japanese culture, it’s only a matter of time before you come across the concept of tatemae, the feelings and attitude that one projects to the public. Tatemae may or may not conflict with one’s honne, or real feelings. When it comes to public speaking, embrace tatemae
Read MoreSo you’re comfortable with the basics of presenting and training, and you are ready to integrate something new into your presentation. Most people face a dilemma at this point.
Your existing presentation or routine is probably cozy and safe. It gets the job done, but deep down, you know that you can push your audience or class even more. Of course, changing things up poses a great risk. Most people would rather have a safe, by-the-book presentation than risk failure for something greater.
Read MoreIf you live in Japan, at some point in life, you are going to have to acquire a “hanko” (name stamp). Like a signature in western countries, a hanko is a way to represent yourself in correspondence and business transactions.
The other day, I was staring at my own hanko and wondering how I could get more use out of it. The only place that requires me to use it is my bank—I can simply sign for everything else. Then it hit me: “This would make a great blog post!”
Read MoreThe Japanese-language event summary for "Social Networking and Personal Branding on the Global Stage," is now online thanks to Crossover and Zesda, the two organizations that co-hosted the event. Be sure to visit the links in the previous sentence to learn more. Read on for the seminar's three main takeaways.
Read MoreI'm honored to join a long list of distinguished presenters as a guest speaker at the 39th Platform for International Policy Dialogue (PIPD) Seminar. Click here to join me on August 22 for "Social Networking and Personal Branding on the Global Stage."
Read MoreI never considered myself a runner... Until I became one. Truthfully, by many people's standards, I'm still not a true runner. That being said, I've managed to go from running a 10K once a year to running a 10K (and more) weekly---something I never imagined doing in my wildest dreams. So how did I pull this off? The funny thing is that I didn't even really try.
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