by Helen Iwata | Feb 27, 2023 | All, Communication, Conference Calls, Facilitation, Interviews, Meetings, Personal Development, Podcast, Presentations
In 2022, Japan ranked 80th for English proficiency out of 112 non-English speaking countries and regions, falling two places compared with the previous year, according to a Swiss study. It’s easy to find media reports that Japan needs to improve its English skills...
by Helen Iwata | Feb 20, 2023 | All, Communication, Conference Calls, Facilitation, Interviews, Meetings, Personal Development, Podcast, Presentations, Uncategorized
“I get so nervous giving presentations.” Many clients tell me this when we start working together. And my response is usually, “Good. That means you’re a normal human being.” As human beings, from primitive times, we needed to be part of a group to survive. If we...
by Helen Iwata | Feb 6, 2023 | All, Communication, Conference Calls, Facilitation, Meetings, Personal Development, Podcast, Presentations
Do you feel anxious about virtual meetings in your business? That’s common for various reasons, such as technical problems, different time zones, and not feeling confident about the impression you’re making on your global colleagues or clients — especially if you’re...
by Helen Iwata | Jan 16, 2023 | All, Communication, Conflict, Facilitation, Personal Development, Podcast
How often are you rushing to the next meeting, task, or project without really completing or making the most of what you were just doing? When I think back to my corporate days here in Japan, I know I spent much of my time fighting fires – dealing with what was...
by Helen Iwata | Jan 9, 2023 | All, Communication, Conference Calls, Facilitation, Interviews, Meetings, Personal Development, Podcast, Presentations, Uncategorized
Snowboarding with family for my birthday, it struck me how giving presentations and snowboarding are alike. You may wonder in what way? Well, I remember just after my first snowboarding lesson at the age of 47, I happily started practicing on the easy slopes. Then, I...
by Helen Iwata | Nov 14, 2022 | Communication, Conference Calls, Facilitation, Meetings, Personal Development, Podcast, Presentations
How do you feel about receiving feedback at work? Depending on your organization, the frequency and depth of the feedback that you receive can vary. You might have a comprehensive 360-degree feedback meeting with your manager once or twice a year. You might receive...