Why use a one-minute pitch when you dislike pitching?
Answer: In settings with almost no face-to-face time—especially networking—you cannot ask deep questions to uncover needs. A one-minute pitch becomes a bridge to a follow-up meeting rather than a full sales push, avoiding the “bludgeon with data” approach.
Mini-summary: Use a short bridge pitch when time is scarce; aim for the meeting, not the sale.
When is a one-minute pitch most useful?
Answer: At events where you are filtering many brief conversations to find prospects worth a longer office meeting. You do not want to spend the entire event with one person; the pitch lets you qualify quickly and move.
Mini-summary: Use it to filter fast and set the next step.
How do you grab attention in one minute?
Answer: Lead with numbers. Present three or four intriguing figures in isolation so curiosity spikes, then explain each in context. This avoids long histories and immediately frames credibility, scope and delivery language.
Mini-summary: Numbers → curiosity → concise proof points.
What does a practical example sound like?
Answer: Offer four numbers that encode longevity, years operating in Japan, global footprint, and delivery language (e.g., 113, 62, 100, 95) and then decode them in one breath. This communicates soft-skills focus, stability, global coverage and Japanese-language delivery in ~30 seconds.
Mini-summary: One sequence, four proofs: what, durability, reach, language.
How do you transition from the pitch to a meeting?
Answer: Ask one immediate question about their current approach (e.g., how they develop soft skills now). If the fit looks real, propose a short office meeting and secure permission to follow up after the event while interest remains warm.
Mini-summary: One question → qualify → request permission to follow up.
Why avoid saying more on the spot?
Answer: The purpose is not to solve their problem in the aisle; it is to earn the right to a deeper conversation in their office. Extra detail dilutes momentum and risks turning a brief window into an off-the-cuff presentation.
Mini-summary: Do not over-explain; protect the meeting ask.
Author Bio
Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, he is certified globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programmes, and has authored multiple best-sellers including Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery, alongside Japanese editions such as Za Eigyō (ザ営業) and Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人). He publishes daily blogs, hosts six weekly podcasts, and produces three weekly YouTube shows including The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show.
