I have fewer people to do the same amount of work (or more)…

Our organisation has fewer resources available to support the team…

These are a few of the most frequently mentioned comments from our clients lately. For those of you who know us, you know we like a good challenge.

Cutting the training budget doesn’t have to mean cutting quality. What is needed is a cost effective solution for English training programmes that address the real demands of the business and its people.

We all know that most successful companies continue investing in their people during bad times. That way their people are given support right when they need it most, and when the recession ends their business will be even more competitive.

This is why we would like to introduce you to Babelcom’s Webinars: virtual courses that provide all the benefits of our face-to-face seminars but with the convenience of being able to attend wherever people are.

Our Webinars are a resource-effective way to:

• Eliminate all travel and accommodation costs
• Manage complex logistics associated with seminars
• Ensure participation is maximised (and avoid last-minute cancellations)
• Continue to provide quality training with budget restrictions

Your teams can sign up for the Webinars and simply join at the allotted time via teleconference and web conference. Each Webinar session lasts one hour, which makes it easier for people to commit their time and better assimilate the content.

We have many useful and practical courses that help you and your team deal with common communication issues faced by people at work. If you would like more information on this service or would like to discuss your needs and how our Webinars could help, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

phone: 34 902 022 560

Here are just some of the Webinar topics we offer:

Learning to Learn: For those of you who are tired of wasting your time and money on the same old English grammar courses! This Webinars shares some practical secrets on how to optimise the resources dedicated to learning &/or improving your English.

Duration: 4 sessions (1 hour each)
Dates: 3/3/2009, 10/3/2009, 17/3/2009, 24/3/2009
Time: 1pm to 2pm, or 6pm to 7 pm
Follow-up: 5 individual phone follow-up sessions with a coach (optional
Contact us for more information on this Webinar.

Effective Email Communication: A vast majority of professional communication is via email, yet few people receive training on how to take full advantage of this indispensable business tool. Babelcom has developed a practical course for professionals who wish to maximise the effectiveness of their email correspondence.

Duration: 4 sessions (1 hour each)
Dates: 4/3/2009, 11/3/2009, 18/3/2009, 25/3/2009
Time: 1pm to 2 pm, or 6 pm to 7pm
Follow-up: 5 individual phone follow-up sessions with a coach (optional
Contact us for more information on this Webinar.

Stop Getting Lost in Meetings: A common complaint from professionals who use English as a business communication tool is that they sometimes find it difficult to keep up with meetings. This Webinar looks at the roots of why we get lost in meetings, and outlines practical solutions that help to improve the multitasking skills needed to walk into every meeting with confidence.

Duration: 1 session (1 hour)
Dates: 2/3/2009
Time: 1pm to 2pm, or 6pm to 7pm
Contact us for more information on this Webinar.

Socialising and Networking: What do we talk about when we’re not talking about business? What can you say while entertaining foreign guests? Are there things you should not say? Subjects you had better avoid?
This Webinar looks at the practical and cultural issues involved when discussions move away from the professional arena, and outlines the skills and tools that enable you to communicate comfortably with foreign guests. Keep the conversation going whatever the topic or situation.

Duration: 1 session (1 hour)
Dates: 5/3/2009
Time: 1pm to 2pm, or 6pm to 7pm
Contact us for more information on this Webinar.

For years we have sent ideas and information on a one-to-one basis to our clients. Over time, more and more people were asking us to send them information too, so we finally decided to share it with anyone who is interested through the Babelcom News and the Babelcom Blog.

Our newsletter and blog will not bombard you with commercial information, but you will find:

• Ideas on how to make working in English easier and more efficient
• Top Tips on topics such as learning, living, or staying sane during the crisis (and you might want to check out this month’s Top Tips on Managing Stress)
• Latest trends in business and learning
• Other interesting information we come across (which you can find on our Blog under ‘Recommended links’)
• Upcoming Babelcom events (such as our webinars, or guest speakers)
• Hopefully a laugh or two

We not only want to offer solutions and information, but also to start an interactive dialogue in order to support people that use English as a business communication tool. We would love you to share your ideas and feedback too, so feel free to leave comments on our blog.

We hope you find our newsletter useful…and if you do, by all means, pass it on to your friends and colleagues.

You are probably thinking, ‘I don’t have the time!’. If you make the time, the rest of your time will be less stressful.

Here are a few simple ideas to keep stress from getting the better of you:

1. Get Active: Take up a relaxing exercise such as yoga, pilates or aqua aerobics. Yet again, maybe a good sweat in the gym, or running around in the park with the kids will make you feel better. Remember, exercising releases happy hormones!
2. Tidy House, Tidy Mind: Who wants to get back from work and be faced with a messy home? An uncluttered and relaxing home environment can help you to unwind during the evening and weekends.
3. Time Out: Make sure you always make time to take breaks during the day. You may feel that you don’t have time with that looming deadline, but believe us; you’ll produce a better quality of work if you take some time out.
4. Goal Setting: Don’t set yourself unrealistic expectations; you’ll only end up disappointed and more frustrated in the long run! If you produce a list of realistic goals, you’ll appreciate the sense of satisfaction when you achieve them.
5. Healthy Eating: Are your energy levels low? Do you find it hard to concentrate on your work? Grabbing a 10-minute break to head down to fast food joint isn’t going to help! Make sure you eat a good breakfast, a healthy lunch, and re-energise yourself during the day with snacks such as fruit and nuts which are good for you and a source of energy.
6. Socialising: It’s very easy to fall into the cycle of work, sleep, work, sleep. Remember to make time to see your friends and loved ones, take up opportunities to try new things, and don’t forget your about interests and hobbies.
7. Focus on your successes not failures: However stressful your day may have felt, take time to make a list of all the positive things you have achieved. You may be surprised at how productive you have been after all!
8. Do the hard jobs first: Don’t put off doing those tasks that are least appealing. Make a ‘To Do’ list and start with the grotty stuff. Getting these out of the way allows you to wind up your day finishing the more pleasurable tasks and on a more positive note.
9. Watch a funny movie: One of the best ways to relieve stress is to laugh. You may want to arrive home and rant about your bad day, but make an effort to switch off and switch on the DVD player!
10. Soak it up: If all else fails lock yourself in the bathroom with a warm bubble bath, a few scented candles, relaxing music and a glass of chilled wine. Sink down into those bubbles and wash away your worries.