Entries from 04:17 PM ↓

Nearly 40 years ago Earth Day started as a grassroots movement with the hippies. Now, four decades later, it has blossomed into a global cause. With issues such as global warming and renewable energy ever more present in our daily lives, Earth Day is an important moment to reflect on how we can help protect our unique planet.

We hope you will join us in making a commitment to a responsible lifestyle. Little things like recycling and moderate water consumption go a long way. Avoiding unnecessary trips in your car, installing energy efficient appliances in your home, and using solar and wind power not only save you money, they also put less of a strain on the environment.

Today, April 22nd, join billions of people in making a commitment to keeping our home beautiful and liveable.

It may come as some consolation that even among top-ranking politicians there can be some awkwardness when it comes to knowledge of other countries’ customs. Witness the recent encounters between the President of the United States and the Première Dame of France. When Carla Bruni leaned in for the customary kiss on the cheek, Obama instead stuck out his hand for a handshake. Only later during an evening dinner reception was the gaffe rectified, and they correctly performed the ‘kiss greeting’.

Also, in a reception with Queen Elizabeth II, First Lady Michelle Obama briefly put her hand on the Queen’s back, which is a big no-no according to standard protocol. One never touches the Queen of England — as tradition holds it, she’s the protector of the faith, as holy as the Pope himself. This incident echoed former Australian Prime minister John Howard, who put his arm around the Queen to direct her through a crowd. Needless to say, the British tabloid press was loving it all.

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If you limit your English exposure to your tight network of work colleagues, you are missing out. The truth is that in the last few years some powerful networking opportunities have sprung up on the internet, making it easier than ever to make your presence online, and to meet interesting new business partners. Making effective use of network contacts also allows you to manage your own career, get to know people with the right profile for contracting, ask for references, get clients, and, of course, promote your business.

But first, a word to the wise about professional social networking. It is in many respects like real-life networking, and that personal touch will always make you stand out. You don’t just go up to someone at a cocktail party and hand them a business card, hoping they’ll call you back. Chances are if you did that your business card would end up in the rubbish bin or as the paper for a makeshift grocery list. When you make your introductions to potential new business contacts, it always helps to let them know how you know them, and why joining networks would be mutually beneficial to both of you. Take the time to find out about the people you’re connecting with and find out what you have in common (sometimes it’s as simple as reading their profile and resume).

There are many social networking sites for professionals. Here are a few:

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It looks like our first contest has got off to a fine start. In case you didn’t catch it last time, to participate in the contest you need to share on the blog an embarrassing or funny story about a misunderstanding in English. We already have some fantastic entries, and Eric, for being the first person to send a story, has won 4 Telephone Coaching sessions. We liked his story so much we thought we’d share it here in this month’s newsletter:

20 years ago in a pizza restaurant in downtown London, a waitress served me a cold pizza.

With my best English, I asked her (intending to have the pizza warmed-up):

Could you please eat it?

She was stunned … especially since she didn’t realize that for me HEAT and EAT had the same pronunciation!

She ignored me of course and rather ashamed and disappointed I finished my cold pizza.

Hopefully this will inspire you to send your own story in. Remember, the best story will receive a 6-month subscription to The English Works Club – and the contest ends May 31st, so hurry up!