Of course, you can always use them to have a chat with one of our team, which works on improving your comfort and fluency when speaking. However, if you are also a member of The English Works Club, our TalkTime sessions are really the best place for a chat!

If you always book a TC with the same person, you might want to take a look at our team’s profiles. Each of us comes from somewhere different…we have very different backgrounds, both professionally and culturally, which means that you can learn something different from each of us!

If you are working on something over a few TC sessions with one of our team, speaking to the same person can be a plus. However, speaking to the same person can also give us a false sense of security. The more people you speak to, the easier it will be for your brain and ears to adjust to a new voice the next time you pick up the phone or go to a meeting.

Some of you have mentioned that you weren’t sure what to do in your TC sessions, so we’d like to share a few ideas. TCs are a great way to work on:

Your work –

If you need to send an email, why don’t you work on it with one of our team in a session? Go over that article you would like to read but haven’t had time to, or the corporate communiqué that you have a couple of doubts about….the possibilities are endless. Use your TCs to get some of your own work done.

Vocabulary –

Have you tried doing a Babelcom exercise called ‘Cover Your Own Vocabulary Gaps’? It’s a great exercise to:

1. Identify gaps in vocabulary by focussing on a specific topic and thinking how you would express it in your own language.
2. Learn vocabulary that is actually useful to you, and closest to the way you express yourself naturally.

If you would like a copy of the exercise, log in to the Members’ Area, go to Documents, then Search Documents and search for ‘LL001 Cover Your Own Vocabulary Gaps’.

Specific scenarios or competencies –

Have you taken a look at some of the Telephone Coaching tasks yet? Our TC tasks offer role-plays and other exercises to work on something specific. Some focus on the language, while others focus on communication…some have a ‘serious’ tone, while others you can have a lot of fun with; the topic is up to you. Telephone Coaching tasks are a perfect way to focus on improving one thing at a time.

To search for the tasks, first download the list of searchable keywords. The keywords doc can be found by logging in to the Members’ Area, go to Documents, then Search Documents and search for ‘Keyword List’.

We really do have a lot of tasks…in fact, it may seem like too many at first. If you would like some help selecting a few, feel free to send a message to Karla (karla@babelcom.com) and she’d be happy to help you make a selection.

Clarifying doubts –

Did you hear something the other day that you didn’t quite understand? Have you always wondered what some expression meant? Jot it down and bring it to your TC session. If our team can’t give you an answer there and then, they’d be happy to find it and get back to you.

Developing or searching for resources –

Do you have resources to support you while you are working? (e.g. a Personal Phrase Bank for written communication) Do you have a list of reliable dictionaries, thesauri, etc. handy?

Not everything has to be learned…sometimes having a good resource can save you time, and you will learn just by using it. Our team are already a virtual resource, but let us help you find or develop your own so that you are comfortable and efficient when working in English.

Follow up to a webinar –

Was there something you weren’t sure you understood in one of our webinars? Our team can share the materials from our webinars in a TC, so feel free to mention it in your TC and our team would be happy to clarify any of your doubts.

(NB: Club members, our team are not meant to do the actual webinar in a TC. Please do go to the webinar. However, if you are not a Club member and are interested in our webinars, please mention it to our team and we can go over them in the TC sessions.)

As you have seen from the ideas, your TC time is your time. Please do use it well.

If you would like some help getting started, feel free to send Leah a message (leah@babelcom.com), and she’d be happy to help.

NB: First of all, if you are wondering what a ‘guilt trip’ is (and haven’t looked it up in a dictionary yet), HyperDictionary defines it as, “Remorse cause by feeling responsible for some offence”. Secondly, this message is meant for anyone who hasn’t been using their Telephone Coaching sessions or the activities in The English Works Club as they should be…

They say that, “good things come to those that wait”. Patience is definitely a virtue, but when it comes to dealing with learning needs in our professional lives, waiting won’t necessarily bring good things.

Be honest with yourself, have you wanted to come and spend some time with Babelcom’s team, but have been too busy? If you hadn’t come to see us lately we were pretty sure it is nothing personal, and that you were probably just busy.

Ok, be honest with yourself again…have you been busy, but probably could have fit in 10 minutes here, and 30 minutes there? You do know that you can access your services remotely from wherever you are, right?

If the reason you haven’t used your services lately is because of any other reason except being too busy, then please contact Leah (leah@babelcom.com). She can’t take any work off your plate, but she would be happy to sort out any issues or doubts you may have.

If you honestly do not have a few minutes here and there during your workdays, then please contact your HR department and the company doctor immediately. That is definitely not healthy!

Lately it seems that a lot of people are busier than before. It also seems to be a general trend and becoming a part of a new corporate reality. (But that is a story for another newsletter…) It is a good time management exercise to stop once in a while and reassess how we spend our time, and an essential exercise when we are busy.

If you aren’t already convinced that you need to make some time for your learning, I’d like to share 3 solid reasons as to why you should:

Reason 1: Stay Competitive

It is a very competitive world out there. You may have noticed a migration in many organisations towards borderless workplaces and multinational workforces. This means that we need to be prepared to carry out more and more of our tasks and communication in English. Being capable in English is definitely a competitive advantage.

Reason 2: Be Efficient

Do you think you could improve your efficiency if you were more comfortable working in English?
Does it take you longer than it should to carry out certain tasks in English?
Do you interact less with others in English due to a lack of confidence?
Does your English affect your performance in any way?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you really owe it to yourself to make some time to work on an improvement.

Reason 3: Appreciate the Investment

Let’s face it, if your organisation is providing Babelcom’s services to you, then more than likely you are a part of a privileged group of people they are investing in. Appreciate it!
It’s true, improving your communication in English requires an investment of your time, but at the same time it is also an investment in your professional life. Let’s make sure the investments appreciate.

(NB: On another somewhat serious note, I feel it’s important to keep in mind that we are in the midst of challenging economic times, so this is no time for wasting resources. If you don’t plan on using the services you have available, please do yourself and your organisation a favour; just tell us. There may be others who could use the services.)

There is a Peruvian proverb that says, “little by little one walks far”. Hopefully this little guilt trip has taken you a little closer to a first step….

Often we spend time analysing the big picture, the whole forest rather than the individual trees. Sometimes little changes in our daily routines can make big differences in our lives. One thing we overlook is how technology has crept into our lives: things like emails, SMS, PDA’s – sure, they’ve opened up a world of possibilities, but have they really made our lives more efficient?

Besides all the obvious benefits of instant communication, it could easily be argued that they are distracting us unnecessarily. In fact, some observers say that many of us suffer from a sort of electronically-induced ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).

Take meetings, for example. It might be hard to fathom, but once upon a time we didn’t have portable devices that allowed us to instantly respond to emails from wherever we were. Now, cell phones are generally on and PDA’s (Portable Digital Assistant) are present at every meeting. Some people, in fact, gauge a meeting’s success by the inverse ratio of number of people tapping on their PDA’s per person talking – the more people typing on their PDA’s rather than listening, the less effective the meeting.

Part of the problem is that proper etiquette has not been established in this area, and it is not as simple as banning mobile devices from meetings. As we all know, the adage “time is money” applies here – and a late response to an email can cost a company business. However, it is also costly to have people in meetings who are disengaged from the topic. The challenge is to establish a norm on when it is essential for someone to answer immediately, and when it could wait.

Now, let’s imagine the meeting is in English. Sometimes it’s hard enough to follow a meeting in your own language, especially if a lot of new information is being thrown at you. Obviously, you need to be on your toes a lot more when a meeting is conducted in English. This means you need to lose all distractions, and that means foregoing things like checking incoming messages.

Many people say they have difficulty following a meeting that is not in their native tongue, and many of these same people will also admit that they were checking their messages throughout the meeting. It may sound like a small, moot point, but in most instances responding to incoming messages immediately is not necessary. It can be, however, a costly distraction.

So, while you are taking a break from the routine this summer, also take a moment to think about what you can do when you get back to make your work life a little saner and with a lot fewer distractions.

Who said anything about studying? (In fact, we won’t even mention learning.) Time off is for enjoying oneself and having fun, so why not try doing it in English?

Here are 3 simple ideas for keeping your English in shape while on holidays:

Be a guiri in you own country! That’s right, guiri, the term used in Spain for typical tourists types (especially British, American and Northern European) who come to Spain and never bother to learn a word of Spanish.

If you decide to go to a museum or exhibition, why not take the tour in English? This could come in the form of a handheld audio guide, or a person giving the explanations. A little practice now and then makes it easier when you get back to work and have to start using the language again.

What about getting a lunch menu in English? Don’t worry! It doesn’t mean you have to eat English food! Just try ordering in English, as many restaurants have staff ready and waiting to help guiris order their meal in English. This will help you get ready for the next time you go for a meal with foreign colleagues, not just when you are abroad, but also when they come here to visit and you need to help them order.

By the way, web sites catering to tourists offer a tonne of things to do that you may not have known about.

You could also pick up a local guide or magazine that caters to English-speaking ex-pats, and find out what activities are going on. Wherever there are guiris, there will definitely be cultural and social events and get-togethers. This could be a great way to have fun and speak with English natives.

Turn on the tube … in English. Have access to satellite TV? While you’re getting dressed in the morning, why not turn on the news in English? Even if you’re not fully paying attention, your brain will stay connected to the language; passive listening can have a positive effect. Staying in contact with the language will help keep it familiar to your ear, and your brain.

Follow your hobby … in English. Are you and avid birdwatcher? Do you love the adrenaline rush you get from skydiving? Deep-sea fishing? Tennis? Stamp collecting? Start following your hobby in English; read about it and find others who share your passion, and if you can, go and do it in English. When you are enjoying yourself, soon you’ll forget you’re even learning.

If you don’t have an aversion to computers on your holidays, why not follow some of your interests online in English? With a familiar subject, you will be surprised how much you are able to understand just from the context. Try googling something you are interested in, and check out a few sites.

Here are some links to check out if you have some time and feel like it:

Watching
Videojug is basically an online ‘encyclopaedia of life’. Put your feet up, relax, and watch something inspiring.
TED. Videos with ideas worth spreading….

Playing
Akoha is the world’s first social reality game where you can earn points by playing real-world missions with your friends. Missions might include giving someone your favourite book, inviting a friend for drinks, or buying a friend some chocolate. It is still in a beta stage, but it sounds like fun and worth taking a look.
Lumosity. Try this brain training site free for 7 days. The games are actually quite addictive!

Reading
Wowio. Yes, some things in life are free!!! This site has a nice library of e-books. You can red them online for free, or pay a small fee to download the book as a pdf.
Fark. A classic site for information junkies, people who like odd news, and those who just like to have a laugh at the headlines written by submitters.

The most important thing is to keep in contact with the language this summer, even if it is passive contact. Do yourself a favour; do something to avoid losing everything you’ve gained this year. Just remember, keeping your English in shape is a lot like working out: if you don’t use it, you lose it!

Even though Europe stands united behind the flag of the European Union, its citizens still speak their own languages, watch different television shows, and read different newspapers. Football, the world’s most popular game, is something that many Europeans share in common. People from different backgrounds come together to watch the game – even though they might wish for different results.

Perhaps an effortless and enjoyable way to practise your English is to follow the Champion’s League in English. Here are a few English language websites about football (‘soccer’ in American English) that you might find useful: soccernet.com, fourfourtwo.com, sportinglife.com, footballnewsblog.co.uk

VISCA BARÇA!

Many of the same rules still apply to holding an effective meeting, which we will quickly re-cap after this paragraph, but it is essential to take into account the new element of cultural diversity.

Imagine a scenario such as Company A in Spain merges with Company B in Germany. All of sudden, there are new team members that have different expectations. In Germany for example, it might be appropriate to hold a meeting at 2:30 in the afternoon, while in Spain said meeting might fall square in the middle of the average Spaniard’s lunch hour. Differences in behavior, meeting pace, and overall presentation are other things to keep in mind.

Multicultural or not, virtual or face-to-face, it’s still best to pay heed to our conventional knowledge about effective meetings. So when you organise a meeting it’s best to:

• Hold meetings only when they are necessary. Meetings for the sake of meetings are a sure way to induce sleep in even the most gung-ho workers.
• Make sure everybody attending the meeting is clear about the agenda, and keep the meeting focused.
• Consider if the people attending the meeting need to be there. While it may seem obvious, sometimes meetings become a matter of habit, and nothing is less effective than a room full of unengaged, non-participating people.
• Don’t give monologues. Keep the attendees of the meeting involved with questions and allow for feedback, as long as it does not stray too far from the agenda. Listen actively and question.
• Keep an eye on the clock. No matter what culture you’re in, starting the meeting on time, and ending it on time, will be appreciated by everybody.

For those attending meetings the same classic rule applies. Participate, participate, participate. It’s also helpful for everybody when questions are asked. If you don’t understand something, it’s likely that someone else doesn’t either.

Probably the single most important thing to remember when participating in or chairing a multicultural meeting is to have respect. Respect individual differences and each person’s level of participatory comfort.

More likely than not, today’s multicultural business meetings will be conducted in English. This likely means that a good percentage of those attending will not have English as their mother tongue. In order to be fair, simple, straightforward English ought to be used. And, just as importantly, use visual cues and ask people for feedback, where appropriate, on important meeting points. This helps engage people who may be uncomfortable because they are using English as a second language, or those who are normally more reserved. Speaking clearly is especially helpful in virtual meetings, where often we rely solely on our ears.

Just as important: for those non-native English speakers participating in a meeting it is important to realise that you are not alone. You shouldn’t feel bashful if you didn’t understand something. If something needs to be clarified, don’t hesitate to ask about it. Repeating something in a meeting is far preferable to dealing with confused team members further down the line.

We all have preconceived notions of what a successful meeting is. The multicultural soup of today’s globalised economy presents us new and exciting challenges. Joaquim Vaz, Training & Development Manager at Bakemark Ibérica / Purac Bioquímica, perhaps put it best when asked to give advice on chairing and attending multicultural meetings: ‘Find out about the other participants beforehand. Learn about their cultures. Do your homework.’

Buzzwords – also known as neologisms – are new words that are common in certain environments. They are frequently used, yet they are often ambiguous, even to the people using them. Here is a quick quiz of some common buzzwords you may have heard recently. We will do our best to provide you the least ambiguous answer (even for us natives of the English language sometimes these terms are maddeningly vague):

Staycation
a) An altercation where each person stays still and stares menacingly at the other person
b) A new form of yoga involving cat-like poses
c) A vacation spent at home

Answer

Leveraging knowledge capital
a) Stealing an idea, changing a few things and claiming it’s your own
b) To enhance your knowledge with extra learning
c) To supply your workforce with new important knowledge

Answer

Talking points
a) Three little dots (…) that say a lot, without actually saying anything
b) A short list summarizing a speaker’s agenda
c) A phrase repeated over and over until everyone believes it

Answer

Hotspot
a) Something you develop after staying out in the sun too long
b) A feeling you get in your stomach after eating chicken vindaloo
c) A venue that offers wireless internet (wi-fi)

Answer

Action items
a) A cooler sounding name for a ‘to do’ list
b) Toys for adults
c) Jean-Claude Van Damme’s new movie

Answer

Herding cats
a) An ancient Chinese sport
b) A nearly impossible task
c) A British rock group from the 80s

Answer

Golden parachute
a) A Greek myth by Homer
b) Nickname of the Canadian paratrooper brigade
c) A large benefit package given to terminated employees (usually top executives)

Answer

Bandwidth
a) A measure of available and consumed data in computer networking
b) How fat a band’s members are
c) The amount of resources that a person or group has available

Answer

Pain point
a) Point where a business feels loss of productivity or other annoyance due to poor organisation, lack of resources, etc.
b) A deadly martial arts technique
c) A very small and irritating detail

Answer

As you can see, buzzwords can be confusing and ambiguous, so when in doubt, remember it never hurts to ask!

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.

The most infamous blunderer in terms of cultural awareness is former US president Bush, whose gaffes could probably fill an encyclopaedia. Among them are winking at Queen Elizabeth II, giving Angela Merkel a backrub, and talking with his mouthful at 2006’s G8 Summit.

Take the kiss incident above, and move that scenario to India. Back in 2007, Richard Gere embraced and kissed Indian actress Shilpa Shetty on the cheek several times at an AIDS awareness rally. In a country where displays of public affection are taboo, kissing in public pretty much tops the list of offensive behaviour. People burned effigies of Gere, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. While our actions might not fall under as much scrutiny as Gere’s, not knowing what kinds of public affection are acceptable in another culture might deeply offend a potential new business partner.

Anyone conducting business in today’s globalised economy should pay heed to the lessons offered above. What happens under on the world stage of international politics, also happens every day in the business world.

Probably the most common setting for meetings between globetrotting business people is the dining table. Did you know that pointing and waving chopsticks is considered rude in most Asian countries? In many Middle Eastern countries it is important to eat using the right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean.

Another important point to remember is that countries have different degrees of personal space. Americans are known to be very informal, while on the other end of the spectrum you find the French, who sometimes find the Americans’ straight forward behaviour to be overly-friendly, and rude. In this area, like all the others, it is probably best to ere on the side of caution.

Cross-cultural awareness is also a key factor when it comes to retaining an effective workforce. According to a recent survey about Cross-Cultural Development Conversations, over 90% of 45 surveyed companies said they expect the cultural diversity in their organisations to increase within the next 3-5 years – ‘with nearly 50% expecting “a significant increase”’.

Take the example of giving employee feedback in China. According to Career Innovations – the organisation that conducted the survey — what is perceived as positive and effective feedback in the United States is inappropriate to Chinese employees. That is because in the US feedback tends to be given on an individual level, in a more direct way – whereas Chinese employees are accustomed to receive feedback as a group. Companies had noticed employees leaving for no apparent reason until they were able to bridge this communication gap.

As much familiarisation as possible with your business partner’s country is imperative for effective inter-business communication and employee retention.

If there is a lesson to be learned, it is this: if you don’t know the etiquette of your business associate’s country, there is no harm in asking. Also, try to find out as much as possible about their country beforehand. Effective communication is not just about language. Being culturally aware can be just the advantage you need in today’s competitive global economy.

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:

LinkedIn. This is a fantastic resource for professionals. This career networking community allows you to post your resume on your profile. Other users, potential employers, employees, consultants and business partners — they’re all here. In a time when people change jobs frequently it’s is also a good way to keep in touch.

Xing. Their by-line says it all: Global networking for professionals. According to their statistics over 7 million people worldwide in 16 different languages are using their site. They aim to make networking and contact management simple and effective.

Naymz. They believe that ‘A good professional reputation is the key to effectively networking with other professionals’. This is a professional networking platform that aims to simplify the process of discovering new connections and business opportunities.

Spoke. This is a business networking site that connects to over 2.3 million businesses and 40 million people. You can connect with anyone on the network, regardless if they are a member of Spoke. Like the other sites, Spoke allows you to customise and promote your online portfolio.

Facebook. You may be surprised to see this on here, but Facebook is no longer just for college kids and friends to post their hilarious drunken party pics. Because of its popularity and far-reaching internet presence, Facebook can be seen as a hybrid of professional, social and personal networking. That is why it’s so important, for the business-minded people out there, to always project a professional image. Join groups comprised of professionals in your fields of interest, be careful with the comments people leave on your wall, and definitely don’t post candid pics of you doing a spontaneous striptease at last weekend’s house party (unless, of course, you’re a professional stripper).

Also, be mindful that social networking can be very time consuming. If you want a good return on your investment, be selective. Only join groups that are important to you, and that you know can further your professional career. Be careful about the updates you choose to receive, as receiving too many can eventually fill up your inbox and waste your time. Also keep in mind that even though Facebook can be used for professional social networking, other sites like LinkedIn and Xing are specifically created for professionals. Spend your time on social networks that you know attract like-minded professionals.

Most people blame themselves for not learning… Maybe it is time to ask a few questions, or question a few of our beliefs when it comes to learning and using English as a business communication tool.

Here are a few assumptions that we have debated with our clients and participants over the years. Click on ‘Answer’, and you’ll see if the statement is True or False.

1. An excellent knowledge of grammar and a vast vocabulary guarantee people the ability to work in English comfortably and efficiently.
Answer

2. Every person has their own way of learning based on their preferences, habits, and skills.
Answer

3. Intensive courses are the best way to make progress in English.
Answer

4. A good teacher will correct all your errors.
Answer

5. There are advanced methods of English teaching that guarantee success.
Answer

6. Exams like the First Certificate only prove that the person who has it has passed the exam.
Answer

7. The more you learn (words, structures, sentences), the more progress you make towards using English effectively at work.
Answer

8. The ‘Business English’ courses that many academies offer are the best option for professionals that need to learn English for use in the workplace.
Answer

9. Spending your time in a language class talking with your teacher may be enjoyable, but you won’t learn.
Answer

So, remember, if you are not sure something is working for you and your learning, stop and ask a few questions.