Conversation – effective enjoyable conversation – is an art. Conversation is also an essential business skill. This is more true today than ever before because of our business lifestyle. The more we use the internet, the more estranged some of us are becoming from our colleagues. And we are getting busier. Or it feels like… Read more
Kissing hello: meaningful or meaningless?
I recently wrote an article on the kissing as a greeting, when you work internationally. In the UK, we don’t have a rule about kissing hello. Generally speaking, I think we just make it up and improvise. At the same time, some behaviours are emerging as accepted or expected. The question is: what is acceptable… Read more
How many kisses make a greeting?
I was struck by how many kisses make a greeting in France. Up to 5 depending on where you live (or maybe it also depends how much you like your friend) as you can see in the map here. Then I thought: what advice would I give someone from… Read more
Language of Leaders…Is it a Dog’s Life in your Team?
Years ago I was invited to create a workshop called “Mind Your Language”. It was for a roomful of engineers who worked globally and in multi-nationality teams. The idea was to alert the Brits to speaking in a more accessible form of English and to open the discussion… Read more
Is it Discrimination or Cultural Awareness?
In our global post-Brexit world, business professionals who work internationally have to manage a tricky balancing act. On the one hand they are advised not to discriminate, so they should treat everyone as equal and ignore differences. On the other, we all want to be appreciated for being who we… Read more
Accent etiquette – international
Accent etiquette for international contexts In this, my third article in the recent series on accents, the focus is on the international etiquette where accents are concerned. We’ve agreed that in your own country it’s both “best practice” and good manners to reduce your own regional accent so that you are easily understood by everyone… Read more
Does my accent matter? Here’s the etiquette
I recently wrote an article about accents and whether it’s important in the UK to have a posh accent. People who speak for their living – sales people, presenters, diplomats, trainers, journalists – tend to speak a standard version of English, that is without a strong accent. They need to because they need to speak… Read more
Talking posh: do I need to lose my accent?
How you speak is important. But is it important to have a posh accent? Accents are important because they indicate something about you – where you come from and who you spend time with. They are important too because they make it easier or more difficult for you to be understood. A regional accent may… Read more
Relationship building is vital to virtual teams
I’ve written several blogs over the years about the importance of deep listening. Here, guest blogger Clare MacNamara zones in on virtual teams and the importance of creating strong relationships with teammates, especially those you hardly ever meet. She gives useful tips, not only about listening. Read it here globalteamcoaches.com/how-to-build-relationships-in-global-virtual-teams/ In a virtual meeting, how… Read more
What’s up in Latin America’s booming markets?
Is Columbia best for UK pharma? Where’s the biggest market for UK business? Is Brazil better than Mexico? What other options are there? These are questions that came up at the lively event I hosted recently on “Latin America – Booming Markets” in Oxford. Because of my personal passion and experience for the region, I was delighted… Read more
