Use a Form of International English for Ease of Understanding

While recently checking in to an up-market business hotel, in Orange County, CA, the desk clerk was courteous and efficient. However when I presented my credit card to her she asked, "CanIseesomeformofpictureID?" This was said rapidly, with the words run together.

Of course I understood what she meant. However, behind me in the check-in queue was a couple speaking Italian. I wondered if they would understand this request, as it was posed to me.

It is difficult for us to simplify and slow our American English when talking with people whose second or third language is English. They may speak English quite well, but they may have learned it in Singapore or at Oxford, and our American vernacular may not translate at all well.

It would have been more helpful if the hotel employee would have asked to see a driver's license or passport, with the credit card. However, since some people may not possess a driver's license or passport, it presents a dilemma. Many countries have driver's licenses issued for life and the photos issued at age 18 or 20 no longer bear any resemblance to the license holder today.

One of the first points of contacts for a hotel visitor or guest, is the front desk clerk. They may have been greeted briefly by the doorman, but the first conversation a hotel guest would have most likely would be the clerk at check-in.

Would a better way to phrase the request have been, "Sir (or ma'm), do you have any identification with your photograph?" The request would be spoken clearly, distinctly and without running the words together. The word identification would not be abbreviated, so as to avoid confusing the non-native English speaker with "ID".

It behooves hotel staff and indeed all of us to extend ourselves to international visitors or colleagues to help them to feel as comfortable as possible, starting with the initial contact and a form of English sans abbreviations, vernacular phrases and American expressions.

Speak Your Way To Success

Speak Your Way to Success – Part I
By Catherine Mowbray Lorenz

How many of you reading this article would love to effectively present information about your business, effortlessly acquire clients and simultaneously grow your business? Speaking to a group about your products or services could do that for you. Peter Drucker says that business is really two things: innovation and marketing. Public speaking is a great strategy for marketing your business and an innovative approach for increasing revenue.
Public speaking builds credibility and immediately establishes you as an expert, even before you speak. People buy from those whom they like and trust. (They also vote for whom they like and trust.) You will attract clients with whom you would enjoy working and garner significantly more referrals. Prospective clients feel that they know you when they have heard you present a talk. They have experienced your personality, communication style, your sense of humor and viewed how you interacted with your audience. They will note how well organized you are, how you dress, speak, and move.
One morning, while I was in the women’s locker room of my health club, drying myself after a shower, there was a sudden flurry of energetic movement around me and a woman, calling my name, enthusiastically hugged me while I was frantically trying to stay wrapped in my towel. She had seen me speak the day before and felt like I was a friend. My English modesty was momentarily jeopardized to say the least. However, once I regained my equilibrium, I realized that she had paid me a true compliment, - she had felt so connected to me, from my talk the previous day, that she was very comfortable hugging me even while I was practically naked!
Every time you share your vast store of knowledge and experience, with the intention of being of service, you are promoting yourself and your company. It is more efficient use of your time and energy to present to a group, however large or small, rather than to one person at a time. You can follow up later with individual leads from the talk. You will find that you will have an effective common ground going into a subsequent meeting or appointment, because, after all, they will feel that they already know you.
Public Speaking is a cost-effective marketing strategy, especially if you speak within driving distance of your home. Marketing pieces can be costly and time-consuming to design, print and send out, but you can create and develop a presentation that is either no cost, or very low cost, drawing upon your knowledge, using a PowerPoint program and creating some handouts.
Speaking is also a great way to build your data base. Offer a gift to raffle off to the audience to entice them into giving you their contact information. However, don’t offer 25% off your services. You can give away a bestselling book, one of your products or services, gift cards to Office Depot, a garden center or Starbucks, movie tickets, a plant, a bottle of wine. Laugh about it with them and let them know that you are bribing them for their business card. Ask permission to collect the business cards when you are initially booked.
Determine at the outset what your goal is. How do you wish to use these speaking opportunities? To build your business? To introduce a new product or service? To educate or inform? To present a charitable cause and to enroll others? To raise money? Establish that your goals are in alignment with your audience’s goals and suitable for the engagement and venue. Nail down who your ideal customers are and go after them ---by speaking to groups.

Greetings & Introductions in Germany:

Formality is the key. Do not use first names unless invited to do so. When you introduce your self, --Karen Williams, you will be called Frau Williams (or they may just Americanize it to make you feel comfortable). People will introduce themselves to you, just using their last names. So you may shake hands with a man who says "Schmidt", with a brief nod. You would address him as Herr Schmidt. This will occur even when people are your age or younger. If you are introduced to Herr Schmidt, you may say, Karen Williams, or just Williams, as you shake hands.

They may prefer to be introduced or presented to you, rather than you introducing yourself, as we do in America. Germans are more formal there with introductions. It reminds me of finishing school or cotillion introductions. Younger or “lesser” ranks are introduced first, or their names are given first.

Women older than 18 or so, are referred to as Frau, whether or not they are married. If someone has a title, such as Doktor. Then you refer to them as Frau Doktor Lorenz, or Herr Doktor Kühn, or just Herr Doktor. Someone else may be Herr Doktor Professor so on. Titles and professional designations are important.

Shake hands (firmly, but briefly) with everyone you meet, (when saying hello and goodbye) to avoid slighting someone.

Testimonies

Catherine Mowbray Lorenz is a fantastic coach. She is a wealth of knowledge in international business, public speaking, cultural etiquette and strategic planning. With only several days notice she was able to prepare me for a multimillion dollar negotiation in Germany. I highly recommend Catherine in all these business arenas. She is a pleasure to work with.

Sincerely,
Karen Cebreros
President
Elan Organic Coffees
1205 J Street, Suite F
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 235-0392
Fax: (619) 235-0394

"Every Bean Counts"

Test Your Cross-Cultural IQ

Answer True or False (answers at the end)

Note: in some instances, only part of the question is incorrect!

1. In Brazil, the classic American OK sign, - thumb and forefinger forming a circle, is an obscene gesture.

2. In East Asia, it is acceptable to stick your chopsticks into your rice bowl, when they are not in use.

3. In Sri Lanka, nodding the head up and down means “no” and shaking from side to side means “yes”.

4. When a Japanese laughs, it may mean shock, grief, embarrassment or confusion.

5. In Hong Kong, it is perfectly acceptable to put bones or other rejects from your meal on the table, even when there is a tablecloth.

6. In Thailand, it is considered taboo and insulting to touch a child’s head.

7. Germans whistle to convey approval, like Americans do.

8. When leaving a home in Malaysia, it is considered impolite if you say, “Goodbye”.

9. In France, a firm, pumping handshake is considered proper and polite.

10. When dining in an Arab home, it is polite to decline an offer of anything until at least the second or third time it is offered.

11. In South Africa, when someone says, “I will see you just now,” it means “I will be right with you”.

12. In Australia, or Indonesia, using a curling index finger to beckon a person is acceptable.

13. In the U.K. and France, it is customary to eat sandwiches with a knife and fork.

14. When sending a team to China, for initial negotiations, you would send middle management of a mature age.

15. In Latin America, what you know is more important than who you know.

16. In Korea, if the business meeting has gone well, the bow at the end will be shorter than the entry bow.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. True

2. False

3. True

4. True

5. True

6. True

7. False

8. True

9. False

10. True

11. False

12. False

13. True

14. False

15. False

16. False

If you have queries about any of these questions or answers, please contact me for clarification.

©2008 Catherine Mowbray Lorenz; cmlorenz@roadrunner.com

For permission to reprint, please contact the author.

Conquering Your Speaking Fears

Does the thought of speaking at a national sales meeting, or presenting to a new client company fill you with anxiety? From sensitive board room discussions to the basic sales spiel, the power of speech propels the world of commerce. In today’s competitive business environment, the executive who can deliver a polished, effective presentation, gains a distinct edge.

To studiously organize every aspect of your talk, yet to be remiss in handling the fear barrier, is simply, negligent. Fear is merely energy that needs to be managed. The experienced speaker uses it as an advantage, whereas the amateur can be thrown by it.

While the fear of public speaking vies closely with the fear of dying and snake phobias, there are certain tools you can use to assist in conquering your nervousness.


1) Practice, practice, practice.
Know your material thoroughly. Some professional speakers recommend being so familiar with the beginning of your speech, that if you were abruptly awakened in the middle of the night, you would be able to deliver the first few lines of your talk flawlessly.
Never, ever, wing it. Nothing can substitute for rehearsals and this will be evident in your professional delivery.
Rehearse your talk in front of a mirror. Record yourself. Practice in front of a friendly audience.


2) Be prepared.
Know your audience’s needs and decide what you want them to come away with.
On the day of your presentation, arrive early. Running late will only increase your anxiety.
Don’t rely solely on your PowerPoint or visuals to carry your talk. What if the equipment has a glitch? Have backup notes.
Check the set up of the room, your computer and the microphone.
When you are introduced, stride confidently to the lectern and watch your step!


3) Think positively about yourself.
In the days and hours leading up to your speaking date, invoke all five senses in frequent visualization exercises and envision yourself as a polished presenter. See what you are wearing and how great you look. Hear the applause and the roars of laughter (at the appropriate time, of course!). Feel the thrill of performing at your peak.
Tell yourself how wonderful you are, --repeatedly. What you give your attention to, you will attract.
Admit and understand the source of your fear. Don’t deny it.
Realize that your trepidation doesn’t have to show and that some apprehension is normal. Tap into the energy that fear is, --use it to your advantage and to raise your own energy.
Rhythmic breathing, stretching, as well as, alternately tensing and relaxing your muscles also helps.


4) Make eye contact with individuals in the audience.
When speaking, make eye contact with individuals for several seconds, rather than casting your eyes like machine gun spray over their heads. See the audience as your ally and focus on its needs.


5) Honor your time parameters.
Practice combined with preparedness conquers nerves and commands those butterflies to fly in formation.


© Catherine Mowbray Lorenz 2007
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