Resource Centre
Welcome to our resource centre, full of information, articles and blogs on language training around the world.
February 15, 2017
February 1, 2017
January 25, 2017
January 18, 2017
December 21, 2016
December 14, 2016
December 7, 2016
December 2, 2016
November 23, 2016
November 9, 2016
October 19, 2016
September 28, 2016
September 21, 2016
September 14, 2016
September 7, 2016
August 31, 2016
August 19, 2016
August 18, 2016
August 16, 2016
August 16, 2016
August 11, 2016
June 9, 2016
June 2, 2016
May 26, 2016
May 19, 2016
May 12, 2016
April 20, 2016
March 2, 2016
Learning any new language can often be challenging. However, it can also be one of your greatest assets in practicing international businesses. The language barrier can become a negotiation barrier.
Let us preface this with that each learner is different, and the difficulty in learning a language depends on a variety of factors. This includes the complexity of the language, how self-motivated you are, and the resources that are available for that specific language.
January 18, 2016
The life of an explorer is governed by words, writes Michael Ondaatje: ‘By rumors and legends. Chartered things. Shards written down. The tact of words. In the desert to repeat something would be to fling more water into the earth. Here nuance took you a hundred miles.’
It is easy to see as you flit from language to language and culture to culture, the myriad of expressions and idioms could take a lifetime to truly explore. One of the most compelling and varied areas is the nuance of cursing.
October 7, 2015
It is clear how beneficial learning a new language can be, especially in the context of conducting international business. However, even knowing the language may not be enough to ensure the deal goes though… You also need to be aware of more specific cultural etiquette.
Do you know what you are meant to do when entering a residence in India? Do you know which culture finds it unacceptable to discuss business over dinner? If you use your hands to eat a sandwich in Brazil, you may find yourself at a loss as to why you lost that contract.
October 4, 2013
Although it has recently gone through difficulties, Japan is still the Number three world economy behind China and the USA and is a major export destination and overseas investor, with branches of its international companies all over the world. If you are dealing with Japan or working with a Japanese company, what do you need to know?
August 20, 2013
Most multinationals now agree that one of the key operational challenges they face is the need for greater awareness and better understanding of their clients’ and partners’ business cultures.
Here’s the problem. I’m dealing with a client, a supplier or JV partner. I’m learning their language. I can understand what they say. I DON’T understand what they really mean.
August 8, 2013
Will they be ready? For what? The 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics of course. They can be a bit ‘last minutish’ but Brazil gets there with flare and style. If you’re going there or working with Brazilians here’s what to expect.
July 30, 2013
Only the other day someone still labelled Russia ‘the Wild East’ in a business meeting. The fear of ‘corruption demands’ and ‘strong-arm methods’ is deep rooted. But it’s the exception, not the rule. Here are some of the things I have learned about doing business in Russia.
April 4, 2013
With figures showing that companies investment in training for their employees has grown as a percentage of sales in recent years, the issue of how to ensure a maximum return on that investment is becoming key.
In many cases training is offered to groups of employees over a one or two day period, but companies often struggle to find ways to measure the real benefits and outcomes in the following weeks and months.
March 15, 2013
After being asked for my opinion on how best to understand modern China I decided to inspect my bookcase and jog my memory for some of the most useful books which I have come across in my own continuing effort to understand China as a resident of Shanghai.
Eventually I managed to separate my top 5 reads and have listed them below with a short summary to guide you on the contents and help you choose the most useful book for you!
March 13, 2013
In this article aimed at those working in HR / Training / Learning & Development, Barry Tomalin outlines the key components of successful Cultural Training programmes.
Given the impact they can have on the way organisations and their people conduct business internationally, ensuring a maximum return on investment is essential.
March 13, 2013
One of the world’s largest economies and one of the world’s richest cultures with its own variety of English, India has a similar number of English speakers to those in the UK & America combined.
Yet many Westerners say they have difficulty communicating effectively with some Indian colleagues. Here are ten tips you can use to help build successful working relationships.
March 12, 2013
In my last piece I wrote about the sometimes confusing mix of highly contemporary eye-catching architecture in China contrasting with a strong adherence to traditional beliefs and customs. I would like to follow this up with a few specific examples of common mistakes people make when they are first doing business in China.
March 12, 2013
Society is becoming more and more consumer orientated and with stiffer competition in all sectors, businesses really need to do what they can to ensure customer satisfaction and retention. However, when looking at strategies to deal with these issues, one area that is often overlooked is how a business communicates with its clients.
March 4, 2013
Obviously, many of those you deal with will have been educated in or be familiar with the UK or the US. Also, traditionally, these countries have relied on foreign labour, particularly Indian and Pakistani, to run businesses. However, there are big changes as the Gulf states diversify their economies and increasingly try to involve their own citizens in the workforce. In Oman, for example, despite dependence on a predominantly South Asian workforce, the government is making determined efforts to find employment for local Omanis.
March 4, 2013
Stereotypes! Americans are loud, British are cold, Chinese are inscrutable. That kind of thing. When we meet a problem or setback in international meetings and negotiations we all tend to retreat into our views of national stereotypes. But what if those stereotypes were true?
March 4, 2013
Nowadays executives in and outside the UK have to ‘meet’ on the phone in audio ‘conference calls’ and, less often, video conferences in what is for them a second language. They may be colleagues on the continent having to conduct meetings in English or English native speakers having to participate or run meetings in French or Spanish etc.
March 4, 2013
At SIMON & SIMON we sometimes receive enquiries from people who would be interested in working in cross cultural training. Drawing on his many years of experience Barry Tomalin outlines for other trainers – and companies – some of the approaches and methodology to consider when putting together a successful cultural training programme.
