Our visit to Mexico had vetted my travel genes. So, when my daughter suggested a visit to Australia during the Lunar New year, we jumped at the chance! This was our first visit to the Southern Hemisphere, and my husband and I were excited! The online visa process was quite easy. My daughter had carefully …
“Whether you work in a home office or abroad, business success in our ever more globalized and virtual world requires the skills to navigate through cultural differences”. The book opens with a personal story; the realization that in communicating with eastern cultures, one should remember to listen to subtle, unspoken cues to make communication effective. …
When I started training on Business Communication, I wasn’t aware of how my culture impacts communication. It was at the “Business English for the 21 Century” conference, organized by STETS (Singapore Tertiary English teachers Society) and IATEFL BESIG at Singapore in September 2005, I first came across the term “ Cultural Differences in Communication.” This …
When we decided to travel, it was the first overseas trip we were taking in 2 years. Though excited, we were a little nervous too. There were a number of new requirements that needed to be addressed. After all that, we set off for Foster City, California where my daughter lives. We hadn’t met her …
Driving along the Pacific Coast – Pigeon Point lighthouse Read More »
What is branding? How can students who are setting out for their careers identify their strengths and brand themselves? This was the topic of the first session of the course conducted for students of Indian Management Institute (IMI), Bhubaneshwar held on 25 November 2021. The session dwelt upon the meaning of brand, and took the …
Personal Branding as a differentiator – A workshop for MBA students Read More »
“Madam, I can’t able to do it.”, said my chartered accountant. I looked at him. “Ravi, you either say, ‘You can’t do it or You are not able to do it.’ You cannot use both together.” “I know madam. You have told me many times. When I write I am careful, but I forget when …
My friend recently shared a story. She had gone to the grocery store to buy some bread. She asked the store attendant, and he placed a loaf of bread in front of her. He then asked her, “And, what else?”. Though she had not planned to buy many things, she came back with a bag …
Two interesting books I read is recent times are “ A more beautiful Question” and “ The book of beautiful questions” by Warren Berger. Warren Berger talks of a simple ancient tool – Questioning and its effectiveness in life and business. Since ancient times philosophers have emphasized the importance of powerful questions and their role …
A More Beautiful Question- The power of enquiry to spark breakthrough ideas Read More »
Communication and Culture When I first started corporate training in 2002, I believed that better language skills lead to better communication. My focus at that time was emphasis on improving the speaking and writing skills of my participants. It did not take me long to realize how wrong I was. This realization came to me …
Whenever I have to write an email or an article, customize a course or workshop, I ask myself four questions; WHY, WHO, WHAT and HOW. WHY – What is the purpose of this communication WHO – Who are the audience who are going to receive it/ read or listen to this? WHAT – The content …
