Look, I've been in this game for a while now. And let me tell you... finding a good interpreter isn't just about someone who speaks two languages. **It's way more than that.** I was in Dubai last year, sitting in this massive conference room. The air conditioning was blasting (you know how they love their AC in the Gulf), and I'm watching this interpreter absolutely butcher a crucial business negotiation. [...]
Look, I've been writing about communication for years now, and if there's one thing that still trips people up more than anything else... it's trying to talk to someone from a completely different culture. And I get it. Really, I do. You're sitting there in a meeting with someone from Dubai or maybe Cairo, and suddenly you're not sure if you should shake hands, how close to stand, or whether [...]
Look, I've been in this game for a while now. And let me tell you... working with different cultures? It's not as simple as grabbing a phrasebook and hoping for the best. I've seen businesses lose **millions** because someone didn't understand that a thumbs up means something VERY different in certain parts of the Middle East. Yeah. That happened. So what should you actually expect when you hire a cultural [...]
So you need a document translated, or maybe you're planning an international conference and need someone to help people understand each other in real-time? Well... these are actually two totally different things. And trust me, knowing the difference can save you from some pretty awkward situations. ## **The Quick Answer** Translation is for written stuff. Interpreting is for spoken stuff. That's it. That's the tweet. But okay, let me explain [...]
Look, I've been teaching languages for... what, 15 years now? And every single week someone asks me this question. Online or in-person - which is better? Here's the thing. **There's no perfect answer**. But I can tell you what I've seen work (and not work) for hundreds of students. ## The Case for In-Person Classes Okay so picture this. You're sitting in a room with 5 other people trying to [...]
Look, I'm gonna be straight with you. Learning Arabic isn't just some random skill you pick up because you're bored on weekends. It's like... unlocking a whole new world. And trust me, I've seen what happens when people take the plunge. ## **Why Arabic? Why Now?** Here's the thing. We're living in Brisbane, right? You might think Arabic is this far-off language that doesn't really matter here. Wrong. Dead wrong. [...]
Look, I get it. You want to learn Arabic and you're wondering how long this journey's gonna take. Everyone asks me this – whether they're business folks heading to Dubai or students trying to connect with their heritage. So let me give it to you straight. ## The honest answer? It depends (but hear me out) I know, I know. Not what you wanted to hear. But here's the thing [...]
Look, I've been around the block when it comes to languages. I've taken courses that were amazing... and some that were, well, let's just say they weren't worth the paper the certificate was printed on. So what should you actually look for in a language course? Let me break it down for you. ## **The Teacher Makes or Breaks It** I don't care how fancy the textbook is or how [...]
Look, I've been in business long enough to know that deals fall apart for the weirdest reasons. But nothing—and I mean *nothing*—kills a potential partnership faster than cultural misunderstandings. ## **The Million Dollar Handshake That Never Happened** True story. A colleague of mine lost a $2.3 million contract because he used his left hand to pass documents to a Middle Eastern client. Left hand. That's it. Deal dead. Sounds crazy? [...]
Look, I've been working with businesses for years now, and one thing I keep seeing over and over again... companies losing deals because they just don't *get* the culture they're trying to work with. It's painful to watch. Really. ## What Exactly Are Cultural Advisory Services? Okay so here's the deal. Cultural advisory services are basically your **business translator** — and I'm not talking about language here (though that's part [...]