English Coaching for the International Manager

Is your English up to Business?

The international executive cannot afford not to make a good impression and yet it happens so often without the executive even realizing it. It starts with the first contact: what you say and what you don't say, what you wear and your body language. Germans are generally not aware of what they are "saying" with their body language and are unable to "read" the body language of their international partners, who, by the way, are a lot more tuned to reading body language. They are lost before they even start discussing the notoriously well prepared presentation, meeting and/or negotiation.

The international executive cannot afford not to be aware of cultural differences in the concepts of contracts and concepts of time across borders. These concepts influence the entire economy of the company; will the ordered goods be supplied on time, when will they actually pay for the million euro deal that has just been negotiated?

The international executive cannot afford not to develop a cultural empathy for the business partner in another culture. People prefer to do business with people who are on their own wavelength. The German's directness can come across as dominant and even rude in many cultures. Some cultures use a more "subtle' language and sometimes seem vague and undecided.

The international executive cannot afford not to keep his or her virtual team and/or subordinates motivated from afar. Feedback, while refreshingly honest in Germany, can be too harsh and de-motivating in other cultures. Directives, given as orders, can also sound insulting and belittling to the subordinate in another culture.

Have you ever wondered how you are perceived in other cultures? Your dress, your language, your non-verbal behaviour and your management style, although very polished and accepted in Germany, may be perceived as the opposite by your business partners and staff around the world.

Since each manager is unique, each may require support in different areas of language and intercultural aspects which is why an initial interview is essential before commencing with the coaching. The coaching session times are flexible to allow for unexpected changes in the executive's busy schedule.

The executive is supported in all his/her written communication — the reports, memos and e-mails are all edited and proof-read within 24 hours — or less — of being sent. The content is, of course, kept extremely confidential.

Some of the topics covered include:

  • Socializing
Introductions, small talk, invitations, describing dishes, social and dining
Etiquette around the world, responses e.g. "Never mind!", "What a pity!"
Writing "social business mails" e.g. for birthdays, congratulations, etc.
  • Language
A review of the major tenses
Typical phrases used in discussion e.g. "have/ allow latitude to..."
Business jargon
Learn to "soften" your language — disagreeing, questioning
Making requests — spoken and in writing
Apologizing — spoken and in writing
Understanding the British "understatement"
Describing reviews and forecasts
  • Communication
Effective e-mail writing
Effective telephoning internationally
The language of meetings
Negotiating internationally
Presenting for the international audience
  • Management
Recruitment and interviews in English
Performance appraisals and feedback
Giving directives
Management styles
  • Case studies
Making initial contact around the world
Hospitality across cultures
Decision making across cultures
Concepts of time around the world
Concepts of contracts around the world
Management and employee relations across cultures
The international businessperson across cultures
Giving feedback across cultures
  • Intercultural skills
The Americans
The British
How other cultures perceive Germans
Working with... the Dutch, French, Japanese, Scandinavians, etc.
Non-verbal language — body language

Write or phone for a free consultation and prices.

What our customers are saying:

Executive of a renowned global corporation responsible for global virtual teams

Dear Mary,

Thank you so much for your efforts over the last 2 years. It was really, really beneficial to work with you on my English language and communication skills. The 3 things which I appreciated most over these 40 lessons are:

- Your experience and your good methods to evaluate people
You really succeeded in picking me up from "where I was" and to come up amaizingly quickly with a course of lessons tailored to my needs. This gave me assurance in coping in English from the very beginning.

- Your flexibility to cover special needs (e.g. giving and receiving feedback during our performance review circles). This provided help & support exactly when it was required.

- Your "holistic approach"
On the one hand, you always explain subjects based on material which is carefully compiled out of various papers, books, charts, jokes etc.. This helps tremendously to understand the subjects. On the other hand you succeed in closing the loop between different subjects and chapters which helps to keep/get the total view.