One of the first things I learned as a young communications specialist was that translation alone is not enough. You need to adapt the messaging… not just the words. In my work, English was the primary language and French was a requirement by law for a large segment of customers. To do this, we reliedContinue reading “Adaptation beats translation”
Tag Archives: communications
Break it down, step by step
The other day I baked apple squares. I used a recipe that required only a few steps and seemed simple enough. Full confession, I am not a baker. I followed the steps and despite my pan being slightly larger than the recipe called for, I think the squares turned out pretty good. This got meContinue reading “Break it down, step by step”
Connect!
We’re not all cut from the same cloth. For some of us, making a connection with another human comes naturally. For others, not so much. Although we might be presented with natural opportunities along the way such as childhood friends, school, sports or work, life changes and people move on. We’re then forced to makeContinue reading “Connect!”
Words that flow
My walk home today was a steeplechase. The temperatures were above zero and there were puddles from the melted snow at every turn. The walk got me thinking about metaphors. Not only are they fun, but they’re powerful tools in writing that can help readers understand complex ideas and emotions. They help paint a pictureContinue reading “Words that flow”
Travel talk
Is travelling to an amazing faraway location on your bucket list for 2024? New Zealand? Morocco? Or maybe Costa Rico? We live in a multicultural world where understanding different communication styles is important. Before you head off on your next adventure, here are some tips to help you communicate. Consider nonverbal communication cues asContinue reading “Travel talk”
When your brand changes hands
Every experience someone has with your brand is an opportunity to form an opinion or a perception about your business, good or bad. Consumers want to deal with a company they trust to provide great products and great service. They may also appreciate a brand for its values, if they align with their own. Reliability,Continue reading “When your brand changes hands”
A bit of business-building advice
It takes more than passion to achieve success. When you’re a small business owner you hold accountability for everything from business planning, accounting, promoting, hiring and firing, and of course, working the business! Needless to say, running your own small business can be challenging, exciting and rewarding. If you’re thinking about starting your own business,Continue reading “A bit of business-building advice”
Strengthen your reputation and build credibility online
As a small business owner, you work hard to build a business you’re proud of. You’ve set your goals, identified your target market and defined how you’re going to differentiate yourself from your competition. Part of your business planning should include a marketing strategy — how to tell the world what you’re up to andContinue reading “Strengthen your reputation and build credibility online”
Strike up a conversation
This past week I circled Lake Superior by car with family. The views were magnificent — rock cuts, gorges, waterfalls and breathtaking horizons. At every stop, there were tourists from different places in Canada and United States experiencing the same wonders and sharing their stories about the last trips they’d made, the tours or sightsContinue reading “Strike up a conversation”
Writing for who and how
There are as many reasons to write as there are ways to write. You might be writing a book — a memoir, a “do-it-yourself” guide, a work of fiction or history. You might be writing an assignment for school, an email to your team or an invitation to your next epic party. You might beContinue reading “Writing for who and how”
Writing for you. 