The average Israeli usually communicates rather well in English while on a trip or during an informal daily conversation. But what happens when we are required to speak business english with international business people on the phone? Or converse with colleagues while on a business trip abroad? Our counterparts are most often busy, and since their time is limited, we wish to create a clear and effective interaction with them in a short time.
Often the situation is exactly the opposite – we know how to describe work-related issues but find it difficult to communicate freely and fluently while dining with our host and their spouse. In many cultures, topics such as money and politics, which we, as Israelis, may find interesting and legitimate, may create resistance and be interpreted as disrespectful.
An additional need Israeli business people often encounter is to participate and even lead business meetings in English. We are all aware of the fact that there is only one chance to make a first impression and we certainly wish to project confidence in the meeting. This is the reason why each word is important. In addition, there is always a local and intricate behavioral code, different from country to country, and we need to thoroughly learn and familiarize ourselves with it before taking part in meetings abroad.
It's important to understand that what may make a positive impression in Hebrew may not have the same effect in English, and may even have the opposite outcome. Let me give you an example of an incident which happened last year: one of my Israeli clients told me that while he and his salesperson visited France. They met with the Board of Directors of the company which had recently bought them. The Israeli salesperson, hoping to make a positive first impression, enthusiastically told the French managers about the useful software tools their organization has to offer. He then summed up his speech with: "And with this we'll go to war and win!" While in Israel it sounds like a positive statement which projects ambition and enthusiasm, in France both Israeli managers had to explain, again and again, that this is only a figure of speech and they don't have any intentions to actually attack anyone…
In many of our visits abroad we are expected to conduct presentations in front of an English speaking audience. It's a known fact that speaking in front of an audience is one of the most terrifying experiences for many of us, not to mention doing so in English, which is our second language. Consequently, a major part of our business English training programs deals with providing our clients with hands-on tools and lots of practice in building and delivering compelling presentations. There are several important elements in delivering a presentation, regardless of the language used: projecting confidence both with what is being said as well as with our body language; building and organizing the presentation in a correct and logical manner; and being able to convey our message in a clear and fluent manner. When managers arrive with a professional, well-built, fluent and effective presentation, which they practiced and polished, chances are that their self-confidence and professionalism will yield the desired outcome.
In conclusion, being proficient in business English will first and foremost make us skillful in doing business our field of expertise. In today's business world, in which competition is fierce, correct language and excellent communication skills will vastly improve our business performance and improve our chances to land the deal for which we've been preparing so hard.
Yifat Mann, TriEnglish Founder and General Manager, holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies and Psychology from Montclair State University in the United States, and an MBA degree from Ben-Gurion University in the Negev in Israel. She specializes in coaching business people and working with them on improving such business English communication skills as presentations, business writing, negotiations and more.
יפעת מן, מייסדת ומנכ"ל החברה, בעלת תואר שני במנהל עסקים (MBA) מאוניברסיטת בן-גוריון בנגב, תואר ראשון בתקשורת עסקית ובפסיכולוגיה מאוניברסיטת Montclair בארה"ב, ותעודת הוראה באנגלית מטעם מכללת אחוה, מתמחה באימון אישי וקבוצתי של אנשי עסקים בכירים תוך דגש על שיפור מיומנויות התקשורת העסקיות כגון העברת פרזנטציות, כתיבה עסקית, ניהול משא ומתן, הכנה לראיונות עבודה ועוד.
