This is part two of a series called US population trends affecting Business. These US trends are also very applicable to the Canadian population. Part one details the

We know the US population, now about 315 million strong, is getting older. But how will your business be affected? Will your consumer base change? How will your workforce react?

Simple Figures

Let’s start with the facts. After the Second World War, millions of young men returned home to America and Canada and began starting their families. According to the US Census Bureau, this generation includes those born from 1945 to 1964, and are referred to as the baby boomers.

55 years ago, during the height of the baby boom, the US and Canada were averaging about 25 births for every 1000 people. Today, the rate is much lower, averaging about 15 births per 1000 people.

That being said, the baby boomers make up about 80 million people today in North America, with most of them above or near the age of 60.

Seniors today, those aged 65 and older, make up about one of every eight Americans. However, in another 15 years, it will be about one in every five. That’s close to 10,000 people turning 65 in the US each day for the next 20 years!

Businesses and marketers will need to take these statistics into consideration when creating plans and strategies in the future. In a recent survey of Canadian baby boomers, 80% of them considered themselves to have “big buying power”, yet 40% of them felt ignored by advertisers.

The Senior Population is Adopting Technology

Contrary to popular belief, seniors are not opposed to technological advances. Although it has taken some time to adopt new practices and tools, many seniors now shop, talk, and interact online.

Pew Research Center reports that over half of all seniors are now online. 

In addition, Pew Research reports that nearly 70% of seniors now own mobile phones, although less than 10% own smartphones. However, with the reach and speed of mobile and smartphone technology, it can be expected that the senior smartphone ownership rate will rise in the future. Perhaps soon we will also see more companies making mobile technology specifically geared for seniors, as many senior-focused apps already exist. Assistive technologies for the visually and hearing impaired will likely grow as well.

What may be even more surprising is that about 85% of online seniors use email for communications, over half purchase products online, and about 20% use social networking sites. Of the seniors that are online, about 70% of them make it a habit to use the internet on an everyday basis.

Dealing with an Aging Workforce

McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) reports that nearly 2/3 of baby boomer households aged 50-63 are not financially prepared for retirement. Although there will be many retiring, this also means that more older workers will remain in and even re-enter the workforce, with major implications for businesses. Multiple reports estimate that 70-85% of seniors intend to work past the traditional retirement age of 65.

Our aging workforce is already starting to create apprehension and conflict at work, and the trend is likely to continue. There is a large disparity between the way older workers prefer to work, and the way younger workers prefer to work.

Many older workers, staying in work or returning to work for financial reasons, will increasingly have to report to younger managers. As with any different demographic groups, there will be disparities between the way younger managers want things done and the way older employees accomplish tasks.

There will also be a good opportunity to listen and learn from our older workers who have generous amounts of experience. Creating diverse yet congruent work teams will be a challenge as always, but the capacity to create and innovate will increase with new generations mixing with older generations.

Businesses with High Growth Prospects

There are a few industries that are primed for high growth due to our aging population. In 2015, baby boomers are expected to account for about 40% of total spending in the United States.

Healthcare – This is an obvious choice. With age comes wear and tear on the body, and the healthcare industry is already budding. It’s no surprise that many sectors of healthcare are primed for long-term growth, such as pharmaceuticals, nursing homes, senior day care, and lab services.

From now until 2020, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the healthcare sector will outpace all other industries for job creation, with the highest estimated growth rate of 3% annually.

Fitness – The typical demographic of gym and health club users is changing. While the average age of gym-goers used to be concentrated in the 18-34 range, many new patrons aged 50 and over are attending. A large part of this is due to the obesity epidemic, and rising healthcare costs.

As the general public battles with health and fitness challenges, gyms, clubs, and fitness centers will continue to expand and open new locations. Along with these centers will come many a personal trainer and nutritionist.

Leisure and entertainment – We are primed to see increases in certain leisure and entertainment areas, such as golfing, cruises, and vacations. The baby boomer generation was the first to experience relatively high levels of income and prosperity, and as more folks retire and have more leisure time, these activities are sure to continue playing a big role in entertainment.

Will your business be able to take advantage of this demographic? What are you doing to reach out to the baby boomers? We’d love to hear your opinions. Please leave a reply here or contact us through social. @antvibes

Photos: auroragov.org, anilgunjal.com, worldofdtcmarketing.com, blog.businessevolution.co

Leadership can mean many things, whether it’s adopting new communication technologies, reaching out to foreign markets in new ways, or getting others to buy in to your ideas.

So what exactly do great leaders do? In fact, as featured in the video below, the question isn’t “What do great leaders do?”, but rather, “What do great followers want?”

Today we are featuring a speech given by Emmanuel Gobillot, who tells us about leadership:

“It’s all about discretionary effort. Ensure the positive engagement of others with a goal by creating the perception of challenge and support, through the taking of personal risks in pursuit of the goal.”

Emmanuel Gobillot is an author, keynote speaker, and renowned voice of leadership today. His global bestselling books include “The Collected Leader”, “Leadershift”, and “Follow the Leader”, and he also consults and advises multiple companies and organizations.

This is a wonderful speech that both informs and inspires, and although a little lengthy, it is quite worth the time to listen in. We highly recommend you grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever you please, sit back, and enjoy.

If you don’t have time to watch the entire video, here are a few notable points:

-   Globalization is changing the ways leaders think, and even what leadership is. Emmanuel emphasizes the importance of something as simple as a name when dealing with foreign clients and prospects.

-   Leadership of today has to be different, because of DEAD: Demographics, Expertise, Attention, Democracy.

-   Followers focus on 3 main attributes in a leader: Values, Character, and Achievement.

These points do not do justice for the video, so again we encourage you to tune in!

What do you think about leadership? What does or doesn’t constitute good leadership? Reply to this post or contact us through social. @antvibes

Again, this should come as no surprise. We know the US population is changing. Caucasians will become the minorities, baby boomers are reaching retirement age, and the definition of a traditional family is undergoing revision. The same trends are also visible in the Canadian population.

But what does that mean for business? How will these trends affect your business planning and strategy? The implications are rather straight forward, but a closer look at the numbers might make for a more compelling case. Today’s topic is the US Hispanic market.

Hispanics are here to Stay

The US population is changing from Caucasian-dominant to minority-dominant. The United States Census Bureau estimates that…

By 2043, the US population will be composed of a majority of minorities instead of a majority of whites.

This growth can be attributed to immigration and a growing birth rate for minorities. Last year the number of minority births surpassed the number of Caucasian births in the US for the first time, with over 50% of births in the US now coming from minorities.

The largest population increase will come from the Hispanic group, which numbered about 53 million last year. This population is expected to more than double by 2060, to nearly 130 million people. To put this figure in perspective,

1 out of 3 people in the United States will be of Hispanic descent. 

In the last decade, over 50% of the US population growth can be credited to Hispanics. From 2011 to 2016, 60% of the growth in US population will be attributed to Hispanics.

This growth has been and will be seen mainly in states with large existing Hispanic markets: California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.  However, the Hispanic population is growing quickly in many other states as well, such as Washington, New Jersey, and Colorado.

Did you know?

Simon Kahn, who serves as chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and Google’s chief Asia-Pacific marketing officer, is another person keen on Asia’s potential. Kahn explains, “The U.S. is serious about its commitment to Asia and sees Asia as the future in terms of economic growth in the 21st century.”

A Game of Numbers

First off, let’s talk about Asia as a region. It covers about 30% of Earth’s landmass, and consists of approximately 50 countries. These countries make up roughly 60% of the world’s population, or about 4 billion people. From 2010 to 2025, it is projected that 1/3 of all global economic growth will come from Asia.

The 5 largest Asian economies by GDP are China, Japan, Russia, India, and South Korea. These 5 countries alone make up about 3 billion people.

Asia’s size and immense population are nothing new, but recent technological advances, especially in internet and mobile, have catapulted hundreds of millions of people into new consumer positions.

The e-commerce markets of Asia are budding, as almost 30% of the Asian population now has internet access, compared to about 60% of Europe and 80% of North America. Even at 30%, that equals over a billion internet users. And, over 60% of these Asian internet users have made a purchase online.

Asia Internet and Mobile Usage

This means that as fast as the Asian population is gaining internet access, the future only holds more growth as internet penetration levels chase European and North American levels. It is worth noting that some well-developed Asian nations such as Japan and South Korea already have internet usage statistics similar to those in North America.

Although a sleeper of sorts for many years, parts of Asia are now becoming very tech-friendly. A recent The Next Web (TNW) article suggests that Southeast Asia will be the best place for startups and tech in 2013.

Companies Having Success

Struggling companies in North America like Research In Motion (RIM), the producer of Blackberry, have focused heavily on Asian markets as their products are no longer at the top of domestic demands. The Blackberry was amongst the most popular smartphones over the past few years in many Asian countries, and these markets will continue to play an important role in the company’s future.

Unilever, the household company that produces items such as Dove soap, Popsicles, and Lipton tea, was seeing slow growth and expansion prior to taking special interest in Asia and other developing nations. Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports that “in the third quarter, Unilever’s emerging-market sales rose 12.1 percent, its sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit gains.” These gains have propelled Unilever to sales growth rates twice that of competitor Proctor & Gamble. The company reports that 55% of its sales now come from emerging markets such as Indonesia and The Philippines.

Even Starbucks is scheduled to open its first store in Vietnam next month, as the company has enjoyed success in other Asian nations like Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia.

China: A Trade Monster

Although China’s growth has slowed the last few years, it is still growing at a monstrous rate and will continue to grow in the future. In the past decade, China has surpassed the US as the major trading partner for many countries such as South Korea and Australia.

The Associated Press reports that as recently as 2006, the US was the largest trading partner for 127 countries, versus 70 for China. However, by last year, the numbers were 124 for China versus only 76 for the US.  Furthermore, China’s stake of world output and trade is expected to rise even further, with growth forecast at nearly 8 percent a year over the next decade, far beyond expected US and European levels.

According to officials of the Ministry of Commerce, China is expected to become the world’s biggest online retail market in 2013. However this isn’t too surprising, as the China Internet Network Information Centre reports that nearly 40% of the country is online, totaling over 500 million people.

China has also been increasing their foreign investments of late. Research firm Rhodium Group reports China’s outbound investment totaled $67.6 billion in 2012, barely 1/6 of America’s nearly $400 billion investment. However, China’s investments are expected to increase to about $2 trillion by 2020.

How can Your Business Take Advantage?

Like any new market your company approaches, success in Asia will depend on solid strategy, planning, and personnel. Having the correct people on the ground will be of paramount importance; hiring local partners and consultants can help you get acquainted with the local people or population.

Understanding how cultural differences affect business is also extremely important. Simple yet glaring cultural differences can doom a company before it gets a chance at success. Cultural competence is definitely a prerequisite. Remember to be polite, take time to develop personal relationships with business partners, and avoid cultural faux-pas.

It’s also important that senior-level employees actually spend time in their new markets, to gain a stronger understanding of the country and culture. Most companies that are successful in Asia send their CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, and other C-level executives to the region multiple times a year. Some businesses are even permanently transferring executives because of the enormous growth potential.

Also deserving of special attention are government practices and policies. Due to policy and government intervention, certain business sectors are harder to gain access to, such as energy, telecom services, and construction. Other sectors, such as consumer and retail sectors, welcome foreign competition and are much easier to penetrate.

The bottom line? Do the research and figure out if expanding in Asia is right for you and your business.

Creating an effective work team is by no means a simple task, and can involve getting the right group of people together, setting appropriate goals, using the right leadership style, and more. Although not a complete solution, the following tips might help spark some ideas on creating your own effective work team.

1) Avoid over-cohesiveness

Naturally, most of us feel more comfortable with people who are similar to us. We tend to get along well with people who have similar preferences and tastes, or those who may be of similar age, race, or other demographics. However in work groups and teams, too much cohesion or lack of diversity can be detrimental and costly to the organization.

A highly cohesive team is great, but oftentimes there is a point where the team is so cohesive it impedes the organization’s performance. Instead of worrying about the company’s goals, team members strive for whatever is in the team’s best interest, which may or may not coincide with organizational goals.

For example, a team might strive to finish work early everyday so they can go out for drinks, or a team might get so caught up socializing with their peers that their work output suffers.

By composing a diverse team with varying demographics that is moderately cohesive, a broader range of ideas can be taken into perspective and quite often can lead to new solutions or ways of thinking.

2) Look at the less obvious demographic categories

Just a few decades ago, diversity in the workplace simply meant working with people of different ethnicities or racial backgrounds. Today there are many different categories that relate to diversity, such as gender, sexual preference, religion, education, ethnicity, and more,

Two of the most important yet often overlooked demographics are differences in age and differences in economic upbringing.

First, it seems that some organizations avoid hiring older individuals, or are finding ways to relieve older workers of their duties because they will likely be exiting the workforce relatively soon, and may be entitled to pensions or retirement plans.

Older individuals might not be so up to date with current trends, but their experience and knowledge can be of paramount importance; their opinions and points of view are definitely worth listening to. Similarly, young people also have unique perspectives, ideas, and ways of thinking, yet organizations are still weary of hiring people with little experience.

Second, a diverse team may also come from varying economic backgrounds. Even if a team is composed of ethnically diverse members, if they were all raised in middle class society, went to high school then directly to college, they will probably think and act similarly.

Having people from both ends of the economic spectrum will definitely provide a broader range of ideas, although there could be some trouble seeing eye to eye. Providing clear goals and leadership can be the best way to help a team reach their targets.

3) Provide clear goals and leadership

Forming or being part of a work team can be difficult, especially if clear goals are not specified. Make sure that every member of the team fully understands the goals and strategies to reach those goals. If clear-cut goals are not defined, the output may be less than expected.

Furthermore, a fitting leadership style is also necessary. Who is the team leader? Is the team going to be self-managed, or will they report to a superior? Depending on the group or team dynamics, a leader may have to be stern, compassionate, empathetic, and more. Lead by example, and let team members take ownership of their tasks and hold each other accountable for their actions.

These are just a few important items to consider when creating or managing an effective work team. Have you had experience in a work team before, or are you part of one now? What has your experience taught you? We’d love to hear your opinions.

Photo: http://northbeachnutrition.com

However, innovation doesn’t just happen by bringing ideas together. New ideas and different ways of thinking are born as organizations break down conventional methods and procedures. Globalization is leading to all sorts of new opportunities, and organizations of all sizes are affected.

Your SME’s ability to quickly adapt to change could make or break the business, as consumer preferences and trends can shift rapidly. The ability to innovate, or implement new ideas or methodology, might keep you a step ahead of the competition or prevent you from falling a step behind.

Although the process of innovation is a complicated one, here are a few tips that could help spark some new ideas.

Don’t get caught standing still

Less than a decade ago, Blockbuster Video had a thriving business, and a business model that was very effective. Then, enter Netflix. Instead of paying attention to changing consumer trends and technological advances, Blockbuster continued with their business model of renting videos from large retail stores.

In just a few years, the entire business was decimated. Hundreds of storefronts closed, and when the company finally decided to expand their business to match the services of Netflix, it was far too late.

The message? Look at what your competitors are doing. Check out the newest technological trends, and pay attention to what people are saying. Paying close attention to social media channels is a great way to stay on top of trending consumer preferences, likes, and dislikes.

Even if you have a business model that is working well, don’t get complacent. Netflix was the bane of video stores, and Amazon was the bane of physical book stores. Don’t let a competitor catch you off-guard and make your business obsolete!

Listen to your employees’ ideas

By listen, I mean consider. Consider the thoughts and opinions of your employees, because it’s quite possible they have ideas you haven’t thought of yourself.

The organization may not necessarily use the ideas and suggestions of all employees, but the larger array of possibilities you know about, the better. It’s often the people on the front lines who have a better idea of how things can be improved or what customers really want.

In addition, by actively listening to your employees, you create an atmosphere of mutual respect where employees feel like valued members of the team. Everyone wants their ideas to be listened to and considered, and being able to participate in discussions about the company’s direction creates a sense of responsibility and ownership at all levels of the organization.

Not only can this lead to innovative ideas, but it is also a process that creates happier and more motivated employees.

Employ a diverse workforce

Also in the realm of listening to your employees is diversity. Sometimes diversity can be difficult for cohesive groups and teams to achieve. People who think alike and come from similar backgrounds tend to get along better, since they likely have similar ideals, values, and opinions.

However, the value of diversity stems from the aspects that make us different and our ability to utilize those differences. People that come from varying backgrounds tend to think differently, and thus may see different solutions or answers to the same problem. Having many unique perspectives can help a team generate a more complete picture, and think a little more outside-the-box.

Photo: http://www.rlabs.org

If you aren’t familiar with the concept of personal branding, the process involves controlling your image or “brand”, in order to create certain perceptions about you. The personal brand you create is a result of many factors, such as the way you speak, how you dress, your education, and the information about you that’s made available online.

Your personal brand can play a vital role in whether or not you get that new job or promotion, and it’s important to understand that you have control over your brand, for better or for worse. It’s also particularly important to pay close attention to your social media profiles, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Do employers make hiring decisions based on your social media profiles?

In a nutshell, yes. About a year ago, a Mashable article suggested that 9 out of 10 organizations now screen prospective employees by scanning through their social media profiles and other information available on the web.

Perhaps even more shocking is the statistic that almost 70% of employers have rejected a prospective employee due to information that was made available through their social media profiles.

Social media profiles – personal branding friend or foe?

Your social media profiles can definitely cause trouble in your job search. Remember that embarrassing photo you’re tagged in? Did you post a comment about how much you drank on a certain occasion?

This kind of information can quickly damage your reputation and give off the wrong impression. In general, employers justified not hiring an individual due to:

- Profiles containing inappropriate pictures

- Lying about education or qualifications

- Commenting about using drugs or alcohol

- Commenting on a previous employer

- Unfit communication skills

However, if controlled correctly, your social media profiles can assist in the job hunt. While 70% of employers have rejected a candidate based on their social profiles, about the same percentage of employers have actually hired a candidate based on their social profiles. Organizations mainly hired candidates because their social media profiles:

- Suggested the personality of a candidate fits in well with their organizational culture

- Confirmed or supported professional or educational qualifications

- Demonstrated creativity or sound communication skills

- Contained references, recommendations, or past achievements

Controlling your brand online

Controlling your personal brand can involve a great deal of work, and your online brand is no exception. Take time to make sure your social profiles aren’t detrimental to your brand, and to your job search.

Additional information about personal branding and tips for controlling your online presence can be found in one of our earlier blogs, 5 personal branding tips your online identity should live by.

As always, we’d love to hear your own thoughts about online information and the hiring process. In what ways do you control your own social media profiles?

Photo: thevisionforest.com

The Coca-Cola Company is a fantastic example of a company that embraces diversity in the workplace. The company boasts over 92,000 employees, with upwards of 85% located in countries other than the United States. The Coca-Cola Company has an entire section of their website that is devoted to diversity statistics, reports, and policies.

While many large companies do already have policies and procedures in place regarding diversity, some smaller businesses may not. Perhaps these companies are small enough that they do not see the need for official “rules” regarding diversity, or maybe their business models are running smoothly and they perceive no need for change.

However, awareness is nearly always the key to success. Being aware of the different cultures that are represented in your company, no matter how large or small, is critical to having a workplace that is open, welcoming, and runs smoothly.

Here are some tips on how a small business can acknowledge diversity:

• Have an open line of communication with employees. Your employees should have no problem raising concerns or issues with any member of the management staff. It is important as a business owner to train management how to handle employees who come to them with issues, both personal and work-related. Your employees should feel safe when discussing any problem that arises. Some companies consider this an “open-door” policy, in that any employee should be able to come to any manager at any time without fear of retaliation or punishment. The more comfortable employees feel with their work environment, the more productive they will be.
• Offer team-building events and encourage employees to get to know their coworkers. The more people know about others around them, the more receptive they will be to embracing other cultures and learning about their peers. A great rapport with coworkers makes for a generally healthy and happy work environment. A good example of team-building would be something as simple as arranging a potluck lunch for employees. This gives everyone a time to interact and perhaps even sample food from different cultures.
• Go above and beyond what is required. All businesses should be familiar with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and implement the policies that are required by law. Most companies also choose to have a written harassment policy. In the past, policies regarding harassment have focused on sexual harassment. Currently, many harassment policies have been broadened to include any type of intimidating behavior in the workplace. Having these policies and taking them seriously should encourage employees to report any harassment or discriminatory behavior from colleagues. Addressing these issues promptly will make for a more comfortable work environment for everyone.

Everyone can make an effort to promote diversity in the workplace. Many people think of this as the job of management and HR, but employees can help make the workplace comfortable for everyone as well. Something as simple as taking the time out to ask a coworker how they are doing can go a long way towards promoting a productive and welcoming office environment.

This is a guest post by Megan Totka, Chief Editor for ChamberofCommerce.com. She specializes on the topic of small business tips and resources. ChamberofCommerce.com helps small businesses grow their business on the web and facilitates connectivity between local businesses and more than 7,000 Chambers of Commerce worldwide. She has spent time working for major media news outlets in Dallas and Houston.

Photo: www.deborahswallow.com

I’ve always considered myself a big picture person, but the more I delve into the finer details, the more I understand their significance.

In a recent story, the city of Santa Clara, California could lose their chance to renew a $548 million dollar tax to maintain the city’s water supply due to a 2-word error on a proposed measure.

Election laws state that summaries for proposed measures must be 75 words or less, and the proposed measure clocked in at 77 words. In a haste to convene and re-submit the proposal minus 2 words, the city broke California’s Open Meeting Law by failing to give 24 hours’ notice. The deadline was missed by less than an hour.

Long story short, the lack of attention to detail in this case might cost the city half a billion dollars.

Be detail oriented from the ground up

Even if you’re not dealing with millions of dollars, details are important for any type of organization. Attention to detail can be particularly important for start-up companies, as noted by author and celebrated entrepreneur Richard Branson:

“Instilling attention to detail throughout your new company will prove especially important when the business begins to gain ground. Employees across the business should be focusing on getting it right all day, every day.”

Part of this stems from creating a team that takes ownership in the company, and having employees who truly believe in your product, service, or cause. Do they support the company because it’s their responsibility as an employee, or do they whole-heartedly support the cause and mission of your company? You can guess that the latter probably pays better attention to detail.

Quite often it’s the small things that make the sale

There are so many companies out there today, and with internet access, it’s easy to compare many similar products and services. Consequently, there’s a chance that the items you offer and what a competitor offers are pretty similar, and their purchasing decision may come down to the small details.

Leadership expert Scott Neilson explains that “The important thing for observers and customers is that if they see you making the effort to do the small things well, they have more confidence that you are doing the same, or perhaps even more, for the big things.”

If you own a store, make sure it’s clean and attractive. Operate a website? Make sure it’s free of typing and display errors, and that all your links work correctly. Meeting with a new client? Take the time to do some research on them beforehand, learn the correct pronunciation of their name, or take note about their culture.

Whichever way you pay attention to details, it can give your clients and potential customers confidence, and your bottom line will thank you.

But I’m so busy there isn’t time to pay close attention to details

For most of us, this statement holds true at some point or another, and it can be hard to find the time to fine-tune every aspect of your operation. However, if you take the time to work out the details of a couple items every day, you might find it making an impact on your business.

What kind of details are important to you and your business? We’d like to hear your opinions!

Our name and how others pronounce it is hard wired into our emotional circuitry. It can be the initial trigger to turn our ‘feel good’ switch ON or OFF. Unfortunately, many of us neglect this basic emotional connection to our name and find ourselves brushing over this important consideration when meeting others.

This comes to no surprise for those of us with hard to pronounce or unfamiliar names. Our ‘feel good’ switch is turned on and off more often than we would like. In today’s multi-cultural society proper pronunciation (or mispronunciation) of a name plays a significant role when we encounter people of different cultures – an obstacle that the Mike’s and Mary’s of the world simply don’t encounter.

Perhaps the most important interactions are within the workplace. Companies spend significant resources to enhance communication between employees by hoping to create a positive, collaborative environment to impact company’s bottom line. Many companies now have well-defined diversity initiatives and policies to ensure cultural acceptance. Yet, for all the money that is invested in training programs and team building initiatives, we still find that the simple proper pronunciation of a name remains an overlooked aspect within many companies. Like a microscopic speck of rust, this neglect can grow to sink a vessel. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

So, next time if you are conducting an interview, or pick up the phone to make a sales call, pay particular attention to that person’s pronunciation of their name. And know that humans listen not with their ears, but their brain – where emotions also reside.

By simply getting a person’s name right the first time, you can stay ahead of your competition by throwing a person’s ‘feel good’ switch into the ON position. So ask the person’s preference how they would like to be addressed, and put a genuine effort into learning how their name is pronounced.

- Vigen Nazarian, CEO, ANTVibes

Motivation can be a game changer or game killer. For example, if I’m motivated to write – a new blog, an article, a poem, whatever it be – if the motivation exists, the task seems relatively easy. The words seem to fall into place, and ideas flow steadily.

But when I’m not particularly motivated, just starting a task can be the hardest part. Most of us have been there – What do I write about? What task should I start? What should I be focused on?

As professionals we’ve all heard and read about the importance of focus, planning, and execution, but alas, it still isn’t always easy. I realize quite a few go-getters exist out there who have no trouble motivating themselves, and I’m jealous.

As someone who has had ‘experience’ with motivation issues since my teen years, there are some activities and habits that help me, and perhaps can help you too if you’re having an off-day.

Eat a healthy, filling breakfast

There’s nothing like sitting down at the desk to get some work done when BAM – you’re hungry again. You’ve already had some breakfast, or maybe just a pastry with your coffee at Starbucks. Whatever the case, eating a well-balanced breakfast will help in multiple ways.

A nutritionally complete breakfast gives your brain energy to think. I know we have all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet millions of professionals in North America skimp on breakfast nearly every day of the week.

Fresh fruits, whole grains, yogurt, and sources of protein like eggs or milk are some of the best choices. For busy people on the go, a fruit and yogurt smoothie or whey protein shake can do wonders!

Get rid of distractions

Translation: focus. If you’re trying to work at the computer, don’t login to your Facebook or Twitter account. Try not to get distracted by socializing with friends, reading the latest celebrity news, or checking out new deals on Amazon.

Or, if you’re like me, certain types of distraction might be beneficial. I like to listen to music when I write, because it drowns out all the outside noise and lets me focus on the sole purpose of writing.

Start and finish a simple task

Completing a relatively simple task can help get you on the right track. We all feel somewhat accomplished when we, well, accomplish something. Feeling like you are making progress can provide a boost of energy and motivation, and help steer your day in the right direction.

It could be as simple as sending off a few well-written emails, posting some professional updates, or even just getting involved in a conversation through a web forum. Do something positive, and try to build on it.

Remind yourself to stay motivated

Sounds kind of dumb, but it does work. Everyone reading this article has almost certainly heard this information before, at some point or another. Yet the important thing is to stay vigilant, and to remind yourself to stay proactive.

Every now and then I print a full-page document and tape it right next to my computer screen. It simply says “GET BACK TO WORK” or “CONCENTRATE ON THE TASK AT HAND”. When I start looking around, it catches my attention and helps me retain focus.

How do you keep yourself motivated? What are some of your favorite productive habits?

Photo: Matthew Barcomb

The Hawaiian Islands were colonized by Polynesian settlers around 300-500 CE, and Hawaii became the 50th state of the union in 1959. As the stereotype goes, Hawaii residents do seem to be generally easy-going, and tend to run on their own “Hawaiian time”.

Their culture combines aspects of Western, Asian, and Polynesian heritages. As you may be aware, Hawaii’s rich heritage is full of names and words that are unfamiliar to most people who weren’t raised on the island, and can be a handful in terms of pronunciation.

Below is a small beginner’s guide to language in Hawaii, and will be useful and/or interesting for most anyone visiting or who has visited the islands.

Word Pronunciation

What street was the hotel on? Kalanianaole Hwy or Lili’uokalani Avenue?

It’s surprising how difficult some Hawaiian words appear, especially since there are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet. The 5 vowels A, E, I, O, and U exist, along with the consonants H, K, L, M, N, P, and W.

But what the Hawaiian language lacks in alphabet characters, they make up in repetition. Fortunately, pronouncing Hawaiian words is easier than it looks.

In most cases it will help to slow down and take time to enunciate each vowel on its own. From above, Kalanianaole is pronounced “ka-lah-nee-ah-nah-oh-lay”.

By sounding out each vowel, one can usually get pretty close to the actual pronunciation of Hawaiian words. However, be careful not to factor in English rules such as the silent E – for example, the Like-Like Highway is pronounced “leekay-leekay”.

Looking for more? Get additional information about pronouncing Hawaiian words.

Pidgin English

Pidgin English is a local tongue spoken by residents of the Hawaiian Islands. The language is a combination of words and accent, and is influenced by many different ethnicities including Portuguese, Japanese, Samoan, Chinese, and Philipino.

The extent of Pidgin English depends on which areas of Hawaii you visit. Pidgin is somewhat limited in popular tourist spots such as Waikiki, but is much more prevalent in surrounding areas where locals live.

Here are some common Pidgin terms you might encounter during a visit to Hawaii:

- Howzit – Literally means” how is it” or “how’s it going”
- Haole – This is a term used to describe a Caucasian person. Being called a haole isn’t necessarily a bad thing, so don’t take offense if you hear it.
- Da-kine – Da-kine is…well…da-kine. Da-kine can be pretty much anything in context, and is often used to describe something good or when describing an object.
- Shootz – This term means “OK” or “alright”, often used in context as “let’s do it then”.
- Ono – Ono is used to describe a delicious or tasty food/drink.
- Mahalo – Thank you.

Comedian Frank De Lima (full name Frank Wilcox Napuakekaulike De Lima, Jr.) is a favorite act among locals, as he joins comedy, singing, and Pidgin English. His song lyrics in the video below are a great example of Pidgin, and he even explains the lyrics translated into proper English.

Famous Hawaiians

There are some notable Hawaiian names you may come across as you visit the tropical islands.

King Kamehameha (Kah-may-ha-may-ha) is likely the most striking figure and face of Hawaiian culture. He was the first leader to unite all the Hawaiian Islands under one rule, creating a widely recognized political entity. He was a battle tested warrior, and is also well-known for creating human rights laws.

Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (Kah-mah-kah-wee-woh-oh-lay), known to locals as Braddah Iz, was a treasured singer and songwriter best known for his soft voice, ukulele strumming, and support of Hawaiian culture and lifestyle. Sadly Iz passed away in 1997, yet his songs and voice will live on forever. His hugely popular version of “Over the Rainbow” is below.

Duke Kahanamoku (Kah-ha-nah-mow-ku) was a swimming and surfing legend of Hawaii in the early to mid 1900s. He won 5 medals in the Olympics, and is widely considered the ambassador of surfing. He is credited with starting the surfing movement in Australia and popularizing it in California. His full name is Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku.

The last bit of advice I can give is to pronounce “Hawaii” reasonably close to local pronunciation. Try to say something close to Ha-wuh-ee, and stay away from the 2-syllable pronunciation of Ha-why.

In a recent blog post about online community management by the Social Media Examiner, the importance of respecting other cultures is highlighted. Changes to NPR’s ethics guidelines for
journalists were noted, and summed up as such:

“To get the most out of social media we need to understand those (social media) communities. So we respect their cultures and treat those we encounter online with the same courtesy and understanding as anyone we deal with in the offline world.”

But what happens when you or your company fail to acknowledge and understand the cultural differences that make members of your online community/following unique?

1) You risk alienating sections of your audience

“If you can’t interact with your customers and cater to their individuality, they won’t be customers for long.” That’s been a central theme of social media and online interactions of late, and it’s true.

Online interactions can take place in many ways, whether it be via Facebook, Twitter, blogs, user forums, chat rooms, and more. These mediums are available all over the world, and as immigration further mixes our populations together, it is likely your audience consists of different cultures.

However, the times of simply listening to what customers are saying is over, and a new era of interaction is underway. Consumers prefer companies that understand them and pay attention to their questions, concerns, comments, ideas, and preferences.

This also means companies need to be flexible and understanding to a variety of different cultures. Doing some research about the cultural differences or societal norms that exist amongst your audience can help you relate on a more personal level and effectively build trust with your customers.

Names often point to cultural heritage and can clue you in as to what a certain customer may want to hear or not hear.

For example, perhaps your company sells Latin Food and a customer by the name of Suri Prakesh tweets at you saying, “I like your chicken tacos!” Your company has just released a new item, so you feel like this is a great chance to share, and you tweet back “Thanks Suri, you might want to try our all new carnitas. We think you’ll love them!”

The statement seems harmless enough, although carnitas are made from pork, and for Muslims and other cultures, eating pork is forbidden by god. The result could be a disconnect between customer and company.

2) You slow the global spread of your company/product

People from different cultures and people from different parts of the world often interact within entirely different social networks than here in North America.

By making a customer who is of Indian or Chinese decent particularly happy or satisfied, you may open your brand to their social network and a whole new group of potential customers. If you fail to make a good impression, your customer may never go on to share information about your product or company.

Utilizing your customers’ social networks is part of a strong marketing strategy for all sorts of products and services, and can help grow the global awareness of your brand.

3) You risk a viral backlash

Just as using a customer’s social network can benefit your company and products, it can also hurt. If you make a bad impression or come off as naïve in the eyes of a customer, it could negatively impact your sales, image, and more. And bad news spreads just as fast, if not faster than good news.

Cultural awareness and sensitivity should be parts of your company’s strategy, as appearing culturally unaware will tarnish any reputation. Being unaware reflects the character and focus of your company, and makes you seem uninformed, unworldly, or ethnocentric.

Some common mistakes could be, but are not limited to, the lack of knowledge about:

- Important current events

- Cultural norms or habits of society

- Common religious beliefs/practices

- Important events or people in a culture’s history

- Common names & sounds of the language

By learning about the cultures of your audience, your company becomes not only more informed, but also more personal. Businesses today stress the importance of making personal connections, and being aware of a customer’s culture and heritage is a great start.

Is cultural awareness important in your line of business? We’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line! Feel free to comment here or email us at info [at] antvibes [dot com].

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How do you pronounce that name?

My last name is pronounced vee-sigh-sook (Visaisouk). How many times have these been my words upon meeting a new person or while being introduced? Quite a few.

Oftentimes, having a hard-to-pronounce name is just relative to the people around you – it may be an easy name for your own culture to pronounce, but for other cultures, it looks like a tongue twister.

Having an ethnic name in North America has been a particular challenge I’ve faced during my life, and I know I’m not alone. How many times during the course of your life does your name get pronounced? Hundreds? Thousands?

If you have a difficult-to-pronounce name, you’ve probably heard fifty different variations of it, and are accustomed to correcting people, brushing off, or ignoring mispronunciations.

However, we take it in stride, and make the best of the situations that we are presented with. Still, there are a few things that might catch us off-guard and make us smile. Here are 3 things that people with difficult names enjoy.

1. When someone pronounces your name correctly on the first try

Of course this has to be #1. That odd feeling of satisfaction – “Yes, that IS how it’s pronounced.” Oh, how I long to say that phrase.

If you sound my name out, it isn’t even that hard to pronounce…at least in my opinion. Sifting through countless name mispronunciations I’ve endured, I can specifically remember two occasions when my name was pronounced correctly.

I remember it well – the two people who pronounced my name correctly on the first try – a grocery store cashier, and a grade school teacher.

That is a stunning, and as I look upon my thoughts now, almost saddening and disheartening statistic. Two occasions in 25 years? Really? I suppose it just makes it extra special when it finally does happen.

2. NOT having to spell your name over the phone or out loud

Let’s not tippy-toe around it. If you have a difficult name to pronounce, there are some activities which you are probably not too fond of. Depending on how hard your name is to pronounce or spell, and depending on your mood, spelling your name out loud can be a very irritating task.

Making reservations? If they ask for a last name, I know I’m going to have to spell it for them. However, many restaurants now employ ways to make reservations online, and you can simply enter your name into their forms instead of calling the restaurant.

Does someone need to look up your account? On a computer system, through customer service, or however it is, you may need to spell your name. I like it when companies or others can identify my account through a phone number or even a social security number…anything instead of having to spell out my name.

3. Meeting or seeing someone with the same name as you (or very similar)

The difficulty in pronouncing many names is in part due to the fact that it is a relatively rare name around these parts of the world (North America). So when you run into someone with the same or very similar name, you can’t help but feel some sort of connection.

It can be an instant conversation starter and point of interest, and you can feel better just knowing that someone else goes through the same ordeals and nonsense that you go through.

I haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy this experience in real life yet, but someday it will happen. I’ve found a couple of “Visaisouk’s” through Facebook and LinkedIn, but from what I can tell, there aren’t many.

Do you have any stories or insights about your name? Please share your experiences!

All signs point to yes. For most North Americans and many people around the world, English is the dominant language by which society operates. When a person speaks English (or any language, for that matter) with an accent other than what native speakers are accustomed to hearing, it can cause stereotypical assumptions and subconscious discontent, ultimately affecting one’s credibility and capacity to communicate.

Yet immigration has turned much of North America into an ethnically diverse melting pot, and in order for domestic companies to maximize productivity, spark innovation, and create inclusive work environments, cultural differences such as speech accents need to be acknowledged.

We call that acknowledgement cultural awareness

Cultural awareness – being aware of other cultural values, beliefs or perceptions – is a major concern in the business world, as the regular course of activity often requires a number of people from varying ethnic backgrounds working together.

Many people and organizations realize that language barriers exist, as people of different ethnicities often speak with heavy accents, possess more difficult-to-pronounce names, and have varying levels of English fluency.

The challenge on both sides of the table is to accept and embrace cultural differences, and work on ridding the associated negative images.

Your accent affects your image and ability to communicate

It’s incredibly challenging to get rid of an accent – some people keep their accents their entire lives, despite living in North America for 30 or 40 years. Many immigrants and ethnic groups possess proficient English comprehension and vocabulary, yet their accents affect their professional image and communication effectiveness.

Simply having an accent submits you to a variety of stereotypes, both positive and negative. Mariel Borelli, who hosts a show called Babel on CBC Radio, explores the ever-evolving language of English.

A recent episode explains that rhythm, pace, and tone are all aspects related to foreign accents, and that simple things such as stressing the wrong syllables or speaking at an awkward rate can hinder the effectiveness of communication.

Subconsciously, people tend to dislike things that require exerting additional effort. When speaking with people who have accents, their less-than-perfect pronunciation and syllable emphasis may require extra attention to follow and comprehend. This may come off as an annoyance or inconvenience.

All accents are not created equal

Oftentimes when a foreigner is speaking in English, he keeps his native tone of voice. Mariel explains that individuals who speak smoother languages such as Spanish and French are often identified as happy or free, due to the natural tones of voice common to their languages.

On the other hand, languages such as Cantonese, Russian or Punjabi flow more jaggedly, and their natural tones seem more serious to North Americans. This can come across as being angry or having a bad attitude, even though they are using the tone of voice and flow of speech customary in their native tongues.

Having a particularly strong accent can also lead people to believe you aren’t quite qualified for the job, because you may not understand common North American business ethics or practices. It can also give off the image that you do not completely comprehend the English language. Even from within a company, speaking with a heavy accent can stunt your upward movement.

But I don’t have an accent

Even if you don’t have an accent, you may still be affected by the diverse individuals you interact with. Pronouncing names, objects, or places in another language may be something you aren’t very familiar with, and can make you come off as unintelligent or unworldly.

You’re meeting with Mr. Nguyen this afternoon. How are you going to pronounce his name? Unless you said something close to “Mr. Win”, there is a good chance that your contact may either be offended or lower their opinion of you.

Quite often in work environments, ethnic groups tend to stick together. This is largely due to increased familiarity, and a certain degree of comfort attained when speaking and interacting with people of their own heritage.

If you can’t pronounce their names or common terms correctly, you may be viewed as the “typical American” who can’t learn anything about a culture other than their own. Caucasian workers often cast jokes and stereotypes about minority groups, but minority groups also create their own jokes and stereotypes about Caucasians.

Although hilarious at times, stereotypes push preconceived notions upon us and are continual sources of hurt for a staggering number of people all over the world. Whether you have an accent or not, the goal should be to lessen the cultural and linguistic differences that separate us. You may also want to review best practices when dealing with those who speak ESL (English as second language).

Even your (easy to pronounce) name creates perceptions about you

Simply having an ethnic sounding name can also hinder your image. Such as with a strong accent, a heavily ethnic sounding name may lead people to believe you aren’t familiar with standard business practices, or that you don’t completely understand the English language.

The situation can also flip, and managers and directors with ethnic backgrounds may tend to avoid individuals with simple American names such as Hank Smith or Bob Jones. Very common names can relay the image of simplicity and lack of depth in personality or expertise.

The solution is to brand yourself wisely, control what is controllable, and be proactive in shaping the way others perceive you.

Cultural awareness is a two way street

In order to create diverse, inclusive, and productive work environments, we all need to work together and conquer our cultural differences. Language and heritage are fundamental elements that make us different, but it is from leveraging our differences that we can gain broader perspectives and create better solutions.

Effective communication is key, and immigrants and minority individuals should be proactive about broadening their English skills. Practice pronunciations and expand vocabularies, even if it’s just a little at a time.

The same goes for native English speakers, who should open themselves to a world full of amazing cultures, languages, and people. It’s hard to know where to begin; looking to some of your ethnic co-workers may be a great place to start, and I’m sure they would appreciate it.

Be culturally aware. Stay proactive. Embrace differences.

You might not need to know your customers’ names offhand, but if you send out advertisements with their names on them, or contact them over the phone or through email, your customers’ names will play a crucial role.

Today I would like to present two recent, real-life examples illustrating the importance of names in customer service, and how they can affect company-client relationships.

Direct mail advertising

Not long ago, I received this offer via regular mail from my cable provider:

In an attempt to connect on a more personal level, the cable company addresses me by name. The problem here is that my first name is not Visaisouk, it’s Jonathan. And furthermore, if they really paid attention in any of our previous 10 interactions via phone or chat, they would know I go by Jon.

Now, I’ve been a customer of this particular cable service for the better part of a decade, and our relationship has been OK – not great, but not bad. I’m open to their services, deals, packages, and other product offerings because of our ongoing relationship.

But when I get a notice like this, and my name isn’t correct, I am quick to discredit the source and simply throw the offer into the recycle bin without reading it. At this point, I can’t help but feel like I am NOT a valued customer, as their text tries to indicate.

Even though the problem stems from a simple error (my first name and last name are switched), the company’s credibility takes a quick hit in my mind. Misspelling someone’s name can also result in similar effects.

Will I choose another cable service instead of my current provider because of this error? Probably not. But it doesn’t make the company look good, and too many ill offenses will inevitably add up and chase off a number of customers.

Phone interactions

Below are the first few seconds of an actual phone message received by our CEO Vigen Nazarian, regarding a rather important issue – a mortgage.

Paying close attention to how the caller pronounces Vigen’s name, listen to the voicemail.

If you click here, you can hear the correct pronunciation of Vigen Nazarian, in Vigen’s own voice.

By mispronouncing his name before the true interaction has really begun, this particular customer service agent has put her company at a disadvantage. When Vigen later spoke with the bank regarding his name pronunciation, their reply was “we’re doing the best we can.”

Vigen explains, “It made me feel that the bank thinks of me just as an account or transaction, and not as an important individual who impacts their bottom line.”

In turn, this feeling of unimportance drives a wedge between the company and the customer. If you’re looking to make strong personal connections with your consumers and clients, it helps to know (the correct pronunciation of) their names.

Personally, when people call me on the phone and mispronounce my name by a large degree, I lose interest quickly. It doesn’t matter who is calling – if they don’t get at least somewhat close, I’m less inclined to speak with them.

Customer disconnect comes from poor customer service, not poor products

Surveys of multiple industries reveal that when a customer stops doing business with a company, about 3 out of 4 times it stems from poor customer service interactions rather than poor products or services.

Since customer service interactions almost always involve the use of names, you risk the chance of offending, belittling, or annoying some of your customers by not using their names correctly. Misusing a customer’s name might not kill the relationship, but it can sway opinions for better or for worse.

It is understandable that many names, especially ethnic names, can be difficult to pronounce. Sometimes we aren’t sure about the correct pronunciation, and there is no viable way to find out. Depending on your situation, it may be better to ask your customer the correct pronunciation of their name first.

Let your connections start at the name

If you take away anything from this article, let it be this: Pay attention to your customers’ names and pay them due respect. Organizations and individuals alike are trying to connect at a personal level, and step one is using your contacts’ names correctly.

Whether you are interacting through emails, social profiles, direct mail, over the phone, or in person, misusing a name can quickly turn things sour. Don’t put yourself in an awkward situation – Let your relationship start, and not end, with a name.

Oftentimes we are calling about a problem we’ve encountered, so the mood may already be slightly sour. The usual process is to be jostled through an automated system, which is itself aggravating, especially if they prompt you to make voice commands.

On top of that, callers are forced to wait on hold for 5, 10 or even 15 or more minutes just to speak to a live person. And, many times, that live person has a heavy foreign accent. Many people can’t help but think, “Come on, I just want to talk to someone in plain English!”

So it’s no surprise that by the time you start talking to the customer service agent, you’re not in the best of moods. But this is where your tone of voice and demeanor really plays a critical role.

Even though you may be frustrated, taking it out on the customer service agent will do you absolutely no favors.

Be polite

Be polite. Be polite as if they were your business partners, and speak to them like the human beings they are. It’s OK to ask them how their day is going and address them by their names.

By showing respect and being polite, the customer service agent will be more inclined to help solve your problem in a timely fashion. You may be surprised how well an interaction can go if you keep it civil, and control the tone of your voice.

Don’t get mad at the process

Although it’s frustrating, there’s not much we can do about the processes a company employs. You may need to speak with different departments, repeat yourself multiple times, send in additional information, and more.

The process can seem very bureaucratic at times, but try to remember the customer service agent isn’t making you expend more effort on purpose (unless you’re being rude).

Make it easier on yourself

Don’t set yourself up for aggravation. Make sure you have all the relevant information you will need before you make the call: account numbers, reference numbers, ID numbers, etc.

It may also help to set aside some time for your call so you don’t feel rushed. Depending on the wait time, and the complexity of your issue, a customer service call could be 5-10 minutes, or over an hour. Plan accordingly!

In the end, we’re all human. You know how you like to be spoken to, and know how you don’t like to be spoken to. Customer service agents are no different. So the next time you need to make that dreaded call to customer service, try and stay polite, positive, and above all else, human.

Communicating effectively with ESL speakers

It’s not uncommon to interact with people who grew up speaking a language other than English. People who speak English as a second language, or ESL, are becoming more common as countries around the world become more diverse and as international business continues to accelerate.

ESL speakers may be your coworkers, colleagues, business partners, friends, relatives, neighbors, and more. It’s important you understand your contact’s level of English comprehension and interact with them accordingly. One of the most respectful things you can do is make your interaction as smooth and understandable as possible. Here are a few tips to help keep your communications effective.

1. Slow down your speech

Speaking at a slower rate will help anyone who is less familiar with the language. Oftentimes ESL speakers comprehend well, but a high rate of speech makes it difficult for them to keep up with the conversation. By speaking at an appropriate pace, you’ll make it easier on the ESL speaker you are interacting with, and allow them to get more out of the conversation. However, be careful not to speak to someone like they’re dumb. It’s easy to come off as condescending when speaking slowly.

2. Enunciate clearly and use voice intonation

I’ll state the obvious – enunciate clearly so your contact can understand what you’re saying. Pronounce your words fully and remember to pause when needed, such as between sentences or subject matters.

In other languages, such as Spanish, intonation is used to signify a question. Tone of voice can signify various different moods and emotions, and can help deliver the message you are trying to convey. Use it to your benefit.

3. Use body language

Body language can make interactions clearer no matter what languages your contacts speak. Hand gestures help give context to your speech, and can both prompt and signal different messages. The way you position your head and your facial expressions can also provide context.

Your stance, or posture, can also give off certain vibes. Whether you want to be seen as casual or professional, the appropriate stance can convey your message. How you position your arms can signal your mood – serious, relaxed, not amused, etc. As always for effective communication, be sure to make eye contact with the person(s) you are interacting with.

4. Be culturally aware

As it implies, ESL speakers have different nationalities and are part of different cultures. Being aware of cultural preferences and differences can keep your interactions with ESL speakers optimal. The more you know about the culture of the individuals you are interacting with, the better. There are numerous habits and normalcies of other cultures that seem odd to us – but try to take an ESL speaker’s point of view into consideration.

Also be sure to learn their name and pronounce it correctly. A large part of being respectful and learning about other cultures is to understand the associated names and heritage. Knowing how to correctly pronounce an ESL speaker’s name will put you in a better light and help you make a stronger connection with the individual.

5. Use appropriate vocabulary

When interacting with people who don’t speak English as their primary language, it’s natural to limit the complexity and depth of your vocabulary. Try to avoid using complex words or phrases, or terms that may be difficult to understand from a foreign perspective. Acronyms or slang terms are also be good targets to avoid; make it as easy as possible for them to understand the conversation.

Be human!

As with almost all types of communication, being respectful, clear, and empathetic will help make your interactions with ESL speakers better. Above all, try to understand where they are coming from – put yourself in their position, and take actions to accommodate their needs.

Have questions or comments? We’d love to hear them! Feel free to respond to this post, or contact me directly at jonv [at] antvibes [dot com].

Your name is your own and is the first thing that distinguishes you from another person. We address each other by name, show relation by name, and speak our family history by name. Names serve as our personal labels, as part of our personal brands, and can stick with us for lifetimes and beyond. Even the bible tells us that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.

But many people with ethnic or hard-to-pronounce names find it difficult to hold on to their real names as they join the corporate workforce. In some cases, career coaches and advisors actually support changing a very ethnic-sounding or hard-to-pronounce name to a more standard, North American name in order to get a new job.

All names are not created equal

A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology offers some interesting insight into the world of names, and their conclusion is straightforward: “Easy-to-pronounce names (and their bearers) are judged more positively than difficult-to-pronounce names.” The consequence is that your difficult name may be getting you passed over for that big promotion, or might be the reason you aren’t getting called back for an interview.

In addition, employees with hard-to-pronounce-names can feel isolated in work environments. In a recent article, Sandeep Tatla, Director, Office of Diversity & Inclusion at PwC, gives an example: “While facilitating a diversity training session at a company, when the appropriateness of nicknames in the workplace came up, a participant stood and asked his colleagues if anyone knew his name. He had worked at the company for more than 20 years and no one could answer his question. Over the years, they had only referred to him as ‘The Turk.’ It was only at this training session that he could muster the courage to finally address his colleagues about his name.”

Unfortunately situations like this are quite common for immigrants or people with ethnic sounding names, but we don’t think that’s good reason to stop using your real name.

Be proud of your name and identity

While we understand the hazards and implications of having a hard-to-pronounce name in today’s corporate world, we urge you to be proud of who you are and to use your name to its fullest. Even though it takes more effort, explaining the correct pronunciation of your name will be worth it toyou in the long run.

Sandeep agrees, and tells us “I absolutely understand challenges names like ours can create, but I encourage you to try to use your real name because that means you’re coming forward as your whole self instead of changing who you are to fit into some organization.”

The important thing is to remember to be yourself, even if being yourself takes a little extra effort.

Have a story or comment? We’d love to hear it! Please feel free to post a comment here, or email us directly at info [at] antvibes [dot com].

Right now many articles link to explanations of terminology, or help you search for a term. But what if you could hear an audio explanation without having to leave the page? What if while reading an article, you could click on a picture and get an audio pronunciation and explanation? Would you find it useful?

Here is a prime example illustrating the standard use of an ANT, embedded into a blog. Click on the card to hear the voice recording.

Now, what if the voices were linked to a real picture, and used in context? For example, have you ever tasted Tsing Tao beer? Do you know how to pronounce Tsing Tao correctly? Click the picture to learn more!

How do you pronounce gewurztraminer? Want to know additional information about it? Click the picture for a quick and informative explanation.

So what do you think? Is it worth it to embed voices into blogs, articles, and websites? Although the process isn’t quite streamlined, the application is here! We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Be empathetic with your audience.

Whether you are interacting with colleagues, business clients, strangers on the subway, or social media users online, knowing your audience can help you communicate effectively. Depending on the demographic, you may want to adjust your tone of voice, vocabulary, attitude, body language, and more.

Be empathetic. Communication is partially about you, and largely about the people you are communicating with. Do you take into account the different points of view of people you interact with? By putting yourself in another person’s shoes, you can better understand why people react the way they do, and can communicate with them in ways that cater to their liking.

Judge their mood. Is this a serious conversation or laid-back chat? If you can tell the audience is angry, upset, or worked-up, you should know to avoid comments that will further the problem. Likewise, if your audience is worried, unsure, or nervous, you should know that some encouraging words will provide a lot of value. If you can relate to your audience, it’s much easier to build trust and credibility with them.

Listen, reiterate, and expand.

It can be hard to be a good listener all the time, but this is a very important aspect of communication. By listening first, you can get a clear idea of your contact’s thoughts and opinions. Wait patiently for your turn to speak. I sometimes have the urge to raise my voice as soon as something comes to mind, but it is important to wait until the speaker is finished talking.

After they have finished speaking, be sure to reiterate their comments – this lets them know you have been paying attention and that you understand the subject.

Next, expand on their thoughts and comments with an original idea, thought, or point of view. Add value to the conversation by both listening and then contributing to the subject matter.

Keep a positive tone.

Your tone of voice communicates a wide variety of feelings and emotions, and can steer a conversation in the right, or wrong, direction. Be aware of the messages you want to convey and use the appropriate tone to help you convey those messages. Even if the circumstances of your communication are negative, try to keep a positive outlook or put a positive spin on things. It’s a lot easier to talk with someone who’s in a (perceived) good mood.

This is just as important during online communications, except the only tools available online are your wording and punctuation. Word your messages carefully, be polite, and use appropriate punctuation. An exclamation mark or emoticon can signal enthusiasm – there is a big difference between “Let’s chat soon.” and “Let’s chat soon!”

Watch body language

Even if you listen and say everything you’re supposed to, bad body language can kill any interaction. Remember to make eye contact – don’t stare down the other person, but make enough eye contact so they know you are into the conversation. If they look to you, give them a look back. As you listen, nod your head or let the other person know you are listening, and that you follow their thoughts.

Also pay close attention to the body language of others, and anticipate what action is best. A lot of information about someone’s mood can be discovered by facial expression and their posture. Look for clues to how someone is feeling, and act accordingly.

Keep it human.

Ultimately, by exhibiting human qualities – empathy, anticipation, and thoughtfulness, we can keep our communications effective. Communicating is about connecting on personal levels and understanding one another and the differences that make us unique. If we can leverage these differences in our favor, there’s no telling where our communications will take us.

The concept of personal branding isn’t something that’s strictly related to your social or professional profiles, it’s everything you are and do. The clothes you wear, the words you speak, the food you eat, the content you’re creating. It’s all encompassing. With this in mind, it’s never been more imperative to establish a personal connection online and off.

When it comes to fine tuning your ‘personal brand’, here are three very important questions to ask yourself.

1. How are you positioning yourself for success?

2. What does your brand say about you?

3. What tools are you leveraging to get your messaging across?

Like ANTVibes, Kimberly Bordonaro is a personal branding coach and focuses on taking the guesswork out of what makes you exceptional and creates substantial results for your business. Here are her top 3 tips on personal branding:

1. Define Your Brand. The most important thing you can do is to establish the foundation of your personal brand. This starts with understanding your overall vision and works through various elements of what makes you unique and positioned differently from your competitors and peers.

2. Be Strategically You. Your brand is held in the heart of your audience, meaning it’s basically nothing more than how they perceive you in comparison to your competitors. So, while you want to be authentic in who you are and let your personality shine in all that you do, you also need to be strategic in marketing yourself in terms that matter to your audience because as I say, “You’re a brand if you do or a brand if you don’t.”

3. Don’t Be Everything to Everybody. The key to personal branding is to stand out from the pack and the easiest way to do that is to develop your niche. Build a reputation around your specialty and always bring value to your niche audience in your specific area of expertise. For instance, if you have heart problems are you going to seek a general doctor or a heart doctor? And let’s even define that further, if you are a woman with heart problems, wouldn’t you prefer to be seen by one who specializes in women’s heart problems? Resist the urge to be a Jack or Jane of all trades and focus on your niche.

Have questions about personal branding? Want to connect with Kimberly? Head over to her twitter, facebook, and website.

Everything’s social!

Just about everyone is investing more time, effort, and resources into social media channels, of late. The amount of interaction taking place online and through mobile is monumental, and still growing rapidly. Social networks are extending their reach and people all over the world are getting involved. To date, Facebook has nearly a billion users!

Whether you are a casual social media user interacting with friends, using social media to build up your personal network, or selling and making business interactions through social media channels, adding your voice to your profiles is a fun (and beneficial) new feature.

Well it’s about time social profiles let you add audio, isn’t it? Well, not exactly. Although the major social players like Facebook and LinkedIn don’t support audio built in to their framework, there is a new tool you can use anywhere a digital image or hyperlink can be used. The communication tool is called an Audible Name Tag, or ANT, and lets users record a message of up to 20 seconds to be included in your emails, social media profiles, and websites.

You can record anything from the correct pronunciation of your name to a full on personal statement. It’s a great opportunity to elevate your personal brand and to tell other people about something special such as a promotion, a particular cause you believe in and support, or an important event that’s going on in your life. The best part is, with the ANT, you can record and re-record as many times as you like – you could have a new message everyday if you wanted.

Example Audible Name Tag (Click to hear recording)

So what’s the big deal with voice?

We live in a world where personalization and individuality are a must. We’ve been expressing ourselves through our social channels, and now it’s possible to add an additional level of personalization – through our own voices.

Your voice is something that defines your identity. It is uniquely yours, and can play a huge part in how you are viewed by others. Your pitch and tone of voice can convey a variety of different messages, whether you want to be seen as strong and persuasive, or loving and caring. How do you want your brand to be packaged? Adding your own voice can solidify your persona and image.

By allowing others to hear your voice, you effectively create familiarity and make yourself seem as approachable as possible. This can be particularly beneficial to those who want to create a strong personal brand, people who are in the sales or marketing business, or people with hard to pronounce names. Creating a little familiarity can go a long way.

1. Create a personal blog and social media profiles

It’s all about social, social, social. Hopefully you’re already involved, but if not, it isn’t too late. Writing a blog and using social media profiles are two of the best strategies available to kick-start your brand. A blog lets others know your opinions and viewpoints, and can bring awareness to your brand. Social profiles are great for connecting with others and are also a good way to get yourself noticed. WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn may be the best places to start.

2. Connect with the influencers in your field

It’s been said before, and it needs to be said again. Connecting with the major players and big-time influencers in your field is crucial to getting your brand on the right track. These top-level contacts provide a wealth of information and materials such as blog posts, online videos, and relevant news articles that will help you stay informed about the latest and most important trends and issues in your field. Get their updates on Facebook, subscribe to blog posts, and follow their Tweets on Twitter. They are major influencers for a reason – find out why!

3. Be consistent in your message and appearance

It’s easy to get your identity jostled around online, and it is important that your personal brand comes off as steady and consistent. Once you have established what you want your personal brand to represent, stick with it. It can be helpful to synchronize your email signatures, profile photos, contact information, and user names online. Whichever social mediums you happen to be working with, try to keep a similar tone and image throughout.

4. Hack away at it

It takes time to create a strong brand, so don’t get discouraged if a million things aren’t happening for you right away. Stay active. Everyday strive to make a few good connections, interact with a couple new people, send a few emails, and over time your network, presence, and brand will grow. If you are having trouble connecting with top-level influencers, start a little lower on the totem pole and work your way up. There are plenty of knowledgeable people out there who aren’t quite famous yet!

5. Utilize your own voice

Just because you are interacting online doesn’t mean your own voice should go unheard. I’m not talking about your “opinion” voice, I mean your real, actual voice. Having someone hear your voice online can do wonders in terms of creating familiarity and imagery. You can convey a variety of messages through your tone, and letting others hear your voice lets you connect at a personal level. How do you want to be viewed?

A new tool called the Audible Name Tag allows you to use your own voice online, through emails, social media profiles, websites, and more. Audible Name Tags, or ANTs for short, let users record their names as part of a personal message or greeting. Users have up to 20 seconds to tell others something about themselves – it could be a personal motto, a special promotion, additional contact information, or just the correct pronunciation of your name. Don’t get drowned out online – let you own voice be heard! You can get your own ANT here.

Have something to add to the conversation? We’d love to hear your opinion!

Welcome to the final piece in our 3-part series about social innovation. If you haven’t read parts 1 and 2, they are available on the B2C website and on the ANTVibes blog. Social innovation can be broadly described as new ideas meeting a need in society, and an essential aspect of creating new ideas is collaboration and communication across cultural borders.

Innovation requires collaboration

New ideas and trains of thought are the engines that power social innovations past, present, and future. Recently, a new generation of social entrepreneurs has emerged and is imparting business-like models to social innovation programs and non-profit organizations. As collaboration between different cultures becomes more common, the capacity to problem solve is also on the rise.

Working as a team to solve problems is crucial as the number of potential tools, technologies, and methods available to create solutions soar. Different individuals specialize in different areas of knowledge, so naturally having a more diverse group of collaborators should lead to more complete and thought-out solutions.

But collaboration does not simply entail the formation of new solutions and ideas; a major downfall of innovation has been the potential to take an idea and spread it to a larger platform. General acceptance of innovative practices can be slow to catch on with governments, businesses, and the public. By collaborating with different individuals and organizations, there is greater potential for change and action to occur. Collaboration is needed to focus funding, resources, and awareness to the correct channels so innovative ideas can be shared and implemented on larger scales.

Moreover, standard organizational practices also require innovation. The non-profit sector is plagued by slow response time, which many social entrepreneurs strive to change by bridging the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Innovative thinkers who are able to navigate through bureaucratic organizational waters are needed. A major goal is to streamline social innovation programs into practice and at the same time revise dated communication and administrative procedures.

Communicating across cultures successfully

In the past, cross-cultural communication has been somewhat limited due to location, language, time, technological, and cultural barriers. However, with the reach of global internet and mobile access broadening, working effectively across international borders is becoming less of a challenge. Social media websites, internet forums, blogs, emails, videos, chat rooms, and more all support global communication and prompt individuals to interact with each other.

However, some barriers to cross-cultural communication will always exist, and when interacting with a diverse group of people, it is important to be mindful of cultural differences. The way business is conducted varies from country to country, as do the tendencies, preferences, unspoken rules, and societal norms. It can be useful to embrace a global mindset and empathize with the differences of others.

Thoughtfully anticipating the cultural differences you may experience when interacting with certain individuals can be the best way to show respect and preparation. If you know you will be working with someone from another country, take time to learn a few things about their culture beforehand. Useful information may include:

• Standard greetings or partings
• Common work days and hours
• Times of prayer
• Common name pronunciations
• Preferred methods of contact
• Social hierarchies
• Body language
• Current events

Usually, the more cultural matters you are aware of ahead of time, the better. As always, be sure to pay attention to the individual you are interacting with – it can be easy to stereotype unintentionally. By keeping cultural conflicts to a minimum, we enable smoother and more efficient communication, while taking more points of view into consideration.

Diversity drives change to innovation

Innovation itself is innovating. Innovation management is undergoing change, and a large number of new players have emerged. The age of individualism is upon us, and an increasing number of people are having their opinions, ideas, and voices heard as global collaboration grows. The emergence of increased societal rights, global mindsets, and new technology platforms is creating a shift in the innovation paradigm, and it is no longer solely key technologies and industries that are defining innovation.

A recent scientific report by International Monitoring (IMO) highlights the fact that “citizens and customers no longer serve as suppliers of information about their needs (as in traditional innovation management); they make contributions to the process of developing new products to resolve problems.”

Simply stated, people are coming up with answers to social problems amongst themselves or in relatively small groups, and largely due to new technological platforms, are sharing these solutions with the world. In turn, solutions can be honed by an array of diverse inputs and opinions, and at the same time can be connected to a growing number of social networks.

Proficient organizations and businesses today also understand the importance of diversity, as emphasized by Scott E. Page, Professor of Complex Systems, Political Science and Economics at the University of Michigan.

“People from different backgrounds have varying ways of looking at problems, what I call tools. The sum of these tools is far more powerful in organizations with diversity than in ones where everyone has gone to the same schools, been trained in the same mold and thinks in almost identical ways.” The author of The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools and Societies goes on to say, “Diverse groups of people bring to organizations more and different ways of seeing a problem and, thus, faster/better ways of solving it.”

So whether operating within a business, running a non-profit organization, or just collaborating between individuals, a diversity of people and opinions leads to more complete solutions, and offers new hope for social change.

Support for cross-cultural communication

Different programs and tools exist that help further cross-cultural communication and diversity. There are some interesting things helping people from different countries communicate with one another, and we highlight a few of our favorites below.

Exchange Student Programs: Foreign exchange student programs allow students
to travel internationally and live with a family in another country, usually for an entire school year. I am a big fan of the program – when I was in high school, my sister was an exchange student in Switzerland, and we also hosted a foreign student from Italy.

Fostering a high number of exchange students helps our own people by exposing them to different perspectives and worldly points of view that they may otherwise never be exposed to, and the same goes for the foreign student. There are multiple organizations operating exchange student programs, and if you would like to get involved, more information is available. ASF helps around 13,000 students per year travel abroad, and ISE is another organization dedicated to helping exchange students.

Audible Name Tags: Also known as ANTs, Audible Name Tags offer cross-cultural
communicators a simple yet fundamental tool to pronounce their names correctly. ANTs are virtual business cards which contain an array of information including a photo, contact info, and social media links. Most importantly, they pronounce your name in your own voice, and can be inserted as an icon into email signature fields, as hyperlinks in social media profiles, or as QR codes on
printed materials such as business cards.

Letting others know the correct pronunciation of your name can not only save them the embarrassment of mispronouncing your name, but also creates familiarity by allowing others to hear your voice through email, your social media profile, and more. Additional information is available on the ANTVibes website.

Translator websites: Although translating sites aren’t a new thing, they can be useful when communicating with people from other countries. And while the translations aren’t literal or word for word, they still allow you to get the general points of what you are translating. Google offers a good translator with over 60 languages supported, and Microsoft also has a language translator available.

If you have something to add to the conversation, please feel free to leave a comment or contact us directly at info@antvibes.com! We look forward to hearing from you.

Jon Visaisouk
ANTVibes Team member