tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50811144971407376452024-03-13T16:28:22.891-04:00Communication StrategiesHow others use words to influence us. How to use words to influence others.Terri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081114497140737645.post-15860495140193681242014-02-12T10:32:00.001-05:002014-03-08T05:47:04.658-05:00Communication, Identity and Well-Being: Keys to Employee Happiness <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://mashable.com/2013/12/04/employee-retention/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link">Article Link: Keeping Employees Happy</a></h2>
<br />
A quick entry to comment on how so much of what we do is based on communication. Moreover, so much of our power and potential derives from communication. This article speaks about how company identity, employee empowerment, delivering constructive criticism and concern for employee health are all major contributors to employee satisfaction.<br />
A happy employee is a more efficient employee; one who delivers quality work, is a positive influencer on fellow employees and an ambassador for your company.<br />
We call it win-win. </div>
Terri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081114497140737645.post-15251191144908748092012-09-08T03:31:00.000-04:002012-09-08T03:34:34.921-04:002012 US Presidential Communication Strategies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/09/07/160732471/republicans-or-democrats-the-choice-comes-down-to-competing-myths">Link to NPR Analysis of the 2012 US Presidential Myths Masters</a><br />
<br />
An interesting analysis that I wholeheartedly agree with explains how the 2012 election is about two different paths for America. The candidates are not trying to bridge any gap, but rather are pitching distinct idealistic images of America and what it represents.</div>
Terri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081114497140737645.post-14641650233312577822011-06-20T04:56:00.002-04:002011-06-20T05:00:57.894-04:00U.S. Political Satirist talks about media in America (video)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have recently come back from 10 months in America, taking a break from the many years I have lived in France. While I was there, I was shocked at the division I could see and hear between Republicans and Democrats, as well as the media sensationalism that seems to have overtaken my motherland. Indeed, journalism has moved far from the Watergate era and from my days of journalism school. In this video, Jon Stewart tries to explain to a Fox News journalist that everything is not black and white and easily comparmentalized, which is what US journalists appear to do nowadays.<br />
This binary nature of Americans is a cultural parameter, compared to the French characteristic of looking at all sides of a story before deciding. The American approach allows for quick decision-making; the French approach leads to a much longer process of debating and indicision, due to the complexities and full range of thought.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Terri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081114497140737645.post-24679744217819355392011-05-23T10:54:00.002-04:002011-05-24T07:25:28.958-04:00Dominique Strauss-Kahn: A Tale of Two Countries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>Voilà une semaine après le début du débâcle DSK en France. J'aimerais prendre quelques minutes pour réciter mes observations côté US et côté français. Il n'est pas souvent que les deux pays rentrent en conflit direct; j'ai donc choisi ce moment pour reprendre mes "posts" sur ce blog. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
For those who may be unaware of the <i>scandale</i> that this affair has created in France, beware that many accusations have been made regarding the propriety of the US justice system, the possibility of a conspiracy theory (<i>complot</i>), the role of the press, and the staging of the court hearings to make a very prominent and respected politician and presidential hopeful look bad.<br />
<br />
French television programming has been filled with talk shows, analyses and over-analyses of the situation and once again not understanding <i>ces sacrés américains</i> and their strange ways. <br />
<br />
Dominique Strauss-Kahn was a presidential hopeful here during the last presidential election in 2007 when current president Nicolas Sarkozy won his first term. At that time many hoped DSK would run, considering him miles above Socialist candidate Ségolène Royal and Centrist Democrat <a href="http://www.bayrou.fr/opencms/opencms/propositions/etats-unis.html">François Bayrou</a>, and were sorely disappointed that he <a href="http://www.elections-president.fr/candidat/dominique-strauss-kahn/">lost to Royal 20.83% to 60.60%</a>. Many were hoping that he would get another shot at it in next year's presidential election.<br />
<br />
<b>La presomption d'innocence dans les deux pays</b> <br />
<br />
The <i>choc </i>began when DSK was shown with handcuffs being led by police. The practice of publishing or broadcasting such images was made illegal in 2000 in French law, during a <a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_fran%C3%A7aise_du_15_juin_2000_sur_la_pr%C3%A9somption_d%27innocence">reform of laws regarding presumption of innocence</a>. Socialist party members have qualified the images as <a href="http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2011/05/17/01002-20110517ARTFIG00459-affaire-dsk-la-justice-americaine-cible-de-la-gauche.php"><i>cruel,</i> <i>brutal</i> and that of resembling a <i>lynching</i></a>, the latter being an interesting reference to American culture. On various shows specially organized to discuss the controversy, many Socialists spoke passionately about the injustice they felt DSK had suffered, becoming very emotional on several occasions during public appearances.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg stated simply: "I think it is humiliating, but if you don't want to do the perp walk, don't do the crime.'' Pretty straight talking and potentially slanderous, since DSK has not been proven guilty.<br />
<br />
<b>US - France: Different cultural perspectives </b> <br />
<br />
However, this difference of opinion does reflect the cultural parameter of universalism vs. particularism. The latter, a common feature of protestant countries, is based on the absolute differentiation between right and wrong; Emotion is not in the equation. In particularist, often Catholic and Latin countries, it can be more difficult to separate logic and emotion. This is just one of many ways that allow the French to continue to see many sides of a story, compared to a more binary, black-and-white view for Americans.<br />
<br />
It was amazing to hear stories like DSK's wife, former national news anchor Anne Sinclair, saying she didn't think for one minute that he was guilty and that she was happy to know that her husband had a reputation of being a <i>séducteur</i>, which is, she said, an important quality for a polictician. While charm and charisma are good attributes to win over an electorate, the moment may not have been right to express that idea - and call it <i>seduction</i> particularly. Some people are wondering if DSK found it hard to separate seduction and using authoritative power.<br />
<br />
<b>Levels of Authority </b><br />
<br />
Yet another observation made during this <i>polémique </i>was that DSK was said to have been mistreated by the justice system and the press in America, while the victim's story was given little attention with no real focus to its potential credibility.<br />
<br />
It is true that DSK is a respected politician, but he does have a history of chasing women. In 2002 Tristane Banon says she was attacked by him, but never made a formal complaint, after being dissuaded by her mother, who thought it would be inappropriate to do that to such an important man and that it would certainly cause shame to Tristane. The story becomes even more incestuous when we understand that Tristane is the goddaughter of DSK's second wife and that her mother, Anne Mansouret, is an elected official representing the Socialist Party in Normandy.<br />
<br />
This brings up the cultural concept of power distance and authority, both of which are higher in France than in the US, which is more egalitarian in terms of societal perception and interaction. This is separate from ideas of what some call social justice and the allocation of resources. <br />
<br />
Strauss-Kahn asked NY police for a <i>traitment de faveur</i>, or special treatment, as he was a dignitary and didn't want to be seen handcuffed. Putting aside the argument as to whether public handcuffing limits an accused person's right to being presumed innocent, it does say something about a man and the culture he is used to if he asks for such a favor. Perhaps this happens more than we know and if so, why don't we hear about it?<br />
<br />
I am not presuming innocence or guilt for DSK and it is not him pictured in handcuffs, nor my respect for him as a politician, nor accusations alone that will make me decide. It will be the facts presented in the trial that will be convincing or not. Both sides will present their cases, having had ample time and resources to do so. Once again, we can hope to believe that it will be the judicial system - not the media circus - that will determine the outcome. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Terri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081114497140737645.post-81556434076080035972010-12-08T10:06:00.004-05:002012-04-07T03:39:27.115-04:00Jason Fried: Why work doesn't happen at work | Video on TED.com<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 class="post-title entry-title">
Resourceful Working Strategies or "Improving Productivity"</h3>
<br />
I'd like to share this video that combines an NLP principle of getting into the right state of mind (resourceful physiology) and how to make the working environment more productive.<br />
<br />
I will not summarize what is said, but will tell you that if you can watch the first three minutes and the last three to five, that will give you a good idea of what it's about: the workplace sabotages productivity because work is similar to sleep in that we enter into and out of phases in a natural rythym. If we disturb those natural cycles, we lose precious time.<br />
<br />
At InterCom' Strategies, we train professionals to understand how mind and body work together - at work and at home. If you want to learn more, contact us for our training offers, in both face-to-face and distance training.</div>Terri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081114497140737645.post-44788211455690974652010-11-09T17:37:00.002-05:002010-11-09T17:37:07.452-05:00our raison d'etreTerri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081114497140737645.post-74836912845285044972010-10-12T16:46:00.001-04:002012-04-07T03:52:49.073-04:00Who is InterCom' Strategies?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAdGzenzebEv4DGWWLPJbiKTOuoTNkxeqkgaSqoeV-xNoF6uhb7orHsQzj5helMb0nbbYiZSV8JfXMLPYfNkt3ORaMxd-SFwM5k0r9T2NFvNy3p6iFz-O6PqyyniDDNQBk6QnXchFsLY/s1600/new+logo_FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAdGzenzebEv4DGWWLPJbiKTOuoTNkxeqkgaSqoeV-xNoF6uhb7orHsQzj5helMb0nbbYiZSV8JfXMLPYfNkt3ORaMxd-SFwM5k0r9T2NFvNy3p6iFz-O6PqyyniDDNQBk6QnXchFsLY/s1600/new+logo_FINAL.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Who is InterCom' Strategies and what can we do for you?<br />
<br />
ICS has been in business since 2003, helping business professionals communicate better.<br />
<br />
The concept of the company is to recognize that English today is a tool in international communication - the vehicle (or intercom) through which messages are transmitted.<br />
<br />
Founded in France, its initial training public was made up of French professionals, which has now expanded to training professionals of various nationalities, both in France and abroad.<br />
<br />
We train business people and university students in intercultural communication, leading meetings, giving presentations, negotiations, public speaking and writing improvement seminars. It also offers website content production, blog creation and management and provides solutions to other internal and external communications needs. More traditional language teaching settings can also be provided, with general or more specific objectives. <br />
<br />
We are able to work with French training 'organismes collecteurs' to obtain funding for your training needs. If you find the material on this blog interesting, we encourage you to contact us to set up an appointment to discuss training objectives for yourself or your organization. We'd love to hear from you!</div>Terri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081114497140737645.post-11002561258498351812010-10-12T16:21:00.007-04:002010-11-17T11:35:08.933-05:00Closing the French-American divide<div style="border: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yZ8pRtP_NNlUUCJLNxDEwLddjX1f_E1hqXOIU0hYuxC9hKUusar3GyVylk9O9J8djSrn8bop3hC9VWosPp8eI4onz3FwBveWomq63Zj4MLay091bRzDKyh9MrPhwfCGr9U-VCE-hJSY/s1600/Wachusett+Regional+High+School.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yZ8pRtP_NNlUUCJLNxDEwLddjX1f_E1hqXOIU0hYuxC9hKUusar3GyVylk9O9J8djSrn8bop3hC9VWosPp8eI4onz3FwBveWomq63Zj4MLay091bRzDKyh9MrPhwfCGr9U-VCE-hJSY/s1600/Wachusett+Regional+High+School.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wachusett Regional High School</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After 18 years of living in France, my family and I have relocated to just seven miles from my American high school, located in central <a href="http://geology.com/cities-map/massachusetts.shtml">Massachusetts</a>. This is month four.</div><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none;">It has been educational and enlightening coming back to live in a country that is so talked about by my French compatriots, my English colleagues and the European media. </div><br />
I have spent months of time in the U.S. over the past 18 years, if we total up vacation times, which have been as long as six weeks long. I have maintained contact through these visits - and more recently via the internet. But this time it is clearly different.<br />
<br />
I am working and attending school here, rather than simply being a visitor and hanging out with family and old-time friends. I am listening to <a href="http://www.npr.org/">NPR</a> during my 90-minute commute to work in a wealthy Boston suburb. I am encountering a new group of people in my Master's classes at Clark University and as an ESL trainer at two universities here. <br />
<br />
In the ESL classroom, I had previously only dealt with the French or people living in France who'd adapted to the French mindset, even if no one group of people can be completely the same - thankfully. Here I am meeting Saudis and South Americans, which opens up a whole new world view - and closes the gap between the U.S. and France.<br />
<br />
My memories of the U.S. had been based on an America under Clinton (yes, that is far away!) and I've discovered that if you don't live it, you don't get it fully. I feel totally at home here and have 'caught up' with things, but until I came back and lived it for myself, I couldn't form a complete picture. The view had been distorted by the French and American medias, by what so many people in France feel compelled to share with me and by my own absence and non-participation in American society.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCxT6nDy1ZuCuTigKFcCrISwpOuq2Yva6iylS1UtM9kFwr6jW49vkejajjZoSw2Q0KNadMVkUnJbsEue11Ab8EHHTSylHBZaCSsS-xWnfOPDYKNLE26TMFXcLuzDpoinMWmBxAYt1jW8/s1600/squam+river+covered+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCxT6nDy1ZuCuTigKFcCrISwpOuq2Yva6iylS1UtM9kFwr6jW49vkejajjZoSw2Q0KNadMVkUnJbsEue11Ab8EHHTSylHBZaCSsS-xWnfOPDYKNLE26TMFXcLuzDpoinMWmBxAYt1jW8/s200/squam+river+covered+bridge.jpg" width="200" /></a>After four months, I feel so much more in touch with the U.S. now that I have breathed the air, seen trees changing colors, bathed in its waters, listened to its music in context, watched the incessant political bantering, spoken to its inhabitants and so many other precious things one can not do from abroad. I have reconnected.</div><br />
I have been surprised to hear about the rampant disillusionment of Americans with their government - on a very personal level. To see the large immigrant population that has difficulty speaking English, which had never been apparent to me before. To hear repeatedly when I say I've moved back here from France: "Why did you leave?" The question full of doubt and wonder as to why I would leave such a comfortable place.<br />
<div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTzSELgGIQdspFko0xo2W3kJplzW-QTZ6xPWZFpJ8C-ka5vmLM-yMu6HvbmvWlI95-TM1bMSTB5j9OMqRI861OzAc-zRMHJe3kq1GYrl3SmEFT8hYIKFWBXCiJEwdI3acrGllTOgAT-c/s1600/Lake+Sunapee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTzSELgGIQdspFko0xo2W3kJplzW-QTZ6xPWZFpJ8C-ka5vmLM-yMu6HvbmvWlI95-TM1bMSTB5j9OMqRI861OzAc-zRMHJe3kq1GYrl3SmEFT8hYIKFWBXCiJEwdI3acrGllTOgAT-c/s200/Lake+Sunapee.jpg" width="200" /></a>Granted, this may be because I am located in New England - and more specifically Massachusetts - a traditionally democratic state. But it seems that a real shift has occurred since I left: Americans are no longer boastful of the greatness of their country and seem to think highly of other countries and even look to them for solutions. They seem to be modest and wishful to attain something like greener grass on the other side.</div><br />
I must say I like this new America. Even if it's harder to get a job in it.<br />
<br />
This brings me to my main point: how much is it possible to learn about a country in intercultural training seminars? Clearly we can not aspire to dissect each culture taught and make everything apparent to learners. But we can help people to see the <a href="http://www.geert-hofstede.com/">cultural parameters</a> that exist and help people to understand and interpret what they observe. We need to give clear-cut present-day examples to help them see some first examples in order to find others on their own. And we all need to understand that each observation and conclusion is biased by our own personalities and life experiences.<br />
<br />
The full picture will not come into focus until many years of living in a host country. Just like perfect language acquisition will remain impossible for many. But training can help professionals anticipate - perhaps even avoid - confusing situations and give them tools to deal better in these foreign settings.Terri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081114497140737645.post-40931944566452554892010-10-12T15:22:00.003-04:002010-10-20T00:02:17.964-04:00the new era of sensationalismThis summer's news was full of examples of extremism. Extreme politics, but that's been in the works for years. Even worse are examples of extreme journalism. Unintelligent journalism. Go for the guts journalism.<br />
<br />
OK, so social media has changed our perception of news. We want it now, in a click, without always checking our resources. People laugh quickly at new finds and spread the links to their friends. And before you know it, things have gone viral.<br />
<br />
Insignificant stories not worth mentioning have reached international heights, instead of just filling the minutes on the local news broadcasts. Fires, crashed cars, collapsing bridges seem to have taken over the 5 o'clock broadcasts, along with J. Doe's personal pictures of his vacation and other mundane events he may come across in his ordinary yet extraordinary life.<br />
<br />
Have budget cuts affected the media so greatly? Or is it about saluting and recognizing faithful viewers. In any case, it seems all very 'un-newsworthy' so much of the time.<br />
<div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuEE-LA34096VEsytW3zWOFNgxxky_CZ4UYGaQ7Aw4IZ1DCB0SSVj2HkrqUjnJoNu5lNCMOCvtTN-qnNpkuT2qVTLqw3hDVYs0hJeHzPR9XNbcL1n9y_Yopol3p_aG-82MafWNfC7Y7s/s1600/dunce+cap+for+terry+jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuEE-LA34096VEsytW3zWOFNgxxky_CZ4UYGaQ7Aw4IZ1DCB0SSVj2HkrqUjnJoNu5lNCMOCvtTN-qnNpkuT2qVTLqw3hDVYs0hJeHzPR9XNbcL1n9y_Yopol3p_aG-82MafWNfC7Y7s/s1600/dunce+cap+for+terry+jones.jpg" /></a>An extreme example of what we saw this summer were stories - at least one in particular - that deserved to go completely unnoticed. A radical "thinker"<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/terry-jones-pastor-burn-koran-day/story?id=11575665"> Terry Jones</a>, with his 'following' of 50, made international news and once again made America look like a band of crazed reactionaries, which is not entirely true, if truth be told.</div><div style="border: medium none;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/president-obama-terry-jones-koran-burning-plan-destructive/story?id=11589122">obama responds to Jones 'threat'</a></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none;">Why pay attention to this loon? Why give him a free voice and the credibility of serious news coverage? I don't get it. Not when there are so many other deserving messages to get out there. I was tempted to drum up some kind of anti-Jones story. I wonder if burning 51 dunce caps in my garden would have drawn media attention? </div><br />
Social media is all about ground-up communication, compared to the top-down form we'd had no choice but to accept pre-web 2.0. But who holds the reins? Should media institutions relinquish their authority to popularism? What was the value in this story? The only value was the controversy that was created by covering this story. And is that the new role of journalists - to incite emotions and negative feelings between groups of people? I still don't get it.<br />
<br />
Read the NY Times account<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/us/10media.html?_r=1"> here</a>.Terri Simoneauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07456143084825469338noreply@blogger.com0