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Negotiation at Work
June 27, 2024
I thought negotiation at work was a novice concept for Asian culture, but coach Ric apparently learned some lessons about price negotiation in China. When it comes to salary negotiation, however, Ric’s personal story and his 3L approach tell us that it is in a company’s interest to save money if you don’t negotiate.
Key takeaways (click to expand)
- – Do not negotiate when emotions run high.
- – Ask probing questions when stuck (and remember the negotiation orange!).
You find the full presentation and quoted video and article links here.
Let’s Talk about Performance Reviews
May 23, 2024
From pilaf in Uzbekistan to DAWA, this month’s talk was fun and engaging. Ric revisited the repeating theme of “open to all cultures”, and spoke about the seldomly touched topic of “performance reviews” and how to handle emotions come with negative feedbacks.
Key takeaways: be proactive with your performance reviews
- – Self-evaluate often
– Keep supporting records (emails, memos, chat comments, etc. from customers, team and management)
– Squeeze ‘good deeds’ into chit-chat
You can find this session’s presentation here: Let’s Talk about Performance Reviews
Small Talk and Everyday English
April 25, 2024
This month’s topic is Small Talk and Everyday English. Ric shared why small talk is helpful in building connections and trust in both business and non-business settings. He also provided useful templates for how to initiate a small talk, as well as strategies for asking questions.
Key takeaways for small talk (click to expand)
At every opportunity, try your new small talk skills with clerks, sales staff,
and bank tellers, and anyone that is paid to talk to you! Get good at it so it’s there when you need it for dates, networking, interviews, client meetings and any other time you need to strike up a conversation or keep one going with a new colleague, friend or even a stranger. By practicing all the time, you are much more comfortable when the important meeting, interview or date comes around. Practice really helps a lot here. Pay attention to their words, voice and body language. Pay attention to YOUR words, voice and body language as well! – Coach Ric
You can find this session’s presentation here: Small Talk and Everyday English
Small Talk Helpers – Starting Phrases PDF, Word Doc
Best Strategies for Newcomers
March 28, 2024
We kicked off the series this year with a wonderful presentation about Ric’s own journey of connecting with different cultures and stories of people he coached from diverse backgrounds such as Russia, Korea, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and China. He believes these six strategies will help newcomers to Canada adapt and thrive in a new culture.
Best strategies for newcomers (click to expand)
1. Be curious, do research, ask questions. Be proactive, not passive.
2. Connect with ‘tribes’ (country, profession, non-profit etc.) to understand and integrate faster.
3. Be open to other cultures and customs, and share your own.
4. English: survival, practical/everyday, academic, business. Idioms, slang and cultural references are everywhere, including in your industry. Don’t live in a bubble.
5. Get help when needed. Hire someone, make a strategic friend, join a group.
6. Be friendly, professional, easy-going and approachable, brave and determined. Take charge of your life!
- – Coach Ric
You can find this session’s presentation here: Best Strategies for Newcomers