Business English Topic – How to deal with Failure?

The subject of failure has come across my mind various times these days and that prompted me to find out how successful business people deal with this abominable monster.   For some of us failure is something to avoid at all times and this attitude precludes us from trying new ideas because of our innate fear to fail. 
Successful business people, however, persevere past the blows of failure and quickly spring back to action.  They are prone to find new ways to achieve their goals until they find a viable solution; for them failure is almost by default essential for success. 
Please review the following excerpts from articles about failure and you will see how they all consider failure as an opportunity to succeed. 
Please visit our blog for frequently for useful business. 

Failures and Success
http://www.chrisbrogan.com/failures/
Failure as a Business Imperative
Many innovations have come through failure. Post-It notes came about because of glue that didn’t set right. Sam Walton was told he couldn’t make up his own sales at his Ben Franklin store so he quit and founded Wal-Mart. Henry Ford ran two automobile companies that failed before he got it right.
Edison said, “If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.”
Failure is a beautiful thing. It leads to more chances to try something new

5 Secrets for Turning Failure In to Success
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/salesselling/a/failuresuccesrf.htm
Instead of viewing failure as something to be avoided, turn it into a "stepping-stone" on the path to success and gratification. In other words: Success is the destination. Failure is how you get there.
To achieve significant success in today's world, failure is not just a possibility. It's a requirement. We must see success and failure for what they truly are. They're not opposites, but instead opposite sides of the same coin.

How fear of failure destroys success
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/how-fear-of-failure-destroys-success.html
Trial and error are usually the prime means of solving life’s problems. Yet many people are afraid to undertake the trial because they’re too afraid of experiencing the error. They make the mistake of believing that all error is wrong and harmful, when most of it is both helpful and necessary. Error provides the feedback that points the way to success. Only error pushes people to put together a new and better trial, leading through yet more errors and trials until they can ultimately find a viable and creative solution. To meet with an error is not to fail, but to take one more step on the path to final success. No errors means no successes either.

NPR Interview:
The NPR interview that follows is with Tim Harford, a columnist with the Financial Times.  I reviews his recent book "Adapt, Failure As An Option On The Way to Success"




Video about Chong-Moon Lee
http://www.ambex.com/management.htm

Chairman and CEO of AmBex Venture Group, LLC
Founder, CEO, Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.
Chong-Moon Lee founded Diamond Multimedia Systems in 1982, which later achieved the No. 1 ranking in revenue and market share for PC graphics accelerator product in America (by IDC Computer Industry report, 1995). Diamond Multimedia was ranked 17th and 18th fastest growing privately held company in America for 1993 and 1994 on the Inc. business magazine's 500 fastest growing company list, and as the 8th fastest growing privately-held company in Silicon Valley by the Business Journal of San Jose in 1993. As the sole founder, it took 13 years of struggles to take the company to its successful IPO in early 1995. In 1996 he started another high technology venture company under the name of AmBex Venture Group. Since then, active investments have been made in the areas of wireless communication, voice over IP applications, internet infrastructures, network security and multimedia applications.

Watch it on Academic Earth

Wonderful Destinations: Peru and Canada (part 2 of 2)

Welcome back I hope you enjoyed your Peruvian tour on part 1!  Now let's get ready to start exploring Beautiful British Columbia, Canada.


The natural diversity of British Columbia is second to none.  BC is a wonderland for people who seek opportunities for exploration and adventure.  No matter where you go in BC you will be close to  lush rainforests, wildlife, supernatural sceneries, and most importantly remarkable people.  You will appreciate the well kept balance between men and the environment where conservation, ecology and respect for nature go hand in hand with its development.  Visit this site for an awesome outlook of this great Canadian province:  http://www.hellobc.com/
We will also take you to Vancouver, the third largest city in Canada a place of elegance and sophistication.  This modern city impresses its visitors with an spectacular natural setting; the rugged Coast Mountains across the Lion’s Gate Bridge to the north and the waters of the Georgia Strait to the west.  Discover Vancouver with your own eyes by clicking on this link http://pretravel.vancouver.com/ . After watching these spectacular panorama pictures and presentation you will have reasons to believe why Vancouver is the world’s most favourite destination.
Please watch the three videos below and read their audio transcripts to improve your listening comprehension skills. You will find more travel videos on our website’s video corner:  http://www.englishmindset.com/apps/videos/  Enjoy the videos: 
You Gotta Be Here!

Life is a journey, It’s all about chasing your dreams… it's an amazing adventure that can take you anywhere your heart desires. It may take a lot of twists and turns, but the then around the bend; there it is!  And that is when you realize that it doesn’t get any better than this.  We show that to the world, this is our province, this is our playground, and this is the better place on earth! In the spirit of 2010, now more than ever, you gotta be here, you gotta be here, you gotta be here! This summer explore supernatural British Columbia.

Whistler Beyond Winter

My Name is Munro Duncan, people here in Whistles call me Munny. I have lived here for 18 years and we are out here on Lost Lake.  This is definitively a 4 season’s town.  Every season you have here, you can do pretty much anything you need to do, to get your outdoor fix. This is definitively one of the best areas to come for people who don’t have a lot of experience, say ha… hiking or running or mountain biking…. (Vincent Massey, resident)  Hey! The thing that is so unique about Whistler and one of the reasons I keep on living here year after year is that this is a winter town for six months of the year and for the other 6 months it’s a mountain bike town.  A lot of these trails, they end up; up at lakes, so I am behind this here that is Lost Lake, some of them are cross country trails, some of them are high alpine trails.  You could show up in Whistler with absolutely nothing to do with mountain biking; no equipment, no gear, no knowledge of mountain biking and take a clinic, a one week long clinic if you want.  You could hire a guide for the day that will take you all over town ….(A couple of mountain bikers) We are from Colorado, so we are of kind of touring BC and just checking out all the bike trails, this place is unreal, there in no where else like this place its absolutely awesome.  (back to Vincent Massey) If mountain biking is not up you alley, then trail running is by far the best way to go.  Get off the pavement and out into one of these trails and you cannot not beat it…. (Keith) My name is Keith, I am from Southern California, I am here on vacations.  This morning I just went out for a nice jog and it has been a great morning. In know other places where there is, you know, hundred of thousands of tourists you kind expect to be run down, but this is just awesome….(David Udow Ziptrek Ecotours) Hi, I am David Udow from Ziptrek Ecotours … (lady’ voice) scoot around please and I get you set your cleats in here…You are ready to rock! …. Ziptrek Ecotours is a great opportunity for people to come out to Whistler and enjoy the majesty of the beautiful rainforest environment that we have.--  We run 365 days a year, we bring people literally of all ages shapes and sizes. Our youngest guest are typically around 6 years old and they get right up into to their 90’s!  Whistler is awesome you have to come here; you got to enjoy all the things it offers because it is more than what you would expect.
Gas Town From Old to Hip

 On Water Street here, we have seen a real revival of Gas Town, from the tourist area to a residential district  and a real street life here in Gas Town… (John Atkin – Tour Guide) We are standing on Maple Tree Square behind me is Captain Jack Dayton also popularly know as Gassy Jack ….(Nadia Cabrera & Dr. Jaqueline Correa - Tourists) We are looking for the clubs to dance, to see the nice people here in Gas Town; its something new for us – its really nice so far… (John Fluevog Designer & Owner, John Fluevog Shoes) I sell my shoes in different places of North America, Australia, we sell a bit in Europe and here and there; but it all does in fact comes out from Vancouver, British Columbia which seems like and odd place for shoe design to come from, but odd things do happen…  (Salt Tasting Room) We are tucked in Blood Alley, you just have to look for a flag that has a salt shaker on it.  People are really open to our suggestions, wanting to try specifically BC wines, a lot of local fair and we are happy to offer that. (Kurtis Kolt, General manger, Salt Tasting Room) The chalk board behind me is the focus itself --- there are 10 cheeses, 10 cured meats, 10 condiments.  What people do is choose cheese, meats and condiments; we pair wines with them and let you have at her… (tourist speaking in their native languages with captions in English)
[Transcripts made by Cesar Macher]

Wonderful Destinations: Peru and Canada (part 1 of 2)

Dear student, this is a series of two postings related to our Travel English conversation studies. 
On the first part we will show you 4 videos of Peruvian travel destinations together with their corresponding audio transcripts so that you can watch the video scenes and also read along for better comprehension. 
We recommend that you watch the video first without reading the text, then read the text and watch the video again.  Afterwards you may wish to listen as you read for a few  times and finally read the text as if you were the announcer yourself!
We will show you places in Lima, the Inca trails, Machu Picchu and the famous Santa Catalina convent in Arequipa.
On the second part of this series, we will take a long jump across the skies heading north and land in British Columbia, Canada! Likewise the transcripts will be there for you to read along and practice your English.
Please visit our video corner on our website; there you will find a collection of similar videos to help you improve your English! Here is the link: 

http://www.englishmindset.com/apps/videos/

Please fasten your seat-belts and let your imagination take you to the wonders of Peru!   
Lima-Peru

Script from the YouTube site.
Lima, Its the capital city of Peru, and the only large city on the Pacific coast of South America.
With 8 million people living in the rain shadow cast by the Andes mountain range, Lima is the second largest desert city in the world, behind Cairo in Egypt.
Its now considered the gastronomic capital of the continent, with Peruvians proud to show off their unique cuisine.
Dozens of restaurants serve the national dish ceviche, using lime juice to cook raw fish and seafood.. Its also the birthplace of the novo andino movement that combines ancient Inca ingredients with the latest trends in high cuisine, and Lima now has the most cooking schools of any city in the world, with trainee chefs eager to learn the trade.
A string of gardens connect the financial, cultural and tourist areas of the city, leading down to the Parque del Amor at the top of cliffs overlooking the beaches and rolling surf of the Pacific coastline.
Paragliders float over the heads of surfers and fishermen who brave the rich cool waters of the Humboldt current for its abundant seafood.
Located on Perus central coast, Lima was founded by Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and was originally known as the City of Kings.
Colonial and Republican architecture adorn its streets plazas and churches, from the Cathedral and Presidential Palace on the main square, to the convent and catacombs of nearby San Francisco.
UNESCO declared Limas historic center a World Heritage Site in 1988.
The city guards its pre-Columbian past. The pyramids of Pucllana seem to sprout up from the heart of a wealthy suburb, and the mud city of Pachacamac lies a short distance away on the southern edge of Lima.
These ancient monuments stand in contrast to the cutting edge skyscrapers in the financial district.
The Inca Trail-Tambomachay, Peru

Script from the YouTube site:
ot far from Puca Pucara, on the road from Cusco to the Sacred Valley, Tambomachay combines intricate stonework with the Incas devotion to water.
Known as the Baths of the Incas, a number of aqueducts and channels run through the site. But the focal point is a string of carefully designed waterfalls, which split spring water into a series of cascades
that fall in such a precise and delicate manner that its believed they were built as part of a water cult. 
The trapezoidal niches on the high terrace and off to the side of the waterfall are among the most highly crafted stone constructions left by the Incas. 
The precision of the falls is matched by a similar water feature at Ollantaytambo, but the Incas also showed great control over water for more practical purposes.
Their use of stone irrigation channels to feed agricultural terraces around Cusco and the Sacred Valley allowed them to grow abundant crops at high altitudes, something previous Andean cultures never achieved.
Fertur Peru Travel.
A full service travel agency and tour operator dedicated to making your journey to Peru a dream come true.
Machu Picchu - Cuzco, Peru

Script transcribed by Cesar Macher
Invisible from below and completely self contained in the Andes Mountains of Peru, few words can capture the beauty of Machu Picchu.  This travel video postcard was contributed by Venessa Velles. 
Perched on a mountain ridge at almost 8,000 feet the ancient Inca site is enigmatic and spectacular.  Climb the steep Inca Trail to Machu Picchu if you are up to it, or ride the tourist bus that wines from Aguas Calientes.  If you descend by foot don’t forget to stretch when you reach the bottom, your legs will thank you the next morning.  Arrive before dawn and don’t be disappointed by the fog. The ruins and surrounding peaks reveal themselves as the fog lifts and steal your breath away! Marvel at the genius of the ancient builders, in truth no cam or camera can do justice to Machu Picchu.  Inspiring and timeless yet almost forgotten until its rediscovery in 1911, this magnificent site, is a place not to be missed.
Santa Catalina Convent - Arequipa, Peru


Script from the YouTube website.
Santa Catalina Convent is one of South Americas most prominent religious establishments, a city within a city famous for its astounding architecture and its brightly painted walls, murals and religious artworks.
Located in Perus second largest city, Arequipa, the convent was founded in 1580.
During its first 300 years, Santa Catalina was a refuge for unmarried daughters of wealthy Spanish families who paid a dowry for inclusion into the Catholic order. 
But instead of keeping to vows of poverty, the nuns kept servants and slaves and lived lavish lifestyles. In 1871, the Pope sent Sister Josefa Cadena to put things right. She did so by sending most of the daughters of nobility back to Spain, setting the slaves and servants free and giving them the choice of staying on as nuns. 
The walled-in convent, covering an area of almost 30 thousand square meters, was opened to the public in 1970. Visitors can stroll the streets and cloisters and appreciate this masterpiece of colonial architecture.

The Internet to overtake television as the biggest advertiser.

Image: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

On this posting we present a sample topic for discussion with our advanced Business English students. Topic: The future of Internet Advertising.


The internet is bound to overtake television to become the biggest advertising media, and as the online social networks boom joins the mix, their combined impact will again be revolutionary.
Success in online shopping for consumer goods is one of the areas that internet advertisers have helped develop as an alternative to the traditional brick and mortar experience. The growth of online shopping has attracted more marketers to join as they find creative ways to make online features more attractive, thus bringing consumers closer to the products they help promote.
The change is irreversible and these days millions shop from the convenience of their homes, saving them time to spend on other more important tasks and hobbies. In addition, our new consumer trends also help us save energy as more automobiles remain parked in their garages rather than on their way to and from the mall.
Despite the enjoyment lost in making social connections when one shops online, the increasing threat of cyber fraud, the unwanted solicitations and the use of consumer information for purposes other than the trade of goods and services; online shopping and the symbiotic relationship with internet advertisers is here to stay.

Image: Salvatore Vuono /
 FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This month English Mindset features a company that I stumbled upon on Twitter. Their video advertizing concept combines the interaction between internet advertizing and online social networks. This extremely creative company, which you will realize simply by visiting their website, gives you great insights of what the future of internet promotional flicks will be like.
Their short introductory video contrasts the differences between conventional TV-type ads found on the internet these days with the new "shared-video" advertising style they propose; an approach that would make the old rules of TV-style commercials obsolete.
They are called Epiheo Studios here is their link http://www.epipheostudios.com/
Note: Their name “Epiheo”, derives from the combination of the words epiphany and video. Epiphany meaning the sudden, intuitive perception or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience. As per definition on Dictionary.com

Cheers to William and Kate!

If you have not yet received an invitation for the nuptial service,  chances are that you are not one of the 1,900 some selected UK and world dignitaries, senior politicians or celebrities who will be attending this century’s most pompous wedding ceremony.  On April 29, 2011 the Royal couple Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton will say “I do”; witnessed by the privileged guests and observed by millions of TV spectators around the world.    
Countless royal subjects and fans of the crown have joined a lively countdown for this magical fairytale story. Heartfelt outburst of admiration erupt as if temporarily isolating them from the hardships of natural calamities, nuclear meltdowns, wars, and horrendous human rights violations that plague our planet and that affects us all. 
To make sure that the world tunes for the event the city of London is preparing for an onslaught of 8,000 journalists heavily equipped with cameras, microphones and far reaching antennas. They are all competing for a strategic locations on top of buildings and view sites between the Buckingham Palace and the Westminster Abbey . They have promised to bring to the world the most spectacular television event in history and the masses expect nothing but the best.  A media frenzy that will start with royal wedding procession across the most memorable and picturesque surroundings in London will climax with the wedding itself.  
As a conscientious observer of the occasion, I wish that when the excitement subsides and reality takes its reign, the wedding and the subsequent story of their glamorous lives does not downgrade itself into a forgotten footnote of contemporary history.  The philanthropic legacies left by Princess Diana should inspire this couple to return with deeds for those who suffer; and preserve the confidence we place on them through our encouragement and continuous support.  Cheers to William and Kate! 
--------
Note: The official Google blog has spectacular 3D images of London's landscape of the procession from the palace to the abbey. It is worth a visit. The video clip below features there as well. 

Geishas of the Yohkiroh

The Geisha -
A Film by Hideo Gosha; a winner of  9 Japanese academy awards.  
Released: 1983 -  based on a novel by Tomiko Miyao - the script by Kôji Takada.
The story takes place at the beginning of the Showa era (1925) in Tosa, Koichi prefecture; where there is a palace of sensual and beautiful woman: the Yohkiroh.  The story centers around Momokawa who was sold to the Yohkiroh at the age of 12 by her father - there she starts her journey to a place in hell where hundreds just like her, struggle to bloom behind the glamorous veneer of their polished ways, but inevitable bend to wilt in the heat of their passionate lives...
Hideo Gosha portrays the Geishas of the Yohkiroh very unlike many historians who depict them as living work of art: the image of the perfect woman, the embodiment of Japanese culture and refinement.  On Gosha's film they drink and dance burlesque western rhythms; and to the dismay of many purist have sex with their clients.
Geishas have generally not been prostitutes. Part of their allure has been the suggestion not the reality of sex. However, on occasion, if the mood, the man and the money were right, they sold their bodies or served as mistresses to wealthy men who took care of them, but they are not supposed to utter one word about it.  Follow this link if you wish to learn more about geishas.

Enough is ENOUGH!

Considered as a cradle of civilization the Middle East has been a place of constant change. This year marked by colossal social unrest, the region has dominated the news headlines throughout the world (where news are not censored).
Humanity is at the harbingers of a new era of hope; where true democratic values based on our human rights will not be taken for granted by tyrant states, embezzling corporations, corrupt entities or criminals of all stirps.
People across the Middle East have stopped to be silent, history is unfolding before our eyes and we are hearing the same message across their land very loud and clear – Enough is enough!
Proud and at the center stage are the courageous people of these ancient lands that once again will lead humanity to a genuine rebirth of our civilization and add true meaning to our universal human rights.
To mark this awakening I have selected two videos about our human rights.  The third one shows a chronological map of the evolution of the Middle East since the onset of civilization.

Imperial History of the Middle East
Who has controlled the Middle East over the course of history? Pretty much everyone. Egyptians, Turks, Jews, Romans, Arabs, Persians, Europeans...the list goes on. Who will control the Middle East today? That is a much bigger question.

How to Give an Effective Business Presentation

This week you will learn how to make effective Business Presentations and to create a powerful business case. 
The video is a courtesy of Howcast as featured in YouTube, and the slideshow presentation at the bottom from DocStoc.  We recommend both sites to all our Business English students.
Note to our students: you will find the text of the video beneath the video frame; please read the text a few times and then watch the video for better retention. - Cheers and happy learning!



Text:

Keep your palms dry and your audience alert with these tips.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Visuals

Handouts

Practice

And a strong closing statement

Red visuals (optional) (optional)

And tongue twisters

Step 1: Focus

As you prepare, focus on your main points, and illustrate each one with a visual aid, which can be anything from PowerPoint slides to a flip chart to sample products. Studies show that people's minds begin to wander after 10 minutes of passive listening.

Step 2: Clean up your visuals

Go for a minimalist look in your visuals; educational psychologists have found that the fewer words and pictures you have on a visual, the more your audience will remember.

Tip: Use the color red; psychologists say it's the color most quickly noticed and easily remembered.

Step 3: Use handouts

Prepare handouts that list all your main points. This will make it easier for the audience to follow along, and people will pay better attention if they don't feel pressure to take notes.

Step 4: Practice

Practice your speech as much as you can -- in the mirror, with a friend or coworker, or in front of a video camera.

Step 5: Check your surroundings

Before your presentation, familiarize yourself with the room you'll be using. Make sure you have all the equipment you need, that it works properly, and that you know how to use it.

Step 6: Visualize success

Imagine your presentation going well. Research shows that visualizing success can help you make it happen.

Tip: Do some tongue twisters before you take the stage; it's a favorite trick of speech-givers to loosen up.

Step 7: Position yourself correctly

Stand to the left of the screen or your flip chart from the viewpoint of the audience, making it easier for them to see the material.

Tip: Take a step toward the audience when you want to emphasize something; it unconsciously signals them to pay special attention.

Step 8: Have a strong close

Save your most memorable lines for your close, because that is what your audience will remember most when the presentation is over.

Preparing and Presenting an Effective Business Case.

Preparing and Presenting an Effective Business Case Presentation ... -

Welcome Georgina Hudson

English mindset is joyous to announce that Georgina Hudson has joined our instructor’s team.  She has specialized in adult education and believes that teachers should lead by their example.  She has a passion for helping students achieve their learning objectives and believes that radiating happiness is the most effective way to deliver; a trait that comes built in her professional demeanor.  We are certain that Ms. Hudson will make significant contributions to English Mindset.   Like us, she is also the type that makes every minute count because our accomplishments are based on our shared belief that success is happening right now!

Bio:   Born and raised in Argentina within an Anglo-Argentine family, she got her College Degree in Teaching English at the Profesorado Nacional de Rosario in 1997. She’s specialized in teaching adults ever since. She has worked in Argentina, France and England. She taught Franco-African children in Paris with no knowledge of the Spanish or English language encouraging everyone to speak in the target language at all times. This proved how effective teaching methods can be even when there has been no contact with the new language. While living in London, she got her Certificate in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language and upon getting her certificate, she became an International House teacher, one of the most respectable language schools worldwide with a strong global presence and a high reputation for innovative and quality teaching. Convinced that teachers should be excellent communicators who inculcate happiness and a passion for learning through creative and innovative activities, she embarked on the completion of her Neurolinguistic Programming PractitionerCertificate at Instituto Argentino de Formación e Investigación last year. She runs a consulting firm which specialises in “in-company teaching and learning” implementing the academic program, managing the teaching team, displaying a flexible bespoke teaching approach, handling testing and liasing with training departments. Among her publications are “Teaching English at University level: How to Make it a Memorable Experience when Reading Comprehension and Grammar Instruction Prevail” Humanising Language Teaching Magazine, UK, Jan / Feb 2011 issue, ISSN 1755-9715 and her teaching blogs at the BBC & British Council.  These articles have been frequently chosen and recommended by the editor. Her main areas of professional interest are how adults learn and developing hands-on curriculum that reaches every student learning style and ability. Georgina is fond of modern dance lessons, yoga and drama classes.

 Trafalgar Square: photo remix permitted. original by Alex Dawson - (Creative Commons)

Playing for Change and the musicians from La Garriga

This post is about the Playing for Change Foundation.
They started their activities about 10 years ago from a group of documentary filmmakers who had the idea to film music from people out in the streets.  What started as a small project today has grown into a global movement; they are dedicated to connect people from all over the world through music.  One of their main objectives is to help people by bringing hope through music and education.  Please visit their site at http://playingforchange.org/ and find out how they make a difference.
By the way, the last video on this post was not  filmed by Playing for Change; instead  it was put together by musicians from La Garriga, a town 35 Km away from Barcelona.  Their intention was not to intentionally copy the initiative from the original filmmakers; they only wanted  to add to their cause through the universal language that anyone understands: music.
Now sit back and enjoy their music - you may want to get involved...

Welcome María Salaberry

Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires (Bkgd - Luis Argerich - Creative Commons)

English Mindset is proud to announce that Ms María Salaberry of Bahía Blanca, Argentina, has joined our teaching staff.   She brings with her many years of experience teaching English to executives and professionals of prestigious corporation. She is a real agent of change and we are sure that her work will have a significant impact on her students' education and careers.

As a Sworn Translator from La Plata University in Argentina, María began her career in 1979 at the National Research Council helping in the edition of scientific papers and the organization of international seminars and conferences. Upon getting a Post Graduate Degree in Education she was also hired to provide in-company language training for professionals and executives at prestigious global companies doing business in South America,  also assisting them with legal and technical documentation as well as business video conference sessions. She works as a free-lance translator and interpreter mostly in topics related to exports, business, finance, engineering,  medical science, human resources and education and teaches English at Universidad Nacional del Sur. Getting involved in various educational, art and cultural exchange programs, such as the Bahía Blanca-Jacksonville Sister Cities Association, which she has chaired for the past 3 yrs has been a passion. With interests varying from tango dancing to travelling, cycling and swimming, she is the proud mother of two under-graduate university students. Helping develop effective communication at all levels has always been her main professional focus.  

Bahía Blanca - by J. Allermann.

Do you have the mindset?

By Alex Juorio

A Letter to prospective instructors.
It may seem a bit unusual for a career consultant in engineering & business development to make an unusual turn and start something totally new.
As absurd as it may look to you, my paradigm shift happened as a consequence of being dissatisfied foot-soldier-on-demand, a mercenary of sorts.  I am not complaining for I had my share of joys: a few “hired-gun-solution” trophies here and handful of “problem-solver-sniper-shooter” medals there. Yes, the front lines are always thrilling and packed with action; it is indeed a place for the tough! But my traveling adventures reached a point that I told myself that being a lone warrior was not enough and that my time to change had come.  So here I am back in Tokyo close to my family after having roamed the world; I am now starting a new chapter in my life.  
English Mindset has been “brewing” for a long time and it was not until early November of 2010 that I decided to virtually lock myself up and promised not to leave my office until I had it done; on January 8th 2011 a new website went on-line.
We all have seen ventures start and then vanish, why?  There are numerous reasons, some say that start-ups fail for a lack of a mission,  a myopic vision or because of both. Sometimes they go under because of bad leadership or bad financing or are forced to close by catastrophic events of which one has no control. There are so many reasons and many more excuses. On the other side of the spectrum, there are other ventures that flourish and become prosperous, but why?
I feel that most entrepreneurs are obsessed with making a sizeable “bottom line” as their ultimate goal. The minute they start to deviate from that course they loose their bearings, they panic and finally succumb. 
Giving extreme consideration to only one, but important metric: the “bottom line” misses the broader picture. But such is the “status-quo” that prefers to maintain a very simplistic but universally accepted misconception: that 2 is greater than 1, but 3 is greater than 2 and 1 and thus is better than either one! Unfortunately that is how most have been indoctrinated to think. Many tend to tag a price to success and sneer at those who made less.  That is why people loose contact with the real value behind the numbers.  But, let’s recall Oscar Wilde adage: "A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” This is so true and we must not loose sight of it.
As an MBA, I was trained to snap my whip with the most effective management techniques. Arrogantly I thought I had mastered the sciences that maximized the proverbial bottom line – I unmistakable “knew” the course and took command.  Invincible, I graduated to conquer the world – “vini, vidi, vici, stand asside I am Cesar”! 

ByTom

But today, decades after, I stand deeply humbled by my former arrogance and narrow mindedness; for I have witnessed and shared the disastrous consequences when corporations packed with gurus much “better” than myself went under! 
I have transformed myself from a foot-soldier into a Naval Commander!  Today I am set to steer our course on the right direction – I think to have learned a few good lessons!  But we must be careful to avoid following the crowds that set sail only to seek for "Paradise Island" and her "forbidden treasures" or the types that brag about their bottom line as their ultimate destination. 
Now as you stand out there considering joining our fleet, I will ask you to promise one thing before you make that commitment:
Please make every minute of your journey counts because our accomplishments are based on our shared belief that success is happening right now! 


Who are we?
English Mindset is an Internet platform where students of the English language and instructors meet and the results of that interaction translates into a value added experience for the student and the instructor. We will provide the infrastructure so you have all the resources to plan and conduct your classes successfully.  But this is not a job for anyone; to become an instructor at English Mindset you must buy into our values.  
Allow me to explain: 

• You must be a firm believer that you are an agent of change. That your work will have a significant impact on your students and consequently your efforts will help them improve their lives.  
• We aim to create long term relationships based on trust, respect, tolerance and kindness.  We equally offer the same respect to all those who come within our sphere of influence for we don’t take our values for granted, we act on them. 

What is in it for you at English Mindset?

• A place where you can stand tall for being amongst those who like you, care for others and want to make a real impact
• Become part of an international community of instructors who collaborate to make us all successful; a true culture of synergy where the sum of our collective efforts produce greater results than sum of our individual(istic) efforts, that is 1 + 1 > 2 
• You will be able share your work related experiences, your joys and struggles with the world and learn from that.  Our blog, website and social media channels are open for you to express your thoughts  and broadcast your goodwill. 
• You will be able to earn money to support your livelihood, but equally important you will also be able to help those who cannot afford to pay for our programs.  These persons will be able to access the same tools we use to teach our paying students and all that from within our own website. 
• At English Mindset you will find an environment that is conducive to continuous learning and discovery; where trustworthiness is our common currency.

If you look around our websites you can already begin to see sings that we are working to fill those expectations; please visit our video channels, our self-study corner and our soon to be expanded page for featured sites and blogs.  
It is not our intention to become a one stop destination for all the English language needs, but we will at least offer our visitors veritable information and point them in the right direction when they seek our help.
Finally, as we learn to recognize each other’s strengths and weaknesses we will be able to proactively draw from our reserves to solve our problems when setbacks occur. 
I also believe that we are all capable of continuously strengthening our significant others through our own example, and as you become an advocate of our shared goodwill, you will understand why the path to success is effectively now and the rest is a forgone conclusion. 
Welcome on board! 

A virtual trip to London!

Dear Friends,
Today English Mindset is going to take you on a virtual trip to London! We will visit three magnificent places; so please relax and enjoy the trip. The picture of the Royal Albert Hall at the bottom of this page, is an spherical image - try spinning the picture with your mouse on full screen mode - it is simply hallucinating!   Enjoy your tour!
Buckingham Palace:
The Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a rallying point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis. 
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames in the heart of the London borough of the City of Westminster, close to the historic Westminster Abbey and the government buildings of Whitehall and Downing Street. 
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, recognisable the world over. Since its opening by Queen Victoria in 1871, the world's leading artists from every kind of performance genre have appeared on its stage. Each year it hosts more than 350 performances including classical concerts, rock and pop, ballet and opera, tennis, award ceremonies, school and community events, charity performances and lavish banquets. (source Wikipedia)

PanPublish Postorama of Buckingham Palace supplied by Panoramic Earth

Panorama of Palace of Westminster supplied by Panoramic Earth

Panorama of Royal Albert Hall - Inside supplied by Panoramic Earth

Welcome Ana Maria Beeck

English Mindset is proud to announce that Ms Ana Maria Beeck of Miami Florida has joined our teaching staff.  She is a native speaker of English, however since the age of three she has had the opportunity to enrich her life by living in various countries where she learned Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French. 
Her capacity to communicate cross-culturally is second to none; she is a firm believer that the English language has attained a unifying role in its ability to make people around the world understand each other better. 
We are absolutely delighted to have you with us and we hope that you find English Mindset a place where you will find great pleasure helping others improve their English speaking abilities.  


Bio: Ana was born in the US but her journey into living and working in different countries began at the age of 3… She is a native English, Spanish and Portuguese speaker, is fluent in Italian and understands French.  Throughout her career she used her language skills to effectively communicate with nationals of different countries and backgrounds.  After working in the corporate world for many years she now enjoys teaching, transcribing and translating from the shores of Miami, Florida.  She also teaches a self-healing, expansion of consciousness seminar on-line (www.isha.com).  She holds a JD and a Masters in International Management and Finance.
Here is a short video of the Isha Judd System that claims to be a "revolutionary method that creates an internal experience of peace, joy and unconditional love." and from where Ana Maria teaches people to attain internal beauty.