This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert September 19, 2007 Sharing Language Resources in a Flat World One interesting development of our increasingly flat world (thank you, Thomas Friedman) is the global expansion of business. we learned long ago the value of using the local language when speaking or training in a foreign country. Even the attempt to speak the local language (except perhaps in France) establishes an audience connection which, particularly for a speaker, is very valuable. When we visited Malaysia recently to speak for ETELS, we learned some Malay, the language of Malaysia, and used it in our workshop. While not everyone is a polyglot, anyone visiting a foreign country will benefit from learning the language before departing. Until now, your choices for learning were Rosetta Stone or other digitally based programs or finding a local tutor. Now, there is an alternative, and the best part is---it's free. Enter emerging web sites like http://www.italki.com and http://www.freelanguage.org. The reason is simple: as globalization spreads, so does the need to communicate with people in their native languages. Though both sites offer rich resources for anyone wanting to learn a language, italki.com features the more innovative approach. Here's how their "Language Exchange" works. Through the web site, you choose someone who is a native speaker of the language you want to learn. Of course, that individual must also want to learn the language that is your native tongue. You communicate via VOIP (Voice Over IP) on Skype, MSN, Yahoo, or Talkbox---all free services via the web. You agree to communicate at a specific time. For one-half the time, the two of you speak in your native language and the other half, you speak in theirs. Not surprisingly, both web sites offer lots of resources for people willing to pay. Italki.com offers lists of tutors and seems to offer more languages for which there are resources. Both web sites offer courses, podcasts, blogs, etc. The development of this new genre of web sites is a direct reflection of our "flattening" world. Expect to see more opportunities for people to use technology to share across the globe further increasing cultural understanding and forming valuable bonds for citizen diplomacy. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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