TIPS FOR A GOOD PRESENTATION

Be completely honest with yourself in terms of your goals, do you need to impress, sell or inspire? Find out about your audience and aim your presentation at their knowledge level.
Always tell your audience what they will gain from listening to you.
Keep it short and simple – Powerpoint shows should have a maximum of 7 sentences each with a maximum of 7 words, on each slide.
Decide what feeling you want your audience to have when they go out of the door, in addition to the information you have given them.
Prepare your first and last sentences – and practice them.

TIPS FOR GOOD NOTE TAKING

Use time to listen, and write notes only periodically, not the whole time.
Make your own system of abbreviations.
Forget about grammar and spelling.
If you have an agenda, use this as headings for your notes.
Note only “key words” (often just a verb and a noun is enough).

TIPS BEFORE A FOREIGN POSTING

Know your own expectations and goals.
Be aware of the important characteristics of your particular culture.
Get an understanding of the prevailing norms and values ​​of the country you are posting to.
Examine where you have gained knowledge about the country – and be aware of your own prejudices.
Learn the basic business etiquette of the country you are posting to.

TIPS FOR TALKING WITH PATIENTS FROM OTHER CULTURES

Give in-depth instructions – don’t take patients’ knowledge for granted.
Establish yourself as an authority figure.
If you are unsure whether the patient has understood, ask the patient or their translator to summarise, what you have said.
Request an interpreter if the patient is unable to understand you. Do not use a child or other relative as an interpreter.

TIPS ON INTER CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Know your own stereotypes and how they effect your communication.
Know your own communication style.
Summarise more often than usual, and use active listening techniques.

TIPS ON CHINA

Give the appropriate gifts to the appropriate people.
Ask specific questions.
Examine in more depth when you get the answers: Yes and No
Think about giving ” face” – and not just about losing “face”.
Remember their company structure is more hierarchical than we are used to in Europe.

TIPS ON COMMUNICATION AND ASSERTIVENESS

Use “I – statements” ie . keep the ball in your own court.
Use the “repeat technique” : repeat your key messages 3 times.
Distinguish between facts and your opinions.
Criticize constructively, assess but don’t attack.
If you give advice to others: give without pressuring and be precise in your choice of words.

TIPS ON TIME MANAGEMENT

Find out how you spend your time right now.
Set goals – which are important to you too in you personal life, not only in the workplace.
Make concrete action plans for key targets.
Find the things that waste your time.
Talk to your colleagues about the things that waste your time.