ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson（73）
2月17日(月)
Michio is traveling to London to discuss the global HR structure.
He prepares for the meetings over lunch with Emma, the local HR manager.
---
What kind of challenges is Emma facing?
-She's facing challenges with retaining global talent.
---
Here we are. The Thames modern restaurant.
-Wow, what a view! We can see Saint Paul's Cathedral across the Thames right in front of us. I visited the art gallery a few times but I've never dimed at this restaurant. I'm glad you like the view. Not bad on a sunny day, right?
-Yes, it's breathtaking. I wish we could relax and discuss art for a while, but we have to prepare for the meeting with the CEO.
-Yes, back to reality.
-So, Emma, it seems like you're facing challenges with retaining global talent.
-Yes, unfortunately. The competition is intense and we are constantly under pressure to keep our top talent.
---
across -> across the Thames
dine -> dine out
breathtaking
face challenges
retain
talent 人材 -> global talent
under pressure
---
under pressure
- We're constantly under pressure to keep our top talent.
- The baseball player excels under pressure delivering his best performances in crucial moments.
*excel 卓越した能力を発揮する - My team was under pressure to meet the tight deadline.
---
- We constantly feel the weight to keep our top performance.
*feel the weight 重圧を感じる - The pressure is always on to retain our most valuable staff.
*the pressure in on + to ..
---
I wish we could relax and discuss art for a while, but ...
Jane Austen? She's one of my favorite authors. We need at least an hour to talk about that. So let's save it for lunch.
Oh, that theme park. I was hoping to go with my family too. Tell me a bit about it after the meeting.
Wow... a meditation and yoga holiday in Sri Lanka? I'm very interested. So, tell me more about it later.
* so, let's get to down to business, shall we?
---
I love visiting galleries and museums, but besides the National Gallery, do you have any recommendations for places to explore in London?
-Absolutely. Why don't my hidden Gemes is? The William Morris Gallery. Morris is a celebrated British textile designer of the 19th century. And the gallery is nestled in the beautiful house where he once lived. I love his intricate textile designs, vibrant floral patterns and the rich pallet of colors.
-Oh, wow. Thanks. I'll have to check it out.
ラジオビジネス英語 Interview（3-2） 2月14日(金)
8月9日(金) Brett Cline
---
What was the semiconductor market like when Brett joined the industry?
-The market was advancing very rapidly.
---
You've been working in the semiconductor industry for more than 25 years. You’re almost like a walking encyclopedia in a sense. Could you briefly explain to us about the semiconductor industry and how it has grown and where it is at now?
-Thank you. Yes, actually, now it's been more than 30 years I believe, but I'm far from expert in the area. No that's okay. I benefited from the work that many of the founders of the semiconductor industry pioneered long before I was there. So, while I've been doing this for quite some time, I'm still not an expert and it will take probably maybe another 30 years, but when I look back, it's amazing how much things have changed over the 30 years. At the time I joined the industry, which is in the mid-90s. The semiconductor market was advancing very rapidly. Off course I was quite young and I was only beginning to learn what was possible. 30 years later I'm completely amazed at the transformation that's happened. Just think about the electronics that we're using today, and how much they've changed over the last 30 years whether it's the TV sets that we are using to watch television, or the airplanes we are flying on, or the cars that we are driving. Uh, you know, back then there was no such thing as a smart phone or at least not a modern smartphone and there was no self-driving cars and there was no artificial intelligence at least for practical dailies/daily use. In 1994, we were still watching big bulky TV sets and the smart phones that we know of today, they were released 13 years later. So, in many ways this change in the market is exactly what I expected. The semiconductor industry has always had great innovation that enabled incredible new products and systems. Off course I couldn't have and no one could maybe completely anticipate the products that have come. But I think the semiconductor market has grown in such a way that's allowed these products to be built and the innovation is really incredible over those 30 years.
---
walking encyclopedia
A walking encyclopedia is a person who has extensive knowledge, almost as if they were accessing an encyclopedia with their mind. And example would be, I can ask my teacher anything about history and he always gives the correct information. He's like a walking encyclopedia. In the same sense, a walking dictionary is a person who has a big vocabulary. They also know the definitions of words, and can provide a linguistic perspective.
benefit from
To benefit from something means to receive an advantage or something useful from it. Benefits are advantages or things that help us. An example would be, we benefit from GPS technology. This means that GPS is useful to us and make our lives easier. In other words, GPS technology gives us benefits.
pioneer
The noun pioneer is someone who is the first to explore an area or discover something such as a new technology that opens doors for others. This also provides an opportunity for further exploration and learning. To pioneer as a verb, means to act like a pioneer in opening up new opportunities and providing the groundwork for further innovation. Brett said that he benefited from the work that founders of the semiconductor pioneered, meaning that those founders gave him a strong foundation or a head start in acquiring information on semiconductors.
bulky
Large or heavy in an inconvenient way. Awkward. Clunky. Cumbersome. Brett talked about bulky TVs from the 1990s and before. Compared to TVs from this decade, those bulky TV sets would seem unsightly, too big and rather heavy.
innovation
New technologies or developments, new ideas or methods. Innovations can also refer to new product or services that are original state-of- the-art or cutting edge.
enable
To enable means to make something possible for someone or something. To cause an effect to happen. Brett said the semiconductor industry has always had great innovations that have enabled incredible new products and new systems. This means that the semiconductor industry had great innovations or novel development of new products and ideas that have enabled or provided the basis for incredible new products and systems.
anticipate
To predict, to imagine or expect what will happen. In example would be, we've prepared extensively. So, I don't anticipate any problems with our presentation. This means the person doesn't foresee any problems. Anticipate can have a nuance of optimism depending on the context. For example, we anticipate a big turnout for tonight's big event. This means, they predict there will be a big turnout and they're looking forward to it.
---
revolutionize
The advent of the internet revolutionized communication, connecting people across the globe instantaneously.
*advent : 出現, 到来
change the landscape
This new e-commerce platform is set to change the retail landscape while offering greater convenience to consumers.
create a paradigm shift
Blockchain technology has created a paradigm shift for secure and transparent transactions.
paradigm
[ˈpɛrəˌdaɪm]
a paradigm shift
a radical change in underlying beliefs or theory
paradigm
例, 典型, パラダイム
A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.
-----
- The development of the smartphone transformed the way we access information and communicate.
- I'm completely amazed at the transformation that's happened.
instantaneously
Instantly means at once or immediately.
Instantaneously means happening so soon (in relation to something else) that no delay is perceptible.
---
for quite some time
長い間
It's been quite some time.
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson（72）
2月13日(木)
Subject: Yes! We met our sales target.
Hi all,
I'm thrilled to announce that we've met our sales target for this fiscal year. This incredible achievement is a testament to your hard work and exceptional teamwork. To show our gratitude for your outstanding efforts, we're organizing a team dinner. Please see the attached sheet for details. Let's take this opportunity to celebrate our success and recharge for the exciting challenges ahead. Looking forward to celebrating with all of you.
Yuri
--
*celebrate
---
- Thank you for organizing such a wonderful event.
- Thank you for arranging such a fantastic event.
---
Hi Yuri,
What fantastic news! I can't wait to celebrate our success at the Team dinner. Thank you for organizing such a wonderful event. I'm eagerly looking forward to the celebration and the chance to talk about our future with everyone.
Thanks again for the invitation. See you at the dinner.
Regards,
Orlando
--
What fantastic news! =>"news" は不可算名詞
---
Hey team,
Just a quick heads up. Our next employee training session on IT is this Friday in meeting room 406. It's super important for everyone to join and level up your IT skills. Can't wait to see you all there.
Yuri
----
Just a quick heads up.
-> This is just a reminder that ...
Any other expressions typically for chat message?
-Expressions like super important and can't wait to see you all there are typical of chat communication, aren't they?
It's all about capturing attention and getting everyone on board with just a few words.
-Yes, an effective one liner.
---
- Just to confirm, we don't have any pre-work to do, do we?
=> I just want to confirm, - Just a check, we don't have any pre-work, correct?
-> Just a check is also used as is just to confirm.
----
Thanks Yuri, I'll be there. Just to confirm, we don't have any pre-work to do, do we? I'd rather not embarrass myself in front of my colleagues at the session.
Jeff
---
would rather not しない方がいいと思う、～したくない
<- doesn't want to ...
---
- We're organizing a team building activity next month. Stay tuned for details and save the date.
*stay tuned for details
-> To inform someone that further information is coming soon.
- Let's gather for a lunch time brainstorming session on Friday. Your ideas are valuable.
- Join us for a team lunch this Friday to unwind and chat. Bring your appetite.
- Quick reminder. We're having a team dinner this Thursday to welcome our new team members.
- Remainder. We're having an internal training session on compliance happening this afternoon Be ready to learn.
＊ have ... happening
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson（71）
2月12日(水)
8月7日(水)
The meeting is coming to an end. The final topic is work-life balance.
---
What's the main question about working from home?
-The question is how many days a week they should allow remote work.
---
Let's move on to the final point, work-life balance. We have flexible working hours in place, and we've managed to keep over time within reasonable limits.
-Indeed. For our non-Japanese staff, over time used to be a major concern, but they're relieved to find that this isn't the case anymore.
-Excellent. The main challenge we're facing now is meeting the increasing demand for more opportunities to work from home, right.
-Yes, the question is how many days a week we should allow remote work?
-I'm currently discussing this with the marketing team.
-We'll see how it goes.
-Nicole. Thank you for your active participation. Your insights are invaluable. I'm planning to travel to London next week. So, let's touch base again when I return.
---
flexible working hours
be relieved
work from home => work at home
insight
invaluable
touch base 連絡を取る
ｰｰｰ
invaluable 貴重な
- Your insights are invaluable.
- The feedback from customers is invaluable for improving our products.
- Your contributions to the charity are invaluable.
immensely valuable
( incredibly, highly, extremely + valuable)
Your thoughts are immensely valuable.
precious
Your view points are truly precious.
immensely : 「非常に」「莫大に」「広大に」
---
- Nicole, I want to say that I appreciate your input today.
- We had disagreements sometimes but that's also part of the process, right?
- It's those diverse viewpoints that often lead to the best outcome.
-> viewpoints => perspectives - We're committed to our shared goals. * common goals
- Let's keep the momentum going.
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson（70）
2月11日(火)
Michio and Nicole are identifying issues related to the work process and foreign employee's relationships with Japanese managers.
---
What do foreign staff really want from Japanese managers?
-They want straightforward feedback on their work in performance.
---
Regarding the work process, many non-Japanese staff seem stressed about consulting with different department for example.
-Actually, I understand that well. In my previous workplace, a foreign affiliated firm, the reporting line was clear and authority was given to the head of each department. So most decisions were made quickly.
-You're on the same page as them. They may understand this cultural difference in theory, but in real life, they often find the process slow.
-I see. How about their relationship with their Japanese managers?
- They appreciate Japanese managers' politeness. But what they really want is straightforward feedback on their work in performance.
-They want comments on areas for improvement, right? This will be addressed in a training session for Japanese managers next month.
---
foreign affiliated firm
reporting line
authority
be on the same page
in theory
straightforward
---
in theory
- They may understand this cultural difference in theory, but in real life, they often find the process slow.
-> understand, know, grasp, comprehend + in theory
- I understand the concept of leadership in theory, but implementing it effectively requires real-world experience.
- I know the importance of exercise in theory, but it's not easy to practice it.
*exercise
--
know ... intellectually 頭ではわかっている
They know this cultural difference intellectually.
－＞「intellectually」「知的に」知識や理解に基づいて判断したり、考えたりすることを強調
understand .. in one's head
They understand this cultural difference in their head.
---
They want comments on areas for improvement, right?
---
Japanese managers tend to deliver criticism in a way that minimizes conflict.
So non-Japanese employees may interpret this as vague or unclear feedback.
---
Japanese managers may not have received sufficient training in providing feedback to a multicultural workforce. They need to be made aware of the importance of feedback in improving foreign employees’ performance and motivation.
ラジオビジネス英語 Lesson（69）
2月10日(月)
The topic of the discussion shifts to the work environment. Michio asks how Nicole feels about it.
---
In what kind of situation in particular, does Nicole feel tense?
-During meetings.
---
So, on to the next topic, the work environment. The results of our recent surely left me somewhat uncertain.
-In what way?
-Despite our effort to arrange Japanese language and culture courses for not-Japanese staff, they feel pressured to conform to Japanese business customs. Can I ask how you personally feel?
-Well, I can relate to that feeling. For example, I still find myself feeling tense especially during meetings.
-Meeting make everyone nervous. You don't have many language issues, do you?
-I think the nervousness is more about my social proficiency rather than my Japanese ability. Foreign employees try hard to adapt to unwritten rules, but they are often confused by the differences in communication styles. The fear offending people is big for foreigners in Japan.
---
conform to
relate to に共感する <-I can relate to that feeling.
tense
nervous -> nervousness
proficiency 熟練・熟練度・習熟度
unwritten rule
offend
---
leave ... uncertain
- The results of our recent surely left me somewhat uncertain.
- The ambiguous response from the manager left the team uncertain.
- The sudden change in plans left us uncertain.
feel ... unsettled
The results of the recent survey made me feel a touch unsettled.
- a touch: 少し、わずかに
- unsettled: 不安な、落ち着かない
touch?
"touch" 「ほんのわずか」という意味の名詞
"a touch more salt"「ほんの少しの塩」
「a touch of + 名詞」
わずかな感情や性質、特徴などを表すI felt a touch of sadness.
There was a touch of humor in his voice.
feel unsure
The results of our recent survey left me feeling a bit unsure.
The results of our recent survey left me feeling a touch unsure.
* "a bit" と "a touch"どちらも「少し」「わずかに」
---
Meetings make everyone nervous.
The fear of offending people is big for foreigners in Japan.
---
I understand that feeling well. When I worked in the U.S, I encountered many situations where things were done differently from Japan. So, I was always worried about whether my words and actions were making the other person feel uncomfortable.
---
At one point, I thought it would be bad unless something changed. So, I switched to a mindset of enjoying different cultures. Since then, I've started to enjoy discovering the differences.
I think this mindset might be the key to working in a different culture. What do you think?