#networking #business #success #chinese #cantonese — Here’s another example of just how powerful networking is for business success and for any other types of success for that matter. I have a one hour motivational keynote presentation that is based on my book, ‘The Life Champion In You’. This is my signature motivational speech that I do for groups, organizations, companies, schools and other audiences.
Of course, the present language it’s in is English. However, I have plans to translate this keynote into Cantonese and Mandarin, the two main Chinese dialects. Being able to perform a Cantonese version of my motivational keynote will expand my audience in Hong Kong, Macau and southern China as well as some Chinese audiences right here in North America who may prefer to listen in Cantonese.
I’m already about 65% fluent in Cantonese so it won’t take long for me to learn my keynote in this language. I just need a totally fluent speaker to help me with the translation.
Of course, I could hire a translator but through the power of networking, I found someone who is willing to help me for free. Actually, I’m offering this person the equivalent time for private coaching in public speaking skills since this person is a member of a Toastmasters club. Since this person has heard my motivational keynote when I presented it at his Toastmasters club, he already has an idea of what my presentation is like. I think that this is helpful for the translation process as certain ideas might not easily translate well unless a translator has heard my motivational speech.
So this exchange in services is a win-win scenario where both parties will benefit without any money exchanged. It’s almost like a barter transaction. Again, this would not have been possible if I had not started the networking process to find a suitable translator.
The way I actually began this networking is after speaking at another event, the organizer of that original event referred me to some of his people at his own Toastmasters club. These folks invited me to their club to do an open house event.
After the event, I asked the main contact for the open house about possible translation for my keynote. He said that his own Cantonese skills were not strong enough but asked around to some of his contacts who were present at the open house. He found one such potential person and we connected.
So always be active in networking since it is proving to be a necessary skill and activity for business success today. As for me, after I get the Cantonese version out of the way, it will be time to network again to find a Mandarin translator.
photo credit: New Media Days
