Talaera

How do you say ‘no’ at work? For some people, saying it straight comes naturally. For others, it's important to soften the message. And some… just say yes when they don’t mean to. ?? Your personality plays a role in how you set boundaries, but culture does too. In some workplaces, a firm “no” is expected. In others, rejecting a request outright can come across as rude. So how do you turn something down without damaging relationships? Find out in our latest Culture Bite. A short, practical audio lesson with real-world examples. Listen for free on the Talaera platform or comment "Culture Bite" and we'll send you the direct link. #businesscommunication #crossculturalskills #professionalenglish #businessEnglish #elearning

Speaking up at work isn't always easy. Like when you walk out of a conversation thinking, “I should have said that!” When the stakes are high, emotions can take over. You might get overwhelmed, forget key points, and either soften your message too much or push too hard. One way to avoid this? Keep your goal front and center. ? Before the conversation, write down your main objective. ? If you tend to get nervous, have a simple reminder (like a sticky note or a keyword) to anchor yourself. ? If the discussion starts to drift, mentally check in: Am I moving toward my goal or away from it? But, of course, not every conversation should be approached the same way. In a recent Talaera Talks episode, Grace Diaz shared a framework from Super Communicators that can help you adjust your approach based on the situation: Gauge two key factors before any conversation: 1?? Your relationship with the person (boss vs. peer) 2?? The stakes of the conversation (asking for a raise vs. requesting PTO) Knowing your goal beforehand keeps you on track. Adapting your strategy to fit the context ensures your message lands the right way. What helps you stay focused in high-stakes conversations? ?? Listen to the full episode on Spotify - 112. How to Speak Up for Yourself in Cross-Cultural Settings - Talaera Talks with Grace Diaz: https://lnkd.in/dm-JHvdT #effectivecommunication #podcast #careerdevelopment

?? New Culture Bites are here! Short, practical lessons to help your team collaborate across cultures and navigate the international workplace, 10 minutes at a time. Where to find them: ? On Talaera: Log in, go to your Library, and click Culture & Etiquette. ? On OpenSesame: Did you know our Culture Bites are also accessible on OpenSesame, alongside other Talaera business English and culture courses? Search Talaera in the course catalog. Perfect for busy professionals who want real-world skills without the fluff. ?? Have you checked them out yet? #businessenglish #effectivecommunication #elearning #culturalawareness

Sometimes, you just want to practice your business English skills at your own pace. ???Between meetings. ??? Before going to bed. ?? With your morning coffee. And that's where Tally comes into play! ?? Receive personalized feedback on your Business English assignments with our Smart Language Assistant. ?? Type your answer ?? Get personalized feedback right away ?? Adjust your answer using the tips until you get it perfect! Have you tried it yet? #businessEnglish #elearning #onlinecourses

? WHAT?? Not the best way to ask for clarification. Miscommunication happens all the time in international workplaces, and unclear responses can lead to costly mistakes. Instead of a confused look or a vague “huh?”, try these instead: ? “Can you phrase that in a different way?” ? “Could you explain that in a bit more detail?” ? “Can you give me an example of what you mean?” ? “I’m sorry, could you say that again, please?” Small tweaks, big impact. Need more practical tips? ?? Listen to our new Culture Bites, short, audio-based lessons on navigating global communication. ?? https://lnkd.in/dpmuW2ME #workplace #effectivecommunication #careerdevelopment

There’s a moment when you’re in a conversation in your second language, and suddenly, you’re lost. ?? The words keep coming, people are laughing, ideas are bouncing around, and you’re just trying to hold on, catching fragments, filling in the gaps, hoping no one asks for your opinion before you figure out what’s going on. It’s not just about fluency. You can be fluent and still feel like you’re chasing the conversation, half a second behind everyone else. Processing speed, accents, cultural references... It’s a lot. And it’s tiring. ?? If you’ve never had to navigate this, it’s easy to miss. But for non-native speakers, it’s daily life. ? If English is your first language: - Notice who’s not speaking. Give them an extra beat. - Slow down just a little (not like they’re five years old, just enough to let them process). - Check in with a quick “Does that make sense?” or “What do you think?” (without making it awkward). - Skip the slang or give a tiny bit of context. - Be mindful of how often conversations default to native speakers. ? If English is your second (or third, or fourth) language: - Give yourself permission to not understand everything. Ask for clarification without feeling guilty. - Learn strategic phrases to buy time: “Can you say that another way?” or “I want to make sure I got that, do you mean…?” - Focus on owning the message, not just the words. Confidence and clarity matter more than perfect grammar. - Remember that people want to hear your thoughts. Don’t let perfectionism keep you quiet. ?? When people feel left out of conversations, teams lose ideas, collaboration suffers, and companies lose productivity. It’s on all of us to change that. #effectivecommunication #globalteams #learninganddevelopment

Handle Q&As with confidence ?? Answering tough questions on the spot isn’t easy. But having the right phrases at hand can make all the difference. ? "I’m so glad you asked that." (Whew, finally a question I was hoping for!) ? "Let me check and get back to you." (No idea, but I promise I’ll Google it later.) ? "That’s an interesting question." (I did not prepare for this.) Want more? Our latest lesson helps you navigate Q&As smoothly with 4 key phrases. Learn, practice, and apply. ??? ?? Now available on Talaera: https://lnkd.in/dFagma2K #businessEnglish #communicationskills #elearning

?? Yesterday, we co-hosted an insightful webinar with Leapsome, Ethena, and ThinkHuman: How to build a business-forward People strategy. The chat was buzzing with great questions and insights from the audience! Meredith Haberfeld (she/her) kicked things off with a key question: What is 'business-forward HR,' and why does it matter now more than ever? Our panelists, Melanie Naranjo, Luck Dookchitra, and Anita Anthonj, share their perspectives on – Why HR functions must evolve – The biggest challenges in aligning HR with business goals – The key metrics that prove HR’s business impact ?? The session was packed with practical insights and real-world examples to help HR teams position themselves as strategic business drivers who get a seat at the table. If you attended or watched the recording, what was your biggest takeaway? ?? Thank you Veronika Kalashnikova, Ace Porter, Leticia Schacht, Fatma Ghedira (She~her), and Paola Pascual Gea for helping coordinate this session! #webinar #humanresources #businessimpact

Concrete language is 22% more memorable. ?? Why? Because when people can picture what you're saying, they’re more likely to remember it, and act on it. Take MP3 players in the early 2000s. Tech companies advertised “64GB of storage,” but what does that even look like? Then Apple changed the game with “1,000 songs in your pocket.” Instantly clear. Instantly memorable. So how can YOU make your message stick at work? In presentations: ? “Our new AI tool enhances workflow efficiency.” ? “Our AI tool saves you 2 hours every single day.” In sales: ? “We offer comprehensive language training.” ? “With just 15 minutes a day, your team will feel confident running meetings in English.” In performance reviews: ? “You’ve improved collaboration skills.” ? “Last month, you led 3 cross-team projects and cut approval time by 40%.” Every time you communicate, ask yourself: Can my audience picture this? ?? Listen to the full Talaera Talks episode to discover 10 behavioral science tips for professional growth with Phill Agnew, host of the Nudge Podcast (the #1 marketing podcast in the UK). #communication #businessEnglish #Leadership #communicationskills #podcast

Did they get offended when I said no? Was that silence awkward, or were they just thinking? Was my feedback clear? Did my joke land, or did I just confuse everyone? What feels natural to you might be unclear to someone else. Silence can mean different things. A direct “no” might sound too harsh (or not clear enough). Humor? That’s a whole other challenge. And this isn't just theory. Most international projects fail due to a lack of cultural awareness. Break the pattern. Talaera just launched Culture Bites: Short, practical audio lessons to help you communicate smoothly and confidently at work. Free for a limited time. Learn how to: ?? Give and receive feedback clearly ?? Manage silence without discomfort ?? Say “no” without offending ?? Navigate humor at work ?? Ask for clarification without feeling awkward ?? Engage in small talk across cultures ?? Handle misunderstandings gracefully ?? Manage interruptions and turn-taking Give it a listen and let us know- what workplace communication challenge do you face most? #communication #crossculture #businessenglish #professionaldevelopment