Lost in (B2B) Translation: A linguist's guide to B2B growth

SUBSCRIBE on beehiiv > https://dearxir.beehiiv.com/

Dear XIR –

First things first: I'm an actual trained linguist. (yes, for real lol)

13 years in Second Language Acquisition – a Master’s Degree. Conducted research in Brasil. All dat.

Most people hear that and think "weird flex, but ok…" But stay with me here...

Because that “random” part of my background is exactly what helped me get a $1.5M community budget approved in ONE meeting.

Let me explain.

I learned this lesson during a solo backpacking trip to Thailand for my 25th birthday. For years, I'd traveled confidently through South America and the Caribbean, letting my Spanish and Portuguese carry me through.

But this time was different. Standing in Bangkok at 2am, surrounded by signs I couldn't read and voices I couldn't understand, I felt completely outside myself for the first time. No amount of linguistics training could help me order food or find my way. I was literally using hand gestures to buy water.

You’re wide-eyed and have this brilliant vision for community-driven growth. You see the revenue opportunity clear as day. But somehow, it's just not landing.

The $1.5M Meeting

Fast forward to this Zoom meeting in 2024. There I was, staring at a CMO who'd already rejected three community budget proposals that quarter.

But instead of diving into community metrics, I started speaking his language...

To read the full article and breakdown subscribe to Dear XIR on beehiiv.

Get the XIR B2B Translator to help you turn your different into revenue.

Contact: [email protected]