Today we are starting a new era on this podcast as we start hosting guests to share with you a range of perspectives on successful communication, developing confidence and cross-cultural working from leading experts in the business world.

Our first guest is Febronia Ruocco, Strategic Insights Professional & Executive Coach, who talks about encouraging multilingual and multicultural teams to thrive with their communication, the blocks that get in the way of us communicating confidently and building social connection, plus the key factors which will change the way we communicate in the future.

Febronia has led insight teams for big brands such as Cadbury-Schweppes, Diageo, Heinz, Premier, General Mills, Heineken and GSK. She is also currently setting up her own Executive Coaching practice.

Her mission is to empower global marketing, and other sector professionals, in leadership roles to realise their career goals, unlocking their full potential. Febronia is a University mentor and marketing lecturer as well as a mentor for WIRe, mentoring high achieving women in the insights/MRX space.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The challenges and opportunities of working cross-culturally in business ● How to communicate clearly in multilingual teams
• As a manager how you can help your team to feel at ease, encourage everyone to speak and fully participate
• The challenges of jargon and acronyms at work
• Your communication influences your nervous system
• Calming your nerves when communicating under pressure
• Why communication agility helps with perfectionism
• The future of communication
• Building social connection in remote and hybrid teams

Resources:

• Find out about Victoria's Interview Confidence programme: https://culturecuppa.com/interview-confidence-programme
• Discover Victoria's individual communication coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals/
• Discover Victoria's team communication and cross-cultural training: https://culturecuppa.com/leaders-and-managers
• Find Victoria Rennoldson online: https://culturecuppa.com
• Connect with Victoria Rennoldson on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Find more about Febronia's Executive Coaching Business: http://linkedin.com/in/febroniaruocco
• Connect with Febronia Ruocco on Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/febroniaruocco
• Book recommendation: The Polyvagal Theory, Stephen Porges
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

First impressions are critical in interviews, and so are last impressions at the end of the interview. How are you closing your interviews impactfully?

In this competitive global job market, many people are currently asking me questions about preparing for interview success with global companies, and that's why I have created this mini series of 3 episodes focusing on what to do before, during and after the interview to land your ideal next role.

In this 3rd and final episode of the series, we focus on how to handle challenging questions, key ways to close the interview and how to follow up appropriately to enhance your chances.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to handle challenging questions
• Make a great last impression as they close the interview
• Asking questions
• Confidence mindset as you walk out of the interview
• When to bring in salary questions
• When and how to follow up appropriately
• What to do if it's a rejection

Resources:

• Are you preparing for an interview, or thinking about job searching for a role in a global company in the next 6 months? Join my group programme, Interview Confidence, a 5-week online coaching course in live calls with me to get you fully prepared for all aspects of the interview, including: - Full interview preparation - How to answer different types of questions including competency based questions - Handling challenging questions - How to approach video and in person interviews - Key areas to pay attention to make a great impression with all aspects of your verbal and non-verbal communication - Building confidence and handling nerves - Closing the interview impactfully - What you can actively do after the interview to stand out as they make the final selection. 5-week online programme with live calls: £499, starting November 2023.
• Bonus: book by 29th October 2023 and receive 2 free bonuses 1. Mini CV/ resume review: receive my feedback on your current CV/ resume 2. 1 x individual 30-minute practice interview session with me
• More details and book here: www.culturecuppa.com/contact/
• Listen to episode 1 in the Interview mini-series: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/preparing-yourself-for-interview/
• Listen to episode 2 in the Interview mini-series: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/make-a-great-impression-at-the-interview/
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

33% of hiring managers claim to know whether or not they would hire a candidate within 30 seconds of meeting them, and 4 in 10 employers would reject a candidate if they showed no enthusiasm, according to research in the UK from StandOut CV.

Wherever you are looking for a new role, in this competitive job market many people are currently asking me questions about preparing for interview success with global companies, and that's why I have created this mini series of 3 episodes focusing on what to do before, during and after the interview to land your ideal next role.

In this 2nd episode of the series, we focus on key points to make a great first impression from the first moments, and adapt your verbal and non-verbal communication to be professional and impactful in interviews.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Creating a great first impression- dress code expectations
• Key non-verbal communication to focus on when you first meet the interviewers
• What to do if you are running late for the interview
• Building your presence and professional image for video interviews
• Verbal communication techniques for answering questions

Resources:

• Are you preparing for an interview, or thinking about job searching for a role in a global company in the next 6 months? Join my group programme, Interview Confidence, a 5-week online coaching course in live calls with me to get you fully prepared for all aspects of the interview, including: - Full interview preparation - How to answer different types of questions including competency based questions - Handling challenging questions - How to approach video and in person interviews - Key areas to pay attention to make a great impression with all aspects of your verbal and non-verbal communication - Building confidence and handling nerves - Closing the interview impactfully - What you can actively do after the interview to stand out as they make the final selection. 5-week online programme with live calls: £499, starting November 2023.
• Bonus: book by 29th October 2023 and receive 2 free bonuses: 1. Mini CV/ resume review: receive my feedback on your current CV/ resume 2. 1 x individual 30-minute practice interview session with me
• More details and book here: www.culturecuppa.com/contact/
• Listen to episode 1 in the Interview mini-series: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/preparing-yourself-for-interview/
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

Employers will interview an average of 6 candidates for every job vacancy they advertise and 93% of candidates admit to experiencing job interview anxiety at some point in their career, according to recent research in the UK from StandOut CV.

Wherever you are looking for a new role, in this competitive job market many people are currently asking me questions about preparing for interview success with global companies, and that's why I have created this mini series of 3 episodes focusing on what to do before, during and after the interview to land your ideal next role.

In this 1st episode, we focus on what you do before the interview to prepare.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Types of interview- video, in-person & AI
• Style of interviews- who will you meet and who is in the room
• Important points for you to get clear on
• Key research for preparing
• Confidence mindset approach
• Examples of questions you can expect

Resources:

• Are you preparing for an interview, or thinking about job searching for a role in a global company in the next 6 months? Join my group programme, Interview Confidence, a 5-week online coaching course in live calls with me to get you fully prepared for all aspects of the interview, including: - Full interview preparation - How to answer different types of questions including competency based questions - Handling challenging questions - How to approach video and in person interviews - Key areas to pay attention to make a great impression with all aspects of your verbal and non-verbal communication - Building confidence and handling nerves - Closing the interview impactfully - What you can actively do after the interview to stand out as they make the final selection. 5-week online programme with live calls: £499, starting November 2023.
• Bonus: book by 29th October 2023 and receive 2 free bonuses 1. Mini CV/ resume review: receive my feedback on your current CV/ resume 2. 1 x individual 30-minute practice interview session with me
• More details and book here: www.culturecuppa.com/contact
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

Conflict happens. It's something we all experience at some point when working in teams, even if generally we have great relationships with our colleagues, co-workers, customers or partners. Conflict can cause short-term issues with collaboration, such as getting projects agreed and progressing forward. However, it clearly can impact the ongoing relationship, leading to long-term trust issues and negatively influencing the dynamics in the rest of the team.

I believe we can get around conflict situations by building communication bridges. This means building a bridge with how you show up to the conversation, what you say and how you approach the interaction to find a step forward towards meeting each other.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The role of non-verbal communication when approaching the conversation
• Turning up your empathy radar
• Exploring their objections
• Understand and clarify their point of view
• Identify and agree the common goal
• Bringing an innovation mindset to build the bridge
• One small step forward

Resources:

• Are you thinking of setting up a podcast? Are you overwhelmed by where to start and what to do? Book a Podcast Kick-start session with me, a 45-minute individual meeting with me to get you going on your journey and answer your questions. To celebrate my recent podcast birthday I am offering this for the special price of £99 until 15th October. Contact me to book your Podcast Kick-start: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
• Enter the competition: Enter the prize draw to win a free coaching session with me worth £200! To enter go to my podcast, subscribe, and if you have enjoyed today's episode, leave me a review and share this episode, then contact me with the 'enter podcast competition'! Until 1st October: [email protected]
• Listen to Ep.005 - The CQ Cultural Intelligence positive impact: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/the-cq-cultural-intelligence-positive-impact/
• Listen to Ep.008 - How to improve your Cultural Intelligence: https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/how-to-improve-your-cultural-intelligence/
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

I am excited to share that today's show marks the 1st birthday of my podcast, which launched in September 2022. This podcast is part of my vision to help 100,000 leaders and teams around the world to speak up confidently, and support teams to connect and grow globally in 100 countries.

In today's episode I share my own communication learnings from launching a podcast and along the journey of the last year, which are equally relevant for you whether you are leading meetings, regularly presenting or public speaking, or building your communication confidence.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What I've learnt about communication from launching a podcast
• Establishing a vision of success
• Identifying the gaps
• Letting go of perfectionism
• Communication agility to help take action
• How to be concise
• Energy for communication
• Making it practical and easy to action
• Feedback matters

Resources:

• Are you thinking of setting up a podcast? Are you overwhelmed by where to start and what to do? Book a Podcast Kick-start session with me, a 45-minute individual meeting with me to get you going on your journey and answer your questions. To celebrate my podcast birthday I am offering this for the special price of £99 until 15th October. Contact me to book your Podcast Kick-start: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/
• Enter the competition: Enter the prize draw to win a free coaching session with me worth £200! To enter go to my podcast, subscribe, and if you have enjoyed today's episode, leave me a review and share this episode, then contact me with the 'enter podcast competition'! Until 1st October: [email protected]
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

Your communication skills in English are a key enabler for your next promotion.

They are part of your skills toolkit, so you have everything on your side, ready to make that next job move, to go for that promotion, or to expand your role.

Sometimes they are known as soft skills, but they are anything but soft.

They are the difference between influencing successfully and the board rejecting your project.

They will help define if you land new business with a customer or miss out on a valuable sales opportunity.

Your communication skills will shape how people see you and your reputation, and can be the fine line between the green light on your promotion or being passed over again.

If you are an international manager, then achieving English communication confidence is critical to your success in your current role and enabling your next promotion.

And that's where communication stress can come in. You could feel exposed, awkward and on the spot before key meetings when you need to lead the agenda, and worry about how you come across.

So how do you deal with it and help yourself to move forward?

What you will learn in this episode:

• What is communication stress
• How can you help yourself move through this
• The communication agility mindset and approach
• How to gain clarity on your starting level and build confidence
• How to develop communication agility in English and improve
• How to achieve ongoing sustainability for your English communication skills

Resources:

• Last chance to join me for my new FREE training masterclass: Confident Global Communication. I am going to share the most important areas you can develop and activate to overcome your challenges and start improving your leadership communication when working in English. Get away from feeling limited and frustrated when working in English and develop confident, impactful leadership communication. Make sure you reserve your free seat to join me live, 20th September 2023, 1-2pm London time: https://culturecuppa.com/confident-global-communication/
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights/
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

Are you talented and ambitious, but it doesn't always come across when you're working in English?

Do you feel frustrated by your professional English communication skills, and wish you sounded more confident?

Today I want to talk about the 8 most common myths I commonly hear from the people I work with about their English communication and how it's holding them back. This could be impacting you too and stopping you from moving forward to your next promotion.

So I'm going to bust these myths and share with you how you can reframe them!

What you will learn in this episode:

• The 8 common myths about English communication and how to bust them:
• "I need to be more fluent"
• "I need to have my thoughts clear in my head before I speak up"
• "People are judging me"
• "I need another Business English course"
• "Watching videos/ reading/ listening more will help"
• "I should be over this by now"
• "I'm the only one struggling with this still"
• "There's a magic wand"
• How to get away from these myths

Resources:

• In my new FREE training masterclass: Confident Global Communication I am going to share the most important areas you can develop and activate to overcome your challenges and start improving your leadership communication when working in English. Get away from feeling limited and frustrated when working in English and develop confident, impactful leadership communication. Make sure you reserve your free seat to join me live, 20th September 2023, 1-2pm London time: https://culturecuppa.com/confident-global-communication
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

What was your a-ha moment…

….when you listened to last week's episode about cultural values?

Did you recognise that some of the challenges you might be experiencing with colleagues, co-workers, customers or partners are culturally-driven?

What shifted in your perspective?

It can be so easy to divide into 'them' and 'us' within a team, or with customers and partners, especially when what they say and do is out of line with your expectations.

But do you really understand their motivations and drivers, and how culture is shaping their communication and behaviour?

When you don't, this can lead to misunderstanding and miscommunication, impacting projects, performance, results and team spirit.

This is why we need cultural intelligence. It's the choice to pause and consider alternative explanations, not just react to what's happening.

Part of cultural intelligence is understanding your cultural values, which are your preferences for how you work, live, and interact.

This is part of the work I do with my clients, so they can understand their own individual or team cultural values profile to identify what is driving the gaps and challenges.

In this 2 part podcast series I will be explaining the 10 cultural values. Today, we are focusing on part 2 - the next 5 sets of cultural values.

What you will learn in this episode:

• A reminder of cultural values and how they shape you
• The team benefits when we understand our own and others' cultural values
• The next 5 cultural values
• Context- Direct vs Indirect communication style
• Being vs Doing
• Universalism vs Particularism
• Expressiveness
• Focus - Monochronic vs Polychronic

Resources:

• If you want to learn more about Cultural Values and how they impact your people, talk to me about Cultural Intelligence Assessments so you can discover how your team dynamics are influenced by culture. We can use this to help create bespoke training and coaching for your organisation to increase collaboration, trust and build stronger relationships. Message me to learn more about the Cultural Intelligence Assessments: [email protected]
• Listen to Episode 50 (Part 1): https://culturecuppa.com/podcasts/exploring-your-cultural-values-part-1
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com

What happens when you find yourself in a situation where a team member is being 'difficult'?

What happens when people say things in meetings which leave you frustrated and wound up, because they're acting 'unprofessionally'?

Do you roll your eyes, moan to your colleagues and blame it on 'them being them'?

It can be so easy to divide into 'them' and 'us' within a team, or with customers and partners, especially when what they say and do is out of line with your expectations.

But do you really understand their motivations and drivers, and how culture is shaping their communication and behaviour?

When you don't, this can lead to misunderstanding and miscommunication, impacting projects, performance, results and team spirit.

This is why we need cultural intelligence. It's the choice to pause and consider alternative explanations, not just react to what's happening.

Part of cultural intelligence is understanding your cultural values, which are your preferences for how you work, live, and interact.

This is part of the work I do with my clients, so they can understand their own individual or team cultural values profile to identify what is driving the gaps and challenges.

In this 2-part podcast series I will be explaining the 10 cultural values. Today, we are focusing on part 1 - the first 5 sets of cultural values.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What are cultural values and how do they shape you?
• The team benefits when we understand our own and others' cultural values
• The first 5 cultural values
• Individualism vs Collectivism
• Power Distance
• Uncertainty avoidance
• Cooperative vs Competitive
• Time orientation

Resources:

• If you want to learn more about Cultural Values and how they impact your people, talk to me about Cultural Intelligence Assessments so you can discover how your team dynamics are influenced by culture. We can use this to help create bespoke training and coaching for your organisation to increase collaboration, trust and build stronger relationships. Message me to learn more about the Cultural Intelligence Assessments: [email protected]
• Sign up to receive future episodes of the podcast as soon as they are released: https://culturecuppa.com/get-free-insights
• Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
• Email me: [email protected]
• Website: https://culturecuppa.com