LetSpeak.com Translation Alert

LetSpeak.com Translation Alert

Communicate Without Limits!
September 2004

In This Issue:

Communicating in the midst of disaster
Quotes of the Month
LetSpeak.com® News Wire

Communicating in the Midst of Disaster

Since disaster can strike any firm whether it's an act of terrorism along the lines of September 11 or a natural disaster like the one we recently experienced in Southwest Florida, it's important to keep your client base informed of your well-being.

Although communicating may be the last thing on your mind before, during and after a disaster it can mean the difference between success and failure of your business once things have settled down.

Here are a few ways to clearly and effectively communicate with your audience in both your native language and foreign ones to preserve your business:

1. Develop your message early. Before there is even a threat of a disaster, consider creating an entire file filled with messages that you would send out to your clients and prospects in the event of a disaster. You could have a hurricane file, terrorism file, flood file and a file for any other disaster you can think of.

2. Consider alternate modes of communication. If you normally send out e- mails to contact your audience, consider an alternate means of communication in the event of a disaster. Electrical and telephone lines could be down, preventing your audience from receiving your message. A good alternative would be direct mail. A simple postcard would provide comfort and key information for your client base.

3. Address fears up front. When writing your communications, consider using a sequential formula based on the most pressing questions your clients would have in the event of a disaster. For instance, a client of a financial services firm would want to know if his or her investments are still secure even though the financial firm's building burned down. Then the person would want to know if he or she could still trade shares of stocks. Create a list of your client's largest concerns and address them in the communications you send out.

4. Consider a series of communications. Instead of sending out one letter, postcard or e-mail, think about breaking up your messages into parts. That way, clients will easily digest the information you have for them. Of course you would address their most pressing issues first. But when you follow up, deliver more complete information about your firm's status if necessary. (Note: You may only have to do this if your firm has sustained major damage due to the disaster.)

Also, please keep in mind that different cultures deal with disasters in different ways. As you create your "disaster file" be sure to do some research on the cultural tendencies of your foreign language audience during a disaster. Although our basic needs are the same after a disaster, the way those needs are addressed may require cultural sensitivity and a change from the normal way of doing things.

Quote of the Month

"Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand" - Thomas Carlyle.

LetSpeak.com® News Wire

August 17, 2004-- LetSpeak.com resumes normal operations after temporarily closing its offices for one day due to Hurricane Charley.

July 30, 2004-- Inclusion in the Minority Business Development Agency Portal granted to LetSpeak.com.

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