My name is Mike.
I’m a specialist for business communication in English.
I help German CFOs perform better when using English at work: when giving presentations, when taking part in meetings, when making small talk and socialising.
At the beginning, my clients see their ability in English like a shirt full of wrinkles.
They feel uncomfortable in this shirt, self-conscious, maybe even ashamed.
Together, we iron out those wrinkles, making them proud to wear that shirt, knowing that they now look better and feel more confident.
I know what my clients are feeling because I’ve been there myself. For over 30 years I worked in the international transportation sector, spending most of that time as an English guy in Germany. I’ve had many roles, working my way up from customer care and sales right through to a CEO position.
I know what it’s like to have pressure to perform in a foreign language (in my case, German): presenting to the board, speaking at conferences, pitching to customers, negotiating with suppliers, motivating staff.
After travelling extensively on business around the world, I’ve also seen how I need to adapt my English to the language level of my communication partners. Now I am in a unique position to combine my experience of working as a leader in German with the requirements for successful communication in international English.
Seeking a new challenge and purpose for my working life, I switched from a successful sales director role to the uncertain future of freelancing . After getting a qualification, I spent six years gathering experience, working with over 240 people from over 35 different companies. This has given me insights into the type of person who gets the most benefit of working with me (read about some examples here) and the approaches that work best.
My conclusion: I provide the most value to people at the top of a company. The CFOs I’ve worked with have been the ones to benefit most from my experience. They are not in the spotlight so often, but when they are, it really counts.
I give them the tools and the confidence to handle this successfully in English.
I take a coaching approach to improving your communication skills in English.
In a sense, I’m the guide. You have to do the walking, but I use my experience to show you different possible paths, shortcuts and bridges. Some parts will be hard, but it will be worth it in the end, when we get to where you want to go. And we’ll enjoy the scenery on the way.
My speciality is improving people’s presentations. We move you from a “What was that?” reaction to a “Wow!”
My job boils down to asking questions and giving feedback.
I stay focused on you, the client: your needs, your wishes, your areas of work.
We’ll look at your self-image and beliefs about performing in English.
I’ll also challenge you: some of the questions can be difficult and the feedback will be honest.
I promise we’ll have fun working hard together to get you where you want to be.
I get a kick out of helping people to reach their potential.
And I love seeing how companies work, and how improvements in leadership communication can have a direct effect on results.
I make sure I work with people who inspire and energise me.
Five minutes before the session, I want to feel excited, even a little nervous, full of anticipation that something valuable is about to happen.
Husband, grandfather, home lover, reluctant gardener, cat friend,
wine explorer, sports enthusiast (keen golfer, Tottenham supporter), optimist, life-long learner.
Quality, not quantity.
Less is more.
Under-promise and overdeliver.
Serve first.
Small steps lead to big results over time.
Turn up ready and on time.
Go with your gut.
I'm not a "quotation person", but this one inspires me:
“Anyone who isn't embarrassed of who they were last year
probably isn't learning enough.”
Alain de Botton