Euroasia: Language, Culture and Travel

OK This is going to be a long-ish post, to update you with all the goss over the past month. I have been very busy with various projects, travelling, attending all sorts of forums and events, and trying to keep up with everything else. It’s Christmas eve, and I finally get to do some blogging.  I dread to think what it must be like in the shopping malls right now, so this is a welcome reprieve.

We had the annual Euroasia Christmas party late this year (11 Dec 09). We had a decent turnout of around 80 clients and friends of Euroasia, which is OK seeing we clashed with many other corporate parties. File note: next year we definitely have to do this the first week of Dec, perhaps even late-Nov.  As you can see, those who managed to make it had a great time.

We didn’t do any Christmas carols in  Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Japanese like we did last year… but our team did organise some cool games. It was also a great opportunity for me to thank all our clients for their unwavering support to us over the past year. Dr John Reynolds spoke eloquently in 3 languages about his language learning experience at Euroasia.

Ken with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and fellow businessmen from Australia..

A few months ago, I accepted an invitation to speak at the World Chinese Economic Forum in November and held in Kuala Lumpur (which happens to be my hometown).   I’m really glad I went, as I managed to meet a number of very interesting people.  At my session, I talked about how overseas Chinese can assist businesspeople from Western nations, including New Zealand, to access new markets in Asia generally and China specifically. I provided examples of enterprising Chinese businesspeople facilitating trade opportunities. In the past, New Zealand chicken producers had to spend money to dispose of chicken parts like chicken feet (that Westerners don’t eat, but Chinese love). Through the intervention of Chinese traders, NZ chicken producers have not only saved money from having to dispose of these chicken parts, but are now profiting from the sales of these parts. There are plenty of business opportunities in China that New Zealanders are missing out on because of the DIY mindset. A far superior approach is to collaborate with Asians who live in NZ and have an entrenched knowledge of the language and culture in the target market.   I’m hoping to devote more time and energy to work on these Asia Bridge initiatives in 2010.

At the Forum, I managed to have a chat with the Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng. When he found out that I lived in NZ,  he said “you Kiwis qualified for the world cup”, referring to news that New Zealand qualified for the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa and demonstrating his knowledge of New Zealand. I had to break it to him that NZ also qualified for the Hockey World Cup, beating Malaysia the day before the forum.

Ken with PM John Key

Earlier this month, I attended the annual APEC Advisory Business Council (ABAC) dinner, where the PM briefs members of the business community on what happened at APEC. This year, there’s lots to say about the economy and the PM has just arrived back from the East Asia Summit, Malaysia-NZ FTA, CHOGM, and about to go to Copenhagen.

I have previously blogged about this but one funny anecdote worth sharing is from the Q%A where a guy asked a serious question “If we want to catch Australia why not just merge with them?” The PM’s response: I just got back from CHOGM where Australian PM Kevin Rudd asked me the same question. My response was I’m too busy running New Zealand to run Australia as well. This guy can be very funny.  I do think John Key is more in touch with the masses than Helen Clark; and has a way with both CEOs  as well as joe public. Perhaps this explains his 80% favourability rating throughout a very difficult year.

Mock up of Euroasia's new website to be launched in 2010

In the new year, you will see the launch of Euroasia’s new website and enrolment system, which we have spent the last 2 months working on. Some people have asked us why we want to spend money on this, especially seeing this is a particularly difficult time. My response is that in order to maintain Euroasia’s position as a leading provider of foreign language courses and cross-cultural services, we have to keep investing in the business, and to keep improving our service offering, especially when times are bad. Recessions don’t last forever, and I’m optimistic that 2010 will be a spectacular year for Euroasia. As it stands, our forward bookings for 2010 are already way ahead of this time last year.

Over the next two weeks, I will spend some time hopefully relaxing and reflecting on the past year. If you’re like me, and need some help with the reflection process, I’ve found this guide pretty helpful. Ask yourself 20 questions that cover all facets of life, not just material prosperity.

Last Christmas, we produced a video compilation of Euroasia staff bringing Christmas and New Year greetings in their native languages. I hope you don’t mind me recycling (seeing it’s in vogue now) this message. Once again we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Euroasia Spring Update – 1 Sept 2009

Firstly, thank you all who came out in support of the launch of International Languages Week at Euroasia. Photos are available on our Euroasia Facebook page.

Latin American party- 26 Sept

The 2nd Fiesta de la Chilenidad en Auckland is coming up, in conjunction with the Chilean National Day celebrations. We would like to invite you along to this amazing celebration organised by an established Chilean community group. If you want to see how Latin Americans party, you have to be there. Of course, those who went last year already know what it’s all about.

The details:
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2009
Time: 6.30pm (show starts at 7.30pm)
Venue: Te Atatu South Community Centre, 247 Edmonton Road, Te Atatu South.
Cost: $30

This event is open to all (not just those learning Spanish) so feel free to ask your friends along as well. Renowned Latin American dance group Renacer will be performing.

Euroasia is proud to support the Chilean National Day celebrations. All ticket holders will go into the prize draw to win a free course at Euroasia valued at $359.

As there are limited tickets available we would encourage those interested to purchase tickets from your teacher if you’re currently enrolled in a class with us. Tickets are sold on a cash basis. Sorry folks the organisers don’t take Visa. You can also email our Spanish teacher Jose-Luis at jose.valdivia@euroasia.co.nz if you’re keen. He will send you payment details.

Last year they sold out weeks prior and unfortunately the organisers had to turn away quite a few people on the waiting list. So get in quick!

Aotearoa Jasmine singing project – this Saturday

If you’re around this Saturday we would encourage you to head to Auckland Museum at 11am to join other New Zealanders from all walks of life to sing China’s best-loved folk song “Jasmine Flower” or Mo Li Hua. This session will be recorded for television.

Don’t worry if you don’t know how to sing this song. It’s well worth going along just to see what it’s all about. This NZ China Friendship Society initiative will celebrate the friendship between NZ and China. It is also a special gift for the 60th birthday of the People’s Republic of China. As we are the first country in the world to see the sunrise, its broadcast on television in New Zealand and in China will enable New Zealand to become the first country to wish China “Happy Birthday”. More information at http://aotearoajasmine.org.nz/

Let us know if you have any questions/feedback.  Great that spring is here. Let us know if you want to talk about upcoming courses. Or check out the Euroasia timetable.