Do you know where Hokkaido is?

Do you know how many islands there are in Japan?

If you put a map of Hokkaido on top of Tokyo, how far will the west go?

きょうは、にほんご しょきゅうのみなさんのために、いつもより ゆっくりはなします。
Today, for beginners in Japanese, I speak more slowly than usual.

えいごも つかいます。
I also use English.

きいてください。
Please listen.




🇯🇵BEAUTIFUL Sound of Japanese🌸🌊🍁⛄️ with MISAO

Ep５. The size of Hokkaido（ほっかいどうの おおきさ）

If you have read Atomic Habits, then you know about the four ways to form good habits. 

Make it obvious.

Make it attractive.

Make it easy.

Make it satisfying.

The Global Professional Podcast

Episode 128 - How to Form Good Business Communication Habits 

Observe the communication habits of other professionals to enhance your own.

Observe - Episode 127

Vocal clarity is all about making your voice sound clean, expressive, and easy to understand. It starts with strong articulation and enunciation—making sure each word is crisp and pronounced clearly. Breath support, especially from the diaphragm, helps maintain vocal strength and steadiness so your voice doesn’t fade or waver.

Resonance is another big piece of the puzzle. Using different areas like your chest, nasal passages, or head for tone placement can give your voice richness and projection. To keep your sound open and flexible, it's essential to release tension in your jaw, tongue, and lips. Gentle warm-ups and stretches can help with that.

Pitch control and expressive intonation ensure your voice doesn’t sound monotone or dull. Along with that, pacing and rhythm make a huge difference—speaking or singing with intention, and not too fast, helps your audience catch every word.

If you're using a microphone, knowing how to position yourself and control your volume makes a big difference. And of course, the secret ingredient to all of this is consistent practice. Recording yourself, getting feedback, or even working with a coach (me) can help you refine your sound over time.



Vocal Clarity - Episode 126

Platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams offer instant messaging, channels for focused discussions, file sharing, and video conferencing integrations. These tools foster real-time communication and build a sense of team presence, bridging the geographical gap. Beyond basic chat, they often integrate with other productivity apps, creating a central hub for workflows.

To keep projects on track and tasks clearly defined is crucial in a remote setting. Tools like Asana, Trello, and Monday.com provide visual boards, task assignments, progress tracking, and deadlines. These platforms ensure everyone knows their responsibilities and the overall project status, promoting accountability and efficient execution. Features like Gantt charts and workload management further enhance planning and resource allocation.

Remote work can amplify distractions. Tools like Toggl Track help individuals and teams monitor time spent on tasks, providing valuable insights for optimizing workflows and billing accuracy. Focus-enhancing apps like Freedom block distracting websites and applications, enabling deeper concentration and minimizing interruptions. Dedicated timer apps can facilitate techniques like the Pomodoro method.

Virtual face-to-face interaction is vital for team cohesion and effective communication. Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams offer reliable video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, and recording capabilities. These tools facilitate productive meetings, presentations, and virtual team-building activities.

The protection of sensitive information is paramount in any work environment, especially remotely. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) encrypt internet traffic, ensuring secure connections. Password managers like LastPass and 1Password help generate and securely store complex passwords, reducing the risk of security breaches.

Essential Tools for Remote Work Success - Episode 125

I recently started learning 5 languages, and it's been surprisingly insightful for my work. It's not just about the language itself; it's about the process. Diving into a new linguistic system forces you to recognize both the differences and the underlying similarities between languages – and, by extension, cultures. This cross-language learning has sharpened my ability to identify patterns and nuances in communication, which is invaluable when negotiating international deals or managing diverse teams.

More importantly, it's reminded me of the 'learning to learn' skill. We often forget how to learn effectively once we're out of formal education. I have bite-sized lessons and it has reignited my ability to absorb new information quickly and efficiently. It's a reminder that embracing continuous learning, even in seemingly unrelated areas, can significantly enhance your cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills. So, even if you don't have time for a full immersion, spending just 15 minutes a day on a language app might just give you a fresh perspective and sharpen your business acumen.

To summarize the benefits: 

Language learning improves cognitive agility.

This agility is crucial for business.

Studying languages sharpens pattern recognition.

This improves strategic analysis.

Language exposure aids global leadership.

It fosters understanding of cultural nuances.

Language learning cultivates sensitivity.

This lessens misinterpretation risks.

Deciphering language enhances thinking.

It also boosts problem-solving abilities.