Following my New Year’s resolution to hit the road more often as an #interpreter , I bought a new pair of shoes for #business #travel .
 
The picture here shows my purchase – what I call “hybrid” shoes - hybrid because they suit both business scenes and industrial sites (Genba, 現場).
 
A typical agenda of a corporate visit proceeds like this:
 
🕘In the morning:
Company presentations in a meeting room and business discussions followed by a group photo shoot
 
When the host arranges a professional photographer and asks me to join the photo, I will oblige. What you need here is a pair of decent looking shoes, conservative enough for a photo-shoot – yes, I’ve got them! 👌
 
🕐 In the afternoon:
After a quick lunch in the canteen, the host shows their guests around the plant or project site.
 
Possibly, you may have to walk first on gravel or muddy ground to get there. Shop floors or construction sites are usually a bit more rough and rugged than meeting rooms. What you need here is a pair of robust shoes – yes, I’ve got them! 👌
 
Besides, well-cushioned shoes offer me comfort during the long assignment hours and likewise strenuous transit time. German trains are prone to undue delays and changes. It is not unusual that you need to run like hell a few minutes before the departure due to an abrupt change of platform. If you were wearing high heels, you would not make it.
 
Well then, I am now well equipped. Ready to set off on another professional tour. I am curious which exciting journeys await my cross-functional shoes. 👣

#onsite #interpreting #japanese #german #english