Business, Professions & Government Division
About us
The strength of the Business, Professions and Government Division (BPG) lies in its diversity. BPG members may use their languages as a primary or secondary function, regularly or intermittently, with specialised or general terminology, but largely in support of, or complimentary to, another discipline within the sphere of industry, commerce and the public sector.
The current divisional management committee includes a business development manager for a steel company, translators and interpreters, business advisors and officers from two government departments, none of whom could perform these functions to the same degree of professionalism without the language and cross cultural skills that differentiate them.
The BPG’s objectives are:
- To promote the value of language skills as a key business enabler, to raise the profile and enhance the respect accorded to linguists in the workplace.
- To promulgate and demonstrate the benefit of informed cross-cultural working.
- To provide networking opportunities for its members, supported by informative and stimulating events.
BPG organises a programme of regional social events for new and existing divisional members to provide a networking platform in an interesting, sociable environment.
We are always delighted to see new members; all receive a welcome pack containing information about BPG activities and a questionnaire seeking their views as to the type of events and information they would find beneficial.
A survey of new members indicated that the main motivation for joining BPG was business/industry-related events, followed by networking with colleagues and language-related events. The majority of those who responded worked in the following areas: industry / service sector; support role; translation / interpreting. English was listed as the most frequently used language in the workplace, followed by German and French – no surprises there – but then a little further down the list came Mandarin, Cantonese and Russian.
BPG welcomes new ideas and we will do our utmost to take them forward within the constraints of our budget and human resources; do let us know what you would like to see on the agenda. We also welcome articles for publication in ‘The Linguist’ representing BPG members’ areas of work.
Committee details are as follows - we would be delighted to hear from you and actively encourage members to join us in running the Division and planning a wide range of events.
Events
Regular Meetings
You are invited to join us at our regular social evenings on the 1st Thursday of every alternate month. The purpose of these evenings, as well as being social, is to provide networking opportunities and find areas of common intrerest. Members from all groups and all parts of the country are very welcome.
Please go to the Events Calendar to check for other events organised by the Business, Professions and Government Division or contact Judith Ridgway or call her on +44 (0)121 3606152 for information about the Division's events.
The Charterhouse Musical Tour
Friday 11 May 2012 @ 7pm
Venue: Charterhouse Sutton's Hospital
Charterhouse Square
London EC1M 6AN
'An oasis in London' is the most common reaction made by visitors to the
London Charterhouse, just two minutes from Barbican tube station. This little known
area of London to the north of the City has a remarkable history and
several fascinating buildings.
The Musical Tours visits are the principal areas of this unique establishment, both sacred
and secular, where descriptions are given by the Master of Charterhouse. At
each location professional singers perform music by composers associated with
Charterhouse, including works by Purcell, Mendelssohn and Vaughan WilIiams.
In the Sacred areas the Carthusian Priory is explored; in Chapel, which contains
the noteworthy tomb of Thomas Sutton, a 10-minute recital is given on the
heritage 1842 1. Walker organ, restored in 2003.
The cost of the event including finger buffet is £25.00 per person. This event has been generously subsidised by the BPG Division.
Please complete the slip available here and return it with your payment by 1 May 2012 to
Julie Hobbs at the Chartered Institute of Linguists, Saxon House, 48 Southwark Street,
Working Effectively Across Cultures with International Contacts and Clients
Saturday 28th April 2012
09.30 – 17:00
This one-off event, very kindly sponsored by our Business, Professions and Government Division, is to be run by Linguarama in conjunction with CIOL. In this Cultural Competence Training:
- You will improve your ability to build relationships and communicate well with your colleagues, contacts and clients from other countries and cultures
- You will plan how to apply these improvements in your everyday work with them
- You will become more aware of their values, attitudes and behaviour, and of how these affect everyday professional activities
- You will gain useful insights into your own culture and how people from other countries and cultures may perceive your approach and your ways of communicating
- You will be more aware of potential pitfalls and clashes when operating face-to-face with them and when communicating virtually by telephone and email
- You will be armed with useful strategies for succeeding in your international work
Please note that places are limited, and in the case of oversubscription, priority will be given to BPG members.
The cost of the workshop has been generously subsidised by the BPG Division and CIOL - participants need pay only £65.00.
Payments can be made by cheque, postal order and debit or credit card and are due in full prior to attendance. Please indicate method of payment on the Registration Card. If you require any further information please call 0207 940 3169 or send us an email.
The division also offers an e-group facility, which provides the opportunity to raise queries and contribute to topics for discussion. Further details are available from Paul Shipman.
Management Committee
