By Andrew Carter

Strategies in Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Strategies imply a plan of campaign - how do I go about getting the best language training for my staff? First things first: you can do this in a number of ways, from 'cross your fingers and hope for the best' to a carefully considered winning option, which every time, if you can afford the investment, would be one-to-one tuition and 'total immersion.

This is the strategy I want to consider here, but bear in mind that there are excellent schools out these both at home and abroad, where the eager student can make good progress quickly. That does assume fairly small class sizes, so that individual students can get plenty of practise time: think about it - an hour in a class of ten, even if the teacher says nothing and an hour (which he or she won't, of course), means an hour is only six minutes each of speaking the language! This is reason one why one-to-one is the best strategy to employ - your student gets maximum talk-time in his one hour session. Reason two mirrors that - maximum listening time - in that the individual can ask HIS questions and receive answers he wants or needs. From the teacher's point of view, one-to-one means that lessons can be geared to the individual, both in terms of ability and pace, but, more importantly, character.

A person learns best when they are engaged in the learning process, when they really want to talk about something. Say my next client was a Japanese Automotive professional. I don't know until he arrives what his current level of English is. I do know that he'll be apprehensive, he'll have been sent here to learn (maybe reluctantly), and he, like me, will certainly be nervous. So the teacher has to break through the uncertainty and nerves and build a relaxed trust between him and his student before learning can begin.

Once established, lessons can be built around the individual, themed according to their passions. Maybe my Japanese Automotive executive is the top man in his field in a particular branch of engineering - but maybe he really loves soccer or music or girls or elephants: who knows? The good teacher finds out quickly and builds the teaching programme - his strategy - around those things: let the learning begin!

By Colleen Hensley

Cars are a wonderful invention. They lend mobility to people and allow transport of loads from one point to another.

And a lot of cars do even more than just that. For a lot of people, cars are an investment. There are those that hold up social status and add prestige to the name of its owner with the luxury that they are, like the world-famous Ford Mustang, the royal Jaguar, and the ever grandiose Porsche. Especially for the business class, people in the upper management and executive brackets, owning and keeping a car that is of relatively good market value is a significant indicator of rank and success, while the sorts of the Mini Cooper, Toyota Yaris, and the new Chevrolet Camaro with distinctive styling and feasible consumer price indexes seem to imbibe youth and vitality wherever its presence can be found.

To some, cars are like kids, something that goes beyond just a machine that can be used for traveling and involves responsibilities and tasks. And for the junkies, cars are like better halves through which appearance and stature could say so much about how the owner tends it and takes pride of it. Well, the fact is. Of course, not everybody owns an expensive sedan. How many common wheels take the road everyday that roll with fabulous body paints, blings on the car rims, stickers somewhere front, behind, and on the side, spoilers that may or may not aid aerodynamics but make the car just as magnificent, wheels and mugs that sport it up and lights that make the car dazzle? How many bronze tagged units have now such lavish interiors where you could find more than a stereo is a mobile television set, a GPS tracker, a sensor-operated climate control system, or perhaps some expensive leather or velvet linings on the car seats?

These are cars that are straight out of the ultimate car enthusiast, the aficionado's garage. Caring for the car is the life of the car junkie. And for the love of it, cashing out to keep or update it is not much of a problem. Thanks that the American creative juice simply has not gone down the drain over the drive-thru pastry and morning coffee that even ordinary-looking cars with simple layouts and design engineered for daily drives can own a specific treat to itself which can make it a lavish and special ride.

Not to leave out the fact that the automotive industry is somewhat having ruffled feathers that has subsequently incited the ending of the production of various cars and car parts that a part of today's efforts on sustainability need to come from the end-user of these automotive products. By and large, aftermarket products like the AC Condenser for the auto AC system and replacement lamps for the headlights and tail lights continue to be available, and in all these, the thrust of the car junkie winds up as never to be a burden but a pleasure to engage in-that is, to continue the up-keeping and innovative styling in support of the industries need for revenue and utility.

By Terry E. Voster

S.U.V.'s can be exceptional value now on the automotive market. Many automobile owners are "dumping" or getting rid of their vehicles at a loss due to the exorbitant money they are paying to fill at their vehicles at the gas pumps to fill their tank with fuel. In many cases it is not only rationalization by the owner as to why it is a good thing to sell their vehicle at a loss, or even end lease payments or car purchase payments early and pay substantial penalties for doing so. It can actually make good sound financial sense when the numbers are crunched that by selling their S.U.V. now rather by holding it to term that sum total costs will be much less if the car is relinquished now. It some it can even come to the S.U.V. owner seeing the writing on the wall that if current gas prices continue in their trend that with the driving habits and distances of the owner that they will not be able to pay those high fuel costs and maintain their household or the lifestyle that they are used to currently.

It's a good time to buy an S.U.V. If you need or want one. Economics in the end always come down to supply and demand. In this case there is a huge oversupply of SUVs with very little demand. The S.U.V. buyer, not the seller, is in the driver's seat when it comes to make a deal.

Is an S.U.V. for you? After extensive travel and research Winnipeg based automotive industry expert William Simpson notes that owning or purchasing an S.U.V. may be an exceptionally wise choice for many. It all depends on their circumstances and vehicular as well as travel needs. An S.U.V. may be a correct and very choice for you as a motorist and automobile purchaser.

For example if you are a weekend angler who tows a boat - then an S.U.V. can be a very wise choice. Towing a boat requires power and torque. Use a smaller, more inadequate vehicle and not only will you suffer by poor performance and low gas mileage but also take a hefty chance of risking exceptionally expensive transmission repair bills. Ditto the same for owners of trailers whether they take them on weekend jaunts or tow the trailer less frequently leaving the trailer on site for longer jaunts.

Some people just most comfortable with trucks. Others are "truck people". For a large family an S.U.V. affords lots of space for the family. The S.U.V. can be seen as the 60's station wagon of our day. Others need the large size and ruggedness for work on the job. An S.U.V. is essentially a well made truck; rugged and well proven packed with options. If a tradesperson or an executive in an industry which requires onsite travel to remote and rugged terrain requires the use a truck like vehicle or wishes the luxury of it all then an S.U.V. may be just the ticker. Small economy cars may be good on gas in the city but may just not cut it out in the bush or have the carrying capacity needed for the job or the recreational retreat.

Some people feel that a S.U.V. due to its bulk and substance is a safer vehicle. Some statistics have proven that this is not so. Again it all depends on your circumstances. At test crashed of 15 miles per hour this may be so. However this may not be the case at high speeds on the freeway or highway when other vehicles not only have inertia but are also larger and heavier as well. The bulk and thick metal frame of an S.U.V. has saved more than one motorist from injury in crashes whereas in a smaller lighter car they would not have been as fortunate. The question arises of safety with roll overs and SUV's. Often the determining factor in many of these accidents was inadequate air pressure in the tires. It has been noted that very few people check their tire pressures on a regular basis as routine and preventive maintenance. Make it an essential practice to regularly have your tire pressures checked - especially before highway and vacation travel.

In the end it comes down to choice and preferences. Is an S.U.V. a wise choice for you? Different strokes for different strokes. One size does not fit all. If you determine that an S.U.V is for you now is an excellent time to strike a deal. High supply and low demand may well put you in the driver's seat for a more than anticipated good deal.

By Albert Hunter

Have you ever seen a vehicle that looked exactly like yours, but it had a completely different name and brand than yours? Well if you have, there is valuable reasoning behind it. A majority of the auto industry's sales are crucially dependant upon the marketing of its vehicles. With an abundance of vehicle manufacturers and automotive brands, it has become a necessity for auto makers and marketers to join forces in an effort to increase sales without drastically increasing spending.

One key strategy frequently used in the auto industry has been dubbed badge engineering. This refers to the strategy of manipulating the branding of a vehicle as opposed to the actual vehicle itself. The most common form of badge engineering occurs when a single manufacturer has multiple brands and plans to market different brands to different buyers. Badge engineering is executed for several reasons and can be utilized in several different ways. The following is a list of the badge engineering methods and their benefit:

What: Large auto makers have been known to market the same car under a different brand or model name.
Reason: This can expand the range of brands in a single market without the costs of developing an entirely new car. It can also help market the vehicle to different areas without having to physically change the vehicle.

What: Independent companies have been known to 'share' a revised version of their products to compensate for anything missing in the company's lineup.
Reason: This aids by filling a void in the company's physical lineup while saving on the cost and time of developing a new vehicle. Also this can help in the overall sales of a lineup and to strengthen company relations.

What: Various collaborations have formed when auto makers combine their resources to develop an entirely new product to sell separately.
Reason: It costs less and is much easier than independently developing other models. Each company can benefit from the others strengths.

What: Companies have designed badges apart from their other brands for the branding of a single model.
Reason: This strategy can be done to separate a vehicle from its manufacturing brand for different marketing campaigns or other image related reasons.

What: Some automakers have been known to market two unrelated vehicle models using the exact same marquee and model name.
Reason: This can drastically boost brand recognition and a trusted marquee can influence buyers even if the model is completely different.

What: Some makers have intermittently manufactured limited versions of certain models.
Reason: The main reason for this is to obtain a minimum production requirement for motor racing. This can also be done to preserve the value and prestige of certain vehicle (i.e. Ferrari)

What: Many auto makers have specifically branded models for the non-retail sale.
Reason: This can build a reputation or create value to a consumer who is receiving a custom made line of vehicles. It is mainly done for rental fleets, etc.

What: A company with a luxury brand and a mainstream brand may upgrade a vehicle from the mainstream brand and sell it as a luxury vehicle.
Reason: This provides a new class of vehicle without the costs of major time and development. The company is able to generate a large Return on Investment selling the new vehicle as a more expensive model under a premium luxury marquee.

Opposed to the beneficial outcomes that can be generated by badge engineering, it can also have adverse affects that lead to a negative impact on a company. One major difficulty with badge engineering is that when a single company has many brands, they are commonly forced to market each brand separately. This in-turn raises the vehicles total cost and the cost to the customer.

Another possible negative impact is that badge engineering can produce too much competition within its own company. This can occur if appropriate marketing and brand distinction is not utilized. While badge engineering is utilized to save on R&D costs, inconsistent or under-planned badge engineering may inevitably lead to a loss of revenue for the company. Companies must regularly and strategically plan and execute these types of strategies to stay at the top of the industry.

By Sarah Custack

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." Steve Jobs

I saw some startling figures from the Bureau of Labor & Statistics. Coming from the automotive industry, I was well aware of the decline of jobs. However, the facts still struck me. Since January 2005, there has been a 41.5% reduction in automotive manufacturing jobs. In the last year alone, the industry experienced a decline of 22.8%. (Seasonally adjusted employment numbers for Manufacturing - Motor Vehicles & Parts). We don't have to be victims of this economy. Take action to control your future.

Recessions are great times of opportunity for those willing to invest in themselves and their ideas. Do you have an idea for a business, but don't know how to move to action? Have you always wanted to start your own business? Whatever your dream may be now is the time to act!

Yesterday I met with a friend who wants to take his business to the next level. We reviewed his financial goals, motivation, desire, income producing activities, and marketing strategy. There is so much to starting a business or revitalizing an existing one, it can seem very overwhelming. Just starting strategic conversations can be a relief to an aspiring business owner who feels alone in the endeavor. Persevering through strategic planning and execution will bring success to entrepreneurs who take action to move forward each and every day.

I have heard it said that planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now. Move forward today with your business idea. Do something about your future today. Everyone has talents and gifts that can earn them money. Today's economy just demands that you get creative to find the right opportunities. A great business idea is worth $1. The plan to implement that idea can be worth $1 Million!

By Pete Ridgard

There is a great deal of competition for the same individual marketplaces in the automotive world. For every trailblazing supermini or SUV, there are literally hundreds of pretenders snapping at its heels. The particular example I would like to focus on here would be that of the executive saloon; chiefly populated by the popular German car manufacturers BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz.

There are competing manufacturers for the top three manufacturer spots and they are emanating from all over the world. The Ford Mondeo has yet to raise its profile enough to compete in this particular market, but is improving greatly in every incarnation it has. The same could be said for the Saab 9-5 which could become a fantastic contender in the next few years. There is one overriding competitor to the executive saloon that is turning many more heads than the majority and that is Lexus.

Lexus, finally made their appearance at the 1988 Los Angeles Car Trade show and have been trying to grab a sizeable share of the saloon market ever since. Test driving the new Lexus IS220d would confirm that they definitely have the capability to challenge for greater things. Smooth luxurious driving and all mod cons ensure that this car is one to look out for in the future.

If you are looking for a more affordable alternative then there are plenty of much cheaper Used Lexus models appearing at dealerships throughout the UK. Although I would recommend avoiding their diesel engines as they do feel much more sluggish compared to the quick and zippy petrol alternatives.

By Bilal Ciftci

In April 2009 Ford declared that it would not need government aid and claimed that it had a plan to break even in two years. Ford has been ahead of its main rival General Motors in scaling down its business by selling Aston Martin, Land Rover and Jaguar over the past two years. GM, meanwhile, went through a massive reorganization after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. GM is temporarily majority owned by US government after it invested $57.6 billion in the company.

Per the plan GM executives presented in congressional hearings the company would reach the break-even point by 2011. They further declared that they would cut costs by eliminating 47,000 jobs, closing five more unprofitable factories and cut at least $18 billion in debt from its balance sheet. It was expected that these cost cuts would allow the company to break even when the U.S. auto market returned to between 11.5 million to 12 million vehicles sold per year.

J.D Power and Associates, a global marketing information services firm, announced its projections about the new automotive industry break-even point. According to Gary Dilts, senior vice president of U.S. automotive at J.D. Power and Associates, due to cost-cutting measures such as renegotiation of union and supplier contracts, the break-even point for the domestic automotive industry will decrease by more than 2 million units when comparing current industry conditions to those forecast in 2010. Dilts explains the reason for this decrease due to the significant declines in the auto industry which resulted in lost sales volume of more than 7 million units between 2000 and 2009. This sales volume makes $175 billion in net revenue.

In automobile industry fixed costs make up a greater portion of total costs. The manufacturing plants, assembly lines and technology invested to build vehicles are some of the items forming the fixed costs. Compared to fixed costs, variable costs form a relatively smaller portion of the total costs. This puts the auto industry into a risky situation due to high operating leverage.

The definition of the operating leverage is the ratio of fixed costs to total costs. The higher a firm's fixed costs, the higher its operating leverage. In firms having high operating leverage, small percentage changes in sales volumes result in large percentage changes in profits. This variability or sensitivity of profits to changes in sales volume put the firm into a risky position. Per the "Greater Risk, Greater Return" rule this also means more profit if demand and therefore sales volume is high.

In automobile industry since fixed costs are relatively high, during the recession times, as the demand and sales volume go down the likelihood of earnings to cover the fixed costs will decrease, i.e. it will be more difficult for the automobile companies to break even. Therefore the automobile companies start cutting the costs, especially fixed costs, like closing the unprofitable facilities, eliminating jobs. For example, GM sold its unprofitable Hummer to a Chinese company.

The car companies should increase the volume of profitable vehicles and effective advertising activities to be able to sell them to the customers. Increase in the sales volume will help in covering the high fixed costs and reach the break-even point. In August 06, 2009 Edward Whitacre Jr., the new chairman of General Motors, stated that GM needs to improve the number of vehicles sold. To do that, he said, the board may decide to move up the launch of several new vehicles.

Comparing Ford and General Motor's Consolidated Results of Operations from Form 10-K these two companies submitted to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) back in 2008:

Ford (millions)

Revenue: 146,277
Cost and Expenses: 160,949
Net Income/Loss: (14,672)
Volume of Sales: 5.532

General Motors (millions)

Revenue: 148,979
Cost and Expenses: 179,839
Net Income/Loss: (30,860)
Volume of Sales: 8.144

Break-even points for these companies can be calculated using the Revenue, Cost and Volume figures above.

Ford
Average Price: 146,277 / 5.532 = $26,441

GM
Average Price: 148,979 / 8.144 = $18,293

To cover its Costs and Expenses Ford had to sell: 160,949 / 26,441 = 6.08 million cars and trucks. To cover its Costs and Expenses General Motors had to sell: 179,839 / 18,293 = 9.83 million cars and trucks. The additional sales volume GM and Ford had to make to reach the break-even point back in 2008.

Ford: 6.08 - 5.532 = 0.554 million
GM: 9.83 - 8.144 = 1.686 million

By Lance Winslow

Often Automotive Think Tanks will stay within their boundaries - The Auto Industry when doing there thinking. The Online Think Tank takes auto issues very seriously and yet we do not only talk about automobiles, however we are hard core when it comes to that industry and we read all their Online Newsletters, Industry Trade Journals and stay up on all the DOT issues and government regulations as well.

So, today we talked about the Auto Industry in our Online Think Tank for a good 10 hours. What were the topics? Well, we talked about many things, but below is a sample of some of the issues we discussed and are definitely of interest for those who follow the industry, because what is good for our cars, is important to our quality of life and mobility - Freedom:

1. The Bashed the US Auto Makers on Ecology and Now EU Auto Makers Speak Up.

The US Auto Industry lobbied hard against the newest fuel standards, while Toyota and Honda are already there, the US auto industry fought hard to limit the excessive fuel standards. Meanwhile the EU is trying to help their own manufacturers while getting regulations put in place against the US manufacturers, which is hard to do without hurting their own.

"The EU wants to limit CO2 to 120 grams per kilometer by 2015."

The head of several companies said that the deadline was not possible, which is interesting as the EU is using the Global Warming issues to promote its businesses over other industrialized nations, like the US and China. Of course the Germans make many models of large cars, still the Italians and French who make smaller cars still seem to believe they cannot do it, that is to say limit the CO2 that much, but Volkswagon thinks it can, yet still joined the others in lobbying against the tightened emissions.

2. "The 100 MPG Car and the Volkswagon - Can Do Attitude!" Industry Week Reports:

Germany's big automaker Volkswagen said it is planning to make a curiously designed car that will use just one liter (a quarter of a gallon) of fuel per 100 kilometer (62 miles)."We want to put 'one-liter car' on the market by 2010," the group's supervisory board chairman, Ferdinand Piech, told the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung at Frankfurt's' International Auto Show.

The vehicle is not the most pretty in the world, and its engine only has one-cylinder and is a diesel, but 100 mpg, is attainable they say. Volkswagon says it wants to sell the car for under $5,000 and I bet people in the US right about now would love to have one too. Meanwhile the Chinese are getting ready to flood the US market with new Chinese made automobiles, the first dealership opens in 2008 in New Jersey. The Chinese will have fuel efficient cars, will they sell, probably so.

3. Meanwhile the Chinese Counterfeit Tires then Try to Promote Luxury Bentley Level Car?

Here is an excerpt of an article in a popular Online AutoSpies newsletter:

It appears Chinese companies are just as happy to clone tire designs as they are cars, with Continental the latest manufacturer to suffer lost sales due to fake Chinese imports. However, unlike BMW and Mercedes-Smart, which have yet to take serious action against China's Shuanghuan Auto and its clone-cars, Continental has shown that it's possible to defeat counterfeiters by winning a case against several tire resellers in Germany selling the counterfeit stock. Though only affecting a couple of commercial truck brands, the counterfeiting is still of major concern because customers were buying inferior products that weren't as safe as the originals.

4. President Bush has asked a committee panel to study the US fuel efficiency laws to make sure that the regulations for future fuel economy is actually an attainable number.

This from the White House Website:

The Bush administration will launch a new study next week to estimate what kind of technology automakers will need to raise fuel efficiency over the next 15 years, updating and expanding a 2002 report that's been a benchmark in this summer's energy debate. The National Academy of Sciences panel, which includes environmentalists, independent experts and automotive engineers, will spend the next year working on the report. The panel will hear testimony from federal officials and auto industry executives during its first public meeting in Washington on Monday. With Congress moving toward passing some kind of increase in fuel-economy standards and President George W. Bush ordering his administration to set its own increases by the end of next year, the updated report will act as a road map for many future decisions by federal regulators. The 2002 edition concluded ... that the industry could raise the efficiency of its cars by up to 27 percent and its trucks by 42 percent over a decade -- to roughly 30 miles per gallon -- with no changes in weight, size or performance. U.S. cars and trucks are expected to average 26.4 m.p.g. in the 2007 model year, the highest level ever, according to federal estimates. But automakers have long objected to the 2002 report, saying it overstated the benefits of new technologies and understated the costs and engineering work needed to put them into vehicles.

5. Chrysler Ramps up Fuel Efficient Competition Car and Industry Week states;

That they have an advanced propulsion electric drive vehicle ready to launch, an advancement from their new ENVI Concept Cars from their CTC - Chrysler Technology Center. Mercedes is angry that the Smart Car is being copied by China, BMW and the Toyota Rav 4 copies are also a concern. Germany's Chancellor, is making a complaint to the WTO on China, there are significant problems with these infringements. But spying is not only in the passenger car sector. Auto Racing Spies Get Dusted by Competition - We found this interesting piece in the UK Register:

Formula One team McLaren must pay a $100m fine and has been kicked out of the constructors' championship for spying on rival team Ferrari. The decision by the governing body of the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA) means McLaren is out of the constructors' championship this year but drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso can continue to compete in the drivers' competition. McLaren did not accept the verdict. In a statement Ron Dennis said: "Having been at the hearing today I do not accept that we deserved to be penalised in this way."

6. The DOT has stated that Bike Lanes take monies away that could be used to make bridge infrastructure stronger.

Bicycles VS Cars, well we know who will win on the street in an accident, and most likely in the courtroom of public opinion, as we do not wish anymore bridges to be collapsed and yet, we need more bike lanes. Bicycle and car accidents kill way too many people each year and Americans are way too fat, they need to exercise too. The Department of Transportation - DOT stated this because they do not consider bicycles a real form of transportation, as very few people use them in that way, most of the bike riding is for recreation and staying in shape. True, but if you never put in bike lanes then no one will ever use them, so it is a self-fulfilling prophesy either way. Well those were all the automotive thoughts from today. Sincerely, Lance.

By Pete Ridgard

When it comes to the frankly saturated executive car market there are a great deal of options available to the upwardly mobile high fliers amongst us. Fighting it out for the affections of these career orientated people are the more popular choices are BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz. However, there are now a few newer competitors throwing their metaphorical hats into the ring for consideration. Chief amongst these newcomers is Lexus.

Lexus first made an appearance in the automotive industry when a rather strange saloon car popped up at the 1988 Los Angeles Automotive Trade Show. Since then the manufacturer responsible for the hugely popular IS Series and its many derivatives has made huge leaps and bounds and has been catching up with the German ringleaders.

A test drive of a Lexus IS220d confirms that there is very little to pick between the top 3 or 4 competitors in this market. Obviously luxury is what they are all aiming for and the Lexus has this in spades. All the mod cons are catered for the modern driver, from climate control, sat nav and all the bells and whistles that have been adopted by the executive car fraternity.

With this kind of ostentatious drive quality comes a price; the price tag to be exact. Luxury doesn't come cheap these days, least of all in the automotive industry. With this in mind it may be a good start to check the market for a Used Lexus to get the best of both worlds.

By Eyal Golan

The business of repairing car damage grows as the number of cars grows. This is because of the likelihood of accidents on the road. Thus, if you want a blue-collar job that earns you like a company executive, you may opt to develop yourself from a novice car repairer to a skilled car repairer.

Skilled car damage repairers earn almost four folds of what novice repairer gets. Statistics show that of the 223,000 automotive repairers in 2004, 10% of them, the skilled automotive repairers earn more than $28.45 per hour. This is about four times what the less skilled repairer's get, which is about $9.42 per hour.

If we then compare it to the median per hour rate of company executives which is about $29.75 per hour, you probably pair enough in take-home money because being in the business of repairing car damage, you do not need to wear a suit and tie, and get stressed to much thinking of how you will run the business. You may also need to worry about the life of all the people in your company. You thus sport a stressful lifestyle, although from a distance, you may look far better than blue-collar workers. You may have the power to command as a company executive but you do not have the coziness of a blue-collar job. You may be more stressed as compared to skilled car damage repairers.

On the other hand, as a skilled car damage repairer, you go to work in noisy body shops with clatters of hammering and whining of power tools. You also will be dirty at the end of the day. You are also working in a condition where there is great possibility of being hurt while repairing car damages.

In addition to this, you will need to have at least 3 to 4 years of hands-on experience in all the paces of automotive repairing before you reach a receive a handsome pay.

Therefore, to ensure that later on, your business of repairing car damages will go up to the level where you will earn like those handsomely dressed company executives, it may help to have yourself certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence. Once you are certified as an ASE Master Collision Repair and Refinishing Technician, you may already command your price.

However, before you get this far in your business of car damage repairing, you may need continuing education on the modern and technically advanced quality of cars that manufacturers introduce to the market.

Formal training will help you develop your skills and attending seminars sponsored by automotive manufacturers will keep you at the top of your business.

It may also help to understand the government requirements and that of insurance companies so that you will be able to assist your clients well enough.

Your business might be slapped by the total loss assessment of insurance companies. However, this may be masked by the fact that you can buy these total loss cars, study their parts, and even use some of them for your future repairs. Understanding the requirements and the logic behind these requirements will be able to give you an edge in assisting your customers, whether to have their cars repaired or ask the insurance company for a total loss assessment. Being an authority in all the paces of owning a car may help you in your business as well.

Keeping pace with the modernity of today's automotive industry will keep your business of repairing car damage such a lucrative business.

You may be dirty at the end of the day, but if you are able to provide for the needs of your family, I think repairing car damage is not such a bad idea.

Start by having formal education on automotive repairing and slowly go up to the being skilled in collision repair, straightening bend bodies, removing dents and replacing crumpled parts. Later on, you will be one of the most sought-after Master Collision Repair and Refinishing Technicians, and a booming business, as well.

By Andrew Carter

A Japanese businessman (or a Korean, a Chinese, or any other non-English speaker for that matter) working for a global organisation that make cars or parts for cars needs to acquire four key skills if he want s to master English as a Foreign Language. Here we consider what these skills are, and how they might be of use in the marketplace.

1. Reading

The first things that leap to mind are e-mails. In-boxes around the globe are inundated daily with huge amounts of written information - bosses, colleagues, customers and suppliers all wanting you to know something and usually to do something about it. Then there are reports submitted by overseas colleagues - so often in a different language to your own. When the executive travels there are signs, notices and written information coming at them from every angle, 24:7. So our businessman needs to learn to read English.

2. Writing

Then he needs to be able to write - simple answers to those mails: "please accept my apologies for the late response to your mail - I have been away on a business trip since last week. I will deal with your enquiry immediately". Writing is also needed to fill in forms - starting with visa applications, immigration forms and all the bureaucracy involved with trips to a foreign land. Then come reports, business letters, and notes for hotel staff and new friends. Our businessman needs to be able to write English. These first two skills are often easier for people to master - they can be practiced at their own pace - time can be taken over understanding - bi-lingual dictionaries (now in electronic format too!) can help make sense of things. The second two need more confidence and practice, and this is where a good teacher really is worth the investment.

3. Listening

There are so many ways to practice this skill, and from it comes the fourth, speaking, which will be the real mark of progress for the learner, and the proof to his bosses (the investors) of the value of their investment! Spoken English flies around the world - you hear it on planes, at airports, and once you've landed in the English speaking country you hear it everywhere in all it's shades and colours! Watch a movie, hear a song: Hollywood and Nashville have an international audience! For the businessman good listening skills will enhance his ability in negotiation and information gathering.

4. Speaking

This is the difficult one, but once mastered the most important - especially in meetings with international partners, customers and suppliers. The only way to learn a foreign language is to speak it with a sympathetic teacher. Be prepared to make mistakes and to be corrected. As you progress, the corrections will slowly disappear, your confidence will increase. Talk about things that you love (family, holidays, sport, and music - anything but work), relax, enjoy, and learn!