This maybe a taboo topic ~ Deloitte Consulting Forum

Principal Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Posts: 102

But I am curious what everyone thinks about TI in the West sending out an email offering English lessons a couple of weeks ago? It seems to me that you probably should not be working at the firm if you can not communicate, but I am curious what you all think.

Analyst Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 5

I haven't seen the email, but I can understand the intent behind it. There is a difference in whether someone can communicate and communicating well. In order to get the best talents out there, the firm has hired many practitioners who cannot count communication as their strongest suit. I am a strong believer that executive level communication is critical for our job, but it does not come naturally for some of our colleagues.

Over the years, I have noticed a few of examples of individual who needs some English coaching. Sadly, this applies to both native English speakers and non native speakers.

So it may seem a little humiliating, but I agree with the spirit behind it, and think it will actually help some of our practitioners to be the best consultants that they can be.

Analyst Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Location: London

I heard about a German Consultant (spoke German fluently) who had lived in the UK for a long time. He then decided to transfer to Germany, however he was not allowed to send any emails out to clients because ability at writing business style German was not good, and lessons were required.