November 21, 2016
Kevin has just been recognised at the Chinese Business Leaders Awards 2016 in the SME category. The sold- out event was the largest ever gathering in the UK of business people from mainland China, and the annual award recognises their excellence and the valuable contribution that they make to UK organisations. From partners at Clifford Chance and PwC to heads of departments at UBS and Goldman Sachs, winners of the award represent the very best from China. In his acceptance speech, Kevin thanked customers and staff. He also thanked the UK as the great country that has enabled him to achieve what he set out to do.
November 18, 2016
KL is on the move. We’re completing the purchase today of our own office. It’s in a modern purpose-built building within 3 minute walk from the Norbiton Station and many bus routes in and out of Kingston. With space over three storeys and some 30% more room, we’re ready for expansion in 2017.
November 9, 2016
The annual CBBC Chairman’s visit to China ended on Friday night with a big party. Lord Sassoon was joined by three hundred people to celebrate the 20th anniversary of CBBC’s Chengdu office. A panel of guests talked about the monumental change that had taken place in Chengdu, and also the role of the CBBC over the past two decades. Earlier in the visit, the CBBC delegation met senior central government officials in Beijing and the Party Secretary of Shanghai, Han Zhen. We were proud to have sponsored the interpreting service for the annual mission for the third year running. Kevin was pleased to be told by interpreters on the Chinese side, throughout the visit, that they had all read his book on interpreting.
September 27, 2016
‘What should an interpreter do if someone in the audience interferes with my interpreting?’ ‘How do I respond if a member of the visiting group asks me to accompany them shopping during office hours?’ ‘Would I be at fault if a high-profile event couldn’t start because the interpreter was stuck on a broken down train?’ Those were just some of the many questions raised at a group training session at KL last Friday. Participants were from this year’s Post-MA Professional Training (PMPT) course. They were all MA graduates from leading universities in the UK, from Bath and Surrey to Leeds and Durham. In its tenth year, PMPT is designed to add practical skills and expertise to the theoretical understanding of interpreting gained through university degree programmes. (The photo: PMPT in session)
September 15, 2016
This must be the sixth arbitration hearing at which I’m interpreting. As with the previous five, I see the clash in business culture being played out in front of my eyes as a common cause for disputes. Here are a few indicators. Chinese firms often sign contracts without fully understanding their binding nature. The approach of ‘now we’ve signed the contract, let’s discuss the price’ is still quite common. Chinese companies tend to operate more verbally than in writing. They often rely on phone calls to resolve issues. The lack of rigour in their systems can appear to be almost irresponsible under closer scrutiny. Being able to observe such a clash in culture is a truly unique experience. Dr Kevin Lin
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