Japanese facilitating

Definition

Covers a range of activities. Typically many people talk and many people listen alternately.

Comments

Facilitating is the term we use for situations which are less structured than consecutive and simultaneous interpreting assignments. Facilitating assignments are where we help you achieve your objectives by easing communications between people working together. Sometimes (but by no means always), the group members have a smattering of both English and Japanese and require our facilitator to clarify points of confusion by saying it 'in other words'. Other times, the various group members can only speak their native language, in which case we can help by switching between consecutive interpreting  to the group and providing one-to-one help to group members who are struggling.

Examples of when used

• Marketing department running a 'focus group' exercise as part of a new product initiative.

• Information systems department involved in a global software development project running a workshop to decide on roles and responsibilities.

• A colleague arrives unannounced from Tokyo and one of your staff calls future implications and wants us to get someone there in a hurry in case he experiences problems understanding what is being discussed in meetings or over dinner.

Things to be aware of

• If you need someone to facilitate at meetings where the subject matter is very specialised, please provide as much background as possible to help us select the most appropriate individual to help you.

• It is difficult for a single interpreter to facilitate in very large meetings/workshops. If you intend to have more than (approximately) 8 people present, consider splitting the group and running two meetings either simultaneous (you will need to hire another facilitator) or consecutively.

• If you know in advance (or at least suspect) that you will want the facilitator to accompany your team to dinner in the evening, please mention this at the time of booking so he/she can make personal and travel arrangements.

Would you like to know more? Contact future implications today. Alternatively, click here to have us call you.