Mystery to Translate Eight Languages With Zero Language Ability

It was a while ago I learned that Ms. Asako Mizuno, my friend and a respectable translator and expert of languages, published this book. I had been procrastinating on purchasing her book with my worst excuse: being too busy. This is a Japanese book that was published in Japan. Since I live in San Francisco, I thought for a long time about how to get it. Additionally, I thought it would be available in the Kinokuniya Japanese Bookshop in downtown San Francisco, but I did not visit the bookshop for a long time. As soon as I finished reading this book, I regretted that I had not bought it sooner.

This book, based on the author's experience of success, was written to advise translators. I am not a translator, but the book was so well-written that I wish I could use the author's advice. I am sure I would enjoy trying out her ideas, if I could. The author first touches upon the macro view, such as the purpose of the work and how to accomplish it. At the same time, she shows micro details, such as how to set up your word processing software to work for you. This is a book that you'll mark up and write in often.

Directly after the author's biography and background is listed, she discusses how to shorten time spent on translation. She discusses "specification," which helps translators shorten their time, and doesn't waste readers' time by discussing general concepts or definitions. She wastes no words, no time, and no explanation. I can imagine her in a no-nonsense position based on her work. My impression after I had finished about one third of the book was that the author keenly approaches the true nature of work in general.

I will not go into too much detail because I hope readers will read this book. As a person who writes in both Japanese and English, I totally agree with the author's prominent opinions: information is the basis for almost everything, the most important element in translation (any foreign language work) is not linguistic ability, and the most critical component is a person's ability with his or her own language. The author's most useful advice is that one should not forget the ultimate purpose of his or her work, although it is not unusual to forget the purpose for additional works such as setting up a PC or software.

Having said that, the author's advice on how to use PCs and software is outstanding. She was neither bound by the framework of being a translator nor influenced by the presumption of how a PC works. Her keen eyes are always focused on the final goal of completing her work without forgetting the crucial element of how to complete it efficiently.

I strongly recommend this book not only to people who engage in translation or linguistic work, but also to entrepreneurs who operate their own businesses. Her book is valuable to people who want to learn to think outside of the box or change their way of thinking.

Shaw Funami is an owner of "zhen international, inc.", known as a mentor for cross cultural relationship called "Fill the Missing Link". You can learn about his profile in Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/shaw.funami. Please feel free to contact him at "hisashi.funami@zhenintl.ws" or visit his blog. http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/

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Taking The Mystery Out Of Business: Nine Fundamentals for Professional Success by Linda Faulkner

"Taking The Mystery Out Of Business: Nine Fundamentals for Professional Success" by Linda Faulkner is a quick book to read with a lot of practical advice regarding not just business, but life itself. Yes, it is primarily aimed at business, but some of the advice will help a person in any organization and even family life. Faulkner illustrates her points with both research and personal examples. At the end of each chapter, she provides an assignment, which if you actually take the time to answer the questions she poses, will result in a plan to take your business to a higher level. While some of the topics she covers are covered in more depth in other resources, the advice and tips she does provide are sound, and if implemented will undoubtedly help readers succeed.

I've known Linda Faulkner for a number of years, and she has always impressed me as someone on top of things, a go-getter, and someone who cares about other people. I think these attributes come through in this book. I also found I was personally knowledgeable about some of what she wrote about. In fact, one of the conferences she mentions as an example was a conference that I also spoke at, and remember her topic and presentation. Because of this knowledge, I can say the real Linda Faulkner comes through in "Taking The Mystery Out Of Business."

The nine topics that she tackles in this text are Mental Attitude, Research, Resources, Essential Business Knowledge, Relationships, Organization, Time Management, Money, and Customer Attention. All of these are important to consider if you are a small business owner. They are important for large businesses too, but please realize that Faulkner is a successful small business owner, and it is small business owners that she aimed this book at. This is not your corporate management text, but rather a small business owner's strategies, tips, and suggestions to succeed with a small business.

I think one of the most important things that comes through with this book is Faulkner's positive and optimistic outlook and attitude. In fact, mental attitude is the first thing she writes about, and she starts out chapter one with, "Attitude is the single most important element of success." This chapter especially is relevant to much more than just business, but to life itself. Faulkner's positive attitude comes through in this book just as it does when you meet her in person, and I do think that is one of the keys to her successes.

The chapters on organization and time management provide a few of the tips and strategies that Faulkner uses, but I found them to be pretty simple and not nearly as complete as other books that focus on these topics alone. However, a couple tips might be all you need, and if you need more assistance, seek out one of the many resources available on these topics. The key thing, that I agree with, is these areas are important to succeed in business.

If you are an entrepreneur or small business owner who wants some suggestions and tips as how to better run your business and succeed, Faulkner's quick read will motivate you and set you in the right direction. The book may entice you to learn more about the topics she covers, and that would be a good thing too. But, just taking her advice to heart, doing the assignments at the end of each chapter, and especially keeping that good attitude, will assist you in doing more, earning more, and most of all enjoying more with your small business.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a writer, speaker, and mediator who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. He is an expert on conflict and mediates and teaches conflict resolution and negotiation. Alain combines his military, martial art, and Asian experiences with his business, law, and conflict resolution education into a powerful way of living with balance, honor, and integrity. He teaches how to use the Warrior's Edge to Take Action and Achieve Remarkable Results, as well as resolve conflict and negotiate. Additionally, he teaches physical conflict skills in his Hapkido and Self-Defense courses, lectures, and seminars. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com/ and http://www.yourwarriorsedge.com/

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