Languages - Communications

In late 2016, I had the opportunity to travel around the world and visit the Life Fitness offices in four countries. Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. 

It was a great trip. While the business purpose for the trip, training international marketers on a new website platform, was a success (if I do say so myself), the most beneficial part of the trip was the human connection.  

I was able to put faces to names of people I have been working with for 2+ years. Prior to the trip, most of our interaction occurred via email, phone, or at best a Google Hangout or Skype video call.

With my fascination with communication, there was one interaction during our third stop which just blew my mind. It was an example of just how small the world is. 

In The Netherlands, the official language is Dutch. The training and general discussion were being conducted in English. Two meeting attendees had not met until this day. 

One recently moved to Rotterdam from Spain. 
The other from Spain, in town only for the meeting

During a break, these two were discussing the fairly technical topic in Spanish. 

Dutch, English, Spanish. All being spoken in one room. All parties aligned around one common goal. So freaking cool.