We can tailor our keynote or session speech to your group
If your issues are serious...so are we...
But that doesn't mean that we can't lighten the mood!
Foreign language teachers hear BJ's tale of how he learned Mandarin.
Recent Speaking Events
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THE WHAT...
For keynote presentations or as a session/breakout speaker, BJ’s speaking topics rely on humor & cultural awareness using China as the driving theme. He tailors his cultural commentary to groups as diverse as language associations; Confucius institutes; grocers; hospitality & tourism industries; government agencies; property managers; law enforcement; health services; Chamber of Commerce groups; and marketing/sales teams and associations.
THE WHo...
Snack time at the Great Wall
BJ is a native of the very rural Midwest who eventually persuaded Purdue University to give him a degree in Asian Studies in 2011 after taking off four years to fatten himself up in China.
After giving up his job as a police officer in Indiana, he flew to Beijing and moved into an elderly retirement community because he couldn’t read the sign. He then became the token grandchild of the community where he quickly received his Chinese cultural education from all of his adopted grandparents. This gave him a front row seat to true Chinese culture, as well as the fact that the local fishmonger was not to be trusted.
After helping his Chinese language teachers at Tsinghua University practice their English, he then enrolled at Beijing Jing-Song Vocational Culinary School, where he was the first foreigner to be trained by angry chefs who had no sympathy for non-native speakers.
Along with learning to prepare classic Chinese dishes (seriously, he’ll cook for you; he needs the money), he developed a network of chefs, taxi drivers, hairstylists, and CEOs that, despite keeping him highly entertained, also provided him with knowledge and access to the Chinese way of life, which he now shares with the groups he speaks to.
BJ is somehow still based in
the very rural Midwest...
As he himself will tell you, no one should make language learning as complicated as he did. However, his trial and error (mostly error) will keep your group laughing and learning while he explains the way he should have learned Chinese.
Top 10 Under 40 Young Professionals!
BJ was recently recognized by the Greater Lafayette, Ind., Chamber of Commerce as one of the “Top 10 Under 40 Young Professionals” for his community involvement that primarily focuses on cultural diversity and growing communities through the arts.
Celebrating with Sheila Klinker, a member of the Indiana House of Representatives!
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