"You can't fatten a pig on market day."

Welcome to Business Fluency - a newsletter designed to enhance your understanding of essential business terms and concepts and provide you with practical strategies to boost your business and career prospects.

In today’s newsletter:

• "You can't fatten a pig on market day."

• Quote of the day: Seneca?

• We value your feedback

• Word of the day: Cram

• Business English: Test Your Knowledge

• Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you

"You can't fatten a pig on market day."

How Strategic English Learning Multiplies Career Opportunities

This memorable proverb, often attributed to former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, carries wisdom that extends far beyond politics into language learning.

The Political Parallel

In politics, Howard's saying emphasises that electoral success requires long-term strategy and preparation.

You can't build a compelling campaign, develop policy positions, or cultivate voter trust in the final weeks before an election.

The groundwork must be laid years in advance.

The Language Learning Reality

As a Business English coach, I encounter this same challenge regularly.

Prospective students approach me with urgent timelines:

or

While their motivation is admirable, the mathematics of language acquisition tells a different story.

Research consistently shows that advancing one proficiency level typically requires 60 to 100 hours of focused study.

This is equivalent to roughly an academic year of consistent effort. This isn't just classroom time; it includes practice, review, and real-world application.

The Power of Long-Term Investment: A Success Story

One of my business students exemplifies the strategic approach perfectly. He's been taking weekly lessons for five years, a commitment that has paid dividends way beyond his initial expectations.

During this time, his career trajectory has been remarkable: he's reached executive level, accepted two major job opportunities, and seen his salary more than triple.

Was English the only reason for his promotions? Absolutely not.

His extensive industry network, technical skills, leadership abilities, and business acumen were equally crucial.

But could he have achieved this level of success without strong English skills?

Again, absolutely not.

He uses English at work almost every day, participating in international meetings, negotiating deals, and leading cross-cultural teams. His investment in language learning was and is a vital component.

Why Last-Minute Learning Usually Fails

When students attempt to cram language skills, several obstacles emerge:

Cognitive overload - The brain needs time to process and internalise new linguistic patterns. Rushing this process often leads to surface-level memorisation rather than true comprehension.

Skill integration challenges - Language learning involves coordinating listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These skills develop at different rates and require time to mesh effectively.

Confidence building - Using a new language confidently in high-stakes situations requires extensive practice in low-pressure environments first.

The Strategic Approach

Successful language learners treat their studies like a long-term investment, not a quick transaction. They understand that consistent daily practice over months and years yields better results than intensive cramming over days and weeks.

Consider starting your language journey now, regardless of whether you have an immediate need.

When an opportunity arises, you'll be ready.

When Last-Minute Preparation Can Work

Before you think I'm completely against short-term language preparation, let me clarify: there are situations where focused, intensive work can be effective.

I've successfully helped students prepare for job interviews with just a few weeks' notice. However, importantly, they have already reached the required English level. In these cases, we focused on interview-specific techniques, practised common questions, and worked on presentation skills. We weren't building language competency from scratch; we were fine-tuning existing abilities.

Similarly, I've prepared students for IELTS exams at relatively short notice when they needed to relocate for work. Again, success depended on their existing proficiency level. We concentrated on exam techniques, time management, and specific test strategies rather than fundamental language development.

These students already had strong English foundations. We were polishing, not constructing.

Your Next Steps

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today.

The same principle applies to language learning.

Start with realistic goals: 15-30 minutes of daily practice. Choose materials that match your current level rather than jumping to advanced content. Most importantly, commit to the process, not just the outcome.

Remember, in language learning as in politics, preparation is key.

Are you taking English lessons at the moment? The market day will come sooner than you think.

Quote of the Day: Seneca?

Not only is this quote ideal for our topic above, it is something that I have tried to live my whole life by - to be prepared for every opportunity that comes along.

We Value Your Feedback!

Your opinion helps us improve and lets you suggest topics or ask Business English questions for future issues.

Word of the day: Cram

Cram - verb - to study intensively in a short period, typically just before an examination; to force or squeeze something into a space that is too small

Verb Forms: As a verb, "cram" primarily means to engage in intensive, last-minute studying, but it also means to stuff or pack tightly into a confined space. In academic contexts, it describes the rushed memorization of information under time pressure.

Common Academic Uses:

• Intensive studying: "I need to cram for tomorrow's chemistry test" (= study intensively at the last minute)

• Last-minute preparation: "Don't wait until finals week to start cramming" (= engaging in rushed study sessions)

• Information overload: "Trying to cram an entire semester into one night" (= attempting to learn too much too quickly)

Physical/Spatial Uses:

• Stuffing objects: "Don't cram too many clothes into that suitcase" (= force into a tight space)

• Overcrowding: "They crammed thirty people into the small conference room" (= squeezed uncomfortably into limited space)

Common Academic Collocations:

• Cram session - an intensive study period, usually last-minute before an exam

• Cram for exams - to study intensively just before taking tests

• All-night cramming - studying through the night before an important exam

Business English: Test Your Knowledge

Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you:

We provide Business English lessons and Cambridge and IELTS preparation courses.

You can book a free 20-minute consultation with Iain over Zoom here:

Why not subscribe to our sister Financial Fluency newsletter for English students interested in learning about the financial markets and investing?

Disclaimer:

This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The information contained herein is generic and does not take into account your individual financial circumstances. You should always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions.

Additionally, the authors and/or publishers of this newsletter may hold investments in securities or other financial instruments mentioned herein. These are included for illustrative purposes only and should not be taken as a recommendation to buy or sell such securities or financial instruments.