Fukushima and remote interpretation

The Fukushima crisis is a boon for expanding the usage of remote communication devices including high end video conference systems like the one offered by Cisco. It is also and obviously an opportunity for boarding the less sophisticated but also efficient usage of Skype and equivalent services for voice or video exchanges with local partners, prospects and clients. However, there is a reality some clients may not be aware of. In Japan, phone is king, now with email, but conference calling is not, especially among SMEs who don't use it and usually show a perplexing ignorance and indifference to modern ways of rapid communication. When it comes to remote tripartite communication, you may be in for some surprises. Many sophisticated corporations, including top level IT companies still do not allow Internet access in the meeting room. Checking ahead availability of an Internet access in the meeting room is still an absolute requisite in year 2011. The usual culprit is risk factor of having an external entity use the corporate network. This situation may not impact the usage of at least audio conference call devices granted the Japanese side uses one. In the cases of SMEs, even those in hightech, the odds to find conference calling ready environments are slim. I brought my own PC and speaker device to an IT client of an IT client of mine no later than last year. Despite the current situation, remote tripartite communication is still a pill hard to swallow. That is why I now provide the means to communicate tripartite with your interpreter in-between physically present at your partner's location in Japan. Remote tripartite is good, but remote tripartite with the interpreter sitting by the side of your local partner is better. And having your own interpreter rather than relying on them is a smart decision that comes down to better efficiency. If you read this and are in needs for close communication with local partners now that traveling in Japan may be an issue, don't rely totally on email communication which is a sure way to dilute the message and an invitation to errors of interpretation. Work with a liaison interpreter instead.