Macquarie Matters » alumni story

Unveiling boundaries: an empowering communications odyssey

Yue Zhang — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 04:16:05 +0000

Learning to speak a foreign language is no mean feat, and creating a successful business in a foreign country can be even more challenging, but MQ Bachelor of Arts (2014) graduate Zoe Flaherty has achieved both since leaving Australia in her early twenties. Based in Milan, Italy, where she runs The Language Grid, an innovative English language training and consulting company, she’s passionate about enhancing cross-cultural collaborations and now plans to build a community for other MQ graduates in her adopted country through the MQ Italy Alumni Network. Zoe Flaherty’s story speaks to the power of a common language to break down barriers, fulfilling the human need to be understood. No less, it speaks of her uniquely Australian multicultural background and the migrant experience in Australia, growing up with a Greek father and an Italian grandmother at a time when speaking another language and its inherent cultural differences made you stand out – and not in a good way. ‘Now everyone’s dipping their bread in olive oil and it’s really cool to be Italian and Greek,’ laughs Zoe. ‘It’s so fashionable, but we used to be teased at school for being like that; for being wogs,’ she remembers, going on to tell the story of her grandmother, who was born not long after the family arrived by boat from Italy. ‘Like many others, my grandmother’s family left Europe after the Second World War to seek a new life in Australia,’ she explains, and you can imagine the family, as if in a black and white photo, smartly dressed with suitcases by their side, disembarking and grappling with this new land – and new language. Ironically, it’s an experience Zoe knows firsthand too. Having left Melbourne as a young 20-year-old to work in the UK, a few years later she fell in love with an Italian and moved to Italy – but was unable to speak a word of the language despite her heritage. ‘I’ve been here for more than half my life, but still consider myself Australian,’ she says, echoing an ever-present tie to her homeland that perhaps her grandmother might recognise. Now, with a family of her own in Milan, she has not only managed to transcend the language barrier, speaking Italian fluently, she has also made a successful career and business out of helping businesspeople in her adopted country – and around the world – be understood in English through her company The Language Grid (TLG). Established in 2010, Zoe says, ‘I started TLG out of a desire to help people as I discovered many needed quality training in English and an effective teacher. Often, training companies in the language market are exploitative, so I wanted to create something that was of high quality and delivered results.’ As such, Zoe explains, ‘We’re not a language school – TLG is a technology-driven B2B training and consulting company specialising in business and finance. We help clients to be more effective in their everyday working life straight away – preparing for presentations, speeches, pitches; that sort of thing. It’s about enhancing their business skills in English rather than explicitly teaching the English language.’ Interestingly, TLG applies the principles of how bilingual people learn a language. ‘It’s a well-known teaching methodology of language learning,’ she says, ‘whereby people learn by doing. By using specifically designed and structured tasks, the new language becomes part of the active brain, which allows for more natural speech and not just memory recall. We’re also using cutting-edge AI tools, which is exciting. ‘The results are outstanding,’ according to Zoe, ‘and the students really like it – they can feel successful very quickly, achieve their business aims and be understood in the work context,’ she says, noting that TLG works predominantly online with large companies like Deloitte, fast-tracking the top management tier’s business skills in English. Still, like many businesses, Zoe started small: ‘When I first moved to Italy, I started teaching English as a second language,’ she says. ‘I loved it. I’d done an undergraduate degree in banking and finance, and worked in a bank in the UK, but just really liked teaching. ‘That’s when I decided to study the psychology of bilingualism, and later completed my Bachelor of Arts at Macquarie through Open Universities. I wanted to learn more, so focused on philosophy with a focus on business ethics,’ she says, noting she was also able to study Italian to round out her degree, following her interests. ‘That’s what drew me to Macquarie; it was the course content and how I could apply it to my work, and the fact that I could continue working while studying. Although I would have liked to have been on campus, I was still motivated and challenged – there was a lot of flexibility and resources to help us succeed in our academic pursuits.’ Her fondness for MQ has remained, and she reflects, ‘Studying at Macquarie had a profound impact on my life and work, teaching me to view the world through critical eyes; it was a transformative experience.’ Over time, her business continued to grow too. ‘I was working for myself as a freelancer, teaching English in different companies, and just naturally started to get more work. The business grew organically as I needed more people, and then, here we are,’ she says brightly of the business that now boasts a 100% success rate and was recently ranked one of the best places to work in Italy. ‘It’s been great,’ she says. ‘I’ve been able to experiment, work with the type of people I want to work with, and add a lot of value to the companies I work with. With skills in teaching English and experience in the banking industry, I then got to know Italians and understood them, so putting that all together has been really rewarding. ‘There’s also something really lovely about helping people learn to speak my language,’ adds Zoe, referencing both her family history and her journey so far. ‘Of course, it’s nice to learn another language, but really, it’s all about understanding people better; it’s about communication.’ But, Zoe emphasises, ‘It’s all part of the bigger picture, too. In today’s interconnected world, language proficiency is not just a vital asset for cross-border business success, embracing linguistic diversity enhances business outcomes and enriches our global society, fostering connections that transcend borders and contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious world. I’m driven to make a positive impact in this way,’ she says. You can hear her enthusiasm as she speaks, and it’s not hard to imagine her imbuing TLG’s courses with her values of diversity, acceptance and sustainable business ethics. And, against this background of cross-cultural understanding, you can also see why Zoe is so excited to be involved in establishing the MQ Alumni Italy Network. Inspired by the work of Sylvestre Mang from the France Alumni Network, she’s keen to build a strong community of Macquarie graduates either from Italy or living in Italy. Still at the very early stages, Zoe says, ‘My aspirations are for the network to provide mutual support for MQ alumni here so we can help each other grow professionally and personally. We’ve started a LinkedIn group and look forward to organising in-person events soon.’ No doubt the group will be a source of connection, where the common tie of studying at Macquarie binds, language is not a barrier, and the wide variety of experiences – cultural, linguistical and professional – only serve to deepen the experience. If you live in Italy and want to join our network, please connect via LinkedIn. We look forward to connecting soon. Or Update your details to stay connected with your local network. #MQAlumni #Italy Zoe Flaherty is the Founding Director of TLG, a leading B2B training consulting company. She has extensive experience in the business environment and finance-related business training. Internationally certified in the psychology of bilingualism and teaching English as a foreign language, she holds a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) from Macquarie University. TLG provides tailor-made solutions for talent development and helps improve the performance and engagement level of teams and organisations through individual, virtual sessions with certified trainers and coaches from all parts of the world. With offices in Milan, Rome and Paris, TLG provides clients with an AI-driven digital learning platform that makes it easy to roll out internal training. TLG was recently ranked one of Italy’s best places to work, achieving first position for companies under 50 employees and 12th overall by Great Place to Work® Italia.

London calling

Yue Zhang — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 04:13:33 +0000

As a truly global city, London attracts professionals from a wide range of countries, backgrounds and industries, so it’s no surprise Macquarie University graduates are also drawn to this global hub to pursue their goals. And yet, even as far away as London, the Macquarie light still shines bright, with the MQ UK Alumni Network connecting graduates, expanding their networks, and enhancing their personal and professional UK experience. ‘London is one of the biggest cities in the world and a very attractive place to live and work,’ starts Hyun Lee, who graduated from MQ with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) in 2010 and is now Director of Product Development at Kantar, one of the top market research companies in the UK. Explaining the lure of the UK capital, Hyun says, ‘It’s an extremely dynamic business environment and culture, and businesses are connected in a sophisticated web. New jobs with new responsibilities are constantly being created, and your unique skill set is what will define your role rather than a pre-determined set of requirements. Hyun Lee ‘It’s an ever-changing work situation that doesn’t allow anyone to stagnate,’ he continues. ‘In my role, I’m continually redefining what I do to make sure I’m competitive – for me, working in London is all about being part of this challenging business ecosystem.’ Originally from Korea, Hyun is not afraid of a challenge or to break new ground. He arrived in Australia in 2004 and, having experienced the Asian financial crisis in 1999, was keen to understand how the economy works and what roles banks and financial institutions play in everyday life. As a result, he enrolled at Macquarie and was the first Korean to achieve an honours degree in Economics at MQ. By chance, his statistics lecturer KJ Byun recommended he consider a career in marketing research. He admits, ‘It’s not a career that usually comes to mind when studying economics, but her recommendation is what led me to work in this field.’ Hyun says he was also the first Korean to work at Kantar’s London HQ, having accepted a position in ecommerce research and insights in 2015, and has been in London ever since – a not uncommon story. Fellow alumni Fiona Boal has lived in London for the last 10 years but says she’s still a very proud Aussie, especially when it comes to any sporting contest against the Poms! Hyun at a Macquarie alumni event in London Having graduated from Macquarie with a Master of Applied Finance (MAF) in 2005, Fiona says it gave her the confidence and technical skills to further her career in financial services. She’s currently the Managing Director, Global Head of Equities at S&P Global in London, and is responsible for the product management of the US and global equity indices, including the iconic S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P Global BMI and the S&P/ASX 200. Fiona Boal Fiona spent ten years in the Big Apple with Rabobank and various hedge funds before making the leap to the UK. As she explains, ‘Not long after graduating, I had the opportunity to move to New York City – who knows if I would have been offered that job without the MAF, but it certainly demonstrated to my employer at the time that I was willing to learn, able to juggle multiple demands on my time, and curious about global financial markets.’ There’s no doubt that both New York and London are a long way from West Wyalong, 500 kilometres due west of Sydney, where Fiona grew up, and indeed Meat and Livestock Australia, where she started her career, but speaking with alumni, it’s clear MQ prepares you for life as a global citizen. ‘It helps you to expand your horizons and be more courageous when taking new opportunities around the world,’ affirms Hyun. James Zhao now calls London home too. He graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Commerce (Actuarial) in 2009 and a Master of Commerce in 2010. Currently Vice President within the Loan Capital Markets business at Bank of America where he specialises in acquisition financing, James says, ‘The adjustment from life in a smaller pond to a world of opportunities has been an exciting one.’ James Zhao Still, he notes things don’t always go to plan. ‘I studied to become an actuary and ended up a banker. And I never thought I’d leave Australia, but I’m about to celebrate my eighth year in London – my mantra has been to live with no regrets, and that has led to various rewarding experiences so far.’ James at a Macquarie Alumni event in London James notes the market in London is robust. ‘There’s an abundance of jobs and opportunities available, and Australians are well-regarded for our qualifications and work ethic. And the level of deal flow is tremendous, particularly as London allows me to dabble in transactions across continental Europe and North America.’ Andre Nguyen couldn’t agree more. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2009 and is now the Chief Legal Officer at Orbus Software in London. He adds, ‘With the Australia–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement in force, more and more opportunities will arise for those keen to step out of the Australian market. Andre Nguyen Andre attending an alumni event ‘Whether for a short or long time, it’s definitely worth bolstering your experience by working abroad – it expands your horizons and your perspective,’ he says, strongly encouraging those venturing to London to link in with the MQ UK Alumni Network. ‘The graduates you meet all have such varying careers, which can span a few years to decades, and the network opens doors to unique events, enhancing business connections and future relationships. It also inspires the new wave of graduates, and is an opportunity to share stories and celebrate a great education collectively.’ Andre also notes the network has been a great way to catch up on developments at Macquarie. ‘We’ve been involved in plans for the new branding and legal facilities at the MQ site, and it has been useful for expanding the voice of those in the legal alumni,’ he says, referring to the London event for the former Macquarie vice chancellor and high court judge Michael Kirby, with distinguished guests Baroness Hale and Baron Mance. Retaining connections to their alma mater is clearly important to each of these alumni. ‘It’s a great way to connect with other alumni and remain engaged with the university,’ adds Fiona. ‘I’ve attended a number of social and networking events, and was honoured to be the guest speaker at an alumni event in 2019, where I spoke about the future of finance in the UK. ‘It was only a few months before the UK formally withdrew from the EU, and there was significant uncertainty surrounding London’s ability to maintain its position as a global financial hub,’ she recalls. James adds, ‘The macro headlines about London haven’t been positive since Brexit, but it’s still an amazing city, and the brightest minds in Europe still consider breaking into London as the prize they strive for. I still call Australia home, but moving here has been the single best decision I’ve ever made, both for my career and the incredible travelling adventures.’ As a final note, Hyun reflects on the warmth and collegiality inherent in the MQ alumni, saying, ‘It’s about staying connected, but also, by sharing what we and others have done – our successes and challenges, as well as our connections – we can help other MQ alumni and students make the most of their time in London too.’ It would seem that wherever your travels and career take you after your graduation ceremony at Macquarie University, you can be sure the MQ alumni will be there for you. From Sydney to London and beyond, the MQ lighthouse shines bright and strong, a symbol of support, encouragement and reassurance that continues to bring people together. We’re excited to re-establish the MQ UK Alumni Network and would love you to be involved. If you live in the UK and want to join our network, please connect via LinkedIn, or Update your details to stay connected with your local network. Events are an important way we connect alumni all around the globe, and we’re looking forward to our next MQ UK Alumni Network event in London on 9 September at Horse and Guardsman. For more information and RSVP, please register here. To find an alumni network wherever you are in the world, search our global alumni networks. We look forward to connecting soon. #MQAlumni #UK #London