When You Need Help Translating Technical Information...
Have you ever been talking to someone who’s really, really smart — and you’re pretty smart yourself — but you just can’t seem to understand one another?
Example: I was visiting my brother Kevin at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he was studying for his doctorate in mechanical engineering; I was in eighth grade at the time. When I asked what his thesis was about, Kevin very proudly launched into details any engineer would find intriguing. He elaborated on his theory and laid out the complexities surrounding large sheets of aluminum and steel. But after two minutes I had to stop him. “Kev,” I said, gesturing to my teenage self. “Eighth grade algebra.”
Our brother Brian, who was pursuing a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, stepped in and clarified, “Shar, it’s like this: Kev has basically figured out a mathematical formula to predict weaknesses in very large sheets of aluminum and steel, eliminating waste and saving money."
Now that was something I could easily understand.
What I didn’t realize at 13 years but definitely learned later in life, is that there are times when we all need a translator. We need someone who can explain issues outside of our toolbox and boil them down into manageable, understandable chunks.
That’s what I look for when I hire an expert: someone who is not only tops in their area but also tops in communication. I’m looking for an expert who can listen as well as he or she can hear.
We have good translators on hand; they'd be happy to interpret their specialized science and engineering knowledge for you. We look forward to your call.
Sharon Kennedy is the chairman and chief executive office at Kevin Kennedy Associates. She served as the special assistant to the president and deputy social secretary for communications for President and Mrs. Clinton.