NOTHING PERSONAL, JUST BUSINESS

Just a reminder from your friendly neighbourhood English teacher (and psychologist-in-training) Katyusha 🙃 : You're not a machine ❗️ If you want to give up - give up. Rest. Breathe. Feel sorry for yourself if you need to. No guilt, no shame. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop pretending you're fine. 👇 Save this. Share it. And then go do nothing for a while. P.S. Your brain and body will thank you later 💯 #businessenglish #psychology #burnout #rest #justbusiness #learners #teachers

🎤 My arms still grow from my backside, but I'm going to debate AI anyway. (Some things never change.) The good news: I've been invited to speak at SELFTALKS - an online event organised by Katerina Panfilova @kp_ktrn , the creator of t.me/proselfpro "Учителя не горят" (spoiler: we're trying). And if there's one thing I know, it's that her events are always top-notch. So I said yes before my brain could say "are you sure?" 🗓 When: April 25, 11:00 AM (online) 🎤 What: A live debate about AI (yes, me, debating. pray for me) 🔥 Vibe: Cool speakers, like‑minded people, zero corporate zombie energy And because you're here - promo code: COOLSPEAKER → 15% off for you. 👉 See you there! Drop a 🙋🏻‍♀️ in the comments and tell me: AI — friend or frenemy? #SELFTALKS #AIDebate #OnlineEvent #BusinessEnglish #Teachers #PublicSpeaking #CoolSpeaker #teachers #learners

🤦‍♀️ My Presentation Nightmare (and How I Finally Fixed It) Lately, I've been drowning in presentations. Work stuff. Master's degree stuff. Endless slides, deadlines, and that special kind of despair when you stare at a blank template at 11 PM. 🫠 Here's the thing: I have zero design skills. Like, my arms grow from my ass when it comes to making things look pretty. Combine that with my beautiful, crippling perfectionism, and you get a nightmare scenario where ONE decent presentation takes approximately 47 years to finish. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I tried AI for this a few months ago. It was BAD. The results were ugly, the layouts made no sense, and honestly? It took MORE time than doing it myself. Total waste of energy. But here's what I've learned: AI is evolving at lightspeed. What didn't exist 3-4 months ago is suddenly not just available but actually good. We even have CHOICE now. So after extensive testing (read: suffering through multiple bad presentations to find the good ones), here are my two favorites I can genuinely recommend. ⚠️ Sokratic https://sokratic.ru/ru What it is: a Russian-developed platform, fully localized, understands our pain specifically. ✅ Pros: - Russian interface + Russian prompts - Accepts Russian cards - A lot of templates for various contexts and needs - You can attach your templates, presentations, text etc. to have exactly the result you want. - You can literally SEE your presentation being born and EDIT every step, every little thing - Even when the presentation is ready, you can change the template as many times as you want, and see how it looks in different colors and styles - It even offers you a ready speech for your presentation in .doc format ❌ Cons: - Design is... fine. Not mind-blowing, but solid. - You can pay for one presentation (189 rub) or choose a plan starting from 469 rub per month - You get absolutely NOTHING for free. You create your perfect presentation but you cannot download it, delete watermarks or get a text without paying. ⚠️ Kimi Slides https://www.kimi.com/slides What it is: From Moonshot AI (Chinese team), surprisingly powerful, very different vibe. ✅ Pros: - You have 3 free generations per day - Actually good design - Accepts Russian prompts - You can attach your templates, presentations, text etc. to have exactly the result you want - You can download your presentation for free - You can make changes yourself manually when you download .pttx ❌ Cons: - English-only interface - Few templates available - No editing - you get what you get. If you want to make changes - you start from the beginning. Have you tried any AI presentation tools recently? Found something better? Drop it in the comments — I'm still testing and always looking for upgrades. 👇 #EdTech #AIforWork #Presentations #BusinessEnglish #Teachers #ProductivityHacks #learners #teachers #technology #AI

In this live conversation, Mikhail Smirnov, CRM Management Lead at Takeda Pharmaceutical, shares with me his remarkable career journey from Moscow to Barcelona and finally to Singapore. Starting with no background in CRM, he navigated a challenging transition that involved not only a new role but also a new country, a new language, and a completely different work culture. He candidly discusses the struggles of working in a multicultural environment and reveals how stretch assignments and authentic networking opened doors he never expected. Along the way, he offers practical advice for anyone dreaming of an international career. ⚠️⚠️HIGHLIGHTS⚠️⚠️ 🧠 From zero to product owner: Mikhail stepped into a CRM role with zero experience and admits it took him two years to truly understand what he was doing. His advice? Embrace the discomfort and trust that clarity comes with time. 🗣 When English isn’t anyone’s first language: Working with colleagues across Asia, Mikhail shares the real struggle of understanding accents (Vietnamese, he says, was the toughest) and the art of pretending you understood when you absolutely didn’t. 💼 Why Barcelona didn’t last: Despite the beautiful city and valuable hard skills gained, Mikhail left after a year due to financial stagnation and a salary system that offered only 1-2% annual increases regardless of performance. 🚀 The power of stretch assignments: A six-month “stretch” project (volunteering extra work without immediate reward) became his ticket to Singapore. It allowed decision-makers to see his mindset and reliability firsthand - far more valuable than any CV. 🔗 Networking, but make it authentic: Mikhail admits he’s “horrible at networking” but reframes it: build genuine relationships with people you actually like. Opportunities follow naturally when you leave the door open. 🎯 Promotions are earned before they’re given: His key insight: people don’t get promoted to start working well; they get promoted because they’ve already demonstrated they can handle the next level. Show ownership, manage risks, and become someone others trust to delegate to. 🧘 Authenticity over confidence: When asked for success tips, Mikhail emphasizes being yourself. Confidence is great if it’s real, but self-doubt can also be a superpower—it makes you question assumptions and dig deeper. 🌴 Singapore: safe, civilized, and not as strict as they say:Two and a half years in, Mikhail loves the comfort, safety, and diversity. And yes, locals do jaywalk. The golden rule: don’t create problems for others, and you’ll be fine. If you want to know more, watch the whole video) You can use this as a podcast to improve your listening skills AND/OR gain some valuable insights and recommendations! If you have any questions or generally something to add/to say - you’re more than welcome to leave comments. Tag Mikhail (@msmrnv) if you want him to answer some questions. Here is the link to the script. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ULbwlH875CSBfhTL4r8HnOh5AfAPB6zw/view?usp=sharing #learners #liveheroes #business #Singapore #Barcelona #Sanofi #Takeda #GlobalCareer #RelocationTips #ExpatLife #CareerAbroad #relocation #Pharma

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Just in a couple of hours I'm meeting Mikhail Smirnov to discuss his international work experience. Don't miss it! Join our live session and bring your questions ❤️ https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84038797731 Код доступа: 157247

Kakao, not just a chocolate drink 🍫 (but also your new video-call BFF) With #Telegram gradually turning into “Tele-slow” and the government aggressively pushing MAX, something unexpected happened: KakaoTalk quietly climbed to the #2 spot in downloads. 😱 Yes, the Korean messenger that used to be just “that app for K-drama subtitles” is suddenly everyone’s backup plan. I downloaded it myself to see what the fuss is about. Is it intuitive? Not entirely – the UI feels like it was designed by a very cheerful alien. But the video calls? Surprisingly awesome. You can add participants on the fly , share your screen (just like Zoom), and there’s a ridiculous number of filters and backgrounds to keep things entertaining. ❗️ Also, there’s a PC version, so no need to hunch over your phone. Will it replace Telegram? - Not really. But as a free, surprisingly solid video-calling tool with bonus bells and whistles? Absolutely. So go grab it while it’s still unblocked. 🌚 #learners #teachers #Moscow #technology #Kakaotalk

🧐 Have you ever dreamed of working abroad, but wondered what it’s actually like? Not the Instagram version. The real one. Meet Mikhail Smirnov – a professional who started his career in Moscow, navigated the complex world of international pharmaceutical companies across Europe and Asia, and somehow made it look almost… manageable. Now he’s joining me for an honest, no‑filter conversation about what these moves really involve - from someone who’s done it. We’ll talk about: 🏁 The journey: Moscow → Barcelona → Singapore — how one opportunity led to another 🌍 Living the expat life: Barcelona vs. Singapore vs. (yes) Moscow - pros, cons, and surprises 🚧 The hard parts: Relocation stress, bureaucracy, culture shock, and how to handle them 💡 Career lessons: What he’d do differently - and what he’d do again in a heartbeat ✅ Tips for you: If you want to work abroad or switch into global pharma — where to start Whether you’re dreaming of an international career, already packing your bags, or just curious how people actually pull off these moves - this live will give you the inside scoop. ❓Got a question about working abroad, pharma careers, or life in Moscow, Barcelona, or Singapore? Drop it in the comments! 🗓 WHEN: March, 27 Friday at 13.10 MSK 📍 WHERE: Zoom (code on demand) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84038797731 Set a reminder. Bring your curiosity. Let’s talk about real career adventures. #learners #business #liveheroes #CareerAbroad #PharmaJourney #ExpatLife #RelocationTips #GlobalCareer #Takeda #Sanofi #Moscow #Barcelona #Singapore #LiveInterview

Happy Friday, my friends! ❤️ #friday #fun #memes

🌿 Your Spring Stroll Soundtrack What a glorious weekend we have on tap, my friends! ☀️ The forecast is serving up sunshine and actual spring temperatures - the kind of weather that makes you want to dust off your jacket, find a park bench, and pretend you're a functional adult who doesn't spend 12 hours a day staring at screens. But old habits die hard, so why not multitask? Here's your soundtrack for a perfect spring stroll: 1. AI Is Not Improving Productivity: Nobel Laureate Daron Acemoglu 🔗https://sloanreview.mit.edu/audio/ai-is-not-improving-productivity-nobel-laureate-daron-acemoglu/ An MIT professor and Nobel winner drops truth bombs on why AI isn't delivering the productivity miracle we were promised. Perfect for that "wait, are we doing this wrong?" moment. 2. AI Revisited — Part 2 🔗 https://37signals.com/podcast/ai-revisited-part-2/ The Basecamp folks on how AI is actually showing up in their products and workflow. No hype, just "here's what works, here's what doesn't" from people who've been building software profitably for decades. 3. How AI Is Reshaping Business and Learning 🔗 https://dmradio.biz/archives/7709#page-content Features Jason Ambrose and AI keynote speaker Sharon Gai on turning unstructured data (calls, emails, CRM chaos) into actual business intelligence. Practical, not theoretical. If anyone stops you to ask what you're listening to with that intense "I'm learning something important" face, just say "Nobel laureate explains why AI isn't saving capitalism" and watch them slowly back away 😂 Happy listening, sun-deprived professionals 😎 P.S. If you find yourself on a bench for "just five more minutes" of that Daron Acemoglu episode - no judgment. Some truths require sitting down. #learners #teachers #technology #business #AI #BusinessEnglish #PodcastRecommendations #WeekendListening #TechTrends #WeekendVibes #SpringSunshine #WalkAndLearn

My dearest ladies! Happy Women's Day! May your biggest competitors today be the flowers you receive. Wishing you a high return on happiness and zero liabilities!❤️❤️❤️

In this episode of Community Business Heroes, I sit down with Irina Potapkina, a trademark and design attorney with 15 years of experience in intellectual property (IP). We dive into the often misunderstood world of IP protection. Irina explains why business owners should register trademarks early to avoid costly conflicts, breaks down the common mistakes marketers make when naming brands, and gives a realistic overview of the registration process, costs, and timelines in Russia. The conversation also touches on the tricky concept of "fair use" for educators, the new law on foreign words, and how to spot red flags when hiring an IP specialist. A must-watch for any entrepreneur wanting to safeguard their brand. ⚠️⚠️⚠️HIGHLIGHTS⚠️⚠️⚠️ 💡 You Can't Patent an Idea: An idea must have a tangible form (like a design, logo, or formula) to be protected as intellectual property. ⚠️ The Risk of Not Registering: Without a trademark, someone else can legally register your business name and force you to stop using it, potentially demanding damages. 🌍 Trademarks Are Territorial: Registering a trademark in Russia doesn't protect it in the U.S. or Europe; you need separate registrations in each country where you do business. 🚩 Red Flags When Hiring a Specialist: Be wary of lawyers who guarantee results or promise accelerated registration for suspiciously low fees - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 🧠 Marketing vs. Legal: A Creative Clash: Marketers love descriptive names (like "Best Nails"), but these are legally weak and hard to protect. The best brands balance market appeal with legal strength. ⏳ Time & Cost Reality: Registering a trademark in Russia takes 10-12 months and costs at least 17,500 RUB in official fees, plus professional fees - with no guarantees of success. 📚 Fair Use Is a Gray Area: For teachers, using clips of films or music for educational purposes might be "fair use," but the law is vague. There's no safe percentage - it all depends on context and intent. ⚠️ If you want to know more, watch the whole video) You can use this as a podcast to improve your listening skills AND/OR gain some valuable insights and recommendations! ⚠️If you have any questions or generally something to add/to say - you’re more than welcome to leave comments. Tag Irina (@Irina_Potapkina) if you want her to answer some questions. Here is the link to the script. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YHMHFFyKzs1dOhtDkrG9Zv502tsRLE-G/view?usp=sharing If you got interested, you can find Irina here: https://t.me/Irina_Potapkina #learners #teachers #IntellectualProperty #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #LegalTips #LiveTalk #Copyright #Trademark #DesignProtection #liveheroes

⚠️ We're about to start real soon. Join us at 16.30 Подключиться к конференции Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83305991429 Код доступа: 784643

Have you ever had a brilliant idea and thought: "Wait, can someone just steal this?" Or maybe you're finally starting that business, came up with the perfect name... and then lay awake at 3 a.m. wondering: "Can I actually legally use it?" Or perhaps you're a teacher playing a famous song during your lesson and thinking: "Am I breaking some law right now?" Intellectual property sounds like something for lawyers in fancy offices, but it actually touches all of us: entrepreneurs, creatives, teachers, freelancers, dreamers. The good news? I've invited a true expert to make sense of it all. Join us for a live conversation with Irina Potapkina, a seasoned trademark and design attorney with over a decade of experience in Russia and international IP registration. No legal jargon, no boring lectures - just clear answers to real questions. We'll cover: 🧠 IP 101: What even is intellectual property? 🏷 The main players: Trademarks, designs, patents, copyright, geographical indications - what's what? ❓ Your burning questions: - How do I protect an idea? - Do I really need a patent attorney? - How do I choose the right representative? - Do I have to register my rights? - How much does all of this actually cost? 💡 Branding tips: How to create a brand that's legally sound 🎨 Design protection: Keeping your creative work safe ⚖️ Fair use basics: What you can and can't borrow (yes, fellow teachers, this one's for us❗️❗️❗️) 🗓 WHEN: March, 6 Friday at 16.30 MSK 📍 WHERE: Zoom (code on demand) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83305991429 👉 Set a reminder and bring your questions! #IntellectualProperty #Trademark #Copyright #Branding #DesignProtection #LiveTalk #LegalTips #Entrepreneurship #TeachersOfTelegram #SmallBusiness

⚠️ MARCH 1 CHANGES IN RUSSIA⚠️ Hello everyone! 😎😊 Today marks not only the beginning of meteorological spring but also the effective date for a new wave of legislation in Russia. From airline travel to digital subscriptions, language requirements to landowner responsibilities - there is plenty to keep on your radar. Here is your quick guide to what changes today. 🇷🇺1. LANGUAGE AND VALUES Signage, info boards and interior pointers must now display Russian text first. Foreign languages allowed only as additions after Russian. Trademarks and domains are exempt. Residential complex names must use Cyrillic only. 🔗 More on this: https://zuykov.com/en/about/articles/priority-of-the-russian-language-new-formatting-requirements/ ✈️ 2. AIR TRAVEL Electronic boarding passes now legally equal paper versions. Refunds now possible for non-refundable tickets if flight delayed over 30 minutes or relative ill. Missed outbound flight no longer cancels return ticket. Water after 2 hours delay, hot meals after 6 hours. 🔗 More on this: https://en.iz.ru/en/2047251/2026-02-22/russia-rules-return-air-tickets-flight-delays-will-be-changed-march 👨‍👨‍👦 3. FAMILY TRAVEL Children under 12 must sit next to accompanying adult (adjacent seat, not across aisle). 50% discount guaranteed for children on domestic economy tickets when booked with adult. 🔗More on this: https://en.iz.ru/en/2026525/2026-01-18/ria-novosti-starting-march-1-rules-air-travel-russia-will-change 🛎 4. HOTELS Full prepayment refund if cancelling before check-in day. Only registered hotels may use aggregators. Hotels may refuse check-in but must fully compensate guest losses. Guest houses exempt. 🔗More on this: https://iz.ru/en/node/2041407 💰5. DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Services cannot auto-charge after card removed from account. Applies to streaming, apps, educational platforms. Does not cover regular product deliveries. 🔗 More on this: https://en.iz.ru/en/node/2045428 🧾6. UTILITIES & LAND Bills arrive 5th of month (was 1st). Payment deadline 15th (was 10th). Landowners now must fight invasive species like hogweed. Fines up to 50K rubles - individuals, 700K - legal entities. 🚙 7. DRIVING SCHOOLS Practical hours for category B increase from 38 to 42. Remote theory is now permitted. New topics: e-scooter interaction, digital documents. Taxi drivers may train at transport enterprises. 🔗More on this: https://en.iz.ru/en/2046734/2026-02-21/state-duma-recalled-new-rules-training-obtaining-drivers-license 👩🏻‍🎓 8. UNIVERSITY ADMISSION Physics is now mandatory for 25 engineering specialisations. History may be required for humanities. Medical students under target admissions must work 3 years at sponsoring organisation or repay with double fine. 🚕 9. TAXI LOCALISATION Taxis must meet government localisation requirements or be made under special investment contracts. Vehicles registered before March 1 are exempt. Regional transition periods apply. 🔗 More on this: https://www.cls.ru/press-centr/legal-overviews/1910/ ❗️ 10. QUICK HITS❗️ - Drones: Must connect to ERA-GLONASS for tracking - Energy drinks: Health warnings required in ads - Tobacco: Minimum prices set; online sales blocked - Migration: Employers may dismiss foreign workers exceeding quotas - Baikal: Selective logging permitted for dead trees - Microfinance: Biometric ID required for online loans - Pensions: Double payments for those turning 80 in February 🧐 Which changes affect you most? Drop a comment below. #learners #business #English #BusinessEnglish

Happy Valentines, my dear friends ❤️❤️❤️

Everyone knows the famous phrase “this meeting could have been an email” BUT it’s Friday, 13 today! Let’s be more creative! I will start, share your ideas in the comments 😎 #memes #fun #friday

IN a couple of minutes meeting with Yulia Bukovinskaya. Join us Подключиться к конференции Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81998642080 Идентификатор конференции: 819 9864 2080 Код доступа: 521412

⚠️LIVE STREAMS DIGEST 2⚠️ 🌟 Interviews with ELT professionals * in English ✅Live with Olga Devisheva “EGE English: Everything a parent should know” https://t.me/NP_just_business/197 ✅Live with Julie Stolyarchuk “Improvisation: The secret ingredient for your success” https://t.me/NP_just_business/213 ✅Live with Natalia Borzykh “The WHAT, WHEN and HOW of international exams” https://t.me/NP_just_business/220 ✅Live with Svetlana Merinova “The mountain within: From boardrooms to basecamps” https://t.me/NP_just_business/236 ✅Live with Oksana Solyanova “Beyond the classroom: How yoga transforms the way we teach and learn” https://t.me/NP_just_business/260 🌟 Community Business Heroes ✅Live with Ilya Ivanov “AIspirational talk” https://t.me/NP_just_business/205 ✅Live with Dmitry Sorokin “Navigating the future:AI trends in e-commerce and international logistics” https://t.me/NP_just_business/208 #digest #learners #teachers #liveexpert #liveheroes

It’s Monday and it’s high time for another digest) This time - live streams. Watch/listen and enjoy 😉