What does it take to prepare for high-stakes meetings in New York City? I recently coached one of Korea's most successful tech CEOs as he prepared for networking events, investor meetings, and industry conferences in Manhattan. This wasn't about basic English—he's already fluent. This was about executive polish, cultural nuance, and the subtle language patterns that separate good communicators from great ones.
Here's what we covered in our 85-minute session—and what other Korean executives can learn from it.
The Business Context: Explaining Complex B2B Products
My client runs a successful B2B platform that helps publishers maximize their ad revenue. The challenge? Explaining this complex product to potential American investors in under 60 seconds.
The Setup:
Publishers have huge traffic but struggle to monetize effectively. His platform optimizes their ad inventory using AI to increase revenue by 20-30%.
We practiced his elevator pitch multiple times, focusing on clarity, confidence, and removing unnecessary Korean speech patterns.
The Subtle Mistakes That Undermine Executive Presence
My client's English is excellent. But even high-level speakers make mistakes that can subtly undermine their credibility. Here are the key corrections we worked on:
1. Quantifying People Correctly
"Some family want to go there."
"Some of people don't understand."
"Some family members want to go there."
"Some people don't understand."
Why it matters: In English, "family" is a collective noun. You can't say "some family"—you need "some family members" or "some relatives." Similarly, "some people" never takes "of" unless you're specifying a group ("some of the people in this room").
2. Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Sentences
"The publisher has huge traffic but they don't have much ad revenue."
"The publisher has huge traffic but doesn't have much ad revenue."
OR: "Publishers have huge traffic but they don't have much ad revenue."
The teaching moment: When you start with a singular noun ("the publisher"), you must maintain singular agreement throughout. If you switch to "they," it creates confusion. This is extremely common among Korean speakers because Korean doesn't have strict singular/plural verb agreement.
3. Article Usage with Singular Countable Nouns
"I need to prepare pitch."
"I had meeting with investor."
"I need to prepare the pitch" or "my pitch."
"I had a meeting with an investor."
Why this is critical for executives: Dropping articles sounds informal or non-native. In high-stakes business contexts, these small errors can unconsciously signal "less polished" to American investors.
4. Preposition Precision
"I will participate to the conference."
"I'm looking forward to meet them."
"I will participate in the conference."
"I'm looking forward to meeting them."
Pro tip: "Looking forward to" is always followed by a gerund (verb + ing), never an infinitive. This trips up even advanced speakers.
Cultural Nuances: The "Free Money" Discussion
One of the most valuable parts of our session wasn't about grammar—it was about cultural communication.
We discussed how Korean companies often run promotions saying "Get free money!" but this doesn't resonate well with American audiences. Here's why:
Why "Free Money" Feels Different in America:
- Skepticism: Americans are trained to be suspicious of "free money" offers (scams, phishing, too-good-to-be-true).
- Framing matters: "Earn cash back," "Get a bonus," or "Claim your reward" sound more legitimate.
- Cultural context: In Korea, direct, simple language ("공짜 돈!") works well. In the US, it triggers red flags.
The lesson: Understanding these cultural differences is just as important as grammar when pitching to American investors or customers.
The Art of "Showing Interest" in Networking
Another critical topic: how to network effectively in New York.
My client asked: "How do I show interest in someone's business without seeming fake?"
This is a brilliant question. In Korean business culture, there's often more formality and hierarchy. In American networking, especially in NYC startup circles, it's about authentic curiosity.
My Coaching Tips for Networking:
- Ask follow-up questions: Don't just say "That's interesting." Ask: "How did you figure that out?" or "What's been the biggest challenge?"
- Connect their work to your experience: "That reminds me of when we..." builds rapport.
- Be specific: Instead of "I'd love to collaborate," say "I'd love to hear more about your approach to X—can we grab coffee?"
- Mirror their energy: If they're enthusiastic, match it. If they're more reserved, don't overwhelm them.
We role-played several networking scenarios, and my client practiced these techniques. The goal: sound genuinely curious, not transactional.
What Makes This Coaching Different?
Traditional English education focuses on grammar rules and vocabulary lists. My approach with executives is different:
The Inner Circle Method:
- Real-world simulation: We don't study textbooks. We practice actual scenarios you'll face.
- Immediate correction: I correct mistakes in real-time, so they don't become habits.
- Cultural context: It's not just about language—it's about how Americans think, communicate, and do business.
- Executive-level polish: We focus on the subtle errors that separate "good" from "great."
- Comfortable environment: You can speak freely, make mistakes, and ask any question without judgment.
Key Takeaways for Korean Executives
If you're a Korean CEO preparing for international expansion, here's what you can learn from this session:
1. Perfect Your Subject-Verb Agreement
This is the #1 mistake Korean executives make. If you start with singular ("the company"), stay singular throughout.
2. Master Articles (a, an, the)
Dropping articles makes you sound less polished. Practice: "I had a meeting with an investor about the product."
3. Understand Cultural Context
What works in Korea (direct language, "free money") may not work in the US. Adapt your messaging.
4. Practice Real Scenarios
Don't just study grammar. Practice your elevator pitch, networking conversations, and investor Q&A until they're natural.
5. Get Real-Time Feedback
The best way to improve is through conversation with someone who corrects you immediately and explains why.
The Bottom Line
My client didn't need basic English lessons. He needed executive-level polish, cultural insights, and practice with real scenarios. That's exactly what we focused on.
After 85 minutes, he left with:
- A polished elevator pitch for his product
- Corrected language patterns he can use immediately
- Cultural insights about American business communication
- Confidence to network effectively in NYC
That's the Inner Circle difference.
Ready to Elevate Your English?
If you're a Korean executive preparing for global expansion, I can help you communicate with the confidence and polish you need to succeed.
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