Field Notes Inside an Integrated Communications Agency

Growing up in a bilingual home with German parents has had many advantages. As a child, it meant that my sister and I did not have to come up with a secret language when speaking to each other in public. In high school, it meant that I could skip over the introductory level German classes and breeze through levels 2, 3 and 4. For my first job out of college, it meant that I could jump right into an account and manage the client relationship with a German vendor for a tradeshow in Frankfurt.

Today, it means something different. I need to put my German heritage expertise to the test and select the perfect assortment of beers for a meeting with a German customer. I went with four options: a Pilsner, Lager, Hefeweizen and local Kölsch ale. Hopefully I pass the test!