Interview with Greg Ragland

Torsten:
Greg, your latest creation is a software program that helps people study and memorize new vocabulary words. Could you please tell us who exactly should use the Power Vocabulary Builder?

Greg:
We developed the Power Vocabulary Builder to help ESL University Students and ESL Business Professionals quickly and easily learn important intermediate to advanced English vocabulary. We carefully selected words that are frequently used in Business Communication, the News Media, University Text Books and English Literature. These words are also frequently tested on the SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL and TOEIC exams. The Power Vocabulary Builder is a great tool for anyone that is studying for these exams.

Torsten:
What are the most unique features of Power Vocabulary Builder and how exactly can users benefit from them?

Greg:
The Power Vocabulary has a number of unique features that support ESL students and professionals.

• You are able to list words in order of their prevalence in business communication and in the news media. By listing and studying words in order of their use in business communication and the news media, you are able to focus your learning on the words you are most likely to read or hear every day.
  
• Unlike with dictionaries, you will find words defined in simple, easy to understand language. Our easy to read and comprehend definitions allow users to more quickly and completely understand the meaning of a new English Vocabulary word.
  
• You will find Usage Tips that show you exactly when, where and how to use words in the program. Not only will you learn the definition of each word, you will also learn how to use it.
  
• You will see visual and audio memory tricks that help you place words in your permanent memory and lock them there forever.
  
• You will find FOUR real-life usage examples for every word (MORE usage examples than any other program). These usage examples give you confidence knowing exactly how to use each word in the program.

Those are just a few of the many unique features and benefits of the Power Vocabulary Builder. That's why we are so excited about this new technology.

Torsten:
So, does this mean that the program allows you to organize word and word combinations according to their popularity in certain contexts such as contract negotiations and other business situations? How exactly does this system work?

Greg:
Yes, that's actually a feature I forgot to mention. In addition to sorting words in order of their use in business and news communication, the program also has category filters that enable you to review words in category groups. For example, if you were preparing for an interview you would want to use the Self Promotion filter. This filter allows you to review words that would be beneficial to you in an interview. Also if you want to compliment someone or critique them, you will find compliment and critique categories to assist you with finding the right word... There are over 10 different categories that enable you to focus your study of new English Vocabulary. It's a very powerful tool -- we'd like to believe it's the most comprehensive English Vocabulary Builder available.

Torsten:
So, how many words does the Power Vocabulary Builder contain in total?

Greg:
We carefully selected 2,189 intermediate to advanced English Vocabulary words based on their prevalance in University Studies, Business Communication, the News Media and Standardized Exams (SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEIC, TOEFL)

Torsten:
How long did you it take you to collect and organize these vocabulary words and what resources did you find them in?

Greg:
I have personally been recording English Vocabulary words that I encountered in business communication since 1995. I am a CPA, MBA who has worked for large multi-national accounting firms and large muli-national ad agencies. I have worked with hundreds of top business executives and I have taken careful note of the words they wield to communicate at a higher level. I have also paid careful attention to the words I encounter in the news media, literature and day-to-day communication with friends and family.

Beyond my personal collection of words, we hired a team of communication experts to review news publications, standardized exams, and resource guides to identify Intermediate to Advanced English Vocbaulary words that people need to know in order to speak fluent University and Business level English.

Torsten:
Greg, Power Vocabulary Builder contains four real-life usage examples for every vocabulary word it contains. Do you also reference the source of those sample sentences?

Greg:
We hired professional English writers to create each real-life usage example. Although the sentence examples are based on usage in business, news, literature, standardized tests and text books, we do not reference each example. You will be confident knowing, however, that each example is based on the most current and correct usage for each word in the program.

Torsten:
What about your marketing plans - how are you going to promote Power Vocabualy Builder?

Greg:
We are going to promote the Power Vocabulary Builder online. We are currently building a very sophisticated site that includes a demo and tour of the program. We are also seeking the endorsement and support of great resource sites like english-test.net

Torsten:
How can a user best benefit from both your programs - Power Vocabulary Builder and Executive Vocabulary? Also, do you have a specific strategy to approach companies and organizations?

Greg:
The Power Vocabulary Builder includes all of the Power Words taught in the Executive Vocabulary program. Although Executive Vocabulary already comes with a neat little software program, the Power Vocabulary Builder provides even more lessons and even more ways to learn Executive Vocabulary Power Words. As you know, Executive Vocabulary is primarily an audio program. The program enables you to listen to lessons during your commute to work or school. Power Vocabulary Builder on the other hand is a computer program that provides more intensive lessons that are designed to help you with words that are causing you trouble. The Power Vocabulary Builder also teaches many more words than Executive Vocabulary (2,189 vs. 550). Once you learn all of the Executive Vocabulary Power Words you can then continue your study with the Power Vocabulary Builder. The programs compliment each other quite nicely!

We have not completely formulated our strategy for approaching companies and universities. I will probably start with some of the large multi-national companies that I have worked with in the past.

Torsten:
So professional people can use both programs - Executive Vocabulary and Power Vocabulary Builder for their business communication training. Now, could you please tell us a little more about the new website you are building. You have already mentioned the program tour and product overview, what additional online features will be available for your users?

Greg:
The website is designed to help visitors from various backgrounds understand the importance of a strong English vocabulary. We will review volumes of research that show a direct correlation (connection) between a person's English vocabulary and their success in school and business. It's a proven fact that English has become the international language of business. If you want to be successful, it's very important that you become fluent in English.

The Power Vocabulary Builder site will NOT be a comprehensive resource site like english-test.net as the primary purpose of the site is to show people why they should take steps to improve their English vocabulary and then to show them how the Power Vocabulary Builder can assist them.

Torsten:
Yes Greg, many users of english-test.net are interested in expanding their vocabulary and improving their business communication. That's why we are glad to collaborate with you and introduce Power Vocabulary Builder. Now, on to our next question. How does a language enthusiast and business professional spend his free time?

Greg:
Well, to be honest I spend most of my free time developing English Vocabulary programs. Even after I launched Executive Vocabulary, I continued to work in the Biotech and Information Technology industries at a full-time job. I do this, because I love marketing and being exposed to the latest advancements in medicine and technology; but, I also do it because it enables me to prove every day that you can achieve greater success by simply improving your vocabulary and communication skills.

Outside of work I love to read and discuss politics--both contribute to my vocabulary development. I know this sounds kind of «nerdy», but I really enjoy communicating as succinctly and precisely as possible. I approach every conversation and discussion as an opportunity to convey my thoughts and opinions and as a challenge to use the English language as precisely as possible. I approach communication almost like a hobby and i really appreciate great communication. For example, I always take note when I hear someone use a word that precisely articulates and illustrates their thoughts. I appreciate good English the same way a sports enthusiast appreciates a remarkable goal or basketball shot.

Just so you don't think of me as a total «Nerd», I am very luck in that I live in San Diego. I enjoy going to the beach on sunny days and surfing, playing volleyball and gathering with friends.

So, the honest truth is that English vocabulary is a hobby for me. I really enjoy improving my English and helping others develop a high level English vocabulary. I receive thank you emails all the time from people who have benefited from the Executive Vocabulary program--it gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to know that I have helped people all over the world to improve their English and achieve greater success in their careers.