Communication & Eurovision

As well as being pretty busy coaching with appointments on the telephone today, I'll also be working on the final edit of my new online course 'Communication Skills Upgrade', which I aim to launch next week.

This week I've had so much fun watching the Eurovision Song Contest semi finals in Moscow. Having missed the show for many years I finally caught up with it again last year, and whilst there are still the odd (?) entries - which can often be among my favourites, it's fantastic how seriously the participating countries take the contest.

Last year, as well as the obvious winner 'Believe' (the Russian entry, which was excellent) I loved the wackiness of the French & Spanish songs, one arriving on stage in a golf cart, holding a beach ball throughout (male & female backing singers sporting false beards to mimic his), and the other in full prosthetic nose, chin and huge quiff as if like a cartoon character. Both songs did well, and both scoring far more than most of the more traditional pop/ballad song.

This year all eyes are on Moscow. As last years winner it's their duty to stage this years event, and they've put together an amazing stage in their Olympic arena - and Mikey's 'top tips' for the 2009 show include Iceland, Moldova, UK, Bosnia-Hercegovina, and Finland.

The most amazing thing for me watching this show (with friends, a few bottles of wine, a nice meal and a large serving of humour) is the vastness of it all. More than 500 million people also tune in to watch this live - that's communication on a massive scale.

Whether we take Eurovision seriously or with a giggle, one thing is certain; tomorrow night a large chunk of the Euro population will be feeling patriotic, marveling at the spectacle (Russia have spent more than £30 million on this show), and simply enjoying the music - which after all is one of the best ways to communicate there is.

United Kingdom, 12 points!