The secret to gathering great reviews

​I realised the other day that I now have 145 Google reviews – and every one is five stars! That is an almost 50% increase over the past two years.
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So how did I do it?

Obviously, you need to ensure your clients are so thoroughly delighted they want to leave you a good review. I believe in “excellence in all ways”: exceeding expectations, anticipating needs and constantly looking for ways to give my clients stellar service.

But this alone is not enough. You also need a system to request reviews.

At the end of every assignment, once the work has been successfully completed, I personally send a follow-up message thanking the client and inviting them to leave feedback via a direct link to my Google page.

Because interpreting and translation are so personal and relationship-based, clients are usually genuinely happy to write a review, particularly after high-pressure interpreting assignments where they’ve felt well supported throughout.

I try to make the process as easy and natural as possible. A warm personal message tends to generate more authentic and detailed testimonials than a generic, automated request.

Reviews are wonderful for marketing, of course. They help potential clients trust me before we’ve even spoken. But they are also a source of motivation. On difficult days, reading kind words from clients reminds me why I do this work.

Check out the reviews here

The Queen of Hearts for a new generation

There was much delight among my fellow Italians last month when Princess Catherine chose Italy for her first overseas trip since her cancer treatment.

She visited the northern city of Reggio Emilia because of its connection with early years education, one of her great passions. Reggio Emilia is famous for the “Reggio Approach”, an innovative early childhood education philosophy developed after the Second World War.

Like many Italians, I adored Princess Diana. Her death in 1997 had a profound impact on my life, not only because I lost a role model, but because the next day I received a call to interpret for Mohamed Al Fayed’s spokesman, Michael Cole, during a TV interview about the tragedy. It became the first major interpreting assignment of my career.

Watching Princess Catherine crouch down to talk to the little children waiting to see her, I was so reminded of Diana. Both Princesses of Wales share the same warm smile, humility, elegance and gentle kindness. A local reporter summed up the Princess of Wales’ popularity in Italy very beautifully, I thought: “They see Kate as the story that follows Diana.”

I was also thrilled to hear that she spoke to the children in Italian, apparently picked up during the three months she spent at the British Institute in Florence on her gap year. I know those children will treasure that moment of connection with their generation’s Queen of Hearts for the rest of their lives, all thanks to a few words spoken in their language.

English speakers sometimes assume there is little point in attempting to speak another language because so many people speak good English, and will often reply to you in English anyway. But believe me, it is always appreciated when you make the effort. A greeting or a thank you in someone else’s language is a small gesture that shows you respect and value them.

If you have a business trip coming up and would like a couple of bespoke lessons to brush up your Italian – or another language – get in touch. My colleagues and I can help you practise, prepare and step into the room with confidence.

Enquire Here

Behind the scenes of my unforgettable assignment with Gianluigi Buffon 

Last month, I found myself standing next to Gianluigi ‘Gigi’ Buffon, one of the greatest goalkeepers in footballing history, about to go on stage together at the sell-out event at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

Beyond the door, 600 football lovers were eagerly waiting to hear Gigi share his life story.

My heart was pounding as I followed Gigi onto the stage. He turned to me and winked, as if to say “we’ve got this!”

“Hello, London!” he announced to the crowd, before explaining that was the only English he’d be speaking that evening, and I would be interpreting for him.

As I whispered the interviewer’s first question in Gigi’s ear, my nerves vanished and were replaced by a sense of calm focus.

I’ve interpreted for many high-profile people over the years. Actors, politicians, entrepreneurs – even two Popes. But interpreting on stage in front of 600 people is something else. It was a performance, and I had to play my part in charming and entertaining the audience who had paid to be there.

The stakes are even higher in the age of the smartphone, as everything can be filmed and shared online. There’s no room for mistakes.

It took a lot of courage to take on such a high-profile assignment. But I prepared exhaustively, and deep down I knew I could do the job, even if it scared me.
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When I stepped on stage, I stopped thinking about Gigi as a celebrity. He was a human being there to tell a story, and it was my job to share his message in the most empathetic possible way.

The invitation

This story began back in February, when I received a message from a London-based events organisation, asking whether I might be available in April for a live event in London with Gianluigi Buffon. They’d found me via a Google Ad, and had been impressed enough by my website to get in touch.

I couldn’t send a formal email right away because I was on my way to an assignment, so I replied with a quick voice note, saying I would be delighted to help. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I did not want to miss!

We later had a meeting where I shared all my football-related experience, from the World Cup in 2002 to interpreting for SSC Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis at FT’s Business of Football Summit in 2024. They hired me for the job and also recommended me to Penguin, the publishers of the English edition of Gigi’s memoir, Saved.

Penguin hired me to work with Gigi the day after the event, when he’d be interviewed for The Guardian’s newspaper and football podcast. So an evening gig turned into a two-day assignment.

Next came the preparation.

The preparation

I read Saved, the memoir Gigi was promoting, several times (in English, since this is how I’d be sharing his words). I watched interviews on YouTube and clips of his greatest saves.

I learned everything I could about his career, his private life, his business interests, his childhood, his time at Parma, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and the Italian national team. I wanted to know everything about him and be fully immersed in the content.

On the day of the event, I met Gigi at our hotel for an initial chat. In my experience, celebrities can sometimes be a little aloof, but Gigi was a delight: warm, friendly and full of enthusiasm for the task ahead.
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We headed to the venue where Gigi cheerfully signed 180 books so they would be ready for audience members who’d pre-ordered them.

After a soundcheck, it was time.

On stage with Gigi

Football journalist Nicky Bandini led the interview beautifully. I whispered her questions into Gigi’s ear in Italian, then interpreted his answers back into English for the audience.

I had asked him beforehand to just say two or three sentences at a time so I could interpret them in stages – but of course, he was speaking so passionately, he completely forgot!

So I had to interpret as many as ten sentences at once, my pen speeding across my notebook as I tried to capture everything he said.

But it worked. The atmosphere was amazing. There was such warmth from the public, and a lovely chemistry on stage between Gigi, Nicky and me. He was kind, funny, human, humble and very down to earth.

The conversation moved far beyond football. Of course, there was much talk of his experiences as the world’s most capped goalkeeper: the 2006 World Cup, his favourite saves, the stadiums that had left the biggest impression on him. I could sense that for many people in the room, their own memories of these events were just as vivid.

But he also spoke very frankly about his challenges, including bouts of depression and stress-induced panic attacks. In Italian, the book’s title is Cadere, Rialzarsi, Cadere, Rialzarsi, which means “to fall, to rise, to fall, to rise”.

The overarching message is resilience: whenever you hit a low, find the energy to stand up, get back out there and start again.

His openness made the evening so powerful. Here was a man the football press called “Superman,” speaking honestly about the human being behind the myth.

I started the evening feeling so nervous, but by the time we reached the audience Q&A, I was actually enjoying myself. I was so absorbed in the conversation that I was disappointed when we ran out of time for more questions, as I didn’t want the experience to end.

At the end, something lovely happened. The audience applauded Gigi, but then there was also applause just for me!

I was so grateful. We interpreters are often behind the scenes, working unseen. So to have that acknowledgement after such an intense and memorable evening was very special.

The next day at The Guardian

The next day, we headed to The Guardian’s offices in King’s Cross for the Football Weekly podcast with Barry Glendenning and Nicky Bandini.

This was a much more intimate conversation. I sat off camera opposite Gigi, translating the journalist’s questions into Italian and translating his answers back into English for the journalists.

I filled two large notebooks as he talked about everything from football to art, fatherhood, and the deeper meaning behind his experiences on and off the pitch.

You can watch the podcast on YouTube. They’ve edited out my translation and replaced it with subtitles, but it’s still an hour long, which gives you an idea of how in-depth the conversation was.

After lunch, we returned to The Guardian for a photo shoot and an interview with Don McRae, who very aptly described Gigi as a “cheerful force of good will” in his article.

After a whirlwind two days, Gigi went back to Italy, and I went back to my life. I received some fabulous testimonials from my clients: Barry Glendenning very kindly described me as a “virtuoso”, while Elise at Penguin called me “utterly perfect” – how lovely is that?!

I even made an appearance on Gigi’s Instagram, which has 11.1 million followers.

What this assignment taught me

This has been, without doubt, one of the highlights of my career. Interpreting work isn’t always this glamorous, but if you work hard to build your online reputation, exciting opportunities will come your way.

One assignment often leads to another. Each experience builds your credibility, expands your network, and, gradually, you find yourself being trusted with more prestigious work.

So the next time an exciting but nerve-racking opportunity comes your way, I urge you to gather up your courage and step boldly outside your comfort zone. I promise you, you’ll be glad that ‘felt the fear and did it anyway’. You may even find you enjoy yourself!

The Guardian Football Weekly Podcast with Gianluigi Buffon

I had the opportunity to interpret for The Guardian Football Weekly podcast interview with Gianluigi Buffon — a completely different setting, but just as intense and memorable.

A big thank you again to the team, especially Barry Glendenning and Nicky Bandini, for such a thoughtful and engaging conversation.

What stood out most?

Gigi’s passion.

He could genuinely talk for hours — reflecting on his career, his struggles with mental health, his love for art, and the deeper meaning behind everything he’s experienced on and off the pitch. It’s the kind of conversation that requires full presence, constant focus, and being ready to follow wherever it goes.

Good job I came prepared.

Two large notebooks, a few pens, and a system of symbols that, to many, probably looked like a different language altogether. There was definitely some curiosity in the room about my note-taking – but yes, they were all used… and look here’s proof 😄

What you don’t always see in these moments is how much of interpreting is about anticipation. Listening beyond words, tracking ideas, and being ready for when a speaker like Buffon dives deep, switches pace, or follows a completely new thread.

Especially in a format like a podcast where everything feels more fluid, more conversational, and less structured.

It was a real privilege to support such an open and honest exchange.

Full episode now live on The Guardian Football Weekly, link below 🎧✨

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtvs83yeCBU

Gianluigi Buffon Interview at The Guardian

This April (2026), in London, I had the privilege of working as an Italian conference interpreter during an in-depth interview between Don McRae and Gianluigi Buffon – one of the most iconic goalkeepers in the history of football – at The Guardian’s premises.

A conversation that moved far beyond football — touching on identity, legacy, pressure, and transition at the highest level of the game.

What often remains unseen is the preparation behind moments like this:
immersing yourself in past interviews, reading extensively, and even revisiting footage to fully immerse yourself in Buffon’s journey  — long before the conversation begins.

Then, a quiet, intimate setting.

A small table, a handful of people, and a conversation carrying both personal depth and global resonance.

In those moments, my role is not simply to translate —but to enable a Guardian-level conversation with a global icon, exploring identity, legacy, and transition, while carrying nuance, intent, and presence in real time.

A demanding, high-trust environment — and a deeply rewarding experience. 🏆

Very grateful to have supported this exchange and hopefully many more to come ✨

Read the full interview by Don McRae : https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/22/gianluigi-buffon-unbeatable-omnipotent-italy-world-cup-goalkeeper-interview

Why AI still cannot replace the human interpreter

I recently came across a fascinating study from Cambridge University that examined the effect of simultaneous interpreting (where speech is translated in real-time) on working memory.

It highlights the huge cognitive load that this style of interpreting places on the brain and is further evidence of the importance of fatigue management. It’s why interpreters work in pairs. Even the most skilled and experienced interpreter must take a break after 20-30 minutes of simultaneous interpreting, as it’s such a cognitively demanding experience.

Recently, the Vatican announced plans to use AI-powered live translation for services at St Peter’s Basilica. For this kind of one-way communication, I can absolutely see the value. No institution could realistically hire live interpreters for so many languages at every service. Of course, there is always a risk of something being lost in translation, and that does concern me. But in this specific context, the benefits probably outweigh the drawbacks.

So does this mean we should hand everything over to AI because it’s cheap and never gets tired? When it comes to high-stakes events, absolutely not.

Firstly, accuracy. AI struggles with ambiguity. It doesn’t cope very well with idiomatic translation of cultural references, humour or metaphor. If you’re negotiating a business contract, staging a press conference or involved in a legal case, a mistranslation could have disastrous consequences.

Perhaps AI will eventually become so sophisticated that we can trust it with highly sensitive assignments like these.

What I’m confident that AI will never replace – no matter how good it gets – is the warmth and diplomacy of a skilled human interpreter.
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Interpreters are, in a sense, the stand-in for the speaker. We convey their words, but also their tone, energy and presence.

This month, for example, I’ll be interpreting for a very famous footballer at a live event in London. People are paying £30 a ticket for an intimate, memorable experience with a renowned figure. In that setting, an AI voice would feel flat. It would cheapen the entire event. My role is to “become” the speaker as faithfully as possible, so the audience can experience the charisma of the real person.

AI cannot judge whether a remark is delivered aggressively, kindly, flirtatiously or ironically and adjust its delivery accordingly.

Conversations conducted via a machine can feel slightly stilted, whereas a skilled interpreter helps the exchange flow naturally and spontaneously, as I did over dinner and drinks in Düsseldorf recently.

AI cannot act as an encourager and coach, as I did when interpreting for a young sports professional who was nervous about recording her first advert.

And when a brand needs to build a bond with clients or customers, an experienced interpreter with strong interpersonal skills can act as a brand ambassador. When I interpreted for one of Dior’s artisans at a VIP pop-up event at Selfridges last year, developing a rapport with customers was part of the job.

Inevitably, there will be less interpreting work available overall, but there will always be a demand for great interpreters who deliver extra business value to their clients.

Interpreting for a football superstar

An exciting offer came via my website this month: interpreting for an Italian footballing superstar, as he begins a promotional tour in the UK next month.

I’ll be interpreting for him on stage at an in-person event in London, as well as some additional media interviews.

I can’t share his name just yet, but let’s just say he’s a national hero in Italy – and if you’re a soccer fan, you’ll understand why I’m so excited to work with him!

I’m currently immersing myself in his life story, in preparation to interpret for him. This is particularly important in interviews, as the questions can go anywhere and the answers will be shared far and wide. I need to have all the facts filed away in my memory – names, places, dates, key events – so that I can interpret fluently and accurately. It means I don’t waste precious milliseconds trying to work out what a reference means while I’m also searching for the perfect phrasing.

It also helps me understand him as a person – or at least the public persona he chooses to share. Is he light-hearted, self-deprecating, or more flamboyant in the way he speaks? Having a sense of that in advance makes it much easier to convey his personality and voice faithfully, while still adapting to shifts in tone throughout the interview.

For me, this preparation is one of the joys of interpreting. Not only do I get to meet truly extraordinary people, but I get to delve deep into the most unexpected and eclectic range of subjects, which I might otherwise never have explored.

My Festa della Donna inspiration: Daniela Gianesini

To mark La Festa della Donna, I want to celebrate a woman who has profoundly shaped my thinking about language, education, and business — and who, above all, I am proud to call my best friend and a true personal inspiration.

I met ​Daniela Gianesini​ years ago, when I was living in Rome and searching for a school for my daughters. Daniela is the Educational Director and co-owner of La Maisonnette, a network of international trilingual schools where Italian, French, and English are spoken daily.

Long before multilingual education became fashionable, she helped create an environment where children move naturally between languages and cultures — something that deeply resonated with me both as a linguist and as a mother with an Italian heart and an international life.

As a linguist, I’m especially drawn to the principle behind her work: that multilingualism develops cognitive flexibility, empathy, and the ability to shift perspective. Those human skills will matter even more in the age of AI.

La Maisonnette began as a single school in Rome and has expanded into a wider affiliated network serving families across the city and beyond — a testament to her consistency, dedication, and long-term vision.

I admire how Daniela has remained a true expert in her field while also building the systems, structure, and strategy to grow the business. Not every business owner manages to balance the two; it means stepping out of your comfort zone to work on the business, not just in it – even when it might be easier to stay focused on delivery. Another example of the 2% mindset in action.

Buona Festa della Donna!

Celebrating a mentoring client win

One of the things I love most about mentoring is the opportunity to give back. I’ve built my business over the decades, and it’s so satisfying to help others avoid the pitfalls I’ve encountered along the way and fast-track their progress.

I was thrilled to receive an email recently from one of my mentoring clients, who I’ve been supporting as she builds her specialist interpreting agency, thanking me for my support in securing a €500,000 procurement contract.

This client has worked so hard to increase her visibility, build her profile and pursue opportunities – and it’s fantastic to see her tenacity (and her investment in mentoring) pay off.

It reminds me of the ​2% mindset concept​, popularised by the US author Michael Easter.

The figure comes from a study that found only 2% of people take the stairs when an escalator is also available, but Easter’s research revealed that the concept applies far more widely.

His conclusion was that only 2% of people would choose the harder option with a greater long-term benefit if there were an easier option.

Applying the 2% mindset to building a business means being willing to choose small, momentary discomforts that most people avoid: having the awkward conversation, making the bold ask, putting yourself out there, showing up consistently when it would be easier to stay quiet.

My client is doing exactly that – and her willingness to step out of her comfort zone is now paying dividends.

If you’re an interpreter reading this and thinking, “I want more clients, but I’m not sure what to do next,” I can help you create an action plan that draws on my real-world experience building an interpreting business, but is tailored to your particular situation. I can also support you to put it into practice, including gently nudging you to step out of your comfort zone when required!

Find out more about my mentoring services here

The role of memory in interpreting

Interpreting can often feel like an Olympic sport. It’s a form of mental athletics, demanding speed, cognitive agility and teamwork.

We have to listen, understand, remember, interpret, and convey the message accurately, in the right tone – all in seconds. Over and over again.

It’s an incredibly intense endeavour, which is why interpreters usually work in pairs, taking turns to interpret, then resting and supporting. For simultaneous interpreting, for example, we’ll usually swap every half an hour, because it’s just not possible to sustain that level of attention for prolonged periods. It’s like competing in an Olympic relay!
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Just like professional sports, interpreting demands disciplined training. To cope with the speed of live speech, for example, we learn special memory techniques such as visualisation and chunking.

Visualisation turns spoken words into simple images that help us remember what’s been said, while chunking groups information into manageable units, such as themes or categories, because a few structured chunks are easier to remember than lots of individual details.

We also make use of notes. With consecutive interpreting, where we need to hold several minutes of speech in our heads, we’ll create a visual sketch of what’s been said. With simultaneous interpreting, we’ll just jot down any keywords that must be repeated verbatim, such as dates, names or acronyms.

Memory can be impaired by stress and fatigue, which is one reason why I’m so passionate about rest and wellbeing. I learned long ago that getting enough sleep, exercise, and downtime is essential for peak performance.