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you expect difficulties to come from language. But the problems come as much from logistics, usages and faulty information obtained from a distance. Such snags can compromise a mission that must be be accomplished quickly.
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That's the reason why we mention "troubleshooters". Our interpreters know Paris. They can check out the practical aspects of your mission in advance, if you tell us what we need to know to make sure your appointments go as intended.
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• A woman who had come from Bahrein for medical tests and a doctor's appointment had to begin at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital...
where the Information Desk is at the end of an enormous hall. She had trouble walking, and fell down as we went over there. Then the overworked person at the desk gave the wrong directions. There was more walking and more falling down. We finally got to the right place when a doctor kindly took us there personally. But the tests were made late. The specialist whom the visitor had come so far to see was waiting for her, in an office an hour's taxi-ride away. I called several times, to say where we were and beg him to remain, which he did. Staying on would have been extremely difficult for this patient, yet she could have been obliged to do so." |
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•"An insurance broker from Cairo had a request for a $50-million life insurance policy from a Saudi billionnaire, who lived in Paris...
To make sure that the medical tests the insurance company required went smoothly, he made the personal investment of coming to Paris for 36 hours. The arrangements, which had been made from Cairo, were with a doctor who had not been told that special equipment was required and did not have it, and with a lab that charged 2500€ for tests that eventually came to 267€ ('It's an insurance company and it can pay.') At the last minute, even though it was near closing time, I was able to arrange with the American Hospital that everything take place there. Later, a paperwork snag and then the need to clarify examination results led me to return to the hospital twice."
These difficulties, which you take in stride if you live on the spot, become dramatic if you cannot extend your stay.
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•Costs:
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º Missions that need no preparation (as for a business meeting, you remain in a single place and require no special equipment or sending of paperwork): our usual fee.
º Missions that require checking in advance or after the mission is over: 600€ per day, plus annual dues (20€ if you are coming for a personal emergency, 80 or 250€ – depending on company size – if for business..
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º These fees include walking through every aspect of the mission. Please give us as much lead time as you can.
º In both cases, please send 20% of the fee and the dues to reserve the date.
º We can reserve a car and driver if you wish. There is no charge for this service. |
Drawings by Harald Wolff
