A life of discovery.

Have you wondered what's possible after a career as a business communicator? The valuable skills you have can help you move into many new and unexpected directions. Here's a story of rediscovery for two such communicators.

It may only be a one-hour flight from London to Paris, but the two countries are light-years apart in culture. Former IABC U.K. and Europe leader David Hammond, along with his wife, Lynne, recently experienced a total lifestyle change by moving from London to the rural countryside of Burgundy, France, to run wine-tasting tours.

"Lynne and I founded and grew our communication consultancy, AIMM, over 20 years to become a leader in the U.K. market. We were ready for a new challenge, not just in business terms, but in our whole way of life," says Hammond. "We seized an opportunity to exit AIMM and move to France."

But there is a world of difference between vacationing in a country and living there full time. "We loved the French approach to life, but had limited knowledge of their customs, business practices, and systems like health care, property purchase or banking," Hammond says.

In two short years, the Hammonds have come to grips with the culture and language, and set up a successful small business called Burgundy Discovery. Their business has attracted clients from 12 different countries and is now established as a recognized force in local tourism.

Visit CW Online (www.iabc.com/cw) to learn more about the communication challenges of creating a life and business in a new culture.

For more information about Burgundy Discovery, visit www.burgundydiscovery.com, or contact David Hammond at [e-mail].