Companies that are adopting a global outlook in its operation and target market will not fail to recognize the incredible advantage of having multilingual employees under its fold. When a product or service is intended to transcend geographical and cultural barriers, it must also be able to overcome language barriers. Communication is one of the most basic elements of doing business. Fail in it and the business will surely fail but succeed in it and the business will have more chances of flourishing.
There are a number of benefits that can be derived from having multilingual professionals working for a company:
More Efficient Communication with Foreign Counterparts
Businesses with global scope will have to deal with foreign counterparts and associates one way or the other. Although English is considered the universal language, many foreign business partners may not have employees with such speaking ability. It would be a clear advantage therefore to have employees who have knowledge of the local language.
This is especially useful when communicating with foreign clients and customers. In most Asian countries for instance, a company that sends a representative with knowledge of the language used in the client’s country scores more points than any other marketing effort can ever hope to achieve. It shows respect that will not go unnoticed when decision time comes.
More Diversity
Companies that employ multilingual professionals will find it easier to be more open to diversity in clientele or customer base. A better understanding of a foreign market becomes easier to obtain when there are people within the company who can translate the language not only in the literal sense but also to its real meaning as related to its culture. To study Thai for example in its real context is not merely limited to getting the pronunciation and tone right, it is more about using it to communicate to people who will matter most with respect to objectives.
In this case, this will be business associates and customers. Employees who have the knowledge of the foreign language can help their companies address the demands of their foreign buyers. Ideas that are specific to their specific culture can also be formed.
More Competitiveness
A business that has the capacity to be rise above competition can look forward to more chances of success. Multilingual employees make companies more competitive in the sense that they can be one step ahead specifically in foreign markets. The quality of employees plays a big role in the success of companies and having knowledge of a foreign language is definitely an asset which they can bring to the table.
Originally posted on July 16, 2013 @ 8:39 am