Recent Business Press Articles

THE WORLD IS getting smaller: globalisation is drawing countries closer together with every technological advance. Business is becoming more integrated yet more diverse and it is now quite natural to deal daily with staff, suppliers, and customers from around the globe.

As companies expand, they face greater competition and need to maintain the standard and quality of their products while offering a high level of customer service. It's an issue that affects all businesses, from multinationals to small and medium-sized enterprises edging their way on tithe global platform.

Clear communication skills are necessary to maintain good corporate links across cultural borders. If your business is looking for international success at any level, you need to brush up on any cultural differences, starting with the language.

Language training is useful for both management and for the rest of your staff. If your employees fail to interact with each other, then the whole trading process can become complicated and confusing. The ability to speak another language has always been useful for selling or dealing with foreign customers, but it's also essential for developing a good rapport among employees.

Being aware of cultural differences helps promote communication, understanding, and a healthy business. The Clement Windows Group is one SME that has realised the importance of language training. "Clements has been trading for nearly 100 years," says Joanna Knight, marketing manager for the group. "Having thoroughly established ourselves in the UK we are now in a good position to contend in Europe. Over the last year I've been to Belgium and France on a regular basis to attend exhibitions, meet potential clients and keep tabs on the manufacturing chain. It was embarrassing being in a country where I was the foreigner trying to sell my product but expecting others to speak English. So I went on a course in France where I was immersed in the French culture. Constant exposure to the language made learning much easier, faster and more interesting. "Increasing global competition is going to put more pressure on companies to brush up their language skills. If you want to continue to achieve success or if you are setting out for the first time on the international trading circuit, be prepared to adapt to the pace and speak the local language. If you don't, someone else will.