We live in an international world but with globalisation comes increased competition. Having a multilingual workforce can not only make you stand out amongst the competition; it can also open new business opportunities, increase productivity and contribute to employee engagement!
So, let’s take a look at how having a multilingual workforce can benefit your business.
- Increased cultural sensitivity
Learning a new language also usually means learning about a new culture. As linguists progress and become more competent, they may interact more with the foreign culture, learning more about it and comparing it to their home culture. This increases their awareness of differences between cultures and creates a foundation in intercultural communication skills.
A culturally agile workforce strengthens your business’s understanding of another culture, enabling your company to communicate more effectively and establish better relationships with companies overseas. For example, knowing that bringing a simple gift to a business meeting in China can be considered bribery is essential knowledge in the fine line between securing and losing a deal.
- Improved customer relationships
Being able to speak with your customers in their native language can help to create a feeling of familiarity and build trust. Many business deals are closed based on trust and confidence in a company, which can be increased if they see you making an effort to foster the relationship.
In many cultures, such as Japan, business deals are heavily based on customer relationship. For example, knowledge that Japanese business etiquette typically involves many trust building activities, such as going out for dinner, before a business deal is agreed, can help sinch a deal. Having employees within your company who are familiar with or able to advise on cultural norms can be a massive benefit in international trade.
Speaking a familiar language can also lead to business and market growth. Businesses with multilingual staff can branch out into new markets where English isn’t as widely spoken. One example of this are the emerging markets in South East Asia, such as Cambodia and Vietnam, which have outpaced other emerging economies, according to the World Economic Forum.
- Employee self confidence
Employing multilingual staff or upskilling existing workers’ language skills fosters workplace relationships. Healthy professional relationships can increase an employee’s confidence and enjoyment at work, leading to a happier and more productive workforce.
If an employee feels the company are investing in their CPD and believes they contribute significantly to the company, it is likely they will be more confident in their work. More confident staff can lead to increased productivity, creativity and innovation and are more likely to be fast decision makers.
- Better communication skills
Employees can develop important interpersonal skills and become better problem solvers and listeners when they learn and know how to communicate in more than one language. Some studies have shown that multilingual employees are better at multitasking and can hold multiple trains of thought at once. They can also process information more quickly and efficiently than their monolingual colleagues.
- Improved credibility
Having employees who can engage with customers in their native language not only improves customer relations but increases your credibility. Being able to offer customer support in a range of languages and pitching yourself as a global player can build a credible name for the company and is certainly worth considering if looking to expand to an international customer base.
- Health benefits
Scientists believe bilingualism increases cognitive brain power and can protect against dementia and other diseases that affect the brain later in life. Learning a new skill such as a language can also increase the part of your brain which focuses on memory. Some studies have even found increased creativity in multilingual people, as they employ strategies to cope with comprehension and productive skills. One example may be describing an object or word when you can’t remember the exact piece of vocabulary. Who doesn’t want a healthier, creative workforce with increased memory?
Is your interest peaked? Check out our blog on compelling, surprising and fascinating benefits of learning a second language here!
About the author:
 |
Corinne is a CELTA-qualified English language teacher and has experience setting up and managing language training programmes for the government and corporate firms. |
PLS is a language training provider based in London who are currently providing online lessons to a variety of corporate and government clients. Get in touch today to discover how we can help you or your colleagues reach your language learning goals.