Have you ever considered the significant role that your native language plays in your life? Let’s take some time to reflect on just why this and language diversity in businesses are so important.
We often take our mother tongue for granted since it comes so naturally, yet it is part of our identity and has a profound effect on us. We gain the true sense of freedom to express ourselves as soon as we can piece together a few words into a phrase.
Language provides everyone on the planet a chance to be heard. It allows us to make sense of our innermost thoughts, emotions, and ideas, and helps us engage in conversation and other forms of social interaction. For this reason alone, we should celebrate our unique tongues of origin.
Over 7000 distinct languages are spoken throughout the world today, with Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, and Spanish being among the most widely used, whereas English is commonly adopted. Europe alone is home to 24 official languages, while as many as 200 languages are spoken across the continent.
Language and culture play an important role in today’s operations as global barriers become more blurred. In developing nations, fresh job possibilities are abundant, and multinational companies often hire people abroad from all over the world like a UK based company hiring in Spain, as many realize the value of having multilingual employees.
International businesses are becoming increasingly dependent on language and culture skills, which have always proven useful in customer service, business development, sales, and general business growth.
It is believed that multilingual job candidates have an open mind, as their thoughts have been broadened by exposure to various cultures. An individual with multilingual skills may bring a wealth of advantages to the table, even outside a position that needs fluency in another language. Motivation, self-improvement, and the ability to prioritize and make sound decisions are all examples of traits that may be beneficial in practically every job setting.
Language diversity may help a business expand, improve employee abilities, and increase customer satisfaction. Here are some reasons why:
- It facilitates cultural exchange
Language and culture are inextricably linked. Knowledge of another culture and language may help businesses communicate more effectively and build stronger ties by making it more straightforward for them to interact with individuals across the world.
- It raises social awareness
When you work with people who are fluent in another language, it is easy to develop cultural awareness and respect for that language and its nuances.
- It builds trust among stakeholders
Cultivating a relationship with stakeholders in their native language can create a sense of familiarity, leading to greater client confidence and potentially successful business development.
- It supports international collaborations
Business communication across national borders can benefit from partnerships built on a mutual understanding that overpasses language barriers.
- It promotes interpersonal interactions at work
It stimulates employees to interact with their co-workers and can encourage the development of mentorship relationships, connection and skill sharing among peers.
- It enhances the efficiency of the workforce
Employees’ confidence in their job will likely increase if they are fluent in more languages and feel they are making a meaningful contribution to the organization. Confident individuals are more likely to take action and encourage business development.
- It’s linked to positive health outcomes
Some studies show that learning more than one language may delay the onset of potential neurodegenerative disorders. Employees that have access to personal development training opportunities are more likely to maintain a better work-life balance.
- It encourages the development of soft skills
Employees can improve crucial interpersonal skills and become more effective problem solvers and listeners by learning and mastering new languages.
The benefits of communicating effectively in a second language are immeasurable personally and professionally. A company that favours quality communication sets up to manage a successful workplace that values both external stakeholders and customers, as well as its internal employees. The first step is to accept and celebrate language diversity and multilingualism.
Having explored the benefits outlined above, are you considering building a new multilingual team? Click here to receive a free copy of our ebook “The Future of Recruitment”, with complete and extensive information to help you navigate the international hiring process.
About Allen Recruitment
Allen Recruitment is an international recruitment consultancy with offices in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Sweden, Belgium and Poland, providing recruitment solutions and job opportunities all over Europe and more. A full-service recruitment consultancy offering temporary, permanent, contract and contingency roles in a variety of industries such as IT, Tech, Finance, Telecom, E-commerce, Engineering and more.
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