Talking even an elementary level of a nation’s native language goes a long way to breaking down barriers

To excel in today’s world of business, an entrepreneur must have ‘Metalinguistic’ boldly written on his resume. And, this is entirely different from what was needed a decade ago.

Nowadays, ‘soft skills’ are preferred than the decade old ‘hard skills’ to navigate this new, globalized business scene. ‘Soft skills’ like interpersonal communication and negotiation skills can make all the difference between sustenance and victory in global business. Living in a globalized business atmosphere and knowing a second language as an entrepreneur, is a skill that will give you and your business a stronger edge.

Effective and operational communication amidst multiple languages is an essential tool for building a relationship, and moreover, commercial success. Another incentive to learn a foreign language is to also gain knowledge, which in turn augments one’s cognitive and logical abilities.

Mark Zuckerberg’s remarkable demonstration of semi-fluent Mandarin during a round of Questions at Tsinghua University in Beijing clearly established the fact that learning a local language is a crucial step towards developing more profound business relationships and captivating the hearts and minds of targeted markets ─and he’s absolutely right.

Having spent a few years in Japan, I am someone who is profoundly influenced by the Japanese culture. One of the few things I’ve always appreciated about their business tactic is how they encourage invention and information sharing and involvement from the bottom up. Every person has an opinion – it might not be used, but it will be heard and received.

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Taking into consideration the fact that Japan is a geographically remote island country that is densely inhabited and deprived of natural resources; this makes the dominance and robustness of the Japanese economy seem even more remarkable. The Japanese have depended on their originality and systematic know-how to get to the top not only economically, but also in efficacy-oriented ways.

So, a study of Japanese culture and language can open your perception on the morals that other Asian countries share with Japan, together with spiritual beliefs, ethics, and aesthetics. Being familiar with Asian cultures I learned to step outside the values and culture we live in and understand it from a renewed perspective.

Here is how learning a foreign language can be beneficial for an Entrepreneur planning to take on the global market:

Intramural language skills win clienteles

By showing off these skills, many businessmen can find their client base flourishing. Many companies might put their faith in translators, but investing in a devoted service of self-learning can lead to stronger relationships with clients. It’s not just about the effortlessness while communicating but knowing a dialect also means understanding a client’s culture. This can help build a huge client base.

It can sharpen one’s cognitive learning skills

When one studies a new language, he/she begins to comprehend its construction and mechanism. This can help improve his/her cognitive skills as one starts to observe things from other person’s angles. When one knows the feeling of being a newbie then one cultivates an appreciation for people who are not fluent in one’s native language as he/she is. This skill comes in very handy for an entrepreneur as he is struggling with multiple things every minute.

Opens up a whole new door of opportunities

Many new opportunities will come knocking at the door when one learns a new language. In addition, English, Spanish is extensively spoken all over the world; Arabic is another language that is spoken in numerous countries in Africa and the Middle East. In about ten countries, Portuguese is spoken. Knowing even one of a few of these foreign languages can be a huge advantage to one’s business in global market.

Makes one more creative with work

Research shows that knowing more than two languages can make one much more creative than others who completely rely on their native language. Along with becoming a superior problem solver, knowing and learning a new language can also make one more imaginative and artistic.

Also read: What’s Silicon Valley’s secret sauce? Here’s what Asian entrepreneurs can learn in terms of culture

Makes one a better leader and subsequently a better entrepreneur

A leader doesn’t just see things from his/ her perspective but he/she is just as good at seeing things from other’s standpoint. Knowing languages and respective cultures can help one to see things from diverse viewpoints. It helps one to comprehend and encourage other people. A well traveled and an articulate entrepreneur has a far superior appeal than just anyone with an inadequate worldview. Having a world view unquestionably benefits a lot more. And communicating in a foreign language offers one a chance to unite with International societies in the city. A business that connects with people from diverse cultures is always better.

Well, why should any entrepreneur learn a foreign language?

Multilingualism’s importance is beyond being just a skill; knowing any language other than the mother tongue has turned out to be tremendously beneficial. Learning a foreign language might be a major investment of time and vitality, but talking even an elementary level of a nation’s native language goes a long way to breaking down barriers. For all types of businesses, it is vital to cultivate and withstand a robust grip on the worldwide economy in order to understand the mindset and the language of the foreign clienteles.

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Featured image credit: 123RF

 

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