Is your organisation ready for the challenges of the post-pandemic workplace?
Amid market shifts and transformation, the demand for specific skillsets is evolving, and organisations are revising skills frameworks and implementing strategic upskilling programmes to bridge gaps and meet future skills needs. In a British Council survey, 70% of organisations reported strong language skills as key to organisational success in this context.
Join us as we explore four key benefits strong language skills bring to your organisation and discover their role in fostering effective communication, driving workforce globalisation and unlocking success for your organisation in the post-pandemic market.
Reading time: 5 minutes
Is your organisation ready for the challenges of the post-pandemic workplace?
In this dynamic landscape, organisations in all sectors are navigating significant shifts, and facing challenges such as economic uncertainty, volatile markets, heightened customer expectations and the ongoing quest for talent attraction and retention. As these challenges unfold, organisations are proactively reshaping their strategies, laying robust foundations for sustainability and growth.
Adapting to this evolving environment requires a strategic reassessment of operational approaches, resource allocation, and workforce development. Globalisation is increasing, with cross-border expansion and workforce internationalisation being facilitated by digital transformation, flexible and remote work structures and talent mobility.
Amid this transformation, the demand for specific skill sets is evolving, and organisations are revising skills frameworks and implementing strategic upskilling programmes to bridge gaps and meet future skills needs. In a British Council survey, 70% of organisations reported strong language skills as key to organisational success.
Read on as we explore four key benefits strong language skills bring to your organisation and discover their role in fostering effective communication, driving workforce globalisation and unlocking success for your organisation in the post-pandemic market.
1. Strong language skills boost expansion and growth
Organisations are proactively expanding their global presence as part of their long-term sustainability strategies. From universities establishing overseas campuses and student study abroad programmes to corporate companies strategically entering foreign markets, the quest for international success is diverse. This approach fosters growth through diversified income streams, strengthening resilience and adaptability in the dynamic market landscape.
How is language proficiency supporting organisations to boost expansion and growth?
Strong language skills facilitate effective market research, allowing you to deeply understand local preferences, gain insights and fine-tune your growth strategies. And navigate regulatory frameworks to ensure you adhere to legal standards in new markets.
Being fluent in the language of your target market goes beyond talking points; it's key to intercultural understanding, building trust and credibility and developing genuine connections and partnerships. Strong language skills pave the way for clear and precise communication with key stakeholders – be it clients, partners, or local authorities – breaking down barriers that miscommunication can often create, fostering a smoother path to success through enhanced understanding and collaboration.
In this global landscape, language proficiency supports effective communication with clients and customers, creating a personalised, customer-centric experience, fostering stronger relationships and customer loyalty – indispensable for sustainable growth and competitiveness in international markets.
2. Strong language skills facilitate supply chain diversification
With the goal of streamlining budgets, maximising return on investment, navigating supply chain uncertainties and prioritising suppliers with robust sustainability practices, organisations are extending supply chains worldwide and strategically managing procurement and supplier relationships. It's not just about smart financial management; it's a savvy strategy that fosters responsible business practices, ensuring long-term resilience and organisational success amidst evolving market dynamics.
How is language proficiency facilitating supply chain diversification?
Navigating regulations, negotiating contracts, discussing terms and ensuring smooth collaboration with suppliers in different countries requires effective communication. Strong language skills enable clear and unambiguous communication, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and ensuring that agreements align with your organisational strategy and goals.
Regular audits and assessments of international suppliers are essential to uphold quality standards. Language proficiency is crucial during these evaluations, facilitating in-depth understanding of operational practices, compliance with regulations and supplier performance for a thorough assessment. This understanding enables you to pinpoint areas for improvement and collaborate effectively with suppliers to enhance the overall quality and efficiency of the supply chain.
Diversifying supply chains across borders may introduce new challenges and risks in the initial stages. Strong language skills play a vital role in fostering collaborative communication, enabling proactive approaches to problem-solving and risk mitigation. Whether addressing logistical issues, quality control, or unexpected disruptions, effective communication is key to resolving challenges promptly.
3. Strong language skills fuel workforce globalisation
Organisations across diverse sectors are grappling with challenges in attracting and retaining talent. To address this, they are broadening their horizons and tapping into a global talent pool, recruiting individuals from different countries, outsourcing across borders, and engaging in collaborations with consultants, gig workers, and partners worldwide.
How are strong language skills fuelling globalisation in the workplace?
Increasingly diverse teams need to communicate effectively to collaborate and cultivate a positive and inclusive work environment. Strong language skills are fundamental to communicating clearly, fostering trust and problem-solving, enhancing engagement, productivity and creating cohesive teams. Especially when you are working remotely, where communication predominantly relies on written messages or online meetings. And when collaborating with gig workers or outsourcing partners, the dynamic nature of contacts requires you to communicate clearly and swiftly for mutual understanding.
To navigate linguistic diversity, many organisations are embracing language policies—comprehensive guidelines that strategically manage language use in the organisation. By defining the official language, specifying languages usage in different contexts and locations and language skill levels for different roles, these policies foster effective communication and cultivate an inclusive environment. When recruiting from a global talent pool, many organisations carry out language assessments to ensure new hires are able to integrate into the linguistic fabric of the team.
4. Strong language skills support talent mobility
From cross-functional projects to international secondments and leadership development programmes, talent mobility supports market expansion and cultivates a dynamic workforce, capable of driving innovation and ensuring long-term success.
How is language proficiency supporting talent mobility?
Building language skills before relocating to the new country ensures that upon arrival, you can make a positive first impression, engage with local teams, make connections, gain valuable insights and quickly adapt to new roles, crucial for both professional and personal success.
Beyond facilitating connection, strong language skills enhance credibility, enabling you to articulate your vision, expectations, and strategies with precision. This minimises the risk of misinterpretation or ambiguity, promotes shared understanding and builds trust, boosting teamwork and increasing the likelihood of successful implementation.
Many organisations mandate minimum language proficiency for different roles and include access to language training opportunities in their language policies, aligning with the broader goal of promoting effective communication and cultural understanding within the workforce. This ensures that employees have the linguistic tools to navigate new roles and cultivates an inclusive and collaborative environment.
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How prepared is your organisation to succeed in the global context?
It's time for a critical evaluation of your employees' language proficiency. Consider implementing or revisiting your language policy, ensuring it aligns with the current needs of your organisation. Identify key languages for different roles, assess and map your employees' language skills levels, and pinpoint any existing gaps. Invest in upskilling and language training to ensure your organisation is prepared for success in a global environment
The ability to communicate effectively in a diverse workplace landscape isn't just a skill; it's a strategic asset for sustained organisational growth.
British Council has over 80 years’ experience of partnering with organisations and individuals in over 200 countries. Our holistic, research-driven approach to learning and assessment and forward-thinking industry leading solutions empower growth and engage teams, positively impacting individuals and organisations.
Partner with us to identify skills gaps and upskill your teams to ensure your learning programmes drive your organisation’s success.
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