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Press
Invitation | 31st October 2001
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Cross-cultural
awareness
is integral to modern life
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In
these days of uncertainty, fear and cultural polarisation, the need
for cross border understanding has never been greater. The corporate
world is, at last, becoming pro-active to the importance of preparing
its employees for working in the international business environment.
Understanding
the way our overseas colleagues go about their commercial life and
what they expect in business meetings as well as how they build
business relationships, is an important part of successful overseas
trade. Indeed, it is often the crucial part.
Year
after year, the London Language and Cultural Learning Show forms
an integral
part of the campaign to promote positive attitudes to language learning
and cultural awareness. This is the UK's only exhibition and conference
dedicated to the promotion of languages, culture, language services
and new technology for language learning and teaching.
David
Solomons, Chief Executive of Culture Shock! Consulting, explains
what cross cultural understanding is, "It involves understanding
how that culture's communication works, how leadership is exercised
and decisions taken. It involves understanding their attitudes to
teamwork and how disagreement is resolved, what foreign colleagues
expect of business presentations and the way in which they are delivered.
And as a result of this, it offers business strategies and tactics
to managers working with overseas colleagues.
The
Languages at Work 2001 survey results will be revealed at the event
on the business day, 2 November 2001.
Respondents came from over 30 countries, speaking over 80 languages.
According
to the Languages at Work 2001 survey, language skills are begin
wasted by the world's businesses. Amazingly,
there is a massive untapped talent in the workplace, with around
50% of respondents having language skills that they are not using
at work. These are primarily French, German, Italian and Spanish,
although a quarter of respondents speak other languages that are
being wasted. Many can speak two or three languages on top of English.
According
to the survey conducted by languageadvantage.com, three-quarters
of respondents are employed in multicultural and multilingual workplaces
across the globe. Sarah Carroll, founder of languageadvantage.com
explains; "Languages and cultural awareness are part of everyday
work; they aren't just for export. They are important for all organisations,
all sectors, all job roles, whether you're operating globally or
locally, wherever you are in the world". It is not surprising,
therefore, that up to half have come across language and cultural
barriers, and 15% actually admit to losing business due to difficulties
in communicating with people from different cultures, speaking different
languages.
Simon Robinson
of Simon & Simon reinforces the survey findings, "With
the global trend toward multi-cultural management structures, companies
are increasingly aware of the need to improve their employees' understanding
of teh business cultures of clients and colleagues from other countries.
Please join
us at the VIP Reception to celebrate the London Language & Cultural
Learning Show, now in its 13th year. The VIP evening takes place
at the Novotel London West Exhibition Centre, Hammersmith, London,
W6 on Friday 2nd November from 6.30pm until 8.00pm.
Any
questions? Like to talk to us about Languages
at Work 2001?
Have suggestions for future surveys? For more information or any
feedback, please contact us.
To find out more
about Languages at Work 2002
and other language surveys, click here>>
Notes to editors:
68% of
respondents had colleagues from a different culture
68% of respondents had customers from a different culture
32% of respondents had suppliers from a different culture
43% of respondents had partner firms from a different culture
45% admitted
to coming across cultural barriers
79% believe that cross-cultural knowledge is useful at work
Only 22% of respondents work for companies who offer cultural training
Only 19% have
been part of cultural training
Yet 67% believe
it is important for their work
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