How can I build an inclusive & effective foreign
language strategy for my company?
A guide for SMEs
A guide
about the practices that SMEs can put in place to set up an effective plan for
the improvement of their foreign language competence is created by the local
development centre “Dione” in Elis (Ileia), in collaboration with the Erasmus
Intern Anh Bui Mai Nguyen (Master Degree in Marketing, University of Oulu, Finland).
The aim of
this guide is to become the starting point for the Greek small and medium sized
enterprises (SMEs) located in Elis region (Ileia) of exploring the nature of
language and cultural barriers in trade, searching for the best practice on how
to overcome language and cultural barriers by adopting innovative practice in
handling communication across borders, considering about the commercial value
of using language strategies and their impact on a company’s bottom-line with
governments, business agencies, intermediary organizations (like chambers,
regional governments etc), and identifying ‘magic formulas’ that SMEs can apply
to improve their cross-border activity, particularly in global ‘foreign
language’ markets.
The guide
highlights the following points:
- Management commitment
- Build a team of champions
- Reinforce employees’ competencies
- Communicate effectively
- Evaluate effectiveness
Guide
