How Your Business Will Benefit From Going Bilingual

Cristina Cardona

In the private sector, Spanish speakers in an organization have a distinct competitive advantage in the work place. Our Hispanic population continues to grow with no intention to abandon their beloved language. A need for Spanish speakers in the private workplace is a fact.

In the public sector (government and education, for example), Spanish-speaking employees are especially valued. Spanish speakers who handle customer service with a large Hispanic client population can be the difference between a good first impression of the organization and a negative experience.

It is very important to realize that learning Spanish is not memorizing a few questions and answers you use all the time. This would only help you get by in a short telephone conversation. Then, what do you if the customer on the other end of the line has a problem or needs information about your company or products? What do you do then? Some food for thought.

If learning a few phrases is your goal, you can use Rosetta Stone or similar software products in the market to achieve this objective. These products will give you a foundation of fundamental vocabulary, but will not teach you to communicate effectively at a professional level.

Learning a second language is a more complex process that should not be simplified or underestimated. It means being able to communicate effectively, ask and provide information, sell products, services, solve problems and most important, building relationships with customers.

Being from Spain and after many years or experience as a Spanish trainer, I can assure that language and culture go together. There is not one single variety of Spanish. There are major differences between the Spanish of Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and Southern South America, not to mention such places as Puerto Rico, and, of course, the motherland, Spain.

Getting to know the Hispanic culture as well as the language will guarantee your business success in reaching the fast growing Hispanic market.

Having employees learn Spanish can be a great benefit to your business, especially if you are located in some parts of the country, such as Arizona, Southern Florida, Southern California and parts of New York City, where Spanish is no less dominant a language than English.

Learning Spanish will get your business ahead of the game in this global economy. If you own a business, consider going bilingual and you will not be sorry you did.

Cristina Cardona is founder and Director of Spanish Professional Services of Oh-Lah. Cristina was born in Madrid, Spain and has an experience of over 10 years teaching Spanish and ESL (English as a Second Language) to companies, adults and children.