Video: British businesses losing out because of a lack of language skills and cultural awareness

That’s according to new research which saw a quarter say a lack of language skills among their newest employees has resulted in a loss of business opportunities, while two in five said a lack of cultural understanding among their newest employees has resulted in lost business opportunities.

A third even said a lack of language skills among their newest employees has resulted in difficulty filling vacancies. With more than 80% believing colleges and universities should do more to help young adults think more globally.

Two thirds (65%) of senior directors at businesses that currently, or are looking to, operate internationally are worried that many young adults’ perspectives or educational experiences are not broad enough to operate in a multicultural economy. This rises to more than three quarters (76%) at large businesses with over 250 employees.

The research by translation and localisation experts Conversis, shows just how important language skills and even an understanding of other cultures is becoming in the increasingly global business marketplace.

With, 74% saying their organisation values new college hires and graduates with international skills that can advance their international trade efforts, rising to 86% and 80% at medium and large businesses respectively.

Two thirds say their organisation looks for new college hires and graduates with first language competency other than English that can connect them to new markets, while a similar number say they would hire multilingual candidates over those who lack a second language.

However, interestingly, cultural awareness was in fact seen as more important than language skills when hiring at all levels, apart from senior management.

Gary Muddyman, CEO of global translation company, Conversis, and Bill Rivers, Executive Director at the Joint National Committee for Languages discuss the research findings in this video.