Essay Example on Globalization: A Profitable Opportunity for Businesses Worldwide

Introduction

The rapid rise of globalization ensures that business organizations conduct their operations around the world. The emerging international markets offer a lucrative opportunity for businesses to increase their profitability to greater margins. Consequently, products are being manufactured in the overseas countries then imported and used by people in nations which are distantly located (Brockner et al., 2001). Also, people are able to work across the globe far away from their countries where their expertise is needed. Globalization of businesses around the world presents the problem of culture clash and misunderstandings due to a lack of a common language (Brockner et al., 2001).

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Therefore, the following paper seeks to offer some solutions to the problem of business globalization. In particular, there is the presentation of the tools for translating written and spoken the language, thus ensuring understanding which improves the business operations. These translating tools and options are categorized into three categories which will be discussed. The three dimensions include; free, moderate cost, and expensive. Moreover, the paper seeks to demonstrate the best practices for conduction international business operations. That is with the regards to communicating with a non-native individual when conducting the business operations.

Translating Tools and Options

When people of the same country come together to conduct business operations, there is still a likelihood of misunderstandings occurring with regards to the separate languages (Tata, 2005). In turn, when people or organizations from various countries engage in business operations, the misunderstanding is expected to increase due to the diversity of the languages. With that regards, translating tools and options become useful to bring cohesion, hence facilitating smooth business operations. These tools and options which facilitate translation of spoken and written language are categorized according to cost, which includes; free, moderate cost, and expensive (Tata, 2005).

Free Tool/Option

There are several translating apps developed today which are freely available for use by business organizations seeking to reach international markets. Therefore, a business organization can choose the one which serves the best for its purpose. One particularly helpful aspect of this tool in doing business internationally is that it eliminates middlemen who may be comprised of interpreters and e-commerce translation website (Tata, 2005). However, the setback associated with the use of translating apps is that it does not encourage learning of the particular language being translated (Tata, 2005).

Moderate Cost Tool/Option

An e-commerce translation website is online tools developed to enable business organizations to conduct their operations beyond their national jurisdictions. The ability of an e-commerce website is that it enables customers to efficiently compare information about the prices of commodities online in the language in which they understand (Tata, 2005). Moreover, the business owners are now enabled to set operational bases with minimal staff members, unlike the conventional brick and mortar stores (Tata, 2005). These e-commerce translating websites are helpful to business organizations which do not have prior knowledge about the culture of a particular region (Tata, 2005). However, one potential setback associated with such translating options is their inability to create a physical connection with the customers while conducting electronic commerce (Tata, 2005).

Expensive Tool/Option

The category is comprised of main interpreters who are used as the translating option or tool. Interpreters are considered important tools when embarking on international deals provided either party do not understand each other (Tata, 2005). With that regards, interpreters are valuable assets who need to be paid, which some situations when the option is not available, a huge compensation is offered to find one (Tata, 2005). Therefore, that makes interpreters to be an expensive option to translate language between international parties conducting business (Tata, 2005).

Although the interpreters are included in business transactions, they are not involved in signing the business deals which results from that engagement (Tata, 2005). The interpreters are helpful in doing business in another language since they can adapt to the cultural sensitivity of a particular local and international jurisdiction (Tata, 2005). One part of the culture of a people is language; hence a well vast interpreter can understand the non-verbal practices associated with a particular language (Tata, 2005).

Communicating with a Non-Native Language

Usually, it is challenging to conduct business operations overseas. These challenges arise due to the various limitations existing in such a marketplace. Some of the limitations include; language barrier and culture clash. Therefore, in order to bypass such limitations and achieve profitability into the international market as a result, businesses ought to adopt best practices of operations in foreign countries (Oishi, Diener, & Suh, 1999). These best practices adopted by businesses into the international market include;

Motivation of Employees

Motivation is culturally bound around the world as it facilitates employees to give their best in whatever they are working on. A motivated workforce has higher productivity and efficiency and thus improved profits (Oishi, Diener, & Suh, 1999).

Justice and Fairness

Getting what one deserves and penalty for misdemeanor is entrenched in people's value systems. Therefore, while conducting business the standards of justice and fairness have to be established and upheld (Oishi, Diener, & Suh, 1999).

Sensitivity and Respectfulness

Being aware of the non-native language variations in meanings and speech mannerism help avoid situation where the speaker is ambiguous, insensitive or even outright disrespectful (Oishi, Diener, & Suh, 1999).

Close Focus

A specific niche of customers or audiences is important when conducting business using a non-native language. This closeness to the customers enables the creating stronger ties while learning the specifics of the language (Oishi, Diener, & Suh, 1999).

Professional Language

Avoiding slang terms, acronyms and professional jargon makes it possible to communicate effectively in a non-native language. Using professional language also helps in avoiding ambiguities and confusion (Oishi, Diener, & Suh, 1999).

Feedback and Confirmation

It is necessary to ask the audience if they have understood the message being passed across. Otherwise, the sender of the message might assume that the audience understands thereby creating tension and even conflict. Conflict due to misunderstandings can be detrimental in a business environment. It is also necessary for the sender to correct any misconstrued information to enable efficiency (Oishi, Diener, & Suh, 1999).

Developing a Multilingual Website

A multilingual website enables your customers familiarize with your business and therefore identify with it. A personal level of communication and closeness to the brand can be achieved by this strategy (Oishi, Diener, & Suh, 1999).

Conclusion

Globalization has created an environment where commerce is really thriving in various levels. However, language barriers pose a challenge. Various innovations have been put forth to reduce or do away with the problems posed by language barriers (O'Keefe, Bourgeois, & Davis, 2017). Ultimately, individual businesses have to consider the best tools and practices to achieve maximum efficiency and profitability.

References

Brockner, J., Ackerman, G., Greenberg, J., Gelfand, M. J., Francesco, A. M., Chen, Z. X., et al. (2001). Culture and procedural justice: The influence of power distance on reactions to voice. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 37, 300-315

Oishi, S., Diener, E. F., & Suh, E. M. (1999). Cross-cultural variations in predictors of life satisfaction: Perspectives from needs and values. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 25, 980-990.

O'Keefe, D., Bourgeois, D. Y., & Davis, K. D. (2017). Measuring Cultural Intelligence: Psychometric Evaluation of the Cultural Intelligence Scale with a Military Sample in the Canadian Armed Forces. Res Militaris (http://resmilitaris.net)

Tata, J. (2005). The influence of national culture on the perceived fairness of grading procedures: A comparison of the United States and China. Journal of Psychology, 139, 401-412.