In a global economy, the smartest thing you can do is reach out to various market sectors in different parts of the world.

A brand that can bridge cultural and lingual gaps is strategically positioned for success.

In this age, any organization can reach its target market despite time and geographic differences using various tech tools. Speaking your customers’ language, however, is what would truly differentiate your brand in a crowded marketplace.

So if you’re looking for ways to gain competitive advantage, a multilingual strategy may be the answer. Multilingual capabilities are a valuable asset for companies that cater to or want to reach diverse consumer groups. Being able to communicate with an international audience helps you raise brand awareness, provide better customer service, and establish a strong global presence.

Building a multilingual organization isn’t an easy task, but there’s a way to make it more manageable. One is partnering with a multilingual call center. By doing this, you’ll instantly be able to speak several languages and talk to your target customers in their native tongue.

Must all brands be multilingual?

Brands of all sizes will find that there are great opportunities that being multilingual can offer. Even if you’re not aiming to capture the international market, or your scope is limited to one country, there’s a great chance that various languages are being spoken in your area.

Some industries, however, have a greater need for multilingualism than others. These may be tech-based companies that conduct most of their operations on the web or those that naturally serve people of various cultural backgrounds. Here are the top five business segments that need a multilingual workforce.
 

1. Online retail

   
   In the United States alone, ecommerce sales grew by 14.6% in 2015. This figure accounted for more than one-third of retail sales growth in the country.

   Online retailers attract consumers from various cultures, as it’s fast, easy, and convenient. If you’re in this sector, expect that your customers may come from different parts of the world. Therefore, aside from putting up an international shipping arrangement, you also need to partner with a multilingual contact center.

 

2. Healthcare

   
   Hospitals and nursing homes are also in need of a multilingual workforce. Patients visiting them may come from different areas, so you must be able to speak their language. You may outsource your health care organization’s customer service to a multilingual call center that can attend to patients’ inquiries, especially those related to administrative processes. Examples are billing, insurance, appointment scheduling, and medical record management.

 

3. Finance and banking

   
   In order to give customers a safe environment, finance organizations and banks must be able to communicate with them effectively. By speaking multiple languages, these companies will be able to understand clients’ needs, reassure them when needed, and explain their policies in a manner that builds trust.

 

4. Tourism and hospitality

   
   The tourism industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, constituting almost 10% of the world’s gross domestic product. As such, it’s essential for travel agencies to be able to embrace diversity, as they regularly deal with a multicultural market. A multilingual call center would allow these organizations to capture the international market and give customers a memorable experience.

 

5. Travel and transportation

   
   Like the tourism industry, the transportation sector is also growing rapidly. Transport solutions, like carpooling services and online cab booking, offer flexible and convenient options that many customers appreciate. Because they’re deemed safer than other commuting methods, many tourists opt for these services. Thus, it’s important for transportation firms to provide the kind of customer service that embraces their diverse clientele.