One of the most valuable currencies of global business is being able to reach a point of mutual understanding with others. That’s something that requires effective communication and being able to share strategy and vision in a language that can be generally understood. English remains the international language of business and a key communication tool when it comes to being able to persuade and influence others and to share insights and ideas. These are some of the reasons why learning business English can help build and maintain international client relationships.

Mastering the art of communication

While there are many nuances involved in communication, the heart of it is simply being able to share what you think, believe, feel or want. Skills such as listening, watching and being able to interpret tone of voice are all incredibly useful but effective communication begins with being able to use words that the others involved are going to be able to understand. The ability to communicate in a shared language is the fastest and simplest way to ensure that you get your message across. It not only enables you to share ideas and solutions but to build strong international client relationships too.

Overcoming the barriers of misunderstanding

One survey found that messages getting lost in translation were responsible for arrangements falling apart in 50% of business deals. There may be a lot at stake during negotiations and miscommunication and misunderstanding can damage credibility and undermine trust. If you, or your team, doesn’t have the capacity to communicate in a shared language this can directly impact the bottom line of the business and leave everyone feeling frustrated at missed opportunities. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that language ability has a big impact on business success – multilingual teams tend to outperform those that don’t have the extra language capacity.

Networking, optimised

If you cast your mind back to the last networking event you attended, you’ll probably notice that it was your ability to communicate that tended to form the foundations of the most fruitful relationships. People want to do business with those that they like and are more influenced by this than the kind of products or services on offer. It’s absolutely essential to be able to communicate who you are, what you do and how that could benefit others if you’re looking to build and maintain strong international client relationships. With this skill at your fingertips you can really get the most from the networking that you do. Some simple tips for great networking in English include doing your research on the business beforehand so that you can tailor your communication style appropriately, getting really good at English small talk, as well as ensuring that you know the most up-to-date terms and language for the business you’re in.

Learning business English gives you access to a shared language that allows you to build and maintain client relationships effectively.

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