
Takeover of your market share in another language
It is both exciting and intimidating to expand into new markets. It is not easy to get a foothold and become profitable in a new market with new competition. Language barriers can add an additional layer of complexity. It is essential to be able communicate effectively with customers, local officials, government officials, as well as business partners. This is a huge undertaking. There are steps you can take that will make this process as smooth as possible.
Explore the Local Languages
Remember that you might encounter multiple languages within any country or region. Then again, there may be different dialects within these languages. You may also find idiomatic speech that is unique to a small geographic area. For example, people in Switzerland might speak one of four languages. Canada has two languages. There are hundreds of dialects in China, which is a popular country for business expansion.
Do you really need every possible language variant spoken in a specific area? It depends. Respect for the culture of another person is demonstrated by communicating in their native language. It’s also a great way for you to learn local customs. Understanding culture and learning local dialects often go hand-in-hand. Even if you don’t speak the language fluently, it is helpful to know important phrases and words in the local dialect.
Invest in an On-Site Interpreter
Negotiating with local vendors, dealing directly with government officials, and even hiring new employees can all be difficult and sensitive. Miscommunications can cause serious problems. Unintentionally offending anyone is not something you want. You should find someone you can trust who can speak your language and the language of the area you are expanding to. They should also be familiarized with local customs and traditions. They should be trusted and respected by the community. This person can be a translator and a bit more of a diplomat during the expansion of your business.
Be aware of potentially confusing speech
There are two main challenges. The first is to learn as much as you can about the culture and language of the area you are expanding. The second is to make sure that your language usage doesn’t create confusion. Remember that even though people you work with and serve in new areas may be able to read and speak your language, they might not be familiar enough with all the nuances. Slang, colloquialisms, cultural references, etc. It can be confusing. A professional translation agency such as The Word Point can help you identify these words and phrases and help you find appropriate substitutes.
Both translation and localization are important.
Two separate, but related, efforts should be made to bridge any language gap. The first step is to translate all documents, including advertising copy, product descriptions and packaging, landing pages, manuals, and other materials into the target language. But that’s only a part of the work required.
The second item is to localize any content that could be seen by potential customers, employees, or other associates. This is where your content is modified in order to make it more understandable and relatable to your target audience. If you’re marketing to young adults and teens, you might mention popular sports teams or pop stars that are popular in your region. Your content should be as relevant as possible for the people who consume it.
Conduct a Competitive Analysis
Learning from your competitors is one of the best ways to learn what it takes to bridge any language barrier and increase your market share in another region or country. Is there someone in your niche?