At the recent TransPerfect Global Retail Forum, speakers focused on challenges that face any business looking to be successful in foreign lands. Many obstacles can develop, often because of a lack of appreciation for local customs, language barriers or structural organization in the marketplace. Success comes from learning to know people–how they act, what they like, and how they live. The consistent stress throughout the conference was on the need for companies to pay attention to local behavior and routines as a way to test their global potential.
The use of the internet provides a perfect example. With such a broad user base, it seems like an excellent way to reach people in foreign countries. However, 72% of the internet’s three billion users do not speak English so an ability to speak the local language is essential....