Test your company's level

1. In how many foreign languages can your company operate?

(1) 1.
(2) 2.
(3) 3 to 5.
(4) More than 5.

2. Do you use professional translators/interpreters?

(4)Yes, regularly, for translating sales materials, legal documents and technical literature, and for interpreting during business meetings and negotiations.
(3)Yes, but not very often.
(2)Yes, but only in exceptional circumstances.
(1)No, we can deal with everything ourselves.

3. When do you organise language and/or cultural training for your staff?

(1)Never, we rely on our employees' skills.
(2)When someone specifically asks for it.
(3)Before entering a new market.
(4)On a regular basis.

4. Is your website multilingual?

(4)Yes, it has been translated into our main business languages and culturally adapted to local markets.
(3)Yes, it has been translated into our main business languages.
(2)Yes, but only parts of it have been translated.
(1)No. / We don't have a website.

5. Are language technologies such as online dictionaries available to your staff?

(4)Yes, staff access and often use language technologies such as online dictionaries, terminology databases, etc.
(2)Yes, staff access language technologies but rarely use them/do not know how to use them.
(1)No, we do not use such tools.
(1)No, we are not aware of the existence of such tools.

6. What proportion of your staff speaks at least one foreign language?

(1)Less than 10%.
(2)10-24%.
(3)25-50%.
(4)More than 50%.

7. When hiring people with language skills…

(3)We recruit native speakers of our clients' languages.
(2)We take on foreign students on placement.
(2)We recruit people who are non-natives but can speak foreign languages.
(1)We combine several of these measures.
(4)We do not specifically consider language skills when hiring.

8. Before entering a new market in a foreign country…

(3)We hire a local agent or distributor to handle language and cultural issues.
(3)We hire a native speaker or someone who is fluent and is acquainted with the local culture.
(2)We organise specific training for our staff.
(1)We translate and adapt our website and documentation.
(4)We combine several of these actions.

9. Have you already partnered with local universities to help you with language and cultural issues?

(4)Yes, we regularly bring in foreign students from our target markets or hire graduates with good language skills.
(3)Yes, we sometimes take on foreign students or students with good language skills on placement.
(2)Yes, but on rare occasions.
(1)Never.

10. How prepared is your company to face language and cultural barriers?

(4)We spot potential barriers early in the planning stage and take measures such as staff training, analysis of the culture's impact on business, etc. to prevent them from occurring.
(4)We keep a record of our staff's intercultural skills so they can be placed where they have local knowledge.
(2)We learn as we go and respond quickly when problems arise.
(1)We have never faced linguistic or cultural barriers so we don't spend resources on them.

You scored between 36 and 40 - Excellent! You have an exceptional language management strategy and your export sales should be at least 50% higher than your competitors. Your company is in a strong position to trade across continents.

If you wish to further develop your strategy, check :

the 10 tips for better language management
the Support services in your country

You scored between 26 and 35 - Very good! You are currently doing a lot to impact your trade. You should be performing at least 25% ahead of your nearest competitors in exports. Your company is already solidly positioned to trade across language boundaries, but there are additional measures you can now adopt that will improve your prospects even further.

For further information and advice, check :

the 10 tips for better language management
the Support services in your country

You scored between 16 and 25 - Good! You have recognised the value of adopting language measures, which will already be helping to increase your export sales. However, there is much more your company can still do to increase your trade in certain foreign markets where there are linguistic and cultural barriers. Plan which measures you can adopt and when. Start with small steps.

For further information and advice, check :

the 10 tips for better language management
the Support services in your country
the Success stories from other export companies

You scored between 10 and 15 - You are at an early stage in developing a language management strategy for your company. Think of measures your company could easily introduce in the next few months. If you haven't yet prepared a plan or language management strategy, why not start by checking the Success stories for what other export companies are doing.

For further information and advice, you can also check:

the 10 tips for better language management
the Support services in your country