Gateshead … Paris, Texas
As businesses grow, so there often grows the appetite to expand to new territories and seek new skills and markets. Apart from the fact this opens up new partnerships and revenue, what feels just as important is the way it brings different cultures together to share ideas, and approaches.
I was struck by this when speaking to a new colleague at the NGP HQ, who had a strong French accent. In a moment of over confidence I struck up a conversation in French. I did live in Paris for a year – but a long, long time ago. I surprised myself to hold a ‘short’ conversation in French.
What also surprised me though was that this brief French encounter was in an office in Gateshead. An office which also includes Maltese and Indian staff, as the business has offices there, as well as in Texas and Singapore.
It’s a great feeling to speak other languages at work and mix with other cultures. And the opportunity for staff exchange gives people new perspective and knowledge. Someone with broader experience, better linguistic skills and good cultural awareness can only be a good thing for a business.
And it’s the mark of a successful business too – one which encourages the expansion of minds and opportunities as much as territories.