[13.The Impact of New Technology on Business]
New technology links the world as never before.
Our planet has shrunk.
It's now a "global village" where countries are only seconds away
by fax or phone or satellite link.
And, of course,
our ability to benefit from this high-tech communications equipment
is greatly enhanced by foreign language skills.
Deeply involved with this new technology
is a breed of modern business people
who have a growing respect
for the economic value of doing business abroad.
In modern markets,
success overseas often helps support domestic business efforts.
Overseas assignments are becoming increasingly important
to advancement within executive ranks.
The executive stationed in another country
no longer need fear being "out of sight and out of mind."
He or she can be sure that the overseas effort is central
to the company's plan for success,
and that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad.
If an employee can succeed in a difficult assignment overseas,
superiors will have greater confidence in his or her ability
to cope back in the United States
where cross-cultural considerations
and foreign language issues are becoming more and more prevalent.
Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive communications devices
with business applications,
even small businesses in the United States are able
to get into international markets.
English is still the international language of business.
But there is an ever-growing need for people
who can speak another language.
A second language isn't generally required to get a job in business,
but having language skills gives a candidate the edge
when other qualifications appear to be equal.
The employee posted abroad
who speaks the country's principal language
has an opportunity to fast-forward certain negotiations,
and can have the cultural insight to know
when it is better to move more slowly.
The employee at the home office
who can communicate well with foreign clients
over the telephone or by fax machine
is an obvious asset to the firm.