In today’s working world, one where numerous remote teams can all be collaborating together on a single project, it’s clear that location isn’t a hindrance. It’s no longer something that’s an issue in the workplace and being in the same office or building to deliver the goods isn’t classed as a requirement.
Similarly, technology is not often seen as something that’s an obstacle or a hurdle that needs to be overcome. There can of course be clashes and conflicts over technology, but the problems here aren’t around the fact the technology doesn’t exist, but which piece of technology should actually be used. Choice is available in abundance.
What does cause a problem in today’s working world, however, is language. Or more specifically, multi-language communication.
One goal, one path
When you’re working on a project today, everyone needs to be heading in the same direction. Changes and developments will always be made, but for the on-going and ultimate success of the project, there needs to be clear strides forward at all times.
When you have everyone speaking the same language, assuming everything else is in place, the success of the project shouldn’t be an issue. Everyone will be able to communicate their points effectively and efficiently and whether they’re taken on board and utilised or not, they’re always clearly put across and able to be truly considered by other project members.
When you have a project that has involvement from people who all speak different languages natively, problems can begin to occur when the one language is used, as things can get lost in translation. Words or phrases can be misheard, or missed entirely. And this isn’t necessarily to do with the clarity of the communication, but the speed of it.
Whilst the obvious solution to this problem is to ensure people working on a project can all communicate to at least the same level in one language, this clearly isn’t always going to be a possibility. For remote teams, it’s just not a realistic expectation 100% of the time.
So how do we get around it?
Message by voice, not text
Although there are a number of options to consider, and some or all of them may or may not work for your projects, one that needs to be given some thought is the process of sending voice messages.
Similar in their approach to a traditional text message or e-mail, rather than using a text-based message, a small file is attached that has your message provided verbally. You record it, save it, then send it.
Now this obviously isn’t likely to be a feasible solution for conference calls where instant communication is required, but all other types where traditionally, copy-based communication was used, there’s no reason why this can’t be the case.
When you have people sending voice messages, you can determine their tone better than you ever could via a text-based message. You can elaborate more than you generally would in an e-mail. It’s considerably quicker, too – you remove a whole part of the translated communication process by stopping at the translated version, without having to then type it out.
Interestingly, it’s already being used in many places around the world, such as China.
Quicker, easier and more effective
Outside of the business world, China’s use of voice messaging is huge. Generally using WhatsApp, rather than having to navigate around a difficult Mandarin keyboard, which can mean a short message takes much longer than it would in another language, a voice message is recorded and sent. Fast, effective and efficient.
And this isn’t just a new fad, either – the BBC reported four years ago that communicating via voice message had already taken China by storm. What’s more, WeChat, arguably the country’s most popular messaging app, has over 438 million users, with only 70 million of those outside of China.
Communicating within business is always going to be a difficult task for a whole host of reasons, but like every other business component, organisations will develop ways to navigate around such problem.
With voice messaging undoubtedly an option that should at least be considered if you’re struggling with multi-language communication issues, it may not be the golden ticket to all of your problems, but for many, it could definitely help to alleviate much of the resulting stress and headache.
