Why English is a must in Networking
What is networking?
Networking is a term used when referring to the act of getting to know new people, both personally and professionally. In your future professional role, your direct superior might need you to meet or make contact with people who you have not met before. When this happens, you will be networking.
Your professional network would not only be useful for you at your current place of work, but you will most probably want and should keep in contact with people you connected with before. You never know who will require your services in the future even though you might no longer be at the place where they met you originally.
Using English to network online
Today the majority of new relationships are born online, and so, apart from using English to send, receive or communicate with clients and potential clients via email or other media, the language is also the go-to communication medium when it comes to online networking.
Take LinkedIn for example. The professional social media platform has over 300 million users across the globe (303 million in 2019), making it one of the foremost and leading networking sites on the internet. Most users on LinkedIn post their content and ideas in English even though it is not their native language. And yes, one can argue that people/organisations with a huge number of followers post their content in different languages to accommodate their connections worldwide.
However, there is the whole lost in translation factor you need to consider. Basically, this means that a text loses its full meaning and significance when translated from the original language to another especially if this is done literally word-for-word. And the fact that English is used more than any other language for content writing, the lost in translation factor is exponentially higher. This results in the true message of the text becoming muddled and eventually lost through all the translations.
The universality of the English language
As a professional working in any sector, you will be expected to greet people in a language which is not only universally accepted but also openly spoken as the language of business.
Most probably, people looking to meet you and doing business with you or your organisation will approach the matter in a common language which they expect you understand. This is especially true if the transaction or piece of business in question is being done with a foreign organisation or client.
Although most people will be willing to adapt and speak to you in another language which you would be more comfortable in, greeting people in English upon meeting them, will show them that you are committed to the cause/business and you will make a great first impression.
Furthermore, speaking in a universally accepted language will increase the chances of you being introduced to other people who can help or can offer you opportunities outside your established circle of professionals.
Rounding up
So, as established above, learning to speak and write the English language correctly can open endless doors on your way to becoming your best self and achieving your dreams both personally and professionally. Therefore, put yourself in the best position to be successful and to build positive relationships by learning the one language that is universally understood, spoken and respected!