The Importance of Business Travel Interpreters

Picture this scenario.
James was told that he had to travel to Brazil to go close a deal. He was so excited for the trip, as he had been learning Portuguese for years, and this was his opportunity to show off his skills.
He thought he had it all figured out. He had closed big deals in the past and was confident that his business trip to Brazil would be a breeze. After all, he spoke Portuguese, so what could go wrong?
He soon found out that he was in for a rude awakening.
As he sat in his first business meeting, he made small talk with his Brazilian colleagues, and everything seemed to be going smoothly.
That is, until he referred to one of the young women in the room as a “rapariga.” His colleagues’ expressions immediately turned from friendly to horrified, and he couldn’t figure out why.
It turns out that in Brazil, “rapariga” is a term for prostitute!
While in Portugal it means “young girl /woman”.
Yes, James had learnt European Portuguese and not Brazilian Portuguese… so he had just insulted the entire room and jeopardized the entire deal.
James walked away having learnt an important lesson: always make sure to use a travel interpreter and be aware of the cultural differences in language.
A mistake which cost him the deal.
Don’t be a James.

When it comes to business trips, communication is key. Whether you’re closing a deal or networking with potential partners, being able to effectively communicate with your colleagues, clients, and contacts is essential for success. However, if you’re traveling to a foreign country, language barriers can make communication difficult. One solution to this problem is to use a travel interpreter.
A travel interpreter is a professional who is fluent in both the language of the host country and your native language. They can accompany you on your business trip and act as a translator during meetings, presentations, and other business-related activities. This can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that any misunderstandings or miscommunications are quickly cleared up.
Using a travel interpreter can be a great way to make the most of your business trip, but it is important to note that hiring a professional interpreter will come at an additional cost. However, this cost can be well worth it in the long run, as it can help you build stronger business relationships, increase the chances of closing deals, and make your trip more productive overall.
Some benefits of hiring a travel interpreter:
Improved communication: An interpreter can help facilitate effective communication between you and your foreign business partners, ensuring that important information is accurately conveyed.
Cultural understanding: An interpreter can also help you navigate cultural differences and norms, which can help you build stronger relationships with your foreign partners.
Increased efficiency: With an interpreter, you can conduct business meetings and negotiations more efficiently, as you won’t need to spend time trying to communicate with people who don’t speak your language.
Better decision making: Having an interpreter can help you make more informed decisions, as you’ll have access to all the information that’s being discussed during business meetings.
Cost savings: Hiring an interpreter can help you avoid costly mistakes that may arise from miscommunication, which can save you time and money in the long run.
The VA Crowd is a multilingual virtual assistance service provider, assisting businesses, both locally and globally with all their translation and interpreting needs.
To find out more about The VA Crowd, get in touch with us at info@thevacrowd.com, or visit our webpage at www.thevacrowd.com.