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Vidby Advocates for Linguistic Diversity in Business

Vidby Advocates for Linguistic Diversity in Business

Last updated on: June 21, 2024 at 2:48 pm by Gleb Tsipursky

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Vidby Advocates for Linguistic Diversity in Business 2024-06-21T14:48:24-04:00 Gleb Tsipursky

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Linguistic Diversity in Business

In an increasingly globalized world, the dominance of English as the de facto language of business is being questioned. Alexander Konovalov, CEO of vidby, a Swiss tech startup offering AI-powered video translation and dubbing, is at the forefront of this discussion. vidby’s mission is to enable seamless communication across languages, fostering greater inclusivity and business potential. In this interview, Konovalov shares his insights on the necessity of embracing linguistic diversity, the benefits it brings, the role of AI in transforming business communication, and the cognitive biases that can hinder this transformation.

The Limitations of English Dominance

“Business is global and only 20% of people speak English,” Konovalov states. This statistic underscores a significant barrier: the vast majority of the world’s population prefers to communicate in their native languages.

Companies that cannot accommodate this diversity risk alienating potential customers, partners, and employees. “Our mission isn’t to create a global language,” Konovalov explains. “Rather, we want to preserve linguistic diversity, enabling everyone to communicate with the world in their native tongue.” vidby’s technology makes this vision a reality, offering real-time translations that allow for authentic communication without the need for a shared second language.

Vidby practices what it preaches. “Our employees speak nine different languages,” says Konovalov. During team meetings, each member speaks in their native language while vidby MeetUp provides real-time translations. This approach demonstrates that linguistic ability should not overshadow professional skills. “It doesn’t matter what language a person speaks; what matters is their ability.” This linguistic diversity has proven beneficial, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic workplace where talent is recognized and utilized regardless of language barriers.

Breaking Down Barriers for Greater Inclusivity and Business Success

The removal of language barriers has broader societal implications. “The internet erased geographical boundaries, mobile communication provided complete mobility, and now AI-based technologies of understanding have removed language barriers,” Konovalov notes. Historically, language differences have divided people, but AI-driven translation technologies have the potential to bridge these divides, promoting global understanding and cooperation. “When everyone can understand each other, it naturally brings us all closer together.”

While the ethical importance of diversity is clear, businesses are ultimately judged on their profitability. Konovalov argues that linguistic diversity can directly impact a company’s bottom line. “Language is the basis of communication and communication is the basis of business,” he asserts. By communicating in a client’s language, businesses can better understand customer needs, convey product advantages more effectively, and ultimately increase sales. Moreover, eliminating the necessity for English proficiency allows companies to tap into global talent pools, enhancing recruitment efforts and potentially reducing labor costs by hiring in less expensive markets.

Recruitment challenges are prevalent across many industries, and vidby’s technologies offer a solution by widening the talent pool. “Businesses no longer have to rely on talent from their local market to fill talent gaps,” Konovalov says. By removing language requirements, companies can conduct interviews and hire candidates worldwide, selecting the best fit for the job regardless of their native language.

The Role of Cognitive Biases

Cognitive biases can significantly impact the adoption of linguistic diversity in business. Two biases particularly relevant in this context are status quo bias and functional fixedness.

Status quo bias is the preference for the current state of affairs and the resistance to change. This bias can hinder the adoption of multilingual practices in business. Companies may stick to using English as the primary language because it’s what they’ve always done, despite the potential benefits of embracing linguistic diversity. This resistance to change can prevent businesses from exploring and investing in new technologies like vidby’s AI-powered translation tools that can open up new markets and improve communication with international stakeholders.

Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used. This bias can affect businesses’ perception of language as a barrier rather than a bridge. Companies might view language skills purely in terms of hiring employees who already speak the required languages rather than leveraging technology to overcome these barriers. By seeing language skills in this limited way, businesses miss out on innovative solutions like vidby’s real-time translation, which can enable effective communication regardless of linguistic differences.

Mitigating Miscommunication Risks

Greater linguistic diversity can lead to miscommunication, a potential pitfall that businesses must navigate. vidby addresses this issue head-on with its “translation interpretation” tool, which provides users with insights into how their words are interpreted by the technology. “If there’s a mistake, they can easily figure out why and rephrase their statement accordingly,” Konovalov explains. While no technology is flawless, understanding and adjusting to these imperfections is key. “Even if there are mistakes, if you can grasp the meaning, you can understand the language.”

Vidby’s technology is integral to its own operations, facilitating communication with global investors and during international conferences. “All of our investors speak German, but I don’t—and I intentionally decided not to learn because I want to show by example that you can communicate with everyone in your native language,” Konovalov shares. This real-world application showcases the practicality and effectiveness of vidby’s tools in overcoming language barriers.

AI and the Future of Work

The shift towards global labor markets raises concerns about workers in higher-cost regions. Konovalov believes that AI-driven translation technologies will create better opportunities for everyone, not just lower labor costs. For instance, in Switzerland, where multiple languages are spoken, language requirements can deter highly qualified workers. vidby is preparing an official appeal to Swiss authorities to allow AI-assisted language exams, enhancing Switzerland’s competitiveness for international talent.

Addressing fears about AI’s impact on employment, Konovalov is optimistic. “It’s a misconception that AI will affect the labor market adversely,” he argues, citing historical examples where technology improved living and working conditions despite initial resistance. AI will not replace workers but rather assist them, making work easier and more efficient, and freeing up time for development and innovation. “New professions will emerge, and those who see AI as a friend and assistant, which it is, will win.”

Conclusion

Alexander Konovalov’s vision for vidby highlights the transformative potential of AI in breaking down language barriers. By fostering linguistic diversity, businesses can enhance communication, tap into global talent, and drive profitability. As AI continues to evolve, its role in creating a more inclusive and efficient business environment becomes increasingly evident. vidby is leading the way, demonstrating that embracing technological advancements in communication is not just beneficial but essential in today’s globalized world.

Key Take-Away

Linguistic Diversity in Business enhances communication and inclusivity. Vidby’s AI-powered translations facilitate seamless interactions, break language barriers, and tap into global talent, leading to greater business success…>Click to tweet

Image credit: Anastasia Shuraeva/Pexels

Originally published in Disaster Avoidance Experts

Dr. Gleb Tsipursky was named “Office Whisperer” by The New York Times for helping leaders overcome frustrations with hybrid work and Generative AI. He serves as the CEO of the future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. He wrote the first book on returning to the office and leading hybrid teams after the pandemic, his best-seller Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams, as well as seven other books. His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles in prominent venues such as Harvard Business Review, Fortune, and Fast Company. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox and over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist at UNC-Chapel Hill and Ohio State. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio.

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Linguistic Diversity in Business

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About Dr. Gleb Tsipursky

Known as the Disaster Avoidance Expert, Dr. Gleb Tsipursky is on a mission to protect leaders from dangerous judgment errors known as cognitive biases, which devastate bottom lines and bring down high-flying careers. His expertise and passion is developing the most effective and profitable decision-making strategies, based on pragmatic business experience and cutting-edge behavioral economics and cognitive neuroscience, to empower leaders to avoid business disasters and maximize their bottom lines. You can learn more here https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/glebtsipursky/ The bestselling author of several books, Dr. Tsipursky is best known for his national bestseller on avoiding disasters and achieving success in business and other life areas, The Truth Seeker’s Handbook: A Science-Based Guide. His next book, Never Go With Your Gut: How Pioneering Leaders Make the Best Decisions and Avoid Business Disasters, is forthcoming with Career Press in November 2019. It’s the first book to focus on cognitive biases in business leadership and reveal how leaders can overcome these dangerous judgment errors effectively. After that he’s publishing The Blindspots Between Us: How to Overcome Unconscious Cognitive Bias and Build Better Relationships with New Harbinger in April 2020, the first book to focus on cognitive biases in professional and personal relationships and illustrate how we can defeat these dangerous judgment errors in our relationships. See more information here https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/author-page/ Dr. Tsipursky’s cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 400 articles he published and over 350 interviews he gave to popular venues that include Fast Company, CBS News, Time, Scientific American, Psychology Today, The Conversation, Business Insider, Government Executive, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Inc. Magazine, and many others, as you can see here https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/media/ Dr. Tsipursky's expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, speaking, and training for businesses and nonprofits. He serves as the CEO of the boutique consulting, coaching, and training firm Disaster Avoidance Experts, which uses a proprietary methodology based on groundbreaking research to help leaders and organizations maximize their bottom lines by addressing potential threats, seizing unexpected opportunities, and resolving persistent personnel problems. His clients include Aflac, Balance Employment Assistance Provider, Edison Welding Institute, Fifth Third Bank, Honda, IBM, International Coaches Federation, Ohio Hospitals Association, National Association of Women Business Owners, Sentinel Real Estate, The Society for Human Resource Management, RealManage, The Columbus Foundation, Vistage, Wells Fargo, the World Wildlife Fund, and over a hundred others who achieve outstanding client results. You can learn more about that here: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/about Dr. Tsipursky also has a strong research and teaching background in behavioral economics and cognitive neuroscience with over 15 years in academia, including 7 years as a professor at the Ohio State University and before that a Fellow at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. His dozens of peer-reviewed academic publications include journals such as Behavior and Social Issues, Journal of Social and Political Psychology, and International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy. His civic service includes over 4 years as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Intentional Insights, an educational nonprofit advocating for research-based decision-making in all life areas. He also co-founded the Pro-Truth Pledge, a civic project to promote truthfulness and integrity for individual professionals and leaders in the same way that the Better Business Bureau serves as a commitment for businesses. He serves on the Advisory Board of Canonical Debate Lab and Planet Purpose, and is on the Editorial Board of the peer-reviewed journal Behavior and Social Issues. A highly in-demand international speaker, Dr. Tsipursky has over two decades of professional speaking experience across North America, Europe, and Australia. He gets top marks from audiences for his highly facilitative, interactive, and humor-filled speaking style and the way he thoroughly customizes speeches for diverse audiences. Meeting planners describe Dr. Tsipursky as "very relatable," as "a snap to work with," and as someone who "does everything that you would want a speaker to do." Drawing on best practices in adult learning, his programs address the wide spectrum of diverse learning styles, as attested by enthusiastic client testimonials and references. He regularly shares the stage with prominent leaders, for example recently speaking on a roundtable panel with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Elhadj As Sy, Chancellor of Austria Brigitte Bierlein, CEO of Penguin Random House Markus Dohle, and billionaire philanthropist and Chair of the Bertelsmann Management Company Liz Mohn. You can learn more about his speaking and see videos here: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/speaking/ Dr. Tsipursky earned his PhD in the History of Behavioral Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011, his M.A. at Harvard University in 2004, and his B.A. at New York University in 2002. He lives in and travels from Columbus, OH. In his free time, he enjoys tennis, hiking, and playing with his two cats, and most importantly, he makes sure to spend abundant quality time with his wife to avoid disasters in his personal life. Learn more about him at https://DisasterAvoidanceExperts.com/GlebTsipursky, contact him at Gleb[at]DisasterAvoidanceExperts[dot]com, follow him on Instagram @dr_gleb_tsipursky and Twitter @gleb_tsipursky. Most importantly, help yourself avoid disasters and maximize success, and get a free copy of the “Assessment on Dangerous Judgment Errors in the Workplace,” by signing up for his free Wise Decision Maker Course at https:// DisasterAvoidanceExperts.com/Subscribe You can read more about the author here.

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