Describe your current role at Panasonic
I have worked at Panasonic since July 1998 where I was one of the founder members of a new IT division called CPE ‘Computer Products Europe’. The purpose of the division is to provide configuration and support services to the European market for Panasonic’s range of Toughbook computer products. The Toughbook range of products are essentially computing devices housed in technologically advanced shells offering a robust platform for clients to operate. CPE sells and configures these devices through business to business channels across Europe.

My role as European Sales Engineering Manager is to provide corporate clients with the option to bespoke configure/engineer the product as much as possible. This involves working in many different countries and with many clients.

Do you happen to speak another language? If so, which one?
I speak a tourist level of French and German which is enough to get me from my point of arrival into any country to the hotel or meeting place. I can follow technical IT conversations to a point in French and German but sometimes cannot understand the exact point without clarifying what has been said or discussed.

What does Panasonic produce from its plant in South Wales?
Panasonic produces Microwave Ovens and configures Toughbook computers from out plant in South Wales. The plant also is the headquarters for European TV research and design with mass production for TV product being done out of the Czech Republic.

Which languages are most important at Panasonic?
Panasonic has a major presence in all of today’s main markets across the world and in every market in Europe. More and more of Panasonic’s business is being done across borders and we have established English as our general business language. We do however, regard the ability for anyone to speak any language as an attractive proposition. Panasonic find that English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and of course, Japanese languages are important for business models today.

In which jobs within Panasonic are languages essential?
Panasonic consider English essential for any UK role and that German and French are essential for any pan European role.

How important are languages at Panasonic?
In today’s world we are doing more and more pan European and global business. We consider that it is important if we send representatives of our company to meet with clients then we consider and appreciate their local culture and language capabilities. Not only does being multi-lingual and being aware of the culture in which you operate help the client relax it also helps to develop stronger relationships and also to open new business doors in that market. Panasonic considers languages as very important.

Panasonic spend time and effort when recruiting new people into the company considering language skills as well as technical and commercial skills. Panasonic recognise that learning a new technical or commercial skill set could be dramatically shorter than learning a new language and being able to operate in that language effectively.

Tell me the different ways that Panasonic promote language learning amongst their staff?
Panasonic promote language learning amongst our staff in many ways from official language curses provided in classroom style seminars through to placement opportunities in cross border positions to full time positions in global roles. Full language learning support is provided to anyone entering into any such pan European or global role if it is required.

Regular skills matrix review and development planning also consider languages and how these can be developed for each people.

Do you provide language training? When is training provided?
Panasonic does provide language training for individuals. This is done through classroom style seminars for those people who have been identified as a requirement and have indicated a preference to learn a new language or improve on an existing language.

Why would you recommend language learning to young people?
I would recommend new language learning to young people as it adds tremendous value to their employment opportunities in the UK and the rest of the world. More and more of today’s companies are global and with the age of the internet we are able to communicate and speak to more of today’s people than ever before.

For a person to be able to speak another language and have the required technical/commercial skill set to join a company will only enhance their chances of joining a company and developing within it. It is more and more common for positions to be made available with languages being considered as essential for the role.

Not only can learning a new language be fun but it can represent a real differentiating selling point between you and the next person –this could mean you get the job of your dreams and not someone else……