Jason Morris explains why it’s important to choose business technology that easily embeds culture and language into your processes.
The expectations of organisations to be good social citizens is growing ever more important, and a huge part of this is focused on inclusivity. People are favouring organisations who live and breathe inclusivity and are taking active steps to support all their community stakeholders.
As part of your strategy and thinking of how your organisation can move towards inclusivity, it is vital in an age of advanced technology to think about how you can utilise your systems and channels to demonstrate and function as a community-minded organisation.
One of the ways you can embed culture and language into your organisation and to engage with your audiences is to ensure your online information is easily accessible by having it available in different languages.
Empowering your community to choose how your information is presented to them is a great way to acknowledge their culture. This is especially true when it comes to indigenous language such as te reo Māori, by embedding it in our society so everyone can share and learn about more about it.
“With new advances in AI, translating content can occur with literally the touch of a button.”
Technology’s role in streamlining inclusivity
Technology is playing a growing role in making information dissemination and accessibility even easier especially with the continued developments of artificial intelligence (AI).
This is reducing the need for additional resources and the need for expensive external costs such as translation services.
With new advances in AI, translating content can occur with literally the touch of a button. This means a content piece such as your website could be translated in full so your customers can view the information in their preferred language almost instantaneously.
We are only at the tip of the iceberg for what is possible when it comes to AI – as it becomes more integrated in society it will learn more and be able to provide better assistance in creating a fully inclusive organisation.
Inclusivity is not just for your customers
Why stop with your external website being translated – it’s important to also provide opportunities for your employees to access information in their preferred language. If you are using business management systems internally it is worth investigating if these can be just as easily translated for your staff.
Providing opportunities for employees to access information in the way they choose will give them a sense of pride towards you and their work as they can see your commitment to recognising them and their cultural heritage.
It is also a great way to connect with partners to show them how committed you are to creating accessible information and inspiring change across the board.
Remove the unnecessary barrier of language
In today’s world, difference in language should be the last thing stopping people from communicating and connecting with so many tools available offering instantaneous translation.
Organisations need to be mindful of creating information that is customisable to individual consumer and employee needs.
If you are operating in a country like New Zealand, yes English is widely spoken but it’s important to also include te reo Māori in your communications in order to connect with the widest possible audience.
When selecting technology systems – be sure to go with one that aligns with your values of inclusivity and one that is actively working to enable you to easily embed culture and language into your processes.
Jason Morris (pictured above) is managing director of Membes.
