Striking it Rich Through Languages
Falcon Global provides development, technical support and expert resources to the oil and gas industry, predominantly in Algeria and parts of the Middle East. The company, based in Norwich and with a total staff of eight, has also developed the PathMaker software commissioning management tool, which is making headway in many international markets.
Falcon have recently created SARL Falcon Global Algeria, an Algerian company to bring the business closer to its customers. This has brought the company major strategic benefits in terms of both its relationships with local policymakers and the welcome 32% savings passed on to the customer.
Alan Mills, Managing Director, made the decision to enrol on a French language course funded by the European Union. The course was unique in that it was delivered by video-conferencing link between Business Link in Norwich and the provider in Luton. Alan also attended a half-day Arabic workshop, which enabled businesses trading with North Africa and the Middle East to share their experiences.
Falcon have taken the step of appointing a trilingual manager to run its operations out in the Algerian desert, and the issue of language (both French and Arabic) has arisen on numerous occasions. Because of their colonial legacy French is still the language of business and will be for a while to come, says Alan. For me it has been a case of using the little French I've got and building it slowly. The contract with our largest customer is all in French, and I am also required to do company presentations in French.
As far as Algerian culture is concerned, many of the company's contacts do not wish to be considered Arab. Although their religion is the same, it is a crushing mistake to assume that they are Arabs and that they have the same culture. It pays not to make too many assumptions.