Learning Spanish as a second language has many benefits that can be an asset to your business life as well as your personal life. The number one thing that employers look for in a qualified employee is their communication skills. A valued employee has the ability communicate effectively with co-workers, employers and potential customers. In order for businesses to survive in the ever-changing global markets they need to be able to adapt. They are doing so by becoming more diversified and reaching out to target audiences around the world. Being able to communicate effectively in a second language will make you a highly valued and more versatile employee!

1. In North America today, there are approximately 528 million people. Of this number there are roughly 154 million people who speak Spanish. That's 29% of the total population. With that number in mind, wouldn't it make sense for a company to expand its target market into the Spanish speaking community? Almost every product that you buy in a store in today's market place has both English and Spanish written instructions. Knowing Spanish as a second language gives you a competitive advantage over your co-workers and other applicants. It tells your current or future employer that you have a talent that is essential to your company's success both in the domestic and the global market places.

2. Knowing how to read, write, and speak Spanish effectively puts you in a valuable position. Companies are always looking for new target groups to promote their products or services too. If you're a sales representative, then your company will look to you more often to delivery presentations about your companies products to its Spanish speaking customer base. That means you will be getting more opportunities for sales. More sales provides you with the potential to meet your monthly, quarterly, or yearly quotas. A lot of companies have a bonus structure for employees who meet and exceed their quotas. That means there will be more money coming back into your pocket, which will give you the extra means to survive the economic recession.

3. For a company to compete successfully in a global market they need to develop their global understanding of their suppliers, their manufacturers, and their target audiences. In order to do this, companies are seeking out individuals with multi-lingual talents. Being able to communicate effectively in Spanish makes you a valuable asset to American companies as well as foreign companies. Companies in Mexico, South American and in Spain may seek you out as an asset that will allow them to more effectively sell their products to the largest consumer country in the world, the United States. By knowing Spanish as a second language, it may open up doors that you never expected and give you the opportunity to see your dreams come true.

4. An important part of a businesses success is its customer relations. Native Spanish speakers are proud of their heritage. Being able to communicate with them effectively in their native tongue will have a more profound impact on the customer. If customers have the option, they will go to the business that makes them feel more comfortable and at ease than any other business. This means that the customer is going to remember you and most likely will tell others about your company. This is another way that knowing Spanish can make you more effective in your business place.

5. Working for a company requires a lot of time, effort and teamwork. Being able to communicate effectively with your co-workers is vital in achieving goals that may span across different divisions with in the company. What if the division you need to work with is based in South America or Spain? The only real way to ensure that what you need to get done is done the right way is to communicate with these co-workers effectively. This is where knowing how to speak Spanish becomes a valuable asset to your ability to do your job effectively. Your employers will also notice the value of your multi-lingual skills in these situations. Making it hard for your company to ever consider letting you go!