Business insurance holders are increasingly looking for employees who can speak more than one language, it has been claimed.
Teresa Tinsley, director of communications at CILT, the National Centre for Languages, said that business insurance customers find bilingual workers are more useful to their organisation in the international marketplace.
"Employers are increasingly looking for people with ability in a second language, particularly conversational language skills which help to build relationships with existing partners and to make contacts in new markets," she explained.
The expert cited research carried out by the Confederation of British Industry which found that business insurance holders are especially interested in candidates with skills in German, French, Chinese, Spanish and Russian.
Ms Tinsley suggested that employees do not have to be fully fluent in a second language, but being able to talk over dinner or networking drinks make the difference to the success of a deal.
Earlier this month, the London Development Agency revealed that business insurance holders can access language training to help them benefit from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
