A world-leading knife-making company is at the cutting edge when it comes to communicating with its global customer and client base...

Microblade took the ‘Best Small Business Newcomer' title at the Yorkshire Productivity awards earlier this year after judges noted that the company was empowering their employees to move the company in a positive direction during difficult economic times, ensuring it was prepared to meet their future customers' demands.

Now the Sheffield-based company is continuing to build on its customer needs and relations with staff learning a whole new language - literally!

Four members of staff have accessed the languages service at the South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC) including general manager Tony Egley.

Said Mr Egley: "To remain competitive in today's manufacturing environment, you have to have an edge. Learning our customers' languages is giving us that edge."

After identifying Microblade's main export markets, Mr Egley and Teresa Glossop began learning German while Dermot O'Farrell and Lorraine Norcliffe selected Italian.

Explained Mr Egley: "You only have to go abroard on holiday and speak a few phrases in the native tongue to see how much the locals appreciate it.

"But put that effort into a business context and it's an extra string to your company's bow. It can enhance your company's reputation and credibility enormously.

"The courses are delivered in weekly sessions over ten-week blocks and I am just about to start my next block.

"While I can't say the new languages have necessarily won us new orders as yet, our Italian and German customers are certainly a lot more enamoured with us!

"I phoned one of our contacts and spoke to her in German and she really moved mountains for us.

"The difference it has made is unbelievable."

International trade services advisor Doreen Wheeler said: "A service like languages does not suit a ‘one size fits all' approach.

"Each business is different and has its own individual needs so it is important that we use our experience to tailor a bespoke service which caters to those requirements."

The SYITC is a partnership of Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield Chambers of Commerce and provides solutions in international trade, offering a comprehensive portfolio of services including languages and interpretation services, business expansion plans, market research, trade opportunities, export sales training and a comprehensive export documentation service.

For more information on languages or any other SYITC service call Doreen Wheeler on 0114 201 8941, email dwheeler@syitc.com or visit http://www.syitc.com.