How English can help make a successful business

Mohamed Shaik
An image of Max Kortakul, a man with dark hair, glasses and black shirt holding a microphone

In today's commercial world, proficiency in English can significantly set a successful business apart from those challenged by communication barriers. English acts as a bridge to international markets, enabling businesses to establish worldwide partnerships and connect with a broader audience.

Effective use of English can amplify marketing strategies, enhance customer engagement, and simplify and manage the complexities of legal and financial dealings across different countries. Let's explore an example where English proficiency has been instrumental in a business's success.

Max Kortrakul, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of the company , has become a pivotal figure in the business world spearheading innovation within Thailand's thriving stock investment scene. His mobile application, a beacon for stock investors in the region, encapsulates the surge of technology start-ups that Southeast Asia is witnessing. With the prestigious under its belt in 2014, StockRadars exemplifies the caliber of start-ups emerging from this vibrant corner of the world.

In 2015, Southeast Asia's tech industry saw an unprecedented influx of deals, and as projected by a fascinatingÌý, the internet economy is poised to soar, potentially amassing a staggering US$200 billion annually over the course of the next decade. Amidst this digital gold rush, Max unearths his entrepreneurial saga – from seducing investors with a mere concept, to architecting a budding enterprise with English as a critical cog in reaching an impressive valuation of US$15 million.

The genesis of a pioneering app for stock investors

Eager to democratize the daunting task and practice of stock investing, Max identified a crucial void in the market – intuitive and user-friendly analytical tools. "Investment should be accessible. My vision was to demystify the stock market terrain for both myself and the wider audience in Thailand" he reflects. StockRadars embodies this ethos, distilling complex market data into streamlined, actionable insights, accessible right from your smartphone.

From sleepless nights to a sound business proposition

Max was burning the midnight oil when inspiration struck - that unshakable idea that jolts you awake at 3 a.m. Consumed by potential, he channelled all his energy and focus into writing and crafting the app. "It's about conviction and the audacity to give life to your concept," Max states. "Some ideas propel you into the celebrated ; others are stepping stones to the next big venture."

The art of engaging investors

Successful fundraising transcends mere numbers. For Max, it hinged on substantiating his commitment and the sweat equity he poured into StockRadars. "Investors bet on people, not just ideas" he states. Presenting the app as a tool that could help alleviate risk and simplify stock market investment was key to unlocking investor confidence.

Tackling pitchroom anxieties

"I shunned the notion of insignificance," Max admits. Being from a region sparse in tech success stories, he focused on his personal goals and conviction to succeed rather than his country’s size.

Navigating the pitch in English could intimidate, but Max was a proponent of simplicity over jargon. His prior stint in an IT firm in Vietnam had polished his own English skills and vocabulary, a skill he used to his advantage.

Multicultural mindsets driving innovation

Working in diverse environments has broadened Max's horizons, teaching him the value of "English variants" in seamless communication. "Diversity shapes our business ideology" notes Max. Interns from Nepal and England have enriched StockRadars, bringing distinct perspectives to the table and fuelling innovation.

The language of opportunity

"English is the connective tissue in the global business landscape" Max asserts, underscoring its significance in multiplying prospects and fostering networks. With Southeast Asia becoming a fertile ground for tech start-ups, English proficiency is not just an asset; it's a gateway to turning start-up visions into tangible successes.

Why is English so important in business?

In today's global economy, where over 1.5 billion people speak English, it serves as a crucial tool enabling cross-border collaborations and partnerships.

For successful entrepreneurs, like Max, proficiency in English is not merely an academic accomplishment but a strategic business tool that enables effective communication across diverse cultures and geographic boundaries. It breaks down barriers, allowing businesses to access and engage with international clients, partners and investors effortlessly.

In settings where colleagues of diverse nationalities meet, English is the shared language that promotes effective communication and understanding, boosting workflow efficiency and fostering workplace inclusivity. Whether it's negotiating deals, drafting contracts, or conducting marketing campaigns, English proficiency is essential, enhancing professional capabilities across various sectors.

Therefore, speaking and mastering English is not merely a skill but a critical asset, increasing occupational prospects and driving careers and business success in a world where many professionals consider it the language of global business.

This linguistic skill enhances understanding of global market trends and consumer demands, fostering opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Furthermore, English is the predominant language of the Internet, digital marketing and global trade agreements, making it indispensable for businesses aiming to develop and capitalise on e-commerce and digital platforms.

In essence, for many business professionals, English is more than a language; it is a catalyst for business expansion, innovation and competitive edge in the increasingly interconnected global economy.

Ensure your own business success

Are you an aspiring business maverick? Amplify your reach, unlock investment opportunities, and join the ranks of elite companies and start-ups like StockRadars. The trajectory to success starts with a single step - and sometimes, that crucial step is mastering the English language.

Unlock the doors to global success with ÃÛÌÒapp's Business English Courses. Whether you're an emerging entrepreneur keen to pitch your next big idea with confidence or a seasoned professional looking to enhance your own knowledge and communication in the international market, our courses are designed to refine you or your students business English language skills.

Read our other posts on workplace English, such as 'Cutting through corporateÌýEnglish: Clearer alternatives toÌýbusinessÌýjargon' and 'Ways language training can transform your business'.

Learn more about our English courses

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  • A teacher stood at a table of students helping them

    Tips for keeping learners studying over the holiday season

    By Nicolas Chaparro
    Reading time: 3.5 minutes

    Nicolas Chaparro is a Colombian language teacher with a bachelor's degree in basic education, specializing in humanities and languages. After spending five years working as a systems technician, he discovered the potential of technology to enhance learning, which ignited his passion for dynamic, tech-driven education. He has the privilege of working at one of Colombia's most prestigious English institutions, where he currently leads a team focused on education, creativity and motivation.Ìý

    The holiday season is a magical time and the perfect moment to spark a teacher's creativity. I've always believed that learning a language isn't just about studying—it's about living it. As a learner, I loved the resources my teachers and institutions provided, but what truly captivated me was the opportunity to engage with the world using the language skills I had acquired.

    As a teacher, I strive to give my students that same experience. I didn't expect the holiday season to become the perfect setting to turn my teaching philosophy into reality. This blog post shares a personal story of how I used a creative activity to keep my students learning and practicing English during the holidays with the support of the Global Scale of English (GSE).

    The challenge I faced: Mixed levels and ages

    The activity I designed, Christmas Carols, presented two main challenges:

    1. Diverse proficiency levels: My group included students ranging from beginners to advanced learners, all participating in the same activity. I wanted to have them all working together; that's what language means to me.Ìý
    2. Varied age groups: The students also spanned different age ranges, which required an effective approach to engage everyone. It was a Christmas gathering meeting with all the institution's students.

    Basic students worked on identifying vocabulary that is similar to their native language and then used it in a short text. Intermediate students solved riddles to guess words that could be included in the lyrics. Advanced students completed questionnaires to build sentences and find synonyms to refine the text. The carol was divided into three sections: the first paragraph was for basic students, the second for intermediate students and the third for advanced students. I also included French students in the activity, which was designed for both languages.

    After the students completed their tasks in separate groups, I mixed them so they could explain the vocabulary they had learned to one another. To facilitate communication without relying on Spanish, I used pictures and Christmas props to help them express themselves visually.

    Finally, we all came together and sang the carol as one group.

    Turning challenges into opportunities with the GSE

    For me, a successful language activity needs three essential components: clear instructions, engaging resources and opportunities for interaction. With these principles in mind, I crafted an inclusive and dynamic activity, using the GSE to guide my planning.

    Step 1: Defining the goal

    I realized that most of my students didn't know specific Christmas-related vocabulary or any traditional English carols. This activity was also an opportunity to learn by myself and then share with them. This gap was my opportunity to introduce them to the holiday spirit in English.

    Step 2: Planning with the GSE

    I identified suitable goals for each proficiency level using the GSE Learning Objectives. These objectives helped me design tasks that targeted key skills—listening, speaking, reading and writing—while considering the ages and abilities of my students.

    Step 3: Preparing a scavenger hunt

    To make the activity interactive and fun, I organized a scavenger hunt. Students had to solve riddles and follow clues to find words essential for completing a Christmas song. The GSE objectives ensured that the tasks were appropriately challenging for each level.

    Step 4: Pairing students effectively

    Knowing my students well, I paired them strategically based on their proficiency and age. This pairing encouraged collaboration and allowed them to support each other throughout the activity.

    Making language visible and memorable

    One of my priorities was to make the language come alive. I brought visual aids like cards, games, and even a Christmas tree and a nativity scene—elements that most students recognized but had never explored in English. These visuals became valuable tools for teaching vocabulary in a tangible, engaging way.

    To add another layer of interaction, I used my guitar to sing along with the students. By the end of the activity, not only were we singing, but they also understood the meaning behind every word. Watching them take pride in their learning was incredibly rewarding and I knew this vocabulary wouldn't stop there; they would take it home and make it real for them, for the season, for their life.

    Reflections and an invitation

    This experience reminded me of the power of teaching through real-life experiences. Holidays provide a unique opportunity to teach without teaching and to help students study while living the language. Tools like the GSE make it easier for us as educators to plan meaningful and impactful activities.

    My invitation to fellow teachers is twofold:

    1. Explore the GSE resources to enrich your teaching strategies.
    2. Share your ideas and activities with the teaching community. Together, we can create opportunities for our students to use the language in real and virtual contexts that inspire learning and cooperation.

    Let's make 2025 the year we bring language to life in every classroom.