Advice and Direction
When you decide that you would like to introduce more Irish to your business, GRADAIM will ensure you get the advice and guidance you need to make the process as easy as possible. We will also make sure that you get national recognition for your efforts through our awards scheme. Our awards system also serves to inform the public where to find businesses that welcome the Irish language and what level or type of language service may be provided. Participation in GRADAIM is free, yet the benefits it can bring to your business are immeasurable.
Registering for GRADAIM is quick, easy and free of charge, just click the link above. Next, identify the areas you would like to improve. We award our medals in three individual categories, you may wish to select one category and focus on that, or you may be confident that your business could achieve medals in all three categories.
Once you have chosen the awards categories you would like to enter, you can start to plan. Look at the scorecards for each of the categories and identify and list the actions you feel that you could successfully implement within your business. Use this list to form the basis of a plan of action.
It won't take you long to register with GRADAIM
tá sé saor in aisce, níl le déanamh ach cliceáil ar an nasc thíos:
Show your company's supprt for the language
Signage
The use of bilingual or signage in Irish relates to the visibility of the language and reflects a businesses’ attitude to the language. People often state that they would like to see more Irish. Even those who may not be competent readers of the language can appreciate and enjoy the presence of the Irish language on signage.
The visibility of the Irish language in a business setting has a direct correlation to the attitudes of that business to the language, a parallel that won’t be lost on the customer, be they fluent, learner or other. Customers throughout Ireland will appreciate seeing and hearing more Irish, but in areas such as the Gaeltacht and areas implementing Irish language plans, active participation in GRADAIM is one way to contribute to the community effort to rejuvenate the language.
Things you will wish to consider:
Tap into the value of Irish
Marketing and Branding
Through the use of Irish in your marketing and branding, your company taps into the value of our richest cultural asset, ‘An Ghaeilge’. Our research shows that over 70% of those surveyed would be likely to buy Irish language products in the future. The use of Irish in branding strengthens the authenticity of a product in an increasingly homogenous marketplace. It enhances the business brand, adds value to a product and accesses a global marketplace through ‘brand Ireland’.
Things you will wish to consider:
Show your company's supprt for the language
Services in Irish
Providing services to the customer through Irish, in person or online, allows the customer to interact with your business in their own language, a language that is close to the heart. In areas such as the Gaeltacht, many customers will expect to be able to do their business with you through Irish and may be disappointed if the service is not available. Service through Irish is the highest form of respect for the language and the Irish speaking community that a business can offer. For some, it may seem a daunting challenge, but start small with manageable and achievable targets using a ‘cúpla focal’ and build from there.
Things you will wish to consider:
Your local language community group and Glór na nGael staff will be happy to advise you on any of these concerns.