Benefits of Spanish Only???

Although bilingualism pays, as noted in last week´s column, Emily Barker reveals in "The Company They Keep" (Inc. Magazine, May 2000) that there are times when an employer can get "more for the money" from workers who speak little or no English. Rodger Zepka did not plan it that way, wanting a bilingual staff for his money-wiring service targeting Hispanic immigrants. He found, however, that by relying on a few bilingual managers, he could dispense with this job requirement, and hire highly qualified professionals in the process. Cited as examples are doctors and lawyers who apply their considerable interpersonal skills in sales and customer service positions while improving their English and pursuing U.S. professional certification.