Customers visiting
Suncorp's stores across Brisbane can expect to be greeted with
halo, nǐ hǎo, or ciao, in a move reflective of the ASX-listed insurer's commitment to supporting different cultures.
Brad Steele, Suncorp regional manager, said having the capacity to support different cultures is relevant, given that one in five Australians now speak a language other than English.
“Brisbane has experienced strong international growth in recent years, and this is reflected in our people, who are collectively fluent in close to 30 languages,” Steele said. “Our teams are diverse and represent the changing demographics of the communities in which they live and work. Customers come to us during those big life moments like purchasing a home or preparing for retirement, and it’s important they feel comfortable and confident with the information so they can make a decision.”
“When we’re able to speak with a customer in their preferred language, we connect with them in a completely different way,” said Salima Lateef, who manages Suncorp’s West End store. Lateef has firsthand experience of that overwhelming feeling of arriving into a new country, having moved to Australia from Afghanistan in her teens.
“I’ve worked in several Suncorp stores and I have a group of loyal customers who have followed me from store to store because we have that connection,” Lateef said. “It’s not just about language, it’s also about culture and shared experiences.”
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