blemos is Spanish for "let's talk," and also the name of
Gumucio's new company, whose specialty is providing "Spanish lingo
for your business."
"We go in, consult with businesses and custom tailor Spanish
programs to their specific business needs," Gumucio said. "We
bring forth a practical, non rule-driven program."
The program typically lasts six to eight weeks, or as long as
necessary for the particular business. It is brought to the workplace so
companies are able to involve key managers, supervisors and shift
leaders for education in the basic use of Spanish in the work world.
"Our goal for them is that by the time the session is over, they
will be able to communicate with a workforce or customers using the
terms that pertain to their specific business nature," Gumucio
said.
"We can't teach them to be fluent in Spanish in eight weeks, but
we can give them basic conversation and teach them about what needs to
be communicated in the workplace."
Since NAFTA was enacted - effectively breaking down trade barriers
between all countries in North America - the Hispanic population has
surged in Middle Tennessee. This migration provides opportunities for
area business and industry by providing a much-needed source of labor as
well as customers, Gumucio said.
"It's hard for businesses to find new employees, and all of a
sudden companies with our help can turn to a pool of Hispanic workers
who typically have a strong work ethic and desire to work, and can hire
and be able to communicate at a functional basic level," he said.
"Our hope is that if we bring to the table an additional
workforce resource that will continue to help our economic development
in Middle Tennessee. With all the new industry coming in, workforce
concerns are at the top of the list."
Originally from Bolivia, Gumucio's family moved to Houston, where he
completed high school. After his graduation from college, he got a job
with a Texas company which was purchased by Cort Business Services of
Nashville, leading to his transfer to the Middle Tennessee area.
He most recently worked for a full service logistic and
transportation company, but it was as an employee of Cort that he became
involved with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, which led to the
development of his new current business.
"I worked for years on a voluntary basis with the Nashville
Chamber of Commerce's Multi-Cultural Task Committee on addressing the
needs of the international community, and also bringing forth that
community to our local employers. As that progressed, we found ourselves
serving an interesting role as pertains to workforce needs."
Gumucio worked with the Nashville Chamber on two annual
multi-cultural workforce forums, whose purpose was to inform and educate
business leaders, human resource managers, and others on how to go about
employing and dealing with some of the challenges that an international
workforce brings, such as communications, religious practices, and
transportation, he said.
"That set the groundwork for the new business concept. I had
been approached by several business people with the need to educate
their employees on how to communicate with, in this case,
Spanish-speaking employees, or who had customers coming in who didn't
speak English."
Gumucio currently is conducting a Spanish program for Columbia
Southern Hills Medical Center in Nashville, and just signed on Cintas, a
uniform company, as a client.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Ed and Jodi Gumucio look over training materials for their new
business,
SMYRNA - If you have a business that
requires you to communicate with Spanish-speaking employees or
customers, Edwardo Gumucio says "hablemos!"