The True Cost of a Free Translation

The True Cost of a Free Translation

What you will find lacking when your distributor translates your information.

     1.       Accuracy

     2.       Consistency

     3.       Ownership

     4.       Trust in expertise

     5.       Reliable turnaround

     6.       Realizable Goals in information

This is an exciting time for your company. You have found a market in a new region and the possibilities of building business there and beyond are not only exciting but scary as well. A distributor has offered to translate your information at little or no cost. Seems like an easy fix and fast start to entering a new region/culture/language right? Not necessarily, let’s look at some of the reasons you may not want to give up control to your distributor for translations. This information was compiled based on experiences that my clients have had with distributor translations.

The C.O.S.T of a distributor translating and controlling your content.

C-   Consistent message. Will your Brand be translated to best communicate your values, your company mission and product information. If you are working with your distributor, it is highly unlikely their primary mission is to translate professionally and accurately. In most cases, they are asking one of their employees to fit it into their already busy and chaotic schedule or farming it out to an poor quality resource.

O-  Ownership. If your distributor controls your translations, you have no ownership over the translated content. It is not your asset. Moving forward, as you grow and add materials, products, information you will not retain any of the translation memory. Every project is considered new. The consistency and accuracy is diminished and the costs will be increasing.

S-  Safety. Your distributor knows how to sell your product, but do they really know how it works? Do they understand how it operates, its potential risks and the safety features? If your distributor incorrectly translates your product information creating a problem and causing an accident, you are liable. Someone has been hurt, your company reputation is damaged, the   costs associated with this – product recall, lawsuits, fines, etc. could be huge. Having your distributor translate for you is like having your insurance agent fix your car.

T-   Trust in Expertise – your information needs a certain level of expertise in translation, linguistics, and specific industry knowledge. Your distributor does not have that level of expertise in the language. They are good at making connections and selling in that region. Will they have a 2^nd party proofread? Do they have a quality assurance process?

Reasons why you should always use a reliable Language Service Provider

 Happy Customers! 

Contracting a reliable Language Service Provider will ensure your information is accurate and consistent across product lines. Your language service provider will work as a team extension. They will provide A.C.T. advantages:

A-   Assurance – in accurate and consistent content. Assurance that your customers understand and are safe when using your products. Assurance in meeting your timeframe and deadlines.

     C-    Cost Savings – in the short-term there are more upfront costs to contracting a LSP. But, in the long-run you will see savings that can be very significant. All of your translated content is stored and reused so in future translations, you can benefit with saving the cost of what is already translated. The translations are your proprietary assets. What are they worth?

     T-    Time Savings – how much is your time worth? Often when a distributor translates for you, it takes 2-3 times longer. Is your distributor fitting in your translation and not working to build your business? Does this delay your entrance into the market? Are clients waiting for the safety manuals, operating manuals, product descriptions? You can eliminate this delay by working with a professional language service provider (LSP).

When someone offers to save you money and time it is very enticing. Looking at the short term and long term benefits can help you decide what is truly best for your company and brand. Before using a distributor for translations you need to ask who is translating your information, will that person always be the translator and do they really understand how the product works? What is their expertise in linguistics, translation, fluency in both languages? While cost is always a concern in a business, your reputation is hard to win back with poor translations. Starting out as a good solution in any language will make you a hero to all.

About the Author:

Linda Richardson is the President and owner of All Clear Translations, LLC. Using translations and localization they transform websites, software, technical manuals and marketing materials into all languages to help increase sales. Their unique process can include Plain English to help companies increase understanding and comprehension while reducing translation and production costs of manuals. Their audio voice-over technologies enable spoken and written communication in many languages. Email Linda at linda@allcleartranslations and visit their website http://www.allcleartranslations.com.

Your new market is right across the border!

By Linda Richardson

Our largest trade partner is right across the border!

What makes it a great next step in your international sales effort? They speak English, they have the same international dialing code +1, and some Americans can see Canada outside their kitchen window, really!

Seriously though, Canadians buy over $290 Billion in goods from U.S. companies which amounts to 19% of overall US exports There is little language barrier, English and French are official languages in Canada.  58.4% of Canadians are native English speakers, 22% are native French speakers, mostly in Quebec, which has a large dominant French speaking population. To enter this market product sold into Canada from the U.S. must have a bi-lingual label (English and French). Translating your labels and website will ensure successful entry into this and other markets.

There is a robust ecommerce market in Canada. Canadians are online savvy and the weather is COLD a good part of the year!  This makes online shopping probable enabling consumers to stay indoors and still find the latest and greatest U.S made products. As you probably already have an online presence you can enhance that by adding French to your website, getting listed on ecommerce sites in Canada and participating in Trade Shows in Canada. The State of PA and the US Commercial Service is already there and promoting U.S. companies and products. Call your local office to discuss this affordable door opener as a part of the PA and U.S. exhibit!

Not ready to cross the border? Consider selling your products in border U.S. towns and retail outlets. Many Canadians cross the border taking advantage of the lower costs for goods. As a child I remember traveling to Canada and paying less for goods while there. Now the opposite is true, the U.S. dollar value is lower than the Canadian dollar, making U.S. products more affordable and a great value for our Canadian consumers. Canadians enjoy a favorable exchange and we exporters can take advantage of this imbalance. Many Canadians shop for American products online and will travel by the busload to our cities and outlets for great deals at Gap, Aeropostale and other retailers.  Toronto, Mississaugu, Kitchener & Hamilton are very close to US factory outlet malls and bus companies offer shuttles for as little as $15 a day. Should you consider space in a U.S. retail outlet to expose your product to the Canadian market  while you learn the ins and outs of exporting?

Sears, Home Depot and Target all carry U.S. made goods for their Canadian customers. Perhaps you can gain entry to Canada by being picked up by a Big Box Retailer? There are many considerations, regulations, taxes, packaging, shipping, etc. that can overwhelm even the most detail oriented person. Consulting with experts can take away the uncertainty and risk.  At the end of this article will be a list of resources to help you open this market.

One great resource for PA, Michigan and Wisconsin businesses have access to is the Canadian Trade Office of the Council of Great Lakes Governors. Director, Nancy Ward states: “Our office, based in Toronto since 1990, assists Pennsylvania companies conduct market research, formulate market entry strategies and connect with pre-qualified partner prospects across Canada. We work with companies in all industry sectors and typically complete approximately 150-160 projects or work orders for Pennsylvania companies annually.  Over the last 23 years, our office has assisted well over a thousand Pennsylvania companies find opportunities in the Canadian market. In the last fiscal year our office was credited with assisting Pennsylvania companies to generate over $30 million in sales into the Canadian market” 

Top 10 list of exports to Canada.                                 1. Vehicles: $46.7 billion                                 2. Machines, engines, pumps: $44 billion                                 3. Electronic equipment: $26.9 billion                                 4. Oil: $17.9 billion                                 5. Plastics: $12.5 billion                                 6. Medical, technical equipment: $8.8 billion                                 7. Iron or steel products: $7.2 billion                                 8. Iron and steel: $6.9 billion                                 9. Aircraft, spacecraft: $5.6 billion                                 10. Paper, paperboard: $5.5 billion

Michael D. Barr, Principal at QDI Strategies states:

In many cases, a local agent or distributor in Canada can be the bridge to new markets.  Look for a strategic fit between you and your partner in following 4 areas:

1.       A partner whose existing customers are the same customers that could use your product

2.       A partner whose sales people have the right level of technical and sales skills to sell your product

3.       A partner who can work with the level of marketing support you are prepared to provide

4.       A committed time frame that makes the investment worthwhile for you and your partner

Keys to Success:

·         Taking a few days to select the right partner can pay huge dividends in a trustworthy relationship and access to a new market.

·         Take the time for a trade mission to Canada and meet potential partners and buyers. This is critical to understanding what, who, and why to successful selling into any new region.

·         Nancy Ward recommends working the market with your in-country partners is a valuable way to ensure you are on track and can count on their support.

Please visit our website for many resources to help you grow with exports. http://www.allcleartranslations.com/en/resources.

Resources utilized for this article:

NW Commission of PA (free consulting)

SW Commission of PA (free consulting)

US Commercial Service (small fee)

Exim Bank

Your local SBDC office (free consulting)

Your local SBA office (free or small fee consulting)

Canadian Trade Office of the Council of Great Lakes Governors

QDI Strategies (for fee consulting)

About the author

Linda Richardson is the President and owner of All Clear Translations. Using translations and localization to transform websites, software, technical manuals and marketing materials into all languages to help increase sales. Where they help: translations, telephone interpreting, video close captioning and voice-overs. Their unique process can include Plain English translation to help companies increase understanding and comprehension while reducing translation and production costs of manuals.

SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES FORUM IN JOHNSTOWN

SUCCESSFUL MARKETING TO GOVERNMENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN BUYERS
FRIDAY MARCH 7
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT JOHNSTOWN, PA
YOU’RE INVITED TO A ONE-STOP EVENT TO
INCREASE YOUR BOTTOM LINE

1. Sell your goods and services to multiple buyers all in
one location. Supply chain reps will attend from
• Brookville Equipment Corporation
• Concurrent Technologies Corporation
• Conemaugh Health System
• US Dept of Energy / National Energy
Technology Laboratory
• And more to come! (pending confirmation)

2. Hear a keynote marketing presentation from Gloria
Larkin, TargetGov president and nationally
renowned government business expert. Other
quick hitting talks will provide additional marketing tips
and techniques.

3. Get business support from
• Catalyst Connection
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
• Service Corps Of Retired Executives
• Small Business Development Centers
• TargetGov
• U.S. Small Business Administration

4. Network with peers to find additional customers and
teaming partners.

PROGRAM
9:30 AM: Doors open for sign in and peer networking.
(Coffee service sponsored by JW Carroll and Associates
and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown)
10:00 AM: Welcome: TBD
10:10 AM: Small Business Champions: Business
Support Organizations in Western Central PA: Bob
Shark, JARI PTAC
10:25 AM: Marketing 101 for the Super Intelligent. Bob
Shark, JARI PTAC
10:45 AM: The Buyer-Supplier Connection™ 1.0.
Meetings with supply chain and business support reps.
Noon: Primo Gusto Buffet. (Lent-friendly lunch
sponsored by Concurrent Technologies Corporation and
Conemaugh Health System)
12:30 PM: Keynote Address: Unforgettable
Capabilities Statements. Gloria Larkin, TargetGov
President
1:30 PM: The Buyer-Supplier Connection™ 2.0.
Meetings with supply chain and business support reps.
2:45 PM: Past, Present, and Future: Who Bought, Is
Buying, or Will Buy Your Stuff. James Gerraughty,
SAP&DC PTAC, and Ron Moreau, IUP PTAC.
3:15 PM: Final Q&A, door prizes, wrap up, and overflow
meetings with supply chain and business support reps.
> > > Register at http://johnstownbiz.eventbrite.com/ < < <

For more information, contact Bob Shark at 814.535.8675 or bshark@jari.com

Organization Small Business Info URL Examples of what they need (not all inclusive)
Brookville Equipment
Corporation
www.brookvillecorp.com/suppliercenter.asp
Locomotive, mining, and streetcar manufacturing support, including raw
materials, machining, fabrication, fasteners, services that compliment OEM
manufacturers, and translation services.

Concurrent Technologies Corporation
www.ctc.com/partners.aspx Facility support (snow removal, janitorial services & supplies, etc.); machine
shops; office & computer supplies & hardware.

Conemaugh HealthSystem
www.conemaugh.org Automotive repair; auto sales; building support systems; tree and nursery
services; cleaning (for offsite offices); signage; some printing; recycling;
cleaning supplies; adjunct security services; building/masonry cleaning;
construction services; building supplies; i.e. almost everything it takes to run
a small city.

DOE/NETL www.netl.doe.gov/business/index.html IT products, lab supplies, construction/remodeling, software.

Additional organizations will be added as they confirm participation.

SMALL BUSINESS VENDOR NOTICE: To meet with the above listed organizations at the Small Business
Opportunities and Resources Forum, you must do the following before the event:
1. Register at http://johnstownbiz.eventbrite.com/
2. Prepare yourself:
• Research the organization(s) of interest on the web to understand their needs.
• Complete any preliminary vendor registrations.
• Ensure you have a brief (maximum 2 pages), accurate capabilities statement.
• Be ready to concisely discuss your opportunity so every vendor has enough time to meet with their
organization(s) of choice.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PTAC FOR HELP
THE BUYER-SUPPLIER CONNECTION™ DETAILS
SELLING YOUR GOODS AND SERVICES WHILE ATTENDING THE SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
AND RESOURCES FORUM

Ohio sets record growth in exports in 2013. Who are the top buying partners?

http://tse.export.gov/TSE/MapDisplay.aspx

Top Trade Partners for Ohio in 2013

1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. China
4. France
5. United Kingdom
6. Japan
7. Brazil
8. Germany
9. South Korea
10. Saudi Arabia

Top Merchandise exports from Ohio

1. Transportation Equipment
2. Machinery, except Electical
3. Chemicals
4. Computer and Electronic Products
5. Fabricated metal Products
6. Primary Metal Mfg
7. Plastics and Rubber Products
8. Electrical Equipment, Appliances
9. Agricultural Products
10. Paper

TCG 2014/2015 Trends in the Health Care Market

Recently, Kathy Meserve of TCG MedTech shared this informative white paper with me. I thought it had value and believe you should read it if you are in the Health Care Market. Please see below:


"Obviously, the changes in the US healthcare system from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act are impacting all sectors of the health care market. At the same time, European Life Science markets are monitoring changes with the upcoming EU parliamentary elections.  And, developments in mobile Health and IT systems are affecting product development on both sides of the Atlantic. But what are some specific changes that executives need to be aware of?  TCG offers our predictions in our "2014/2015 Trends" White Paper". Check it out.

If you have labeling needs or any translation needs. We can help. Please feel free to call or email us with questions on international language requirements. We can help you build your brand internationally with language. 

linda@allcleartranslations.com
866-489-9109

U.S. Manufacturing Driving Growth and Independence For A World Market

U.S. manufacturers are creating new products faster and less expensively than ever before. It is as cost effective to manufacture within the U.S. borders as in many areas of the world for many companies now. The U.S. is sitting on an energy powerhouse with natural gas, wind and solar resources. There will be another 1 Billion middle-income people in the world in a few years and our products will feed, fuel, clothe and make their lives better. 3-D printing is going to help reduce costs and increase efficient design to create products for these new buyers. FTA's or Free Trade Agreements are opening new markets for many manufacturers.

Now is the time to take your message globally. Don't let all your hard work be limited by a domestic market. Emerging markets are where you will find your new customers. Markets in Latin and South America like Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, African countries like South Africa and Nigeria, Asian markets like Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea, European countries like the Czech Republic and Romania are looking for solutions. Translation is a key tool you will need to build your new customer base.

What will you need to translate? Where to start?
Here are 3 key places to start
Marketing Materials - you want to be found, be heard, be seen. Your marketing message will not be effective unless it is translated in your target's language. Are you going to international Trade Shows and not offering your information in other languages? How welcome do prospective clients feel when you can hand them a one page document in their language? It is very likely, that will be a change agent for them.

Operating Manuals - Your international sales people are making sales. Your new client in Romania, Russia, Malaysia, etc wants to start using your product, machines, technology now. Most likely, you cannot ship without having the manual translated. Now is the time to consider those sales. Translation can take up to 3 weeks to complete a large manual. Consider translation during the sales phase not after. You could cost the company $ by delaying shipment to the client.

Videos - You Tube is the 2nd largest search engine and growing. 100's of hours are being uploaded to You Tube every minute and the number of people subscribing is up 3 x's from last year. Transcribe, translate, add close captioning in every language of your target audience. This will drive people to your website, increase your exposure and sales for a relatively low cost.

Listen to what GE's CEO sees happening for U.S. Manufacturing. Now you want to ACT, right?

Investing all of the time, energy and capital creating your product was hard. Partnering with All Clear Translations increases the return on that investment. Call us at 866-489-9109 or email linda@allcleartranslations.com to significantly increase your sales globally now.

Top Trends In Food Export for 2014

Good Information about Trends in Food Usage and more from FoodExports.org.



http://blog.foodexport.org/?p=1070