Cheap Translations - This "Bargain" Could Cost Much

Today while cleaning out my old emails I came across a quote request from a prospective client. It made me think about value and what that means to people.  Here is a story that many of us selling a superior product run into. This client is a leader in their industry. They were looking for help with translations of training manuals. After due diligence and learning they have a customer service issue we formulated a plan to help in several ways.
1. Improve translation content
2. Improve customer service
3. Improved training information
4. Decrease cost of translation in the future
5. Decrease training costs
5. Decrease customer service calls

Where I hadn't done my due diligence was on what this company valued. I has several phone conversations with the quote-seeker and he was impressed with our in-depth analysis and believed they wanted to upgrade and blend their translations of website, training and online help. He hoped to work with us to help him produce a better product - great, right? Hold on there lassie....we did not get the work. How can that be? I did my due diligence, researched, met the key decision makers, created a plan that would increase customer satisfaction, decrease training costs and create a consistent message while reducing costs in the future. How can this be that we didn't get the work?

Cheap translations - I didn't think this would be an issue. I did not take into account the key decision makers only wanted the lowest cost. Their concern was not improving training, customer service or blending the message across platforms. Staying status quo and under budget was the only value this client was looking for. Obviously, we were not the service for this company. But it has helped me realize we cannot be a fit for every company.

Another client had a process of creating images, transferring them to a cumbersome platform and then trying to work within it to change and edit images for translation. For us to work within that software would have been more costly to the client in the long run. We proposed a solution of taking these images and creating them in a software that would enable easier translation and add all languages to one image. This would have an upfront cost but save the money and time for future work. This client thanked us for seeing this solution and authorized the work. Our value was realized by this client and verified our due diligence and efforts.

People focusing on a low cost "cheap" resource for translations will never value meeting future needs and goals. Translations is not a commodity nor is it easily discounted. What is valued is a unique and personal differentiator.  Be unique and maintain your value and differentiator clients are looking for a resource that can solve their problems now and in the future.

There is not one alive that is Youer than You ~ Dr. Seuss. Your process has value - stay the path.

Linda Richardson

CyberSecurity: What Does This Have to do with Translations?

Thought Leader - Eugene Kaspersky "In this industry, to be pessimistic is not professional"

Every now and again I am fortunate to come in contact with industry thought leaders.Last week I attended the 1st Inaugural Kaspersky Labs CyberSecurity Forum in Washington D.C. This forum was designed to help professionals in government and industry better understand the challenges we are encountering every day with cyber criminals.

Some of the thought leaders - speakers were:
Steve Orenberg and Eugune Kaspersky of Kaspersky Labs.
General Michael Hayden, Former Director of the CIA
Larry Zelvin Director National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center
Ronald Noble - Secretary General INTERPOL
Steve Winterfeld - Cyber Tech Director, TASC

My take away:
Kaspersky Labs is a tremendous resource for industry and government. Eugene Kaspersky is engaged and dynamic in his passion to help protect our IT resources. He made it possible to have a dialogue with industry experts to educate leaders of companies, government and education on this huge threat.

Cyberspace is the fifth domain of warfare! Do you know how much information is hacked on a minute by minute basis! Last February there was a global effort to hack into 42,000 records across 27 countries. 45 Million USD was stolen in ONE DAY.

There are 15,000 cyber hacker attacks per minute against American Banks.
When there is a campaign by a gang, the attacks have gone as high as 3 million per minute.
Largest Cyber Gang has 80,000 members!
Iran, Russia and China are where many of these attacks originate.

Now you may say, what does this have to do with translations? I help companies expand their markets into new developing regions. This requires a transfer of data, multilingual resources and information and trust. Trust that the information we protect is truly protected. Trust in vendors, employees, clients. To maintain the integrity of my clients information I will continue to learn more about this threat and how to best secure their assets we are entrusted with.

Also, I believe translating training manuals for customer service reps and online help guides needs to be accurate and add value to the material. The emphasis needs to be on increasing comprehension and understanding across platforms and languages. Companies purchasing localization and translation services should not be price driven but value driven. This will enable better training and understanding reducing training costs and customer misunderstanding.

I will update you on this blog with helpful information from what I learn. Together, we can continue to build a global marketplace and grow.

Wishing you much security in the cyberworld!

Linda Richardson
President

US Industrial Renaissance is Eroding Emerging Markets’ Competitive Edge | Enterprising Investor

US Industrial Renaissance is Eroding Emerging Markets’ Competitive Edge | Enterprising Investor

This article points to the fact that U.S. manufacturers are competitive with the Asian manufacturers that dominated in the last 2 decades.

With the reduced energy costs driven by the Natural Gas resources, we can grow our reach to other markets. Not only are we competitive but we are high quality. WinWin for all looking to build.

Mexico: Your Next Market? Translations Can Build Sales

Mexico - your next market!

Facts to think about

Mexico's GDP growth is over 4%

Mexicans spend 40% of the travel budget at the Mall. Their favorite destination country? The U.S.

Mexicans equate quality with U.S. goods and prefer to buy U.S. products like Skippy, Quaker Oats and Huggies over their own brands.

Luxury goods are hot, haute, hot. Looking for a new market? Mexicans love our cars, jewelry, clothing...

U.S. Health and Beauty products are very popular among Mexicans.

Mexico buys more U.S. products than Brazil, Chile, Latin America all combined.

Mexico is our 2nd biggest trade partner.

Mexico has more free trade agreements than any other country.

Need I say more? Read my May newsletter for more information on entering this new and exciting market.

Get Ready - Set - Grow with Translations!

Language Discussion at W & J University

Last Saturday I was a panelist for a discussion on language careers at Washington & Jefferson College and the Sigma Delta Pi Gamma Mu chapter in Washington, PA. This was the 1st annual panel and I found it to be a fun and interesting way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The students were interested in studying abroad and how they can utilize language skills to develop a career path. I was intrigued by the availability of grants to help students there travel and experience other cultures. This is truly an education that no student should pass up. The opportunities to engage with others in different cultures opens a mind to new ways of thinking, acceptance of different ways of doing things and adds value to the travelers experiences in more ways than can be imagined.

The State of PA has more reps within country than any other state. These reps are located throughout the world and work to help you grow business in other regions. Many of our in-country PA state reps will be in Pittsburgh on May 6th and will accept appointments if you would like to meet them. Please see the 3rd link for more details! Businesses located in the commonwealth of PA are fortunate to have such amazing resources! Take advantage of it!

The below links are posted here for Hannah. She is traveling to China for 18 days and we discussed entering a very different culture. When traveling to a new region, know the U.S. resources there. The first link lists who to contact, where their offices are and tips for safe travel. I hope this helps you as you journey beyond our borders. Remember their are grants to help you translate your websites and marketing information to sell to other regions. Contact me for more details, together we can build sales! Get Ready...Set...Grow with Translation!

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1089.html         resources you should have when traveling.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/etiquette.htm       good website for info.

 

http://www.spcregion.org/plan_news.shtml#trade       PA China reps will be in Pittsburgh May 6th. You could make an appointment to meet them.

 

Zai Jian, (Goodbye)

 

Linda Richardson

President

All Clear Translations

A Novel Look at Emerging Entrepreneurs

A novel look at emerging entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship is a hot topic everywhere. The Internet, connectivity and mobile platforms has changed the face of entrepreneurs. 25 years ago an entrepreneur was usually someone you knew, a face that was familiar. Your barber, shop owner, restaurant, insurance man. Now you can connect with small business all over the world.

Video is the new wave of marketing campaigns - Get Multilingual! Now you can reach everyone through translations!

 

 

 

We can get creative with you to connect with clients all over the world.

Need a multilingual video, there are online resources that we can use to create your amazing awesome video. Now you can affordably and easily be found by anyone ANYWHERE!

Check it out! Let's talk video translations for your next campaign.