Exporting is key to Successful Growth for TrackAbout ~ Linda's Translation Talk

Exporting is key to Successful Growth for TrackAbout ~ Linda's Translation Talk

Exporting is key to Successful Growth for TrackAbout

MARCH SUPERHERO

I always wanted to be Wonder Woman with bulletproof bracelets and a Lasso of Truth! Haven’t you dreamt of being a Superhero? Watching clients open new markets with global communication makes us feel like heroes!  Throughout the year, I will talk about our All Clear Translations clients who are making a difference in the global marketplace and how we help.

Our March Super Hero Client is TrackAbout. Four of the top six global industrial gas suppliers use their solution. TrackAbout is a flexible, scalable, cloud-based asset tracking and management solution founded in 2000. They recognized how gas distributors can achieve substantial benefits by managing their assets with more efficiency. Bottom line, they save their clients Money, Time and Assets! In fact, their customers typically realize a return on investment in less than one year.

Exporting is the key to their successful growth! TrackAbout realized early that their largest market is outside the U.S. borders. Working together as a team, we developed a localization process that makes it easy for them to build out their User Interface into many languages. Our translations help to build a client base that is world-wide.

makes a difference in many regions. China is a growing market for them. Tim Fusco, CEO of TrackAbout realized translation of their User Interface for mobile devices as necessary and vital. Fusco stated “we're getting positive feedback on the Chinese translations that your team at All Clear Translations put together for us recently. Thank you for all the help on that!”

 TrackAbout Asset Tracking in use

  

Translating your software User Interface is vital to building a quality product with loyal customers anywhere. When translating software you need to work with a translation team that has a good understanding of your technology and software. Remember this Batman, your best market, client or customer is probably not based in the U.S. Develop your software with language in mind. Make it a good transition from English to another language and save the world. Here is a slide from a workshop we offer:

 , Learn more by visiting their website at http://corp.trackabout.com/. Their team will captivate you with their client rescue stories. Using their system helps you save money and assets making you a Superhero too!

Together, WE CAN BE HEROES - capture new markets, create super growth and smash the competition!  If now is the time you are looking to expand globally -Holy Guacamole - be your own superhero.  Our translations and interpreting superpowers help companies build new markets on every continent. 

Global sales provide opportunities for growth that our domestic markets can’t. 95% of consumers live outside the U.S. 

We can help you build your next market, anywhere! Up, Up, and Away! Contact us at hero@allcleartranslations.com or call 866-489-6649. We are waiting to pick up the phone and join your super hero league!

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