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Do Our Translation Company Policies Make Sense?

October 2, 2015

Like many people I own a smart phone (iPhone) and a tablet (iPad). When I go to the gym to pedal like a maniac for a period of time, I sometimes like to read something. Reading from an iPad is much nicer than reading from a smaller iPhone screen. The problem is the cycling machines I use […]

Does Translation Company Size Matter?

October 1, 2015

In the process of choosing a translation company to support an organization’s language requirements, clients typically weigh numerous factors in the process of making a selection. One consideration might be the size of the translation company. So are larger or smaller translation companies a better choice? The answer will depend on the client of course. For many clients smaller translation companies […]

Do Our Translation Company Policies Make Sense?

October 2, 2015

Does Translation Company Size Matter?

October 1, 2015

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Do Our Translation Company Policies Make Sense?

October 2, 2015

The problem is the cycling machines I use are out of range of my fitness facility’s internal wifi, and I don’t subscribe to cellular service for the iPad. It occurred to me that I should use my cell phone as a hot spot for my iPhone. So I called my wireless carrier (AT&T). “Sure no problem there’s no charge for enabling the hot spot services. Please hold while I check into that,” said the telephone agent.

When the agent returned they explained that my cell phone plan doesn’t allow me to enable the hot spot service. To use the hot spot service I’d need to upgrade to another plan (that of course is available at a higher price). “Rest assured though there is no charge for the hot spot service.”

I declined on principle. The blame in this case apparently falls to “the plan.” It’s not our (AT&T’s) fault that this valuable and convenient service would cost you more. It’s the darned plan. Sorry.

It’s experiences like this that often infuriate customers. I had to wonder, does our company have policies that unintentionally irritate our translation clients? We do our best to make sure the answer is no.

Does Translation Company Size Matter?

October 1, 2015

The answer will depend on the client of course. For many clients smaller translation companies offer advantages that might tip the scale in their favor. Some of advantages on the side of smaller translation companies are:

1) Every Client Matters

Small translation companies value each and every client more if for no other reason than the fact that they have fewer of them relative to larger translation companies. No small translation company wants to disappoint (or heaven forbid lose) even a single client. As a result smaller translation companies will likely more often go the extra mile for clients.

2) Close Knit Pool of Translators

Managing a smaller pool of professional translators allows project managers to more effectively utilize translator resources so that just the right translator is assigned to each new project. In larger operations the first translator to respond to a project availability announcement might automatically be assigned. Or due to larger translation project volumes in bigger companies the project-translator matching process might not receive as much thoughtful attention. Better matching a translator’s specializations with translation projects will over time undoubtedly result in higher quality translations.

3) Greater Client Familiarity

Regular clients of smaller translation companies develop a relationship with the company’s personnel. Project managers and translators become familiar with clients and their organizations. When the occasion comes up when a client needs a favor or special consideration (e.g., we really need this 10,000 word project back by Friday this week), having an established relationship can carry a lot of weight.

4) Smaller Companies Specialize

Small companies are often not large enough to offer every category and variation of language services. Instead they specialize and do a smaller set of things especially well. So when the choice is a language specialist or a language generalist, the best choice is nearly always the specialist smaller company.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Do Our Translation Company Policies Make Sense?

Does Translation Company Size Matter?

Do Our Translation Company Policies Make Sense?

Does Translation Company Size Matter?

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Do Our Translation Company Policies Make Sense?

Does Translation Company Size Matter?

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