| In this article I am considering reputation in the | | | | 2) Agreement before commencement - It is best that |
| translations industry. These aspects are often | | | | as many variables as possible are agreed in writing |
| intrinsically linked with customer services. But customer | | | | before the project commences. Ensure that in writing |
| service is only a part of what makes a reputation. | | | | the translators has been informed of: i) Language |
| I would argue that your personal reputation is one of | | | | Combination and Direction ii) Types of translation - Is it |
| the most valuable things that we will own regardless | | | | medical for instance iii) Type of source document e.g. |
| of where we are of what we do. It is something that is | | | | PDF iv) Format the translation is to be returned in. e.g. |
| with you always, affects parts of your daily life and is | | | | MS Word v) Translation Deadline vi) Fee or rate to be |
| very difficult to change. | | | | applied vii) Wordcount. (In some cases it is possible and |
| Unfortunately nothing sticks to a reputation quicker or | | | | necessary to send a copy of the translation in |
| longer then mud (negative's). So it is important to avoid | | | | advance to the translators. But this is often restricted |
| such potential instance as much as possible and if | | | | as prior to having a full agreement with the translator |
| possible quash any such occurrences irrevocably. | | | | this could be deemed a breach of your clients |
| A) Reputation of a Translation Agency with its Clients | | | | confidentiality). |
| - Like all businesses, without your clients you don't | | | | At this point the translation agency should require |
| have a business. A translation agency must ensure it | | | | feedback from the translator. A written confirmation |
| creates a good reputation with its clients. This can be | | | | that they are capable of fulfilling the requirements |
| achieved by: | | | | set-out. |
| 1) Quality of Translation - Using only qualified and | | | | C) Reputation as a Freelance Translator - The saying |
| experienced translators working into their | | | | goes ‘a salesman is only as good as his last sale'. |
| mother-tongue. Proofreading of the translation. Testing | | | | A similar saying could also be applied to translators |
| translators and auditing of their translation work. | | | | ‘A translator is only as good as their last translation'. |
| Sticking with the tried and tested translation | | | | In both circumstances there is the detail to consider. |
| professionals | | | | A freelance translator generally seeks a situation |
| One way quality is sometimes lost is through | | | | where they have a regular client base who consider |
| subcontracting. The translation agency has lost control | | | | them first. Ideally, if they are too busy the client will still |
| of the translation and is therefore not in control of the | | | | come to them first for the next project and the next |
| quality. | | | | project. |
| 2) Quality of Service - Quick response and general | | | | Reputation for a freelancer allows them to earn better |
| customer care. | | | | rates even though there will always be someone else |
| 3) Management of the Clients Expectations - A | | | | offering to do the same job for less money. It allows |
| translation professional cannot always expect | | | | the freelance translator to discuss the issues of a |
| someone who is not working in the industry to | | | | project openly with the client or translation project |
| understand what is required. This particularly applies to | | | | manager and have them work with them to complete |
| deadlines. | | | | their service. |
| In such cases it is better to offer options with the | | | | The reputation of a freelance translator can be most |
| translation quotation rather then promises that you | | | | easily maintained by: |
| cannot keep. For instance: The options might be | | | | 1) Staying within their capabilities. It is not advisable to |
| ‘later delivery v no proofreading' | | | | take on highly complicated specialised texts that you |
| The general rule has to be that you only commit to | | | | have no experience with unless you have discussed |
| what you can achieve. | | | | this with your client and have a clear plan how you will |
| B) Reputation of a Translation Agency with Freelance | | | | complete the project. Otherwise you might perform |
| Translators - Most agencies use a mixture of both | | | | below what is reasonable. |
| employed and freelance translators. The freelancer | | | | 2) Work to deadlines. Ensure that you assess the |
| only assists as and when required against won | | | | deadline and only agree to what is achievable. If you |
| projects. A good freelance translator is pretty much | | | | are upfront and say when the translation can be |
| like a good translation agency: ‘They provide good | | | | achievable this may well turnout fine and avoid loss of |
| quality of work and they work to mutually agreed | | | | your personal standards for quality. |
| deadlines'. | | | | 3) Check your work. It is advisable to take a short |
| Having freelancers that you can rely on is part of | | | | break and then review your translation before you |
| being a good translation company and an integral part | | | | send. You may have made some simple error or |
| therefore of keeping the reputation of the agency with | | | | missed something that this last scan can pick up. This |
| its clients. | | | | will also avoid you sending the wrong file. Checking you |
| You can most easily manage your translations | | | | own work is not proofreading. Proofreading in my |
| agencies reputation with freelancers by: | | | | opinion involves a 2nd independent translator. |
| 1) Prompt Payment - It seems that the translation | | | | 4) Problems - If you have a problem or require extra |
| industry is a minefield full of late paying translation | | | | time it is important to tell the client ASAP. This allows |
| agencies that need chasing repeatedly. Its completely | | | | the issue to be addressed as soon as possible and a |
| bizarre to me as this takes additional resources of the | | | | solution found. The problem might be legibility of part of |
| agency to manage the late payments. After all, if | | | | the source text or you might be delayed due to a |
| payments of £25 make a difference to your | | | | personal problem. If possible, the more warning notice |
| business, you may wish to address this matter through | | | | the better for everybody. |
| other means. | | | | I guess when reading this we must be reminded that |
| Paying your translator early or on time can therefore | | | | with extra care and communication we should all be |
| standout. They will feel good about the agency and be | | | | able to benefit from less problems and more stability |
| more willing to go that extra mile in quality and working | | | | from our lives in the translations industry. This care will |
| hours to look after the translation agencies interests. | | | | guard our reputations. |