AAA Translation - We'll Take You Global

WHY YOUR TRANSLATIONS MATTER

When companies need translation services, many people will send out the same RFP to receive multiple bids, with presumably the same project/assignment parameters, and then decide to go with the least expensive bid. If selecting and implementing translation services were that easy, then all companies would successfully compete in the global marketplace. Unfortunately, choosing the right translation service is not that simple.

While the least expensive options are attractive to budget-minded companies, these less-experienced translation services often can develop problems that in turn create additional costs. As an experienced partner with many leading global companies, AAA Translation recommends these steps in choosing reputable and reliable translation services:

1 - Don't let translation be an afterthought. Is your company working with or selling to people for whom English is not their native language? Companies that completely recognize their target market and the value of a diverse audience budget sufficient time and financial resources towards their translation needs, whether they operate domestically or globally.

2 - Determine your translation needs. Once you’ve decided that your company needs translation services, determine what you’ll need translated. You’ll need to examine and learn more about the targeted audience. Just knowing they are Spanish-speaking isn't enough - are they Mexican Spanish speakers or Castilian Spanish speakers?
Take time to find out whether there are cultural differences or if your product name is offensive to the targeted language audience. As an example, one of IKEA's drinking glasses uses the style name "Svalka", which translates to "landfill" in Russian. Do you know the answers to these questions or could you use professional guidance in analyzing your project?
Find out whether your proposed project parameters and potential vendor solutions will include the proper translation methods and technology.

3- Determine whether you will do it in-house or outsource it. Before you decide it will be more cost-effective to do it with someone in-house, find out whether this person is familiar with translation standards and what their ability level is with the target languages. Are you able to gauge that ability? Do they provide credentials to back up their experience claims?
Does this person have translating experience? Do they speak the dialect you need? For instance, this person speaks Brazilian Portuguese but your end product is going to be marketed in Portugal. Can this person offer the aforementioned best methods and technology to keep costs in check while being consistent in wording?
If your company decides to outsource the translations services, but you have no idea what kind of expense will be incurred and how much time your project will take, ask a professional translation service for a quote (see item #4 for what parameters you should include.)

4 - Determine at the onset what your agreed-upon specifications are with the translation vendor. At minimum, these specifications should include the target audience, specifics regarding the language(s) needed for translation, format in which the text will be provided and format in which it is expected to be returned, approximate word count and how additional sections will be handled, deadlines and investment price.

Word count deserves a special note of its own. 300 English words do not necessarily mean 300 words in other languages. Determine which word count will be used in determining price, and realize there might be up to 30% differential in those counts.

5 - Know that going with an unqualified translator can cost more, and may continue costing your company. In many instances, companies will realize that they've already paid an in-house employee to produce a badly translated set of materials, and then they must send the project to a professional translation resource, essentially paying for it twice.

Sometimes companies don’t realize translation mistakes have been made by their in-house employee, and the project goes out to the public with errors. Shoddy translations, at minimum, reflect badly on the company – not to mention the potential for lost revenue. Just ask Mead Johnson Nutritionals, who had to recall 4.6 million cans of baby formula because of flawed Spanish directions.


6 – Recognize the untapped potential that translation services can provide for your company. For many American companies, translations are always an afterthought, and rarely a budgeted item. In this country, particularly the Midwest, it’s not part of company’s protocol – but the potential for reaching a multi-lingual society can reap huge benefits and profits, whether the company operates worldwide or not.
The United States is quickly becoming a global melting pot, and Spanish-speaking consumers are the fastest growing segment in American society. Companies that market themselves and their products in multiple languages will eventually become the norm.
Does your company recognize the value that professional translation services can add to your bottom-line?
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According to November-December 2010 issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine: “To be globally significant, Greater St. Louis must recapture it’s relevance as a center for commerce, transportation and the distribution of goods.”

AAA Translation is experienced and ready to assist the St. Louis region – and companies and people who do business here – in recapturing that relevance as a significant player in the global economy.
Our translation and global consulting services include:
 Complete foreign language services, 150+ languages
 Translation - any material, any format
 Interpretation - including complete conference support world-wide
 Over-the-phone interpreting - 24/7/365
 Foreign Language Desktop Publishing
 Foreign Language Video Production, including subtitling & voice-overs
 Language Training – individuals or groups
 Global Consulting & Marketing Research
 Cross-cultural Training
 Global Web Site Design & Search Engine Optimization

Contact us at 1-636-530-1010 or sevens@aaatranslation.com to learn more about how AAA Translation can transform your company or organization into a global tour de force.

About AAA Translation
Since 1994, AAA Translation has offered comprehensive yet simple solutions for multi-faceted global businesses anywhere in the world. The company’s objectives are to provide world-wide consultation services for the global marketplace, coupled with high quality, broad-based translation and interpretation services in 150+ languages. AAA Translation uses top-of-the-line language translation technology and interpreters, backed by state-of-the-art equipment in order to provide each and every client the personal, professional service they expect and deserve. At AAA Translation, “We’ll Take You Global.”