5 resolutions for setting translation projects up for success in 2014
Come January, companies often create a list of resolutions or goals they want to achieve in the coming months. Use the fresh start of a new year to ensure that your translation projects prosper in 2014 with these resolutions.
1. Stop attempting translations in-house
Sometimes cutting corners cuts quality. An example of this is when a company unsuccessfully undertakes translations in-house. Rather than doing a poor job of translating key business documents, invest to have a professional language service provider handle the job. Because professional translators spend hours each day on their craft, they are able to quickly turn around flawless translated marketing copy or product information sheets.
2. Rely less on machine translation
While machine translation has its place in the world, it is, by no means, meant to replace a professional translator. Machines do not understand context, and cannot accurately provide localized translation.
3. Choose a single language service provider to work with
If a company spreads its translation projects around to different language service providers, there will be a fluctuation in the quality and consistency of the finalized documents. Working with a single provider means there is one translation memory for all translators within the company to refer to, keeping the translated documents close to the source document. This isn’t feasible for every company, but as much as possible, try to consolidate your translation work with one expert provider that is large enough to handle your work.
4. Look at the big picture for translation work
Rather than sending out a file every few weeks to be translated, spend time assessing all the projects that will need translating in the coming months or year. This can help a language service provider understand the scope and can help prevent redundant work. For example, if many documents contain similar language, this can be stored in the translation memory and used to cut down on manual translation in subsequent documents, as well as cut down on cost.
5. Translate more documents to reach new markets
For companies who want to grow this year, entering new foreign markets is a large part of a successful strategy. To that end, it is necessary to offer everything from product packaging to marketing materials in the local language. If there is a complex approval process to enter a given country, look for ISO-certified language providers, as these standards are typically equal to, if not greater than, what many countries (especially those in Europe) require in terms of translated materials.
Translation should not be an afterthought for companies wishing to go global. Instead, it should be an integral part of the plan to introduce products in new countries and successfully grow market share there.
BURG Translations has offered its translation services for nearly 85 years. Our strength stems from cultivating an elite corps of translation professionals, from translators and editors to project managers and ISO quality management experts. Contact us today to see how we can help you with your next translation project.
