Choosing The Right Interpreter

Choosing The Right Interpreter

September 25, 2018
, , , , , , , , , , , Company Activities, Events, Linguistics

Choosing the Right Interpreter

 

Localization doesn’t always end with translation. Sometimes, you require some real-time communication, which creates the need for an interpreter. But, how do you know if the interpreter you’re choosing is worth the money you’re going to spend on them?

Well, we have a few tips to help you out.

 

Consider Their Qualifications

 

A Language Services Provider can be “judged” based on how good or bad its linguists are.  The same principle applies to interpreters. So, you need to look for someone with a perfect grasp of the language. Also, they need to be aware of and in agreement with the interpretation of the code of ethics.

Another factor to focus on is the interpreter’s area of expertise. There are interprets who specialize in various fields such as health care, medicine, and law, etc. if you need someone who can specifically speak for your industry, then an interpreter who’s worked in your area before would be a good option. In other words, it is better to choose a subject matter expert.

Also, make sure your interpreter also possesses the necessary “soft skills,” such as the ability to listen and adhere to cultural expectations.

 

Reputation

 

Reputation, at least as far as professions go, can give you a good idea of how good or bad someone is at their job. An interpreter or interpreting service that has a good reputation is obviously doing something right.

In order to check for reputation, you can request your chosen interpreter to provide a reference. You can try asking these references about the interpreter’s work and whether or not they were satisfied.

 

Do They Use Technology?

 

Technological solutions aimed at the translation and interpretation industry have developed significantly in the last few years. For instance, we have VRI or Video Remote Interpreting, which is a technology aimed specifically at interpreters.

The technology overcomes the challenges that plague in-person interpretations. For instance, the interpreter isn’t always required to be present at a particular location to help out. With VRI, interpreters can help translate at any time and from anywhere.

Other than that, you also have over-the-phone options.

The key goal is to look for an interpreter or interpretation service that offers all three options – VRI, over-the-phone, and in-person interpretation. That way, you can opt for any of the three or even all three based on your need.

Choosing an interpreter is no different from choosing a translator. The rules are still the same. You need someone with expertise, knowledge, and technological know-how to help you out. So, make sure your chosen interpreter ticks all those boxes.

Tips on Getting The Most Out of Your Interpreter

Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Interpreter

June 4, 2018
, , , , Company Activities, Events, Linguistics

Proper etiquette can remove the awkwardness arising from interacting with a business partner or an audience who is unfamiliar with the English language. This is especially true for consecutive interpreting, where the interpreter will be in the room with you. In simultaneous interpreting where translations are received via headphones, you may not be able to view the interpreter. Still, these ideas can help you get your message across more effectively and drive productive conversations.

 

Should the interpreter face you or your client?

 

In an ideal scenario, the interpreter should assume a position where he/she can see you and also face your client/audience when he/she speaks. That being said, it is common for the interpreter to sit opposite his/her client (you) while you converse naturally with the other party. This unobtrusive position is the traditional protocol during diplomatic meetings between the heads of state from two different countries.

Placing the interpreter between you and your client is best avoided; your focus must be on your client. You will want to make eye contact with him/her instead of looking toward the interpreter.

 

The focus is to translate the vocabulary, not the body language

 

Interpreters’ job is to engage with your message, not your non-verbal cues. They will make eye contact with your audience or even your client, but beyond that, stick to delivering your message. If you start addressing your interpreter, he/she may not initiate eye-contact with you as a passive signal to remind you to continue addressing your client.

 

It helps to brief the interpreter in advance

 

Most businesses prefer to keep their language easily comprehensible to eliminate mistakes or misunderstandings in translation. But if your dialogue will include many high-level terms or specialized industry jargon, providing the interpreter with a draft copy of the speech/discussion points will help him/her convey your message better.

An alternative is to go with the flow and allow any issue that crops up during your conversation to ‘fix itself’. For instance, your interpreter can keep translating your sophisticated phrases, and your client can – through your interpreter – request you to clarify something that is not clearly evident. The interpreter may also start taking notes when complications set in.

Pare down long chunks of text

 

Line-by-line interpretations consume a lot of time; as a practical measure, consider skimming your content. Time efficiency apart, excessive verbiage can be overwhelming for your client – and after an hour of back and forth – you may start feeling weary. If you are not discussing legality and expect to converse more casually with your client, a condensed version works best.

What do you think of our tips? Have the experience to share? Start a conversation now!

8 Tips to Boost Bookings for Your Travel Packages

8 Tips to Boost Bookings for Your Travel Packages

August 10, 2017
, , , , , Globalisation and Internationalisation, Localization

Like all businesses, your travel company too has one objective – to sell products and generate profits. However, achieving this objective is a completely different story for a travel business or a tour agency. There are strategies and tactics that travel companies can deploy in order to boost bookings for their travel packages.

We have listed 8 of the most effective strategies right here. Take a look, apply, and watch your booking rates go up.

 

Register With Travel Aggregator Websites

 

Registering with travel aggregator websites is one way to boost your bookings. These websites – rooms, airfares, tours and experiences aggregators – cater and target millions of customers the world over. Registering with them allows you to connect with a wider customer base and extend your reach. A good example of such a site would be TripAdvisor, which is known to have a customer base consisting of 36 million members. Other tour-related websites can include Expedia, Viator, and GetYourGuide.

 

Go Social

 

Social media platforms have evolved to become effective marketing channels. Around 93% of marketers across the world rely on social media to get the word out about their offerings and to engage with customers and avid travelers. Social media is effective because it’s fast and convenient. It allows for a targeted approach that is cost-effective. Some travel businesses have also ventured into influencer marketing through image-driven social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Townske.

 

Highlight Package Benefits And Unique Experiences

 

Are there specific properties or experiences in your travel packages that set you apart from those of your competitor’s? If so, make sure you highlight these properties and experiences. This adds value to your travel packages and provides the customer with an opportunity to compare and contrast. If your packages are truly more beneficial or can provide a unique experience that appeals to customers, you’ll have bookings rolling in.

 

Offer Mobile Booking

 

Mobile bookings, be it through mobile apps or mobile web browsers, on mobile phones or tablets, are expected to reach 40% of online travel sales in 2017. If you’re a travel business and you’re not mobile ready, you’ll be missing out on this substantial pie. It’s time to go mobile and offer the customer more convenience, faster access, and immersive travel content as mobile phone usage increases.

 

Localize

 

As globalization takes over, it’s becoming a matter of critical importance for businesses to be considerate of local markets. Be it culture or language, a travel business needs to pay attention to local preferences and sensitivities. If you’re catering to customers in foreign markets or attracting inbound tourists, localization is a must. So, make sure you hire mobile app, website, and marketing translation services to help you out. You need to use a multilingual approach to connect with larger customer pools.

 

Digital Marketing

 

Use online services such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, Facebook Advertising or Instagram Advertising to get the word out about your travel packages. Also, optimize your ads using the right keywords, ad copies or creatives. The advantage with such online advertising tools is that you’ll have options that allow for precise targeting based on metrics such as demographic, interests, and hobbies.

 

Build Partnerships

 

Partners can play a key role in increasing the booking rates for your offerings. By establishing strong connections with B2B partners, you can tap into new opportunities and improve the quality and delivery of your own services.

 

Establish Relationships With Customers

 

Use existing customers to market your offerings by establishing strong relationships. Reward customers with offers and discounts to keep them coming back and to also spread the word about your services. Nothing is more credible and a higher closing ratio that word-of-mouth marketing and referrals.

So, there you have it – 8 tried-and-tested strategies that have worked for travel companies across the globe. But, will they work for you? Well, there’s only one way to find out – try them out! You’ll never know otherwise. If you’re still unsure, remember, these are tried-and-tested methods, which means they’ll most likely work for you too if you can adapt and tweak according to your travel business’ capabilities, resources, and goals.

7 Must-Haves in Your FinTech Website

7 Must-Haves in Your FinTech Website

July 24, 2017
, , , , , , , Culture & Intercultural Comms, Globalisation and Internationalisation

In the fiercely competitive FinTech market, your website is a key differentiator, drawing potential customers to your product, ethos and voice. Naturally, it should be appealing and functional, giving visitors the confidence to take the desired call to action – fill up your contact form, call you, or seek live chatting assistance immediately. What can set your website apart from the competition?

 

1. Persuasive Copy

 

Great copy is a sum of many parts. Besides communicating succinctly how your service can solve a challenge or help capitalize on an opportunity, you also need to establish an authentic voice that conveys your brand personality clearly. When replicated across your social media pages, consistent messaging and voice can make you memorable and appear more trustworthy.

 

2. User-Centric Design

 

A website focused on the user considers a number of factors in its design, such as fast loading times, uncluttered webpages, and quick and easy access to information by utilizing an appropriate format and navigational features.

 

3. An Active Blog

 

A blog continuously updated with new content can improve your website’s search engine performance. It can also distinguish you as a thought leader and encourage people to engage with your brand.

 

4. Multilingual Support

 

As you move forward with your internationalization goal, it’ll become necessary to localize your website. 73% of Internet users are not browsing in English. To effectively reach out to online audiences in other countries, get translations right, make it easy to select the language of choice on your homepage, and ensure that your website feels and works as good as it does in its original language.

 

5. An FAQ Page

 

An FAQ page not only gives visitors a quick overview of your product and answers to specific questions, but also allows you to promote some of the other pages on your website. If your FAQ page is long, break it down into sections with relevant queries and answers under each section.

 

6. Add Photos of Your Management Team

 

Build trust and make your brand more human by including photographs of Founder(s) and key Management Executives. Professionally taken photographs of smiling Executives – along with their brief bio – can give visitors yet another reason to connect with your brand.

 

7. Interactive Widget

 

An interactive widget to your landing page can explain your product and pricing in 30 seconds or less. It’s a useful, strategic feature for busy visitors, who after briefly considering your product and quote, can bookmark your website and return at a later time.

 

5 Tips for FinTech Companies Looking to Go Global

5 Tips for FinTech Companies Looking to Go Global

July 24, 2017
, , , , Globalisation and Internationalisation

The decision to take your FinTech Companies global is fraught with opportunities and risks. You’ll feel the pressure to make the best choices with regards to a number of issues. Here are 5 major ones to contemplate.

 

Get Comprehensive Insights into the Regulatory Environment of the Country

 

As one of the world’s most highly regulated industries, financial services have to contend with multiple barriers to entry, the most challenging being the different regulations related to tax, labor and employment. Though some countries, such as Switzerland – which recently issued a FinTech regulation with lower regulatory provisions – and London – which currently has the friendliest FinTech regulations – are making it easy for firms to expand globally, other FinTech hubs are yet to follow suit.

 

The counsel of an experienced local adviser is valuable in making informed decisions and avoiding any breaches that could result in monetary loss. An understanding of the implicit cultural best practices of the foreign country is also necessary to ensure that you don’t take any ethical missteps along the way.

 

Brainstorm on the Ideal Localization Model, Aligning it with your Capabilities and Vision

 

Let’s discuss localization in the context of the business structure you want to adopt and how you can plan your online presence.

 

It’s advisable to invest time in assessing the advantages and drawbacks of various business structures that can help you scale up to overseas markets within a targeted time span. In this case, the maxim ‘start small, dream big’ may not apply to all FinTech companies.

 

As far as your website is concerned, it’s essential to offer your overseas audience localized websites accurately translated to their native languages, with the same look and functionality as your original website. This consistency will also be helpful in keeping website development and maintenance costs low.

 

Familiarize Yourself with Local Customs and Cultural Nuances

 

Navigating the local language and customs of a country is one of the biggest challenges faced by FinTech companies on a global expansion drive. Besides becoming familiar with local cultural customs and references, your human resources team may also want to initiate cross-cultural training that enables global teams to interact effectively and harmoniously with one another.

 

Relationship-building needs to be a priority; by encouraging mutual trust and respect, it can help drive productivity and efficiency, which in turn can support your revenue goals in a meaningful way.

 

Access to Qualified Talent

 

Surveys and reports indicate that start-ups in the FinTech sector are unable to meet their need for suitable talent to move full-speed ahead with their operational and strategic goals. Evaluate the demographic characteristics of the local labor force, such as educational and experience levels, to ensure that you don’t have a tough time recruiting the right talent in overseas markets. Your hires should serve as assets to your FinTech company’s expansion and, not end up as liabilities.

 

Pursue Strategic Partnerships

 

A Gallup poll has revealed that people view banks to be the most trusted institutions for protecting their personal data. If you plan to expand to a country that has traditionally regarded banks to be a symbol of stability, you can explore the possibility of partnering with an established bank to build trust for your FinTech company and scale up at a faster rate.