Gemini Translation Services Blog

Archive for the ‘Management’ Category

That heading is quite a mouthful to say, so here’s the short version; an ICP.

How you view your translation agency/supplier can make a big difference. If your translation services provider (TSP) is an ‘order taker’ then fair enough, they’ll do what you tell them to do. If your TSP is more of an extension of your business, then bring them in and get them round the table, quick!

The logistics and pitfalls of rolling out an ICP are always worth bouncing off someone particularly if its time critical. Doing ‘out of the moment’ rather than ‘in the moment’ could save time, money and most of all hassle.

A proper ICP will involve a variety of stages (translation, localisation, focus groups, readability testing). Having your TSP in at an early stage can help iron out the creases before you need to do the ironing. Plus they will be keen to showcase how good they are and will probably throw in some nuggets of information and advice for free, which will help keep the project on budget and time.

You may choose to do the project management (PM) yourselves or you could ask your ISP to become the PM, leaving you to focus on the reasons why you want an ICP and making sure you maximise your return.

BRICs, EU etc all have different cultural requirements and the once size approach will not work. Your TSP can advise and fill in any gaps, so the plan is well thought through and troubled shot before roll out. I’m sure with the prospect of some work, your TSP will be more than happy to bring along the biscuits!

Written by Darren Elliott