An 80’s commercial for paintbrushes was broadcast in Italy with the slogan: "For a big wall you don't necessarily need a big paintbrush, but only a high-quality paintbrush". In English the slogan does not sound so funny anymore. In Italian, on the other hand, a play on words arises, since the word "big" takes on different meanings depending on whether it comes before or after the noun.
Does this also apply to translation agencies? If you have a large order, do you need to contact a large translation agency? The answer is similar to that of the painting tool: No, just go to a high-quality translation agency with a reliable network of translators.
Laypeople may imagine a translation agency as follows: a room in which a large number of translators sit in close proximity and type quickly. In a caricature, colorful speech bubbles in different languages would still be steaming out of people's heads. In reality, however, things look quite different.
A translation agency's team takes care of communicating with customers, pricing, formatting (including any formats that may not be editable), selecting suitable translators, checking the translation, maintaining consistent terminology... in other words, pure translation work is only one phase of the process. In some cases, it will necessarily take place outside the agency. Customers' translation needs vary greatly, and it is not worthwhile for either party to tie several translators to a single agency on a permanent basis for each language combination offered, as even the most extensive translation jobs will eventually come to an end. Permanent translators of a somewhat rarer language combination would then have nothing to do from one day to the next, and this for a few weeks or even months. Therefore, larger translation agencies usually only have a higher number of project managers, not translators.
Through years of experience in the field of translation, we have become acquainted with various company models and are currently looking with satisfaction at the dynamic structure of our team. We have created a working environment in which everyone is irreplaceable and yet can be represented by colleagues if necessary. In our company the tasks are varied, as different areas are covered by one person. This sometimes requires a willingness to get familiar with new topics, but is rewarded by a more varied working day and the opportunity to follow personal inclinations and strengths. As a result, employees feel less interchangeable, staff turnover remains rather low and satisfaction rather high. This makes it possible for customers to have a regular contact person who already knows them and understands their needs faster. Thanks to transparent structures, uncomplicated communication protocols and constantly updated documentation, the replacement of a colleague in case of illness or vacation is easily possible. In these cases, however, we can experience directly how valuable the work of the absent colleague is!
In this respect, we like to build up a good and personal relationship with our freelancers, which enables us to get to know them better and better and to deploy them in a more targeted way. Each order is discussed and assigned individually. We do not send out blind group requests, where only a number of words and a deadline are involved, but we like to work regularly with translators who have the same high standards as we do and whose self-assessment we can trust. These regular translators are more closely integrated into the company and are regarded by us almost as team members. In this way, the tasks are optimally distributed, so that we can adapt to any order situation flexibly and with a sensible deployment.
Cover photo by pexels on pixabay
Sections