What Should My Organization Know Before Using Translation Services?

Language translation services can enable you to connect with a global audience through the assistance of professional language experts.

Therefore, if you are looking to expand into the global market, you know that translation services are an essential component of doing so effectively.

However, you will need to get the appropriate translation service before you create any content such as your website, marketing material, product information, or anything else translated.

To do so, you will need to create a request for a proposal document (RFP) document focused on the translation service you’re targeting.

Here’s a list of some fundamental factors you should know before your organization uses translation services.

1. Never go generic

Your translation services RFP document needs careful consideration.

The first piece of advice for creating an RFP is to avoid opting for a generic request for proposal document ideas from the web or asking your colleagues for some random, haphazard ideas to create one.

Often, despite having the correct or the best possible idea, your RFP might not be appropriate.

Your translation services RFP is a tool to help you evaluate vendor options. Therefore, ensure that it can effectively get the necessary information needed to make a clear decision.

2. Know why you are doing it

Once you’ve decided to develop a translation services RFP to target a translation service provider, you need to have a feasible purpose for doing so. 

It could be because you aren’t fully satisfied with your present provider or because you require another service provider to supplement your current translation workload.

You might also need another service provider because you need to broaden the language options.

Identifying your driving force will help you create a translation services RFP focused on the essential needs of your business. Knowing your driving force can also help you develop a more efficient timeline for your RFP.

In certain situations, e.g., while venturing into foreign markets, you’ll need a faster RFP turnaround compared to when you’re just exploring other translation options without a deadline.

See Also: In-depth Guide to Evaluate Translation Quality

3. Establish the scale of your enterprise

Determine a clear scope of your translation programs while creating your professional translation services RFP. Include every detail, such as the total of words you need to be translated, your source and target languages, your budget, and more.

However, don’t worry if you have not decided on these factors as of now. Research your old translation projects to get a fair estimate of these factors.

After you have established the scope of your venture, you’ll be able to understand the scope of your translation program’s requirements.

This might help you find ways to minimize your expenses in your language services RFP, for example, translation memory use and volume discounts.

4. Identify your key stakeholders

While creating your translation services, RFP, businesses often prefer to opt for a vendor that they can efficiently leverage across numerous departments.

However, if you cannot understand the translation requirements and effort of each of your departments, you will most likely be unable to find the best and most effective solution from your translation services RFP.

Therefore, before you create your RFP, determine the exact people and departments to be involved in your company’s translation programs. After that, determine how a vendor can best serve them.

Considering the opinions and needs of your key stakeholders before creating the RFP will ensure it is created to target a vendor that fits completely into your organization’s workflow requirements.

See Also: 10 Industries That Can Benefit From Translation Services

5. Plan to get the correct vendors on board

Hundreds of language translation service providers are available in the market. However, not all of them can match your service criteria, business requirements, or budget.

Therefore, you don’t have to create an RFP targeting each one of them. Instead, you need to determine the type of translation services you need and are therefore targeting with your RFP.

Determine your exact requirements from your translation services provider before targeting a vendor suitable for your business.

For example, if your RFP needs to focus on business translation providers with a specific set of key language pairs, it can help to narrow your list significantly. If you want a vendor offering a translation management system, your RFP should only target those.

The factors mentioned above can help you in your search for a professional translation service provider.

They can also help you determine other essential aspects of the translation process, including your budget, key stakeholders, etc., ensuring that the entire process can be completed far more efficiently than usual.

Are you looking for business translation services? GMR Transcription Services, Inc. is among the leading professional transcription and translation services providers in the United States.

Our team can translate almost any language, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, and more, at affordable prices and within quick turnaround times. Contact us for more details.