Far too often businesses stick with a disappointing language service provider (LSP) because they assume breaking ties will only create more trouble. In some cases, bad experiences with multiple LSPs lead some to assume they can’t get better service through a different translation service provider.
In other cases, businesses are concerned that the equity they’ve built up with their current LSP—in the form of translation memory and a translation glossary—will be lost if they leave that vendor relationship. This is a common misconception. In practice, your business owns the translation memory and translation glossary. When you decide to move to a different LSP, you’re entitled to take these assets with you.
If you’re unhappy with your current LSP, you don’t have to settle for disappointing service. Here are some common signs it may be time to find a new translation company.
If translation project delivery is consistently late
Translation projects are often part of a larger project workflow your business is managing. Late delivery of translation projects can disrupt these workflows, creating bottlenecks that disrupt the project’s overall delivery.
Most businesses need an LSP that can flexibly meet their needs—including timelines. If you’re experiencing delays in project delivery, consistent failures to meet expected turnaround times, or even late delivery of project quotes, it might be time to find an LSP that can offer consistent service and meet your timeline demands.
If project quality is below expectations
Quality issues can encompass a wide range of problems with your translation projects. But whether the issues relate to translation errors and inconsistencies, clunky machine translations, poor localization, a lack of subject matter expertise, or a combination of these factors, the result is the same: poor quality creates more costs for your business and jeopardizes your reputation among your customer and client base.
Quality issues often lead to additional rounds of revision, which can add costs to a quoted project and delay delivery of translated assets. When errors and other quality concerns make it through the QA process, it can cause lasting brand damage for your business, lower B2C conversion, reduce B2B collateral’s persuasiveness, and even create liability concerns in fields such as the healthcare and legal industries.
Your business shouldn’t have to compromise on quality. If you aren’t getting the standard of service you expect from your translation service provider, it’s time to explore other options.
If your LSP can’t adapt to your needs
Your business shouldn’t have to structure its operations around your LSP’s translation process. Your LSP should be able to build its services around your business’ unique workflows.
If your service provider can’t accommodate your needs—from accelerated project timelines to working with complex design files—find an LSP that can build and implement custom solutions to your business challenges.
When comparing options for a new LSP, make sure your service agreement clearly defines ownership of your translation memory and translation glossary. These resources are meant to be portable, allowing for consistency should you need to switch or expand your provider network.
Your business should also look for a new translation service provider that leans on innovative technologies and workflow solutions to support quick project turnaround and drive quality assurance. Contact us today to learn more about our processes, and how we use in-house-built technology to improve the client experience.
