What do you do if you need to delegate translation tasks to external vendors?

Delegating translation tasks to external vendors can be a smart way to save time, money, and resources, especially if you have a large or complex project that requires specialized skills or expertise. However, outsourcing translation also comes with some challenges and risks, such as quality control, confidentiality, communication, and deadlines. How can you ensure that you delegate translation tasks effectively and efficiently, without compromising your standards or expectations? Here are some tips to help you manage your external translation vendors and achieve the best results.

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1 Choose the right vendor

The first step to delegating translation tasks is to find a reliable and reputable vendor that can meet your needs and requirements. You should do some research and compare different options based on their experience, qualifications, portfolio, reviews, rates, and availability. You should also check their references and credentials, and ask for samples of their previous work. Ideally, you want a vendor that has expertise in your industry, domain, and target language, and that can deliver high-quality translations that are accurate, consistent, and culturally appropriate.

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2 Define the scope and specifications

The second step to delegating translation tasks is to clearly define the scope and specifications of your project, and communicate them to your vendor. You should provide them with all the relevant information and materials, such as the source text, the target language, the purpose, the audience, the format, the style, the tone, the terminology, and the glossary. You should also specify the expected deliverables, the quality standards, the feedback process, the payment terms, and the deadlines. You should make sure that you and your vendor agree on the scope and specifications, and that you have a written contract or agreement that covers all the details.

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3 Monitor and evaluate the progress

The third step to delegating translation tasks is to monitor and evaluate the progress of your vendor, and provide them with regular feedback and support. You should establish a communication channel and a reporting system that allow you to track the status of your project, and to address any issues or questions that may arise. You should also review the translations that your vendor delivers, and check them for accuracy, consistency, quality, and compliance. You should give constructive feedback and suggestions to your vendor, and acknowledge their achievements and efforts.

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Leire Berasaluze Amuategi

💬 Cuento la historia de tu marca en el idioma de tu cliente. Brand storytelling. Marketing de contenidos - Transcreación
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Yo siempre trabajo con personas de confianza. Llevo años con los mismos colaboradores. Puedo confiar en su trabajo y, además el trato es más cercano. Trabajamos en sinergia. Y eso aumenta la calidad del servicio.

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4 Manage the risks and challenges

The fourth step to delegating translation tasks is to manage the risks and challenges that may occur when outsourcing translation. Some of the common risks and challenges include misunderstandings, errors, delays, disputes, or breaches of confidentiality. You should be prepared to deal with these situations, and have a contingency plan in case something goes wrong. You should also maintain a good relationship with your vendor, and resolve any conflicts or problems in a respectful and professional manner. You should also protect your intellectual property and data, and ensure that your vendor follows the ethical and legal standards of translation.

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Pedro Vergara Meersohn
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The major risks with translations are costs, time, compatibility and quality and you need a plan to manage all these risks. You can test, evaluate, monitor, specify the project, send references, but you do not eliminate possible surprises 100%. Partial delivering is an option, checking on the level of completion and progress is another, knowing your vendors and keeping a track of how they perform helps. The opposite of risk is reliability so the real question is how do you evaluate, measure and increase reliability in your vendor-relationship. This dimension distinguishes losers from winners in our market. A cultural challenge that you have to face to survive, grow and consolidate.

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5 Learn and improve

The fifth step to delegating translation tasks is to learn and improve from your experience, and use it to optimize your future projects. You should evaluate the outcomes and results of your project, and measure them against your goals and expectations. You should also solicit feedback from your vendor, your clients, your colleagues, and your target audience, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your project. You should also document and analyze the lessons learned, the best practices, and the areas of improvement, and use them to enhance your translation skills, processes, and strategies.

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6 Delegate with confidence

Delegating translation tasks to external vendors can be a rewarding and beneficial experience, if you do it right. By following these tips, you can delegate with confidence, and ensure that you get the most out of your translation project. You can also build a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership with your vendor, and leverage their skills and expertise to achieve your translation goals.

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Issa A Cissé

GIS Engineer, FTTH specialist, FreeLance GIS consultant, Eng/Fr part-time specialist, Managing director at Foulanzam Apps
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If you're a professional, then you surely know a couple of people you can trust with translation tasks, keep warm connexion with these people, so that when the need avails, you'll be able to get in touch with them and confidently delegate tasks.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if you need to delegate translation tasks to external vendors?

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1 Choose the right vendor

2 Define the scope and specifications

3 Monitor and evaluate the progress

4 Manage the risks and challenges

5 Learn and improve

6 Delegate with confidence

7 Here’s what else to consider

Translation

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