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Imagine that you’ve been given the task of having your company’s brochure translated into French, Italian, and German for an upcoming trade show in Europe. Or your plant manager is screaming to have the installation manual for a Japanese-made turbine translated into English. Better yet, your HR director must have the employee benefits video produced in Spanish. Well, if you’ve never taken on a project like this, you may not know where to begin, much less how to tackle the whole job!

After flipping through the Yellow Pages and rummaging around in your coworkers’ files you find yourself with the names of five translations companies. So you decide to send them the material to be translated for quotations. A few days later you receive the estimates along with some promotional material. Now what?

Before making any type of decision, there are several factors to consider. Here are a few questions that will get you on the road to success:

• Is it a full-service translation company?
  Can they handle graphic production? Multiple languages? Will they handle the entire project - from start to finish? A full-service translation company will be able to turnkey the entire project, making your job a lot easier and your boss a lot happier!
• What do you know about their reputation?
  How do they handle deadlines? Do they provide accurate bids and stick by them? And how quickly do they respond to your needs? A good and simple way to check their track record is by asking for references. A reputable firm will provide references without any questions!
• How about the quality of their work?
  Do they provide samples? Is there a quality control process in place? How many rounds of edits and verifications does the material go through before being released? Is the material proofread after typesetting? If they’re apprehensive about providing samples or references, beware!
• What about the translators they use?
  Find out about their selection process. Do they insist on using native-language translators? Are the translators tested and evaluated? Are the translators accredited or certified? Are they specialized in the area you’re looking for? You’re in for a surprise if you don’t find out now. Be skeptical of companies that handle ALL subjects in ALL languages!

Choosing the right translation company can be an arduous and frustrating experience. But by asking these simple questions you can make your selection process easier and find a company that will help you achieve your ultimate goal: Effective communication in the language your customers speak!