Building reliable collaboration with translation providers requires time, clear communication and a shared understanding of objectives and processes. For companies with recurring translation requirements, long-term partnerships are a better option than constantly changing providers, as continuity creates better quality and efficiency over time.
Creating a shared understanding
Begin by clearly communicating your company’s needs, expectations and quality requirements. Share the company’s term bases, style guides and previous translations, so that the new translation provider understands the desired terminology and tone. Explain business context and target audiences, so the translator can optimally adapt the communication. Discuss timeframes and processes to ensure realistic expectations.
Invest time in the setup process
Encourage your language consultancy to invest time in the setup process with translation memories, term bases and processes specifically tailored to your company. This requires an initial investment but creates long-term efficiency and quality. A dedicated project manager who understands your company’s needs and working methods ensures smoother collaboration. Establish clear communication channels and contact persons on both sides.
Provide feedback and work to develop the partnership
Provide constructive feedback on translations, so that your language consultancy can improve and adapt to your company’s preferences. Discuss what worked well and what could be improved. Over time, this builds a shared understanding and ensures better quality. Regular check-ins ensure that the partnership develops positively. Long-term partnerships with the same supplier create a deeper understanding and better results than changing suppliers every year. Fluid Translation is a language consultancy with 20 years’ experience that builds long-term partnerships and offers dedicated project managers for each client. We invest in client-specific translation memories and term bases, offer anICR (In Country Review) platform for seamless feedback and validation and systematic follow-ups for continuous improvement. Read about some of our many projects over the past year under client cases.