Monthly Archives: January 2015

The hidden benefits of localisation

The Hidden and Not-So-Hidden Benefits of Localisation

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been drumming home just how important a localisation strategy is to your international success. We’re bound to say that, right? Well maybe; but there is an increasing acceptance that in order to succeed abroad, UK businesses must localise their products and their accompanying literature. Why? Because business owners and decision makers are beginning to see both the hidden, and the not-so-hidden benefits a localisation strategy can bring.

1. Competitive edge

If you’re competing against domestic suppliers native to the market you’re moving into, or competing against overseas market entrants that have localised their products and services, you have no choice but to localise. It’s as simple as that. Imagine yourself as a customer looking for a product online. There are four websites in your native language, and one written entirely in Spanish. Which will you disregard first? I think it’s pretty obvious.

As a nation of fairly lazy linguists, it’s all too easy to think of English as the language of business; it’s not. The language of business is always the customers’ language, whatever that may be. If your competitors have taken the lazy option, then localising your literature and product specific information will present you with a distinct competitive advantage.

2. Visible commitment to your customers

Taking the time to localise your literature is not only a commitment to your international customer base, it’s also a commitment to your workforce. Leading by example in this way will illustrate to employees at every level of the company just how important your overseas customers are. Of course, native language products and services should be accompanied by a native language customer service provision, so that’s something you should consider too.

3. A local and international brand

Whilst a localised website will help your business become a brand in your newly created market pockets, your overarching and original offering will be working away in the background to service all of your English speaking customers, clients and prospects. During the localisation process, your business can alter your marketing messages to make them more appropriate to particular markets, allowing you strike the right chord with every customer, wherever they are.

4. Unparalleled market penetration

If you’re already selling abroad and your sales have plateaued, localisation is one way to increase your market penetration without forking out for an expensive and potentially fruitless marketing campaign. The simple act of translating your website into the native language will help you attract internet search traffic for all those foreign language keywords you were previously missing out on. Not only will this approach improve your customers’ understanding of your products, it is also an extremely cost effective method of reaching hundreds of thousands of potential new customers.

5. Reduced liability and copyright infringement

The translation and localisation of the associated legal gubbins that go hand-in-hand with the sale of your products and services, such as contracts, product use and end-user agreements, will help to minimise conflict that may result from the language barrier. This can provide your business with more comprehensive legal protection. Consumers must obey copyright documentation written in their native language, providing your business with additional recourse in case of any corporate sneakiness!

So there you have it, the hidden and not-so-hidden benefits of localisation. Only now, those benefits aren’t hidden anymore; we’ve just lifted the lid! So, if you’re looking for a high quality localisation service that can be your company’s voice abroad, get in touch today! Call +44 2392 987 765 or email: info@linguistica-international.com.

Telephone interpreters

Effective Global Communication is just a Phone Call Away

The role of telephone interpretation has changed beyond recognition in the last couple of decades. What started as a tool to help Australian immigrants with limited English proficiency access the emergency services, now allows us to communicate seamlessly with people overseas.

The internet has added to this global reach by making it possible to access websites from all over the world. This presents a huge opportunity for businesses of every shape and size.

However, a problem still persists. The language barrier for many companies is the one obstacle that can slow their success overseas. Even small businesses can now enter foreign markets without the need for an established and expensive physical presence, but direct communication with international customers, clients and partners remains an unavoidable part of expansion.

Thankfully, rather than battling against the prohibitive price of foreign travel, Linguistica’s telephone interpreting services now allow businesses to communicate with foreign prospects at a tiny fraction of the cost.

How does our telephone interpreting service work?

Telephone interpreting services allow you to communicate with individuals who do not share a common language via an interpreter on a three-way phone line. The vast majority of telephone interpreting takes place consecutively. That is, you speak, then pause to wait for the interpreter to summarise or repeat verbatim what you have said in the third party’s language. The interpreter then repeats their reply to you in English.

The main advantage of our telephone interpreting service is that no specialist equipment is required. All you need is a telephone and an account number which we will provide you with.

What about the price?

Due to the varying time zones at play, a telephone interpreting provider should be there to support you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Linguistica does just that.

You never know when you’ll need to pick up the phone and speak to a distributor, supplier or prospect overseas, so it’s important you only pay for the talk time you need. We charge just £1.85 + VAT per minute, which is billed by the second.

There should also be no minimum spend, so you can use our telephone interpreters as much or as little as you need.

How can you determine the quality of a telephone interpreting service?

Whether it’s in person, by email, or over the phone, communication within an international business or with customers and clients overseas should be efficient, fluid and effective. Misunderstandings can be expensive and damaging to productive business relationships, which is why a trial and error method of determining the quality of an interpreting service is a risky approach to take.

Telephone interpreting is a very specific skill, so working with specialist telephone interpreters, rather than linguists who work across a spectrum of services, is always a good start.

Telephone interpreters require specialist training and qualifications. Achieving the highest standard of qualification relies on impeccable comprehension, first class language abilities, comprehensive knowledge of industry specific terminology and excellent customer service skills.

Telephone interpreters also require the technological prowess to deal with unavoidable issues which can hamper communication. Poor sound quality, interference on the line or distracting noises will reduce the clarity of your message. Only when a telephone interpretation service offers this level of expertise can you be sure your voice is heard.

We’re ready to take your call…

Seamless global communication is just a phone call away. At Linguistica International, we help hundreds of organisations connect instantly with customers and clients overseas. Please call +44 2392 987 765 or email: info@linguistica-international.com to see how we can help you.