Successful communication at every level

The challenge 

Our client, a multinational industrial company, asked us to translate a personal message regarding key changes at management level. The key focus of this multilingual translation project was to address staff at the various sites in such a way that they felt noticed, spoken to personally, and integrated into the changed processes at the company. 

It was vital not only to take the cultural differences across the sites into account, but also to ensure that the communication was specific to each region and tailored to the relevant groups. 

Approach and process 

Phase 1: Preparation and coordination of target languages 

Once the client had submitted the order digitally via our portal, Frauke Kölling, Senior Project Manager at fine Expression, contacted the client’s department for internal communication to discuss the specific target languages for each country – Catalan and Spanish as well as Flemish for the Belgian sites – and clarify further details on the timeline, particular style specifications, and any adjustments to the project due to recent changes. 

Phase 2: Translation and proofreading 

The project is started! To make sure that all the translations were both in line with the customer’s specified terminology and embedded in the regional, cultural and linguistic context, the translation workflow began with a digital kick-off meeting. These meetings give our experienced language teams a chance to gain all the information from the project manager and ask any questions they might have. 

In this translation, there was a particular focus on the linguistic nuances of the message: It was important that staff felt personally addressed and motivated. Direct contact with the various teams at the client’s site allowed any questions to be resolved quickly and efficiently, in both directions. 

Phase 3: Finalisation and close coordination 

Once the translations were completed, the client’s teams at each site undertook a final check of the target texts. This is the point at which any final adjustments can be made in consultation with fine Expression’s translators – ensuring that every message meets the specific requirements of the different cultures. 

Particular challenges in the project 

Unexpected internal changes on the customer’s side meant that the timeline had to be moved forward a few days. An additional language was also needed at short notice – fine Expression had to move fast to put together the right language team. Thanks to direct communication and highly flexible language teams, Frauke Kölling was able to implement the changed requirements quickly and efficiently. 

Result

The customer was delighted with the results. The culturally adjusted language and the precise, personal message appealed to the staff directly, making them feel integral to the change process.

The crucial success factor in this project was the precise coordination between the client and fine Expression regarding the requirements of the various target cultures and groups. This highly successful project was made possible by the vast experience of Senior Project Manager Frauke Kölling in managing multilingual translation projects, combined with our access to teams of expert native speakers, relevant databases for client-specific terminology, and our flexible approach. 

Summary

This success story shows how crucial long-term partnerships and close collaboration are in the translation industry. In a globalized world, targeted, culturally appropriate translations are vital in communicating pitch-perfect messages that achieve the desired effect. The success of this project all comes down to our high quality standards, structured approach, flexible processes, and open channels of communication – all factors that will continue to form a strong foundation for successful collaboration between us and our partners.