Language Access Decisions for Your Organization

Making major decisions is always tough. Sometimes even just deciding what to wear is an issue. But when it comes to deciding on the best Language Services Provider to help your organization effectively communicate with the Limited English Proficient and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, the task can be daunting. The investment you make in language services is an important decision because it has impact on your business. Speaking your customer’s language can improve staff productivity, boost customer satisfaction, allow you to comply with laws and regulation, and maximize revenue. Where do you start? Is the best place really the internet? You can find a plethora of information, but is it enough to make a well-informed choice? If you need to make an educated assessment of the very best partner that affects you, your staff, the organization, and those you serve, you require some keen insight into all the competition.

But, if it’s only price that determines the result, that’s easy. Pick the lowest and you’re done. Few decisions are made that way. Many take ample time and research.

To help make the right evaluation, the Complete Guide to Selecting Your Language Services Provider, Part One: On-Demand Phone and Video Interpreting, can be a lifesaver. The four section guide leads you though the decision-making process step-by-step, providing a framework for establishing relevant criteria, the questions to ask, why you should ask them, and what information should be expected from each question. And, ask for evidence when companies make claims to ensure your decision criteria can be met and you can achieve your business goals. It’s always a good business to trust, but verify. Use as much or as little of the content as you need, the guide is all-inclusive and ready to be your willing assistant.

1. Section One: Criteria to Evaluate the Reliability and Stability of the Provider
2. Section Two: Criteria to Evaluate the Quality of the On-Demand Interpreting Services
3. Section Three: Criteria to Evaluate the Support Provided by the Provider
4. Section Four: Criteria to Evaluate the Technical Innovation of the Provider

Included in each section are topics with a series of pertinent questions. For instance, in Section Two, the topic “Interpreter Recruiting” includes questions regarding language proficiency testing, background tests and drug screening of candidates before hire. The answers to these questions ensure that you will be working with a professional, well-qualified interpreter. But if you don’t ask, you really don’t know who you will be depending on to facilitate your interpretation sessions.

Other questions ensure you will be able to comply with regulations and laws, protect the security of information, and understand how you will be connected to an interpreter and the speed to that interpreter.

Armed with the right questions and helpful information you are ready to get started on your search. Then using the same query for each of the providers you are considering, you can compare apples to apples to make your choice easier based on facts. And don’t forget to ask for evidence. Making sure they can prove what they say is the best defense against false claims that can make your right decision quickly become the wrong decision.

By the way, tossing a coin sometimes works, but I wouldn’t bet my life or my company’s pocketbook on it.

Download the complimentary Complete Guide to Selecting Your Language Services Provider: Part One and be ready to choose the best language access partner for your organization. Comply with regulations, deliver outstanding customer care, and improve your image in the community. You will end up a winner all the way around.