Month: March 2023

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How to Set Fair and Effective Rates for Your Services

A Guide to Pricing Your Skills and Expertise

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Setting rates for your services can be a daunting task, but it’s a crucial part of running a successful business. Whether you’re a freelancer or a consultant, your pricing strategy can significantly impact your career.

 Introduction

Determining the right rates for your services is not just about numbers; it’s about understanding your value, the market, and your financial goals. Many freelancers and consultants struggle with this aspect, often underpricing their services and undervaluing their expertise. Let’s dive into some practical tips to help you set your rates confidently.

 Tips to Determine Your Rates

  1. Determine Your Desired Annual Income: Start by considering your desired annual income, which should reflect your personal financial goals and expenses. This is the foundation of your pricing strategy.
  1. Calculate Your Hourly Rate: Divide your desired annual income by the number of billable hours you plan to work in a year. Billable hours are the hours spent working directly on projects for clients, excluding administrative or nonbillable time. For example, if your desired annual income is $100,000 and you plan to work 1,500 billable hours in a year, your hourly rate would be approximately $66.67. This calculation ensures you charge enough to meet your financial goals and cover your expenses while remaining competitive within your industry.
  1. Consider Your Expertise: If you have a specific skill set or area of expertise, you can charge more for your services. Clients are often willing to pay a premium for specialized knowledge. For instance, a graphic designer with extensive experience in branding can command higher rates than a generalist designer.
  1. Research Your Competition: Look at what other professionals in your field are charging for similar services. This will give you an idea of the market rate and help you stay competitive. Websites like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and industry specific forums can be valuable resources for this research.
  1. Account for Expenses: Don’t forget to factor in your expenses when setting your rates. This includes overhead costs like office space, equipment, and software. For example, if you spend $10,000 annually on business expenses, you need to ensure your rates cover these costs.
  1. Be Flexible: Your rates should be flexible depending on the project scope, the client’s budget, and the level of effort required. Consider offering discounts for long-term projects or bulk work. Flexibility can help you attract a wider range of clients and secure more consistent work.
  1. Be Transparent: Make sure your clients understand your pricing structure upfront. Be transparent about your rates, what’s included, and what’s not. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and build trust with your clients.

 Conclusion

Remember, setting rates is not a onetime task. You may need to adjust your rates as your experience and expertise grow or as the market changes. Don’t be afraid to reevaluate your pricing strategy regularly to ensure you’re maximizing your earning potential. By following these tips, you can set rates that reflect your value and support your business goals.

About us

We provide an electronic, cloud-based coordination platform for Urgent Language Services.

Our mission

We bridge cultures  by providing a communication that goes beyond language barriers.

Our offerings

  • Interpretation and translation
  • Coordination of language services
  • Support to language learners
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Key Strategies for Crafting an Effective Language Access Plan

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Key Strategies for Crafting an Effective Language Access Plan

Access to language support services translates into satisfied customers all over the worldThe need for interpreter services has experienced exponential growth in the last 20 years but, we have yet to see a corresponding increase in available services. In this first installment of a series, we will discuss why it is invaluable to have a language access plan and how to start developing one.

Introduction 

Every year, the US welcomes 75 million visitors (4), nearly 50% of which are from countries where English is not the official language (2). In addition, 24% of the US population experiences some degree of difficulty communicating effectively in English. We can only expect this number to increase since it has been the trend for the last 20 years (1). This introductory part of a series will discuss how to identify language needs, select the type of services to provide, and the legal obligations business have as outlined by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (3).

Language Access Plan: Needs Assessment

 Identify your target population

Keeping current and correct demographic information of each customer that will receive language services is essential. The first evaluation of a client will be important to determine whether the customer will need language services in the future, the type, and the extent. For instance, asking about the language spoken at home and recording language, age group, and literacy level will be helpful to determine the extent of these services. Electronic Medical Records Systems are useful to keep track of and analyze information for this purpose. Training your front desk staff on how to better collect and record this information will improve its quality of it.

Assess the needs of your target population

When developing your language services plan, it’s important to identify the specific points of contact where language support will be necessary. This includes determining the level of interaction that will take place between your customers and staff. For instance, your clinic’s front desk may require telephonic interpretation, while a physician delivering sensitive information may need an in-person interpreter.
It’s important to understand the preferences of your clients in terms of the goods or services. By identifying the products that your target population is consuming, you can focus your efforts on providing related services. This can help you better meet the needs of your clients and improve your overall business strategy. Do your customers prefer to shop online or to have a face-to-face interaction?

Set objectives

Your goals will determine the type of language access you will need. Do you want to get compliance, sell a product, or offer a service?

Determine the method of delivery of services

 Consider factors such as the specific type of services, geographic location, the stage of the business process where these services will be required, and the anticipated duration. For instance, if a clinic’s front desk serves as the primary point of contact, telephonic interpretation might be the most suitable choice. Understanding your customers’ needs empowers you to make informed decisions about the services you will provide, ensuring a tailored approach that meets their requirements effectively.

Establish a timeline

Establishing a timeline for implementing interpretation and/or translation services involves assessing specific needs and making informed decisions based on the collected information. Determine when to initiate the process, the types of services to offer, and the appropriate timing based on the identified requirements. By carefully considering these factors, you can ensure a strategic and timely implementation that aligns with the unique needs of your organization or project.

Document trends

  Keep track of the utilization of services. Some industries see an increase in the demand for language access on a seasonal or monthly basis. For example, schools have an increased need for interpreters at the end and the beginning of the school year.

Assess the quality of the services. Customer satisfaction surveys are crucial to ensuring the appropriate use of resources.

Plan for the unexpected

It is always a good idea to have an emergency plan of action that will allow you to solve last-minute needs for interpreters.

Ensure compliance

  It is important to know the laws and regulations of your industry regarding language access, the level of compliance required will depend on the government-sponsored services you provide. For instance,  Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (3) regulates many aspects of healthcare since this industry provides services through Medicaid and Medicare.

Conclusion

Setting up a language access plan early in the life of your business will open your doors to a sizable market of potential customers and commercial partners. Most importantly, will also save you time and legal troubles, allowing you to gain traction in the community and to improve customer loyalty. However, not every service has to be in place all the time, but it is best to be prepared with a list of resources when the time comes.
Once you have identified your language access needs, select an interpretation company to help you prioritize your needs and set up a budget.

Planning ahead for language access services whenever possible will save time and money and help to set up a more efficient work schedule.

The use of technology-enabled language access for tasks that can be automated without compromising the customer’s experience or safety will be discussed in our following article.

Resources

      1. Bureau, U. S. C. (2015, November 3). Census Bureau Reports at Least 350 Languages Spoken in U.S. Homes. The United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-185.html. 
      2. International Trade Administration Industry and Analysis National Travel and Tourism Office. (2021, April). FAST FACTS: UNITED STATES TRAVEL ANDTOURISM INDUSTRY—2020. https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2021-05/Fast%20Facts%202020%20%28April%202021%29.pdf. 
      3. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights. (2012, September 25). KNOW THE RIGHTS THAT PROTECT US FROM DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RACE, COLOR OR NATIONAL ORIGIN. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr/civilrights/resources/factsheets/yourrightsundertitleviofthecivilrightsact.pdf. 
      4. Published by S. Lock, & 16, M. (2021, March 16). International visitors to the U.S. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/214686/number-of-international-visitors-to-the-us/. 
      5. Bureau, U. S. C. (2020, December 15). Language Use. The United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/topics/population/language-use.html. 
      6. 81. (n.d.). National Travel and Tourism Office. International Trade Administration | Trade.gov. https://www.trade.gov/national-travel-and-tourism-office. 
      7. CMS Office of Minority Health. (2018, February 19). Guide to Developing a Language Access Plan. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. ttps://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/OMH/Downloads/Language-Access-Plan-508.pdf. .
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Safeguarding Interpreters: strategies for preventing Hearing loss

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Safeguarding Interpreters: Strategies for Preventing Hearing Loss

Remote interpreters are at high risk of hearing loss and sound blast injuries due to the nature of their work.  Interpreters have to be the ones to implement the necessary measures to protect themselves. In this article, we will learn how to prevent hearing loss by identifying risk factors.

How does occupational hearing loss happen? 

We are going to discuss how Acoustic Shock can lead to permanent hearing loss and deafness, and although, the symptoms and presentation of simple occupational hearing loss are different, both can be incapacitating and lead to permanent loss of hearing. Above all, it is important to know that both injuries can be prevented by taking steps to avoid harmful exposure to noise.

Progressive hearing loss

Hearing loss can be caused by working in a noisy environment or being subject to noise higher than 85 dB for at least 30 days. Certainly, the symptoms are subtle and easy to be unaware of until the hearing loss is pronounced enough for you or others to notice. However, being aware of what are the symptoms that may alert you, will stop further injury. For example,  muffled or distorted sounds, and difficulty understanding speech.

Acoustic shock

On the other hand, when acoustic shock happens, it is hard to ignore. The symptoms follow an extremely loud burst of sound, as a result, rupture of the eardrum and damage to the bones in the middle ear can happen. As a result,  immediate and permanent hearing loss can occur. Accompanying symptoms include headache, dizziness, and tinnitus.

Impulse or continuous loud noise

Sometimes, exposure to impulse or continuous loud noise causes temporary hearing loss that disappears 16 to 48 hrs. later. However, although the loss of hearing seems to disappear, there may be residual long-term damage to your hearing.

What is the mechanism of the injury?

When exposed to an intense sound wave,  the inner ear becomes starved for oxygen, leading to damage. When the loudness of a sound exceeds 165 dB, the pressure wave may also rupture the tympanic membrane. Most importantly, the extent of the injury depends on the distance from the source of the sound and the length of exposure.

 What are the symptoms?

Otoscopies can detect inner ear injury, in addition,  hearing impairment, and humming or ringing noises are symptoms that can alert you of the presence of hearing injury. However, if the tympanic membrane is intact, the otoscopy finding will usually be normal. In addition,  an audiogram will show changes consistent with inner ear damage in the 3–6 kHz frequency range.

Is there a treatment?

There are many different treatments are listed in the literature, however, there is very little reliable evidence on the effectiveness of medication to improve inner ear damage.

What is the prognosis?

There may be residual long-term damage to the hearing in some people who experience loud noises. Hearing loss can last for up to 48 hours after exposure to loud noise, according to the American Academy of Osteopathic Practitioners.

How can I prevent occupational hearing loss?

Above all, wearing ear earplugs or other protective devices when involved in a loud activity will protect your hearing. Follow the 80-90 rule: If you listen at 80 percent of the maximum volume, do so for no more than 90 minutes per day. Always use noise-canceling headphones in noisy environments. Having to raise your voice to overcome the environmental noise is a good indicator that you could be stressing your ears.

In conclusion, the longer you listen to loud sounds, the higher your chance of damaging your ears. Some newer models of headsets have built-in features that track how long and how loud you’ve been listening and adjust the volume when necessary. If none of the above recommendations is an option for you, something as simple as taking breaks from your headphones can help prevent hearing loss.

Download the 6 tips to prevent hearing loss infographic

To find more information about occupational hearing loss:

Westcott M. Acoustic shock injury (ASI) Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 2006;126:54-8. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] [Ref list]

Trompette N, Chatillon J. Survey of noise exposure and background noise in call centers using headphones. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2012;9:381–6. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] [Ref list]

Beyan, A. C., Demiral, Y., Cimrin, A. H., & Ergor, A. (2016, March). Call centers and noise-induced hearing loss. Noise & health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4918683/.

Duodecim Medical Publications Limited. (2020). Acute acoustic trauma: Evidence-Based Medicine Guidelines. Evidence Central. https://evidence.unboundmedicine.com/evidence/view/EBMG/457351/all/Acute_acoustic_trauma.

Esquivel, C. R., Parker, M., Curtis, K., Merkley, A., Littlefield, P., Conley, G., & Wise, S. (2018, September 5). Aural Blast Injury/Acoustic Trauma and Hearing Loss. OUP Academic. https://academic.oup.com/milmed/article/183/suppl_2/78/5091158#126603014.

Parker, A. J. (2020, February 27). Acoustic shock: definitions and clinical aspects. ENT & Audiology News. https://www.entandaudiologynews.com/features/ent-features/post/acoustic-shock-definitions-and-clinical-aspects.

Tikka, C., Verbeek, J. H., & Kateman, E. (2016, October 3). Interventions to prevent occupational noise‐induced hearing loss Edited (no change to conclusions): Cochrane Abstracts. Interventions to prevent occupational noise‐induced hearing loss Edited (no change to conclusions) | Cochrane Abstracts. https://evidence.unboundmedicine.com/evidence/view/Cochrane/431738/all/Interventions_to_prevent_occupational_noise%e2%80%90induced_hearing_loss_Edited__no_change_to_conclusions_.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020, December 14). Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss