Category Archives: The Multi-factor auction

Collusion and betrayal in the translation industry—which do you choose?

Posted on August 19, 2013 by

Are translation industry players locked into a self-defeating paradigm where they end up taking actions which are against their own best economic interests? In this post, I look at the translation industry in terms of a prisoner’s dilemma—the canonical example … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting paid, OpenBorder, The Multi-factor auction, Translation Industry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

“Liar, liar! Pants on fire!” Who can afford to tell the truth about translation quality… and who can’t?

Posted on January 27, 2013 by

When everyone else is shouting that they deliver “quality”, is there some trick translators can use to get paid more for doing a better job? Is there some realistic way for customers to figure out if you are telling the … Continue reading →

Posted in OpenBorder, The Multi-factor auction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Is “quality” dead? Or can translators twist it creatively to find better paying customers?

Posted on August 23, 2011 by

You’d be hard pressed to find a translation provider who didn’t shout from the rooftops that they produce translations to the highest possible level of quality. How about “We guarantee to deliver your work to a quality standard third from … Continue reading →

Posted in OpenBorder, The Multi-factor auction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

“Trade Me” exec joins ambitious language services internet start-up

Posted on July 27, 2011 by

The following is the text of a 27 July Media Release (New Zealand): Key Trade Me executive Alan Howard has joined a new internet business that aims to revolutionise the US$31-billion global trade in language services. Howard, Head of Development … Continue reading →

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Would the translation buyer be willing to pay more if you offered to commit harakiri?

Posted on March 14, 2011 by

Not many seem to have tried the idea. So… possibly not. But agreed financial penalties for poor performance (such as money back guarantees) have long been part of the stock-in-trade of modern commerce – although perhaps not common in the language services business. Financial … Continue reading →

Posted in The Multi-factor auction | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

An auction for translation services? You must be joking!

Posted on March 7, 2011 by

Would language service providers be eager to compete for work in an online auction? “Not likely!” might be the expected response. Unless… Certainly some big language providers have been lured into competing in reverse auctions. In 2005 Common Sense Advisory … Continue reading →

Posted in OpenBorder, The Multi-factor auction | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments