Characteristics of Providing Good Client Service in the Interpretation and Translation Industry

There are many things to keep in mind when providingreasons such as an interpreter being late or if there
client service in the interpretation and translationare billing discrepancies. In these situations it is important
industry. Here are a few of the most important factorsto hear out the client's concerns in their entirety before
to consider. The first is technical competency. Aoffering any feedback or explanation. Only after this
Language Coordinator who is interacting with clientshas happened should the Language Coordinator offer
must have sufficient knowledge and training before hean explanation and do so in a positive, upbeat manner.
handles any live phone calls/emails.It is important to keep in mind that the work
There is no worse feeling for a client who has called inenvironments of many of the clients who request
to get help and begins to realize that the person tryinginterpreters (courts, hospitals,state/county government
to help him is not qualified to do so. This is especiallyoffices) are stressful. The Language Coordinator
true in the field of interpretation and translation sinceshould try to empathize with the client and do his best
there are often emergency requests for interpreters.to bring peace and calm to the situation.
A Language Coordinator should have sufficient trainingFinally, it is important for a Language Coordinator to
and also experience in a hectic work environmentkeep good notes and write everything down as he
before he fields live client service inquiries. This trainingworks throughout each day. It often happens that
must include knowledge of each client's procedures forthere are multiple issues and phone calls that need to
ordering interpreters and knowledge of how to dealbe dealt with at the same time. It is easy to forget
with emergency requests for interpreters.something or miss a key detail in this type of a hectic
The ability to stay calm in tense situations is anotherwork environment. The Language Coordinator should
important factor. Language Coordinators mayalways have a pen and notepad handy to write down
sometimes have to deal with clients who are upset forkey details throughout the day.