First of all, a small disclaimer – I am not a hardcore techno-geek. I like shiny new toys as much as the next person, but they aren’t the end all, be all of life. I am just as happy working with the earth as I am the latest software programs.
Here’s what I don’t understand – why do more “veteran” interpreters seem to fear technology? The ability to use programs out there to keep their freelance business organized; programs like Quicken, Quickbooks, etc. The desire to learn about new technology that might (and probably will) be pertinent to the deaf consumers that we serve. The attention to detail to put out a PROFESSIONAL looking invoice and other business associated documents. Utilizing the online video sharing services to extend the range of mentoring possible. (I recently submitted and article to the RID Views about that very subject – hopefully they will publish it) Using digital camcorders to record our work and analyze it. Using email and text messaging to stay in touch – especially in this rapid response world.
I know this next part will be a bit of a rant – but maybe it will help. As part of my day job, I often page out interpreting jobs and then process their invoices later. I can honestly tell you that if you don’t have an e-mail address that I can send the “page” out to, I am not likely to take the extra time to call you. Email gives me the ability to do 3-6 things at a time and a phone call requires too much concentration and time. I have had assignments where the difference of ONE MINUTE meant whether or not you got the assignment – you have to be able to respond quickly or you will miss out. And some of the invoices that I see leave me very disappointed – l have seen HAND WRITTEN invoices, which is simply not professional, period. Not a whole lot better are invoices that are simply MS Word docs that have the information on there without rhyme or reason. (MS Office Online has some great templates to work from, and they’re free, people) I have tried to suggest gently to these folks that they need to “up their game” but it falls on (pardon the pun) deaf ears. Even some of the business cards I’ve seen leave me shocked – they are just not top notch. It really seems that the longer an interpreter had been in the field, the more poorly they present themselves on paper.
I would love to offer a workshop helping folks get up to speed, but the people who need the help would not attend.
We are far more likely to ask for help with our interpreting skills than to ask for/admit that we need help with our business skills – its all the same, you go to the folks who have a good handle on it and ask them to help you get better. But they won’t ask for/get help with the business side of things. What’s wrong with this picture????
In an effort to continue growing as professionals and as our code of conduct dictates, we should be cognizant of what’s out there. And as a capitalist society, we should always be thinking about how to integrate this new learning to get ahead and become more skilled. And most of all, we need to be capable of change – just because that WAS the way it was done, doesn’t mean that’s the way it should always be. GROW AND LEARN is the motto of the interpreter and it holds true in all aspects of this business.
[climbing down from soapbox now]
~Kelly
Posted by quickbooks » Blog Archive » Why are interpreters behind the times? on April 27, 2008 at 2:39 pm
[...] Wonderful World wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThe ability to use programs out there to keep their freelance business organized; programs like Quicken, Quickbooks, etc. The desire to learn about new technology that might (and probably will) be pertinent to the deaf consumers that we … [...]
Posted by Rusty on April 27, 2008 at 8:48 pm
For those reading who may not know me, I am not an Interpreter, though I’ve been known to re-explain things without dumbing them down, in ways that many people find useful.
That out of the way, I would note that I strongly doubt that you will see any response from the people being described, especially if they do not have an e-mail address. The first exception would be if your blog were syndicated into a traditional press periodical. It’s not that they are not, or would not be interested, it’s just that they are not participating in the community this article appears in. The second exception would be if a consumer of the interpretation forwards the article as a printout to one of the subjects.
I’m reminded of the issues of business executives, and secreteries with the release and development of the personal computers.
In the 70’s executives were not expected to be able to type. They would hire a typist, (or a pool of typists if needed) and someone who could take shorthand dictation, or if they were really pressed would buy a wire or tape recorder called a Dictaphone.
30 years later, it’s almost unheard of for a business executive to have a typing pool. Shorthand is very much a dying art. And the most direct example of a dictaphone, a voice recorder, is far more likely to be found in the hands of a podcaster or reporter than anywhere else in business.
It is very unusual to find an executive who is unfamiliar with using Power Point to prepare a presentation, even if most do not know the 10-20-30 rule (no more than 10 slides, no more than 20 min, and no less than 30 point typeface) much less the rule of not reading the slides as a script for the presentation. The slides should be treated as a set of subjects for an outline for a presentation.
If I were to offer a recommendation, it would be to publish a set of rules that you work by. It might go something like:
My first notice of a need for interpreters is a twitter message you can get a twitter account at twitter.com.
My second notice will be a detailed e-mail message explaining what I am looking for.
My third notice may be to people who are on my list of people to call, in the order of my choosing, and this option will only be used if sufficient interpreters have not responded already.
Acceptance of a bid to interpret will be reviewed and accepted or rejected based upon a combination of speed of response and professionalism being demonstrated by the respondent, then a determination may be made based upon the perceived ability of the interpreter in the field being discussed.
If you are not getting notices of opportunities, and would like to know why, let me know, and I will be happy to discuss the situation with you at my earliest opportunity.
Questions that the reader may ask are:
- What’s Twitter? and How do I get an account?
- Does Kelly have my current e-mail address? Do I need an e-mail address that could page me, or that has really good spam filters like a gmail.com account?
- What are some of the things Kelly is concerned with about professionalism? How can I improve my own professionalism in Kelly’s eyes?
As an observation, improving professionalism can just as easily mean improving reachability as the appearance presented in documenting what happened in billing.
If you send out a monthly, yearly, or other cycle periodical that your interpreter’s read, an article like the above, with the ‘rules’ and ‘processes’ you use, and go through examples. Then offer to help with classes, etc.
But then I’m tired and this may all seem to be an oversimplification of the topic.
Posted by Bert on April 28, 2008 at 2:58 am
You have some great points there and I think you hit on a topic that is running rampant in just about every freelance business.
As a graphic designer, it just amazes me how many freelance business (even some graphic designers–who should know better) don’t put on the professional front in their business identity. And it is so important if you want to win the contract or bid.
Something I tell my clients when explaining that to them is simply this:
“Pretend your bid/proposal/invoice is like a job interview. Would you wear sweats or some ratty old jeans to a job interview? Would they take you seriously? Nope.
You would look your best and try to be as presentable as possible and let the interviewer know you mean business.
Business Identity is the same way. You need to look your best so they take you seriously.”
Posted by kellymurphy00 on June 3, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I also see this generation gap as an opportunity for bartering. The more veteran interpreters have the interpreting skills while the younger generations have the technoskills – why not trade?
Truly, bartering is a lost art – in today’s age, when the US dollar is worth less than the paper its printed on – bartering is the way to go.
Sit down, figure out what you have to offer and start trading!
Posted by Teri Szucs on October 25, 2008 at 3:00 am
How do you use twitter for business?
Posted by kellymurphy00 on October 29, 2008 at 4:05 am
Twitter is a tool I am still learning to use – its been very effective for non-profit fundraising and that’s the main venue I would use it in. It works great if you need to text a lot of people at once. Say for example you’re trying to organize a rally or a protest with deaf and hard of hearing folks, you could do a mass Twitter posting and get the message out swiftly.