How Global Lingo Sets the Example for LSPs During the Pandemic

When news outlets refer to the detrimental impact that the current Covid-19 pandemic is having on large corporations and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) alike, it’s clear that only a few industries are brought to mind: travel, retail, or hospitality.

However, what about other, still equally valuable businesses, such as language service providers (LSPs)? LSPs are needed more now than ever, with the breaking down of communication barriers being critical if we as a society are going to progress.

Here at Global Lingo, we’ve decided to take an ethical approach to dealing with the devastating effects that this pandemic has wrought. By putting people over profits we are protecting the most valuable assets we have — our employees, partners, and clients. The family spirit Global Lingo has carefully built up and preserved since its conceptualisation in 2006 has been core to the translation, transcription, localisation and many other services we offer. But what else have we been doing?

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Well, firstly we’ve made a commitment to protect Global Lingo jobs — that’s over 50 employees spread across our global offices based in the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. After all, family has family’s back and it would be morally wrong of us to cut loose those bonds that held the company together through prosperity.

Secondly, Global Lingo is maintaining freelancer rates on our services. This was a decision intrinsic to the company’s ethos, which focuses on working in tandem with the wider industry as opposed to trying to divide it. We’ve also pledged to hold true to payment terms with our freelancers because it has to be acknowledged that cashflow is restricted for everyone right now, and those that can ease the squeeze should.

If clients are struggling with implementing changes to their required solutions in order to adapt to the crisis, we’re right there with them. One of the most inestimable qualities Global Lingo can offer is flexibility, which is precisely what we have done. Whether it be offering discounted script rates for the Market Research sector or drawing compromises with remote and in-person interpreting, our teams have worked hard to make sure the next steps forward are placed on as solid a ground as possible.

“Family has family’s back and it would be morally wrong of us to cut loose those bonds that held the company together through prosperity”

Global Lingo also prides itself in facilitating a 24-hour phone call service thanks to a single operating platform; meaning that our partners can get in touch as and when problems arise.

Of course, staff safety has been the number one priority and this means diverting services where accommodations are impossible. Since mid-March, our staff members have been working from home, where they can isolate safely and work in an environment tailored to their needs. When it’s safe to do so — and only then — Global Lingo will begin to slowly phase staff members back into our offices, with schedules being pliable for those at high risk or struggling to return to work due to extenuating circumstances.

We believe that the key to returning to a form of normality is to begin strategising how to do so as early as possible. This gives sufficient time to iron out flaws and to thoroughly devise routines that safeguard our employees and clients, as well as discussing with the aforementioned parties the changes that would make them feel most comfortable. Openness is critical within any workplace, but this is proving to be even more the case during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We know that if everyone here at Global Lingo remains strong and continues to work with the same drive they always have, this will still be a year of growth for the company. The half-year update looks promising, as does the preliminary forecast for the rest of 2020 and beyond.

As at 31st May 2020, the company will have achieved year-on-year revenue growth of approximately 7%. Of course, this is not what we set out to achieve in 2020, but accept that plans have had to be adapted to align with the current state of the market.

“We are currently planning for year-on-year revenue growth of 11%. This is less than our three-year CAGR to 31st December 2019 of 23%, but a result I am pleased to be striving for given the situation”

I would like to believe that the second half of the year will see business begin to return to some normality and we are currently planning for year-on-year revenue growth of 11%. This is less than our three-year CAGR to 31st December 2019 of 23%, but a result I am pleased to be striving for given the situation.

Even throughout this period of uncertainty, we have continued to invest in our technologies, people, and processes to ensure they are delivering standards that are meeting the evolving industry. I believe this forward-looking approach will ensure we are ready to meet what the future holds to stay on track to achieve our long-term goals.

Our commitment to investment recently saw the completion of our new market-ready connector for Relativity. This GloZone connector allows a simple process for the request of translation services and the secure transfer of data for Relativity users.

I would like to thank our employees, partners, and customers for working with us over the years. Our customers appreciation for what we do and the commitment of our partners and employees to outstanding service has been at the core of Global Lingo’s success.

One final point I would like to touch on is how the many great qualities of those working within Global Lingo and other LSPs can be transferred to the wider world. In a time where tragedy is rife, kindness, teamwork, and integrity will prevail. Working in the LSP sector for so long has taught me all of these things, and it’s all of our duty to pass them on to those that need it most.

— Karl Eastwood, COO at Global Lingo