End of year planning - in full swing!

So much happens in the 4th quarter, both at home and at work. It is the start of the Holiday season, and also the time for new year planning, budgeting, and more.

Here is what you will find in this month's November newsletter!

?????? Budgeting and what to consider when planning

???????? Another BIG announcement (we seem to have plenty)

???????? A focus on one of our own - get to know us

????? Some seasonal deliciousness because we love our food here at TLG!

Let's start with end-of-year budget planning! It’s that magical time when spreadsheets become your best friend, and you start dreaming in dollar signs. But fear not, we are here to help eliminate the stress by offering a few tips to help you craft a stellar new year budget:

1. Reflect on the Ghosts of Budgets Past: Take a trip down memory lane and review last year’s budget. What worked? What didn’t? Learning from past mistakes is the first step to a brighter financial future. Gather input from different departments to get a comprehensive view of your company’s needs. Plus, involving your team fosters a sense of ownership and accountability. Who knew budgeting could be a bonding experience?
2. Set Realistic Goals: While it’s tempting to aim for the stars, it’s crucial to set achievable goals. Think of your budget as a roadmap, not a treasure map leading to a pot of gold. Be ambitious, but also practical. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.
3. Prepare for the Unexpected (Embrace the Chaos): Life is full of surprises, and your budget should be too. Allocate a portion of your funds for unexpected expenses. Whether it’s a need for a website update, or an impromptu team-building retreat, having a financial cushion will keep you from pulling your hair out. Build Flexibility into your budget to accommodate changes and possible new opportunities.

Think of the budget as a living document that evolves with your company’s growth and challenges.

So, grab your favorite coffee mug?, fire up that spreadsheet ??, and tackle your end-of-year budget planning with confidence and a smile ??. You’ve got this!

How can language services fit into your new year spending?

Now that you are ready to tackle budget questions, think about these:

-Looking to take your company global?

-Have multilingual staff?

-Want to practice more inclusivity?

In today’s globalized world, answering these questions is crucial for fostering an inclusive and cohesive team environment. As workplaces become increasingly diverse, ensuring that all team members can communicate effectively is essential.

Moreover, providing language services can significantly enhance your organization’s overall productivity and innovation. When team members can communicate seamlessly, they are more likely to share ideas, provide feedback, and work together efficiently. It can be an investment in growth.

Consider the above questions and what your company may need. We are here if you have questions or want to talk about possible solutions.

The Language Group of companies is ISO certified!

EnglishBusiness and The Language Group, being leading providers of professional translation and language services, are proud to announce we have successfully attained ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 MTPE (Machine translation post editing) certifications.

EB has had the ISO 17100 certification since 2018, which was just renewed. They now have added the ISO 18587 certification. These are both new certifications for TLG and they ensure that our customers receive products and services that meet the highest standards of quality, reliability, and efficiency.

Want to know more about ISO certifications? Contact our sales team. [email protected].

Speaking of our sales team, our VP of Sales is in the next segment ???

Hi Eric!

So, tell the folks, what do you do at The Language Group? I lead a team of sales and marketing, account management, and customer service professionals at The Language Group of companies.? Collectively, we are responsible for representing The Language Group in Virginia Beach, the Virginia Institute of Interpreting, and EnglishBusiness GmbH in Hamburg, Germany.? Our job is simple – to help clients connect with confidence in any language, written or spoken (or signed, for that matter ??).?

We act as a resource for information and education, and consultatively work with organizations of all sizes to craft communication solutions to suit any business purpose or budget.? Around the time we celebrated our 25th anniversary in business this year, The Language Group was awarded several prestigious industry honors – including being named one of Virginia’s Best Places to Work.? We love what we do, and it shows!? I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our customers, employees, and linguists as we continue to innovate and accelerate into 2025.

What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy spending time with my family and outdoor activities like golf.? I also like to keep up with my local sports teams (Go Birds! ??) and lately have been learning a lot more about rugby so that I can keep up with my son’s high school matches.? I’ve also always enjoyed learning other languages.? I’m approaching a 1,000-day streak for German on a popular language learning app.? I’m looking forward to using some of that experience soon when I head back to Germany to see my colleagues from EnglishBusiness!

Do you have any tips on annual budgeting? Start now if you haven’t already.? Too many times client assume that a “free” app or online service, along with utilizing bilingual employees, are going to be sufficient for their needs.? They almost never are.? Low/no-cost solutions often come with serious quality and privacy trade-offs.? And being bilingual – if they truly are to begin with – doesn’t make employees qualified to translate or interpret in a professional setting.? Consult with professionals to discuss your language challenges and goals and put a cost-effective plan in place to protect you, your customers and employees from unintended legal, financial, health and safety, or brand reputational consequences.

Sweater-Ready Recipes: The Magic of Pumpkin Spice

With shorter days around the corner and cooler air arising, November welcomes us to the cozy charm and comforting flavors of pumpkin spice. The iconic blend of pumpkin, maple, cinnamon, and ginger captures the essence of fall in every bite. Whether you're a fan of pumpkin-spiced lattes, baked treats, or savory surprises, there's a recipe to warm your heart and home.

Let's wrap up with November edition with some delicious seasonal treats. Until next time!