This was an urgent task, but our team successfully managed to save Chinese translation costs for our client in the hotel and property management sector in Simplified Chinese.
Project Overview: Hilton Hotel Property Improvement Plan (PIP) in Shanghai
We were invited to bid on the Chinese translation project for a Hotel Property Improvement Plan (PIP) for a designated Hilton Hotel in Shanghai. The client, a management company for Hilton Hotel, needed the PIP to be translated from English to Simplified Chinese to ensure it could be understood by local contractors. The document detailed the items to be improved according to Hilton brand standards.
🚀The Challenge: Language Barrier and Urgent Timeline
The PIP was originally in English, which posed a significant challenge for local contractors. Misunderstandings could lead to delays and potential losses. The client needed the plan translated into Chinese quickly to avoid such issues and ensure the contractors could act on the improvements.
Search for Professional Translators with Relevant Expertise
After reviewing the content, we found that the PIP covered various technical topics, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing as well as in-depth knowledge of hotel management. This meant we needed professional translators with expertise in hotel management, mechanical, and construction fields.
Urgency and Reasonable Pricing
Given the urgency of the task—the plan had to be delivered to contractors within 7 days—we needed to ensure that we could offer a reasonable price for the Chinese translation while maintaining quality. After reviewing the job requirements and analyzing the workload, we made an offer that the client considered “most reasonable in pricing”:
- No rush fee for urgent translations
- Guaranteed on-time delivery
- A 10% late penalty for any delay on our part
Free Test Translation to Ensure Quality
After providing the initial quotation, we sent a free test translation of 300 words for the client to assess our quality. By the end of the same working day, the client officially awarded us the translation project.
Cost Savings and Efficient Delivery
The project was a 29-page PDF document with about 20,000 source words. However, after analyzing the text using our CAT tool, we identified that the document actually contained 17,703.6 words—a 12% saving on the work scope.
Additionally, with a new client promotion, the client received a further 20% discount on the total cost of the translation project.
In just 7 days, we successfully completed the Chinese translation with no delays.
Our Team for the Project
To ensure the highest quality and timely delivery, we assigned:
- 2 translators specializing in mechanical and electrical fields, with hotel management experience
- 1 proofreader to review the translation
- 1 dedicated project manager for QA procedures
The Result: Satisfied Client and Budget Savings
The client was thrilled to receive the high-quality translation on time with substantial savings on their budget.
What’s in It for the Hotel and Property Management Sectors?
The hotel and property management sectors in China are thriving, particularly in tourism, which is a catalyst for the domestic economy. The affluent middle class and lenient travel policies (both for locals and foreign visitors) provide opportunities for global hotel brands to expand and capitalize on this growth.
- Domestic travel in China is expected to increase to 2.38 billion trips by 2020.
- Translation and localization strategies are crucial for business development, whether it’s for training employees in China or raising brand awareness.
How We Can Help You
If you need help with marketing, business development materials, or employee training in China, we can assist you. Let us know your needs, and we’ll provide you with a quote in 24 hours on a working day or 48 hours on weekends.
