WELCOME BACK!

I hope you all had a great holiday and, like me, are delighted to be back at work. I read an interesting article saying research showed that after the holiday period there are more break ups within families/friends than at any other time of the year.  The reason for this, they say, has a lot to do with the fact that as we normally are away from them at work, we find it very difficult to know how to get along stuck inside with our so called loved ones eating and drinking for hours on end.

The New Year is also a time when we reflect on the past 12 months and consider what the next year has in store for us. It is in this reflective time that we make decisions about our future and what we want to do and who we want to work and live with are major issues we consider.

At thebigword we carefully monitor our staff turnover. A major reason for our business success is our staff; however those excellent relationships can be an issue with our clients when their contact in a department moves on.

Moving on is not always bad.  For example we are very proud of the amazing number of promotions in the last year at thebigword and the opportunities that many members of our team have had,  not only to move to new departments and roles but also experience working in our offices around the world.  The downside to this positive element is the chance that the knowledge a person has acquired can be lost when they move and that can be difficult for the customer who doesn't want to have to start explaining how they like to work all over again.

I believe we have made great progress in this area for two reasons. Last year we saw our lowest staff turnover group-wise for more than four years and secondly we work hard to ensure that all the requirements that our clients need are fully documented and, as we work in teams, that team members know how to access the information.  This has removed a great deal of pain for both our staff and clients.

Looking ahead into this year, we will be introducing a whole range of new Technology which will affect the way our staff work, the way our clients will work with us so they can enjoy the full benefits of the Technology and, of course, the way we will be able to work more effectively with our 12,000 linguists around the world.  The demand for more words to be translated and interpreted will reach unprecedented levels as the markets demand that companies who now have access to them electronically start to speak their language - it is so happening now!!!

Finally I have to say to you if you have had a fall out with a family member or friend then now is the week to call them and make up - whoever was to blame.  Perhaps next year you will do something different over the holiday period. 

Wishing you all a great year ahead.

Larry