Translation … a smooth transition

Mastering foreign languages and the ability to deal with cultural
diversity have always been key to the success of my international career.

Therefore, shifting the focus to translation as a professional
went smoothly.

Dutch nationality, Master’s degree -
Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Some three decades of international experience.
Starting in Advertising and thereafter as independent professional
in various projects across a broad spectrum, enabled
me to refine my linguistic abilities and to learn
about cultures. 

After starting in Advertising in Amsterdam, I moved to US mid ’84 as Account
Director (P&G assignment) at Grey Advertising in NY followed
by Grey Brussels and Grey Europe involvement (European Brand
Coordinator for client P&G). 

During my international advertising career, focus was
very much on effectiveness of advertising messages in the target
languages.

After my advertising experience I decided
to continue as independent professional in Brussels as of Jan ’91. 

Then I was invited by a Dutch consultancy to be involved in preparations
of a business plan to close down a 420 empl. production facility
of Philips in Italy near Turin.

A unique challenge from a professional
point of view, to maintain maximum employment. After Trade Union
agreement Mar ‘93, I started in Italy as Project Manager.
After successful project closure
Dec ’94, other projects followed for Philips
and various other clients. Over time, assignments were fulfilled in Italy,
France, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Romania, USA, Russia in different
roles and industries, in SME as well as Multinational context.

Language dexterity and ability to handle
cultural diversity have always been a condition to obtain results in
the different situations in which I was involved. Some examples:

° To Manage reconversion projects in
Italy for foreign multinational clients such as Philips
(Netherlands) or Gambro Biomedical (Sweden) it was a condition for results.

° During strategic preparations with a French multinational,
on behalf of an Italian SME, when a known US company unexpectedly knocks
on the door.

° When creating a Joint Venture between Italian
landowner and Dutch hotel developer, with subsequent involvement of US
operating partner.

° Supporting a Dutch Debt Services Operation to solve disputed debts with Italian
parties nationwide where the creditors are Dutch bankrupt companies. How
about handling local Italian cultural diversities.

My earlier advertising experience certainly also helped me in my
"business” career thereafter. Here too, the challenge was often to get
the client's message across effectively in other languages, taking also cultural
diversity into account.

My international advertising- as well
as business career have both proven to be important experiences,
which have added concrete value to my professional skills, also as translator.

I believe it to be fair to rate this as several years of professional translation experience.

I acquired the licence for SDL Trados Studio 2019 Freelance and, after
losing some time due to COVID-19, I passed SDL 2019 level 1
Certification.

contact me