India is one of the earliest transcription outsourcing destinations in the world.
A number of large companies from the transcription and voice recognition space did set up back offices to take advantage of strategic resources.
However, most Indian transcription companies fail or are just about surviving with only a handful of clients and employees.
Why?
Because of competitive pricing transcription companies are forced to recruit from the cheapest labors they can find. Which often means you have transcribers who are better suited for other things working for Indian transcription companies.
They simply could not attract the talent to sustain the competitive nature of transcription business.
Indian transcription companies should learn to assert themselves not just with the cost aspect but with quality and results.
Instead of having cheap transcription rates Indian transcription providers should focus on quality output and efficiency.
Being cheap is not enough. Quality empowers everyone.
While this two-level method of transcription may sound good to most customers and is often just a value proposition. It's hampering growth. Not only does this practice devours the man-hours of Indian transcription companies and thereby reduces margins, it also creates a group of transcribers (TC) who are made to think inferior, paid less and less valued. Worst, these group of transcribers do produce inferior quality transcripts. Therefore, inefficiency creeps into the business crippling growth.
The management on the other hand are often fron affluent background with good education. They therefore do not transcribe but manage the transcription companies.
This often creates misunderstanding and miscommunication. Management has no understanding of the transcription work and the transcribers.
Indian transcription companies need to change the way they work.
Transcribers of the highest caliber are required to produce high quality transcripts. There is no more room for substandard transcription services.
Author - Carey Suante is the founder and owner of TranscriptionPRO Services.
A number of large companies from the transcription and voice recognition space did set up back offices to take advantage of strategic resources.
However, most Indian transcription companies fail or are just about surviving with only a handful of clients and employees.
Why?
#1. Over emphasis on competitive pricing.
The very reason transcription services is outsourced to India is killing the industry.Because of competitive pricing transcription companies are forced to recruit from the cheapest labors they can find. Which often means you have transcribers who are better suited for other things working for Indian transcription companies.
They simply could not attract the talent to sustain the competitive nature of transcription business.
Indian transcription companies should learn to assert themselves not just with the cost aspect but with quality and results.
Instead of having cheap transcription rates Indian transcription providers should focus on quality output and efficiency.
Being cheap is not enough. Quality empowers everyone.
#2. Archaic transcription management
Most Indian transcription companies follow a two-level process: TC-ing (typing out first draft) and QC-ing (proofing).While this two-level method of transcription may sound good to most customers and is often just a value proposition. It's hampering growth. Not only does this practice devours the man-hours of Indian transcription companies and thereby reduces margins, it also creates a group of transcribers (TC) who are made to think inferior, paid less and less valued. Worst, these group of transcribers do produce inferior quality transcripts. Therefore, inefficiency creeps into the business crippling growth.
#3. Management who don't transcribe
Since most transcribers in India ARE NOT from the most prestigious schools and colleges they often lack spoken and written English skills. And they are most often from small towns and villages.The management on the other hand are often fron affluent background with good education. They therefore do not transcribe but manage the transcription companies.
This often creates misunderstanding and miscommunication. Management has no understanding of the transcription work and the transcribers.
Conclusion
Inspite of India being a major outsourcing destination Indian transcription industry is in need of a serious rethinking and change.Indian transcription companies need to change the way they work.
Transcribers of the highest caliber are required to produce high quality transcripts. There is no more room for substandard transcription services.
Author - Carey Suante is the founder and owner of TranscriptionPRO Services.
