The Transcription Blog

Let’s face it – no one likes to have someone else do their work for them, especially when you know you can do it yourself. For me, knowing when to outsource should be looked at not only in a monetary way, but in a way that really benefits the entire landscape of your business.

Firstly, when you do something yourself, you have a definitive view of how that something gets accomplished. YOU are the one that controls the quality, the time, and the effort. I’m the kind of person that generally insists on being entirely hands on: finances, home renovations, car repairs, laundry (don’t laugh – my Dad has been known to send his “laundry out”).  But at what point in your life do these items outweigh your quality of life – things that you should be doing but put off in order to look after the latter. As a self proclaimed “always-doing-something” (even right now, with my four year old climbing all over me I am here writing this..) there are times when my brain is so overwhelmed with things I feel that I should be getting done, I end up taking a big deep breath and say – what will happen if it doesn’t get done?

Secondly: I’m cheap. I wouldn’t go as far as saying I’d make my kids go to school wearing cardboard boxes for pants, but I am definitely always looking to save a buck. Who isn’t? Therefore, my point of doing everything yourself is a direct result of either not wanting to spend the money, or not having the money to spend. For me, it comes down to what can’t I do myself due to factors like the equipment expense, the time expense, and the “just don’t feel like it” expense.

Thirdly: Do I know anyone in the industry I can use as a resource? If the project is currently out of my scope I will generally ask someone I know or someone in the field for their advice on the subject. If I don’t know anyone immediately, I generally try to make contact with three different sources, and this will give me a good feel for what I should be looking for. From this I decide if it is something I can take on myself. However – at what point do these three situations present an obvious time to delegate? I guess it comes down to time value.  I generally value my time doing a chore around the house in the same way that I value my time working at my day job:  if the time I have taken is worth less than the amount of money I could make at my desk job - it should have been outsourced. You may say: this sounds completely obvious. But when was the last time any of us have sat down and figured this out?

Outsourcing benefits are fully obtained by understanding and trust between you and the outsourcing company.  Gaining trust (like everything else) takes patience and communication. PATIENCE AND COMMUNICATION! Outsourcing is a two way communication street that relies on both parties to be effective. A good outsourcing company will ask you lots of questions about details that you would have not considered relevant. A good outsourcing company will give full, confident answers to your questions. They will also help you with your (company) vision and help to provide methods to help your business landscape. Plus if the relationship is a success, you have just made an ally, which in this world – it’s all about who you know.For me – this is more beneficial than mere monetary value. Written by Josh Ament: a self proclaimed workaholic

So its the beginning of 2010 and already things have started to happen.  Some doors have closed a little, but I can see more doors opening in the distance and although I can’t reach those doors yet, I am excited about the journey to get there. 

A year ago, when I was just in the process of starting this business I was scared.  Scared to network, scared to call those potential clients, scared at the very thought of being out there on my own.  Fear of the unknown.  Now, a year later, I say “Bring it on”.  Bring on all the scarey stuff, because its only making me stronger. 

I attended my second networking event last evening and I have to say those events are now my favorite part of being in business.  The people I have met are absolutely amazing and now I consider many of them friends, all struggling with the same issues and problems all small business owners struggle with.  Time, money, marketing, time……….  I find their stories inspiring and their excitement for their businesses contagious.  I leave with new found excitement and the strength to push forward.  Then after returning home, I jumped on twitter, which has now become my number one favorite networking tool.    Where else can you connect, learn, promote and laugh with people from all over the world.  I am still learning all the ins and outs of twitter and social media for that matter, but I have a few good teachers and I’m eager to learn. 

I am still working on my fear of the dreaded cold call.  Not that I’m afraid of rejection, because I know that rejection is inevitable.  I think even if every call equaled a new client I would still be nervous.  I can’t even explain why.  I am on the phone, hidden saftely in my office and the worst that I can hear is “No”.  Not scarey at all.  If any of you reading this have any suggestions to solve my cold call fear I am all ears. 

As for being out there on my own.  LOVE IT!  I was never one who enjoyed being on someone else’s schedule.  Told when to eat, when to take a break, when to come in and when to go home.  It is very empowering to know that I am in total control of my life.  I am an entrepreneur, but I am a mom and a wife first.  When everyone is at work, school, daycare or finally asleep, that is when I work.  I don’t want to miss a moment.  Not a school play, trip, swimming lesson or birthday party.  That being said, I am also in complete control of how my clients are treated.  I look after my clients.  I work with them, finding solutions for their businesses to make their lives easier and again I LOVE IT! 

So, my new moto for 2010 is “Bring it on”.  There is an excitement for this year that I am hearing from people all over.  An optimism that this will be a year like no other.  Goals will be acheived, ideas will be generated, lives will be changed….. I may be getting carried away, but you get the idea.  So bring on 2010 I can’t wait.

Since beginning my transcription business I’ve had a lot of people wonder why someone would hire a transcriptionist if they can just buy computer software that can do the same for less.  Speech recognition technology has been used for quite some time.  The user is able to speak the text and almost bypass using the keyboard entirely, like the Dragon Naturally Speaking software.

This software definitely has its place in both the personal and business environment.  For those that are physically unable to type or even for those who are still typing with one finger searching for those keys; this software would save you a ton of time, money and aggravation.  Repetitive strain injuries are common in the work place and these programs will help those who do repetitive typing day in and day out. These documents do still require to be proof read and edited for any mistakes or corrections.

However, I believe there are some dictations that can only be transcribed by an actual transcriptionist.  Someone with training and experience that has the time to dedicate themselves to your documents.  A trained transcriptionist, especially in the medical field, will take the time look up difficult terminology, abbreviations, addresses, names……They will take the time to understand heavy accents, correct mistakes, format documents…… The only equipment needed is a digital dictaphone.  Files can be easily emailed to a transcriptionist, typed and returned completed to you in any format you require.

For doctors, lawyers, writers or even small businesses that require a lot of documentation and just don’t have the time or money to sit and type all day long, financially it makes sense to have either speech recognition software or a transcriptionist do that typing for you.