The Importance of Providing a Spanish Translation
According to the U.S. Census Bureau Report from 2019, Spanish is spoken at home in 62% of U.S. homes, making it the second most widely spoken language in the United States. Based on these statistics alone, it’s easy to see what it is important for your business to provide a Spanish translation for your customers and employees.
Whether you bring someone on board your team to help provide a translation service or you utilize an outside firm, incorporating a Spanish translation into your long-term strategy is a great way to stay connected to a large sector of your audience.
On Your Mark Transportation already offers a variety of training, marketing and social media videos to its clients at a price that would fit most organizations’ budgetary needs. We are now excited to let you know that we can provide these same services in Spanish. “We are continuously looking for ways to help our clients find solutions to issues they face in their day-to-day operations,” said Mark Szyperski, On Your Mark Transportation President and CEO. “Having the ability to communicate directly to an essential sector of the employee and passenger market was a problem we felt we could offer a solution to.”
For businesses, there are easy, cost-effective ways to incorporate this into your existing strategy. First, consider which videos are most critical to provide a Spanish translation of. Perhaps you have safety videos for your staff and customers, or training videos that allow employees to onboard quickly and efficiently. Investing in providing a Spanish translation to critical material will benefit your business in a variety of ways.
As with all of On Your Mark Transportation’s video productions, each can be customized to fit the client’s needs. We can also take any written materials and translate them from English to Spanish. So, if you’d like your employee manuals or passenger flyers translated to Spanish, On Your Mark Transportation will provide that service. “We take pride in finding solutions for the passenger ground transportation industry in all areas of marketing, maintenance, safety, management, grant writing and more,” Szyperski explained. “This is just one more service we have added to our continuously growing repertoire.”
For an example of one of the company’s videos in Spanish, visit https://youtu.be/Fv8_i_s6DJI.
How Chambers are coming out on top post-pandemic
I don’t think anyone would argue that the pandemic was bad for business – both locally and globally. But as businesses are working to rebuild, restructure and recreate their practices post-pandemic, one thing you might not realize is that local chambers of commerce are seeing a rebirth as well.
The other day, we received a telephone book in the mail, and my husband and I commented on how small it was. It seems surprising that such a book still exists in the realm of social media and Google. One could argue that the same could be said for a chamber of commerce. Why are they needed in the age of technology? What can they do for businesses that the businesses can’t do for themselves?
Kim Baker, Chief Executive Officer of the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce said she believes that chambers are more relevant now than ever before.
“Across the country, Chambers are in a bit of a renaissance period,” she said. “During the pandemic, we found that so many people wanted to know and understand more about who they do business with. They wanted to do it close to home, they wanted to take care of their community, they wanted to know the person behind the operations – to make sure the products were safe, what they expected, and easy to access.”
Bakers said that chambers are working harder than ever to make sure businesses and communities stay connected.
For instance, the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce currently has more than 200 events they self or co-produce. That’s so they can provide different events for different businesses, each with their own individual needs. And they use their extensive reach – social media, website, office and events to make sure their members can get in front of their desired audience.
“Local Chambers of Commerce are our nation’s strongest small business advocates,” according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website. “When businesses succeed, communities succeed, and local chambers are there every step of the way empowering businesses to grow and thrive even in the most challenging of circumstances.”
As we shift toward a more community-based, take-care-of-our-own mentality, chambers offer a clear directional path for businesses to make connections.
“I always tell folks if I were to take my ‘chamber hat’ off and look at our offerings through a different lens, I would still tell you that being involved with a local chamber is the starting point and best place to find connections within your community,” Baker said. “There aren’t many other functions that happen at the level of frequency ours do, where you can find so many leaders gathered together. Additionally, there aren’t many other organizations that offer you a variety of different ways to connect within a group of people. From email marketing to closed social media groups to member portals to snail mail mailings, there are a variety of ways to connect with others. Chambers bring credibility to businesses and organizations and help humanize them, putting faces to the operations.”
And chambers are a great resource for businesses that are still struggling post-pandemic.
Businesses that may be struggling or at a turning point should consider contacting their local chamber.
“They’ll dream with you, they’ll make connections, and they’ll help you land on solutions,” Baker said. “If you have a chamber in your backyard and they haven’t found you yet, go find them. And even if you think you ‘don’t need’ the chamber, chances are, they – and your community – need you.”
What is a bus broker, and why should I care?
Your school or church group is going on a trip, and you are looking for a bus service to get you where you need to go. So, you Google “bus companies in XX city” and watch as various bus “companies” show up, each advertising they do business in that particular city.
But don’t just click on the first company that pops up. Be on the lookout for third-party companies, or bus brokers, that upcharge customers to try and secure a different bus company to book your trip. These brokers often try to pay the bus company less than its normal rate, and often cannot find a company that will do the job. That means you may end up with an email just days before your trip, letting you know they can’t fulfill your request.
Larry Killingsworth, former interim President and CEO of the United Motorcoach Association cautioned consumers to be careful of brokers
The problem with a third party, Killingsworth explained, is that the consumer is not getting information directly from the company they are hiring. “If you search ‘renting a bus’ in a particular city, sites may pop up. But when those links take you to a broker, that third party is just taking your information, farming it out to bus companies and taking a cut for themselves.”
“They are acting as an unnecessary middle person, and at times, some are disreputable,” he added.
On Your Mark Transportation President Mark Szyperski agreed, adding that some brokers even take money from customers and never pass it on to the bus companies. And, with fewer bus companies in business post-pandemic, customers should be aware of scams that seem too good to be true.
“Prior to the pandemic, there were more than 3,500 individual bus companies. Our industry now only has about 1,600 companies, and most of those are running fewer coaches in their service. So, real bus companies will say, ‘sorry, we are sold out on that date,’ but brokers still take the order and try to fill it,” Szyperski said.
So how do you determine which companies are legitimate?
First, look at the website carefully, Szyperski suggests. “Do they have pictures of real buses with the company name on them, or do they have stock photos of buses with no names on the buses?”
Next, try calling the company you are interested in booking with. Ask for their DOT number, and check that against their safety record by visiting https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/passenger-safety/search-results/by-vehicle. This site will give you the physical address and contact for the bus company you are researching. It will also give you the safety rating, which is even more important than any pricing information for a company, Szyperski said.
“Finally, if you are traveling across the country, you can search www.BusRates.com, a website owned by the United Motorcoach Association, for a list of real bus companies, and you can deal directly with them.
While this may seem like extra work, if you want to make sure your trip gets booked – and by a legitimate company – it’s worth the effort.
“Make sure you do your searches early,” Szyperski said. “And don’t expect to haggle your way on the price. The companies that survived the pandemic are lucky to be here, and are only in business today because they didn’t participate in ‘race to the bottom’ pricing prior to the pandemic. Look for safety first, and price, second.”
Are you utilizing DBEs?
Here’s another way to prepare for government contracts and grants
You’ve been doing a great job getting your affairs in order to prepare to apply for federal money from the Coronavirus Economic Relief Transportation Act. If you’ve been following along with our blog, maybe you’ve already made sure you have a DUNS number, a SAM number and a CAGE Code. Great job!
But why stop there when you can be even more prepared? Another way to help boost your chances of a grant is to consider the use of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, or DBEs.
What is a DBE?
A DBE is often a woman- or minority-owned business, explained On Your Mark Transportation’s President, Mark Szyperski.
The U.S. Department of Transportation defines them as for-profit businesses where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least 51% interest and also control management and daily business operations.
Federal government grants and contracts, along with state and local contracts often take into consideration your association with DBEs, Mark said.
Why is this important?
“Lately, anything dealing with, working with, or receiving money from any governmental unit, there is a request about the use of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises,” Mark said. “You may already be using a DBE in your organization for office or motorcoach cleaning, or lawncare, or even your accountant or attorney. You won’t know if you don’t ask your vendors if they are registered with your state.”
To be recognized as a DBE on your grant or contract application, you first must be registered as one with your state. The registered businesses are often listed on a state website. For example, a quick search on the State of Tennessee website will take you to such a list: https://www.tdot.tn.gov/APPLICATIONS/DBEDirect/ .
Doing business with DBEs often adds points to your score when applications are being reviewed, Mark explained.
“All units of government must show that government funding is making it into the economy of woman- and minority-owned businesses,” Mark said. “In order to do that, the Government will request that businesses that are awarded grants or contracts are also using DBEs, which helps the entire system.”
You may find that the cost of doing business with a DBE is slightly higher than other businesses. That is because the DBE has had to take the time to go through the process of becoming certified, Mark explained.
But look at it this way. Doing business with DBEs will help your organization’s scores needed to be awarded government grants and contracts. So, in the long run, you’ll likely find it’s worth the investment.
Want to become a DBE yourself? Follow our blog for a future post on what steps you need to take and what it’s like to complete the process.
Do you have what you need to receive federal grant money?
If you are one of the many businesses hoping to receive federal money from the Coronavirus Economic Relief Transportation Act, you’ll need to make sure you have a DUNS number, a SAM number and a CAGE Code. Don’t know what that means or how to start? Here’s some useful information for you from our President, Mark.
DUNS number
A DUNS number, or Data Universal Numbering System number, is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses assigned by Dun & Bradstreet. According to Dun & Bradstreet’s website, the DUNS number is used as a company’s Live Business Identity and is often referenced by lenders and potential business partners to help predict the reliability and/or financial stability of the company in question.
Most businesses already have a DUNS number, but if you don’t have one, you will need one in order to get your SAMs number.
You can check whether one has already been created for you at www.dnb.com; however, if you don’t already have one, it will be much faster, and I highly suggest, if you go directly to https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ to make the request. Here, you should receive your number within 48 hours. This process is free for businesses.
SAM number
SAM, or System for Awards Management, is a federal government website, https://www.sam.gov/SAM/, where a business can go to register all of their basic information, including its business name, address, EIN, bank account information and more.
The system checks to make sure you have paid your taxes to the IRS, that you are a real entity and essentially performs a basic background check to make sure your business is legitimate, Mark explained.
Once you have entered all your information on the website, you will receive a SAM number, which also generates a CAGE code. This system is how you will be able to directly receive money from the Federal Government.
CAGE code
A CAGE code is a Commercial and Government Entity code which is assigned to suppliers to government or defense agencies, as well as government agencies themselves and other various organizations. The code provides a standardized method to identify a given facility at a specific location.
You will need these numbers for your grant applications or anytime you sign up to do work or receive money for the government directly.
“I suggest that every business should get a SAM number/CAGE code since they don’t cost anything and you never know if you might need them,” Mark said.
And Mark suggests doing so sooner rather than later, since it can take at least a month for the entire process to be completed.
Some other things to keep in mind: Once you receive your SAM number, you will need to renew it each year.
And once you receive your SAM number, you will need to submit a letter to the Federal Service Desk in order to formally appoint an Entity Administrator and complete the process. You can find a template for that letter here: https://fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_number=KB0013183.
Finally, remember to be consistent when applying for these numbers and your grant. In order for the government to recognize you as the same business on multiple platforms, you need everything in your name, address, etc. to be exactly the same. For instance, On Your Mark Transportation, LLC has a comma in front of the LLC. If you apply on one site using the comma in front of LLC, be sure to always include that comma. You don’t want to slow the process down due to a technicality.
The application process will take you about two hours, Mark said. But the entire process can take up to a month to complete the verifications due to COVID-19, so act now. You want to make sure you have everything you need to apply for the grant when funds are available.
The application process is something you as a business can do for yourself, but call us at 615-669-0107 if you need help.
Be prepared to apply for a CERTS Act Grant.
If you’re in the bus and motorcoach industry, you’ve probably been keeping your eye on a new bill coming before Congress that would provide $10 billion to the industry. With at least half of that going toward grants, now is the time to make sure you’re prepared with the information you will need to write a grant proposal. But do your research. You don’t have to spend money before the bill has passed.
Here’s what we know:
According to the United Motorcoach Association, the Coronavirus Economic Relief Transportation Act, or CERTS Act, will be introduced by Senators Susan Collins and Jack Reed on July 1.
Provisions of the CERTS Act include that not less than 50 percent of the amount will be used to provide grants. Conditions include: Funding for an over-the road bus company may not exceed its 2019 calendar year revenue; Maintain employment through Dec. 31, 2020; and Recall or rehire any employee laid off, furloughed or terminated because of reduced service.
According to the UMA, eligible activities include acquisition of services, equipment, personal protective equipment and other measures needed to protect workers and customers from COVID-19. The grant can also go toward continued operations and maintenance of existing capital equipment and facilities including rent, leases, insurance and debt service.
For more information, visit www.uma.org.
Here’s what you can do now:
Be prepared to write a grant or to hire someone to write a grant for you.
Writing a grant takes time. You may want to include letters from your local Chamber of Commerce about the services you provide or customer impact statements. You will need to have your financial documents ready and your plan for how you would use the funds ready to go.
You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute to get your ducks in a row once the bill has passed. Being late to the game could mean missing out on an opportunity to receive funding. So do your best to gather your paperwork and come up with your plans now.
Just be cautious. You don’t want to pay someone to write a grant for a bill that hasn’t even been presented yet, let alone passed.
The bottom line is you can be prepared without spending any money. Get your grant proposal materials together now so that once the bill is passed you are ready to go. Once it has, you can write the grant proposal or hire a reputable firm to write one for you.
On Your Mark Transportation, LLC can help you write a grant proposal. Contact us at 615-669-0107.