Tongue Tied

"Capitalise on your sales and marketing expertise and build a home-based business selling first-rate services to blue chip clients"is the message being broadcast nationwide by specialist translation and interpreting franchise Tongue Tied, discover Rachel Spaul and Stuart Anderson

With more than 25 years' industry experience, over 4,000 specialist translators and a growing portfolio of business services, Tongue Tied is offering a unique opportunity to be part of a company on a growth curve to becoming one of the most successful translating and interpreting companies.

Tongue Tied's team of specialist translators provide highly specialised translation and interpretation services to clients such as Air Miles, American Express, IBM, Philips Electronics and The Body Shop. While many companies provide only a limited number of languages, or are not able to provide technical interpreters, Tongue Tied offers a wide range of services including: translation, typesetting, interpreting including short-term placement, conference organisation, full desktop publishing and print services, recently adding a brochure and marketing design division to this portfolio.

'The UK market for outsourced translations is growing,' points out co-founder John Shouler. 'To maintain and increase market share, translation companies must ensure speed of response; accuracy and reliability of translation; and competitive prices that offer value for money. With such a vast database of professional translators and interpreters, Tongue Tied can match the right professional with any company. Our seven offices around the UK have won contracts with over 500 clients.

'This is a home-based business with good profit margins and low overheads. The minimal capital requirement for franchisees is an initial investment fee of £9,995+VAT plus a working capital of between £5,000 and £8,000. Operating within the proven Tongue Tied business model, company projections indicate a first year turnover of £70,000.'

For this investment franchisees gain access to Tongue Tied's vast operating knowledge; three days' training in sales and marketing, reviewing the marketing plan, keeping financial records, and using the computer system; support via a hotline; regular financial reviews; and an invitation to the annual conference.

'As a sales business this franchise is suited to sales and marketing professionals with corporate contacts or people with experience of the translation and interpretation markets,' reveals John. 'Another alternative is for a printing, technical documentation or typesetting company to take on the Tongue Tied franchise to expand their offering, as has been done with some of our offices. Candidates should also possess a genuine desire to be self-employed, be hard working and self-reliant, have a good telephone manner, and communicate effectively.'

Tongue Tied is stepping up its national franchise expansion programme, targeting areas in the Midlands, the North East and Central London as priority areas. They are also looking for one franchisee for Ireland. 'There is no need for a franchisee to possess any foreign language skills or operate a serviced office,' adds John. 'This is a pure sales and marketing opportunity for business builders.'