Posts

CLK Transcription is recruiting new clients. How can we help you?

CLK Transcription is recruiting new clients once again.

Must want quality transcripts in a timely manner, at an affordable price, and want easy process of obtaining both.

UPOD, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Inc. (ASJA), and @freelancesuccess (#FLX) members are warmly welcomed.

 

We have been privileged to assist many authors, publishers, freelancers, educators, scholars, businesses/corporation, and laypeople with their transcription needs. From journalistic articles, to manuscripts, to doctorate interviews, to meetings and seminars, to IEPs, to medical reports, and even recipes and business cards – if you need it transcribed, converted, or scanned – CLK can do that.  We have even assisted with first edits on several short stories.

 

We offer time coding of the transcripts for those who may use the transcriptions for production of televised TV shows. No project too small or too large, and your special format is never a problem. Whether one speaker or multiple speakers, difficult or clear audio – same rate for all.

 

We have been acknowledged for our work on multiple TV shows with several production companies, as well as with some wonderful authors of best sellers and bloggers. Check out our website and LinkedIn for recommendations.

 

We also offer an easy call-in system to use for your interviews and meetings, making your phone the only equipment you will need to get that transcript completed. We can convert your video or other audio to MP3, convert your cassettes/DVDs/CDs/LPs to MP3, scan your hard copy documents, business cards, recipes, etc into a workable document/database or convert PDF to Word document making any edits you desire, transcribe your voice mail to text message, and so much more.

 

We offer a FTP folder for those who wish to store or share their project tools in a safe secure environment, but offer an assortment of methods to accept your project for development of your document. We also offer a “backup” email to mirror your own to have that backup when your email goes kerplunk, or just to use for those sites you need an email for but do not want the spam.

We work hard to find ways to make your job that much easier. We have assisted over 500 active clients with ongoing projects (more if you consider those with the one-time or short-term projects, or repeat clients with less of a need), and over 60 new clients (referrals) since 1/1/2012 alone, who have begun utilizing our services.

We have over 50 transcriptionists waiting to handle your project.   We take pride in our ability to work within your financial and timeline budgets, and have been accepted by several universities to assist with their Master’s/Doctorate programs, and freelance journalists who have extremely tight demands.

 

We are transcriptionists, and we love what we do! We never off shore and never use speech recognition. Try on-shoring instead.

 

Want to find out how CLK will save you time and money?

 

Check us out –

www.clktranscription.com or

http://www.facebook.com/CLKTrans or

http://www.linkedin.com/in/clktranscription

and find out why we come highly recommended.

Are you a writer/producer/author/CEO/parent/scholar/physician struggling with your budget? Time is money too!

CLK Transcription truly understands the struggles for time and money that any writer has.

We have worked with over 500 journalists, authors, ghost writers, scholars, and educators – even corporations in dealing with their budgets.

We understand the needs of maintaining cost effectiveness and time constraints that everyone has. Whether they need to stay within budget in order to make a buck for themselves or because the bankroll just isn’t there. Whether they need to find time to handle the other aspects of their project – like research, additional interviews, meetings – or just the family trip to a park or the soothing bath to ease the tension of the day.
So, yes we understand, but how do we save you time and money?

  • We offer quality transcriptions, quality digital conversions, quality hard copy conversions and we do it for less than the national average.
  • We have a  30-day payment policy that begins up to 15 days from the return of your project which means possibly 45 days to make your first payment.This is important when you have to wait for payment from your client.
  • We offer payment plans when needed and we offer several ways to pay.
  • We offer options to keep your cost down in the development of your work – call-in dictation service where you get a copy of the audio as well as us.  This service is available whether we transcribe your audio or not. If we do transcribe your audio, there is no charge for this service.
  • We accept any downloadable file type, and can even download from YouTube and transcribe, and of course forward the digitized audio to you as well.
  • We digitize your cassettes and CDs/DVDs when we receive them for transcription at no extra charge so you too get an electronic copy if you wish.
  • We can time-code your transcriptions for video editing. We can even cut and splice your audio for easier editing – another service offered our clients whether we transcribe the audio or not.
  • We offer many different ways to send your files to us – including a safe secure FTP at no additional charge to clients we transcribe for. It is a safe place to store your audio for backup if you wish.  If you choose, the FTP folder is “cleaned” for security purposes every 2 weeks.  For those who do not need transcription services, but just want a safe place to store their work, this option is available for a low monthly fee.
  • We offer discounts to our clients and referrals for various “events” – like just because we love what we do. Some others to watch for are our refer a friend discount, ASJA discount, UPOD discount, IEP discount, Educational project discount, the NEW birthday discount…and again whatever we can come up with to make life and your time and money management just that much more manageable.
  • We also use whatever format you decide you need for your reports. It is as easy as letting us know via email how you want it done.
  • We offer fast turn around, in most cases your report is complete same day or next morning if less than 60 minutes and within 24 to 36 hours if longer. (but we do work multiple files simultaneously, so if you send us 30 10-minute files in the morning, you could potentially have them all the next morning.
  • CLK Transcription can also utilize our resources to assist you in finding other services or sources you may require in the completion of your project, and we love to make connections for you to assist in furthering your work. Many have touted us as Retweet queens, or “sharing” rock stars. We just want to see your grow as well.  We take pride in your work too!

All this WILL save you money and allow you time to handle those other aspects of your project or just your life by having the time free.  How much is your time worth?  CLK knows!

I have over 30 skilled transcriptionists to handle the files, and we double proof our work before we send it back.Our transcriptionists have handled files on topics ranging from medical, banking, finance, family, sex, business, tech, health, food, and just about any other topic you can think of. What we don’t know, we have excellent research skills to educate ourselves on.

We have been acknowledged by three bestselling authors in their books and on two national television shows, and have worked with award-winning magazines and publishers, informational and educational blogs, as well as some really outstanding and amazing physicians and research organizations, not to mention incredible universities, scholars and concerned parents of special needs children.

I began CLK Transcription, Inc because I loved what I do, and because I want to generate jobs here in the US. Many of the team are family members of those serving our country, or vets who have served us proudly. Others have spent thousands of dollars to educate and train in this field, because it is what we love. I do not offshore any work at all, and we do not use speech recognition.  The human ear is tough to beat when it comes to transcription.

So, if you are a writer, doctor, scholar, educator, parent, journalist, or just someone who needs an audio transcribed or grandma’s cookbook digitized, CLK can do that – and we WILL save you time and money.

 

Check us out on LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/clktranscription

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/CLKTranscription
and
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CLK-Transcription-Inc/100158850050342

Twitter – @CLK_Shortcake

 

Find out why we are the most referred Transcription Company in the US.  We would love to assist you with your transcription needs, and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A crusade for the American medical transcriptionist – what has to be done to keep our jobs?

I have been doing what I do for a very long time now, and over the past ten years have seen more and more of the work I, and so many others, could be doing being sent overseas.

Why?

At first, and still some now, I and many others in my profession thought it was for cheap labor.   I am beginning to wonder.  Sure, many think it is cheaper for the medical professionals and health providers to send the dictation overseas for transcription, but when you factor in the amount of money for proofing and editing the work once it is returned, there is no real savings.  As a matter of opinion, I would claim that it is probably more costly when you total up those figures.

So why?

It certainly isn’t because of lack of experienced and talented transcriptionists.  There are tens of thousands of transcriptionists right here that paid tens of thousands of dollars for the education and equipment to handle dictation transcription.  In addition, some of these very same transcriptionist are the ones healthcare providers hire to edit the reports returned by off-shore transcription companies.

So, again, I ask why?

In my opinion, the opportunity to bring transcription back to the US, is a fight I am taking on and work everyday to see a piece of it return.  For me, to think that my entire history, family, health, social, and all identifying information about me, being sent to a faraway place is just horrifying.  For me, thinking of how so many people spend time and money to learn a trade, want to work, only to find that the majority of the work is going overseas is dreadful.   (I could and will say this about ANY work sent offshore, but am holding this particular blog post to transcription.)

What makes this whole topic even more irritating to me is that when someone searches the word ‘transcription’, or ‘transcription news’, or even ‘American transcription’ – 90 percent, if not more, that shows up in that search are articles about off-shoring transcription, offshore transcription companies.  The biggest part of the remaining 10 percent of those same results are US MTs complaining about their work.  (Rest assured, this blog post is not going to do that.  This one tries to answer the question why and at the same time show why you shouldn’t.)

After working so hard to fight the occurrence of off-shoring medical transcription, and doing a little research of my own, opening my own transcription company and dealing with 100s of transcriptionists here in the United States, I think I may have part of the answer – and it won’t be liked by those in my profession – but it is my opinion, and I never hold back when I see a fight worth fighting.  Hell, I am not known to hold back on anything – so why start now.

I think a large part of the reason is the arrogance many seasoned transcriptionist have come to have about their abilities and how they spread that around to the newbies just entering the business.   So much arrogance that they make it difficult themselves for someone to want to consider utilizing them.

Arrogance?  What do I mean?

I certainly do not want to imply we are not absolutely the best people to hire, or that we do not absolutely deserve everything we want.  Doesn’t everyone who spends most of their adult life learning their trade and taking pride in their abilities?

So what do I mean?

I mean that so many US transcriptionists have multiple expectations and demands in order for YOU to hire US.  We want steady work, even if you are slow.  We want higher rates, even if you don’t get it back in your fee workup.  We want to do the reports the way we have always done them, regardless of whether you have your own way of dictating.  We want to decide that what you dictate and how you dictate is food for fodder, and may even change it without understanding your desires and thoughts during the process.  We want to correct those words you “make up”, even if to you and the patient, they are critical.  We want to be considered independent contractors, but want employment benefits.

I mean if the only part of that original search results for American transcription mentioned above shows up with actual US transcriptionist results yet with them complaining about their work – why on earth would anyone want to hire them?  They certainly wouldn’t be considered in any other profession if they were found to be this difficult to work with.

No, it is not all the fault of the US transcriptionist.

No, I don’t think that is the whole picture. I think that many of the medical professionals and hospital systems, even insurance companies, feel that by sending the work off-shore they can (& are) bypassing some of the strict privacy laws and regulations set up here in the US making it easier for them to save a buck – not so much in the actual dictation/transcription/editing process –  but in other administrative areas.

I don’t claim to know the ins and outs of hospital administration and financial burdens they have, but I do have a background in various areas of the medical profession, including medical records, billing, and coding (another profession going overseas), and of course, transcription and do know many of the state and federal laws regarding these areas and HIPAA.  I can see where the money would be saved when regulations can be “ignored” or ‘side-stepped’ when using an off-shore transcription company.

 

Another problem is that those medical professionals who do not want to off-shore their dictations but are in fact unaware that that is exactly what is happening.  They made contact with an American Transcription Company and thought their work would be done here, but in fact, many of the larger transcription companies send their files overseas so they, too, can save a buck.   Simply checking their website for contact information would provide this information, but some don’t even mention that.  Unless you work or worked there, you would never know.  Unless you do your research, you may never know – unless you’re the editor of the reports or the administrator of the company.

 

Bringing the transcription work back to the US is going to take much effort.  I know this – I live it everyday.  Others seem to think it’s a matter of just demanding it be done and forcing the government to demand it be done. To some extent this is true.  I would add that it is going to take the patients, whose information is being sent offshore, to push buttons and demand the information stay here.  It is going to take hospital administrators, insurance company executives, and physicians to not only want to have their dictations transcribed here, but incentives be given to them if they do.  You know, those same incentives given to other companies to offshore their work. 

 

And most importantly, it is going to take the US transcriptionist to understand that either we change the way we think about our own careers, and change the way we think about our potential clients and their responsibilities, and either love what we do enough to do a great job with a little bit more flexibility in our own demands and expectations, and going the extra step to research while completing our work, and continuing our education, to allow others to see that having a US transcriptionist do the job is the best practice for everyone.

 

Transcription is one, if not the, fastest growing, most in-demand work product of the new millennium.  Imagine the jobs generated if we just kept it here.  Imagine the economic growth for thousands of individuals in the US.  Imagine the ability to add a piece of safety to our personal identity. 

 

www.clktranscription.com – We love what we do enough to help you save time and money.

What’s new at CLK? I found some time and money!

After many years of handling the website of CLK myself, I finally realized the best route to go this time was to bring on a professional to review, work with me, and clean up and update everything.

I am not sorry I did it.

They say you have to spend a little to make a little.  They are right.

Yes, I am upgrading my website, and yes, I decided to let the professionals handle it so I had time to do what makes my clients happiest – transcribe, re-record, convert, and develop the best transcription, audio/video, and Excel projects ever.

 

I followed my own advice.

 

I say it all the time – let us save you time and money and allow you to have that extra time to handle your other important aspects of your project or your life.

 

There have been blogs written about it.  There have been posts about it.  There have been Tweets about it.  Many others have found how hiring a transcription company can free up much-needed time, which in the long run, allows more money to be generated when you can promote your business, continue with the current project, or market for a new one.  It can also find you the time to cook that special meal, attend a soccer game, all the really important things – spending time with family and friends.

Now I can be sincere and say I know this firsthand by practicing what I preach.  Now I know even better, how important that time is.  You should too!

 

Whether it is…

  • voice mail transcription so you can shop, meet, or just enjoy a day out,or
  • audio transcription of your interviews, webinars, radio shows for your article, book, or other project, or
  • development of electronic copy of your white paper, or even conversion of your cassettes and DVDs to electronic audio…

… in order to save or share with others, having someone else handle it at a fair price in a reasonable time while maintaining quality, can save you time and money too.

 

CLK Transcription is a US owned and operated transcription company that handles all types of projects; medical and non- medical.  We have a full staff of independent contractors with specialization in areas of banking, brokerage, health, family, education, sex, history, science, relationships – you name it.

We are transcriptionists, not just medical transcriptionists.  We love what we do and we have the experience to do it right, no matter the topic.

We do not use speech recognition and we never off-shore your work. From mere seconds to hours of audio, partial page or pages and pages of white paper – your work is done by professional transcriptionists using their experienced ear…not a machine.

 

If you want to find that time and money everyone is looking for, check us out.  We are just an email away from starting your project and our services will help to increase your productivity.

 

Stay tuned for our new website.  It should be up and completely overhauled shortly.  Until then, I am back to work doing what I love to do now that I have time to do it – transcribing.

 

www.clktranscription.com

 

 

 

At least once in your life you could have used a great transcriptionist! Did you find it at the grocery store?

I get asked all the time, “who needs transcription services besides doctors and lawyers?’

I am always amazed at the amount of “wow, I hadn’t thought of that” responses that I get when I tell them.

At one time or another everyone needs transcription so they can have an electronic copy to edit, share and save.  Having a transcribed version of their audio or hard copy material allows them to do all of that, plus having someone else handle that part of their project, allows them time to complete the other pressing aspects of their project or life.

I am equally amazed at how many send their work to a medical transcription company when their project is not medically related. 

CLK Transcription is a TRANSCRIPTION company, specializing in medical and non-medical projects of all topics and specialties.   You wouldn’t take your transmission concern to a quick lube joint, or your horse to a pediatrician, or shop for a contractor at a grocery store would you?

Parents:

  • IEPs held for their special needs kids.
  • Their grandma’s diary, recipes, and old love letters to be shared with others.
  • Their grandpa’s stories that made them sit in wonder on his lap while he told them.

 Students:

  • Interviews for your Masters / Doctorate projects
  • Student’s senior projects
  • Reports and presentations

Freelancers / Authors / Ghost Writers:

  • Interviews
  • Hard copy of older articles
  • Notes for the book being written
  • Telephone communications

Physicians:

  • Medical notes / exams, Op reports. H&P, IMEs, procedure notes
  • Telephone communications
  • Letters of medical necessity

Lawyers:

  • IMEs
  • Depositions
  • Telephone communications
  • Meetings

Corporations:

  • Meetings
  • Roundtables
  • Brainstorming sessions
  • Material for office in-services / training / employee handbooks
  • Material for mailers
  • Correspondence
  • Seminars
  • Telephone communications
  • Multi-day events and ceremonies

Trainers / Educators / Mentors

  • Webinars
  • Radio shows
  • Seminars
  • Meetings
  • Telephone communications

Elderly / Physically handicapped

  • Correspondence to our loved ones
  • Things to remember / lists / important items.

Everyone:

  • Voice mail
  • Poetry written on napkins
  • Recipes only found in our memories
  • Thoughts to be saved for future sharing with loved ones
  • Master Lists for chores, receipts, shopping, auto repairs, home repairs, important insurance inventory lists, etc.
  • Electronic Signatures developed – Go Green and Save a tree

We also proofread items already transcribed. 

All of these things and more can be easily transcribed and saved electronically for editing, burning to disc, sharing, and prep for that very important project.  When you think about the time saved when someone else does the transcribing, and you can get on with every other aspect of your project, or just spend time with loved ones  – you find how very important you time is.

So when you think you don’t need a transcription company, or feel you can do it yourself – I just have to ask “how much is your time worth?  How long does it take you to transcribe those notes, memos, audios – and what else could you be doing?”

CLK Transcription can help you find the time you need and help you meet your deadline and get on with other personal concerns.  Whether it is recorded audio or hard copy (scrap paper, receipts, hand written or old print), we can develop it into an easy to read and edit document for you.

Our rates are competitive, reasonable, and below the national norm – and we work with you on your budgetary concerns.  We offer an easy to read invoice as well as yearly invoice recaps for your tax filing.  Most importantly, every client receives a confidentiality agreement signed by us, and if you have other documentation needed, we have no problem supplying it for your records.  We never off-shore our projects and we do not use speech recognition – have you seen the errors made by use of this program?

Throughout the year we offer savings programs so that tax season and the holidays don’t take a bite of your work, or vice versa, and we offer payment plans for those who may need it.  We truly understand how your project is important to you even when the economy can slow us all down.

Contact us today to find out how we can save you time and money.

www.clktranscription.com

The holidays are coming, the holidays are coming! Do you need more time?

Just when you think you have it all figured out and get into that groove of starting and completing your projects, the holidays sneak up on you, not to mention the end of the year, preparing for taxes and possibly new marketing of your own.  There just isn’t enough hours in the day, days in the week, or weeks in the month to finish everything you need to accomplish.

 

Whether you are a journalist, author, or ghost writer with interviews, student or parent with educational projects or IEPs, business professional with round tables and meetings, speaker or presenter with webinars, conferences, or audio blogs – this is the time of year where time to complete all of your projects AND meet family and personal demands is so difficult to find.

 

You clients, editors, and educators want and demand more and more of your attention, because they too know the end of the year is coming and there is so much to do to prepare for that and the coming holidays.  And your family – they just want you and your attention so you can celebrate with them.

 

Some may be able to juggle their projects and personal demands, but why juggle?

 

The team at CLK Transcription works through the holiday and allows you the gift of time to do those things that in the minds of your family and friends can be more important than your project .  We also offer gift certificates for that important person in your life that may be hesitant to let go of some of the workload.

 

Yes we do voice mail, so you can be on the road and still not miss that important call. It can be transcribed and sent right to your cell phone.

 

Yes, we do medical transcription of office notes, Op reports, narratives, etcetera – so even if you have in-house staff to transcribe, when your staff is on vacation, we can cover for them.

 

Yes, we convert DVDs, CDs, Cassettes, to MP3s.  Yes, we convert hard copy media to electronic Word documents.

 

And for those that want to save a few trees, yes we can develop electronic signatures for you so you do not need to print every document for a signature.

We offer a confidentiality agreement to all of our clients, and have handled project files from 12 seconds to 80 hours. We never use speech recognition.

 

So, if  you need to find some time to take on additional work, spend with family, or celebrate a holiday and get your project done all at the same time – and could use some money saved in the process – check out CLK Transcription.  We would love to assist you with your transcription needs.

 

We have a team of transcriptionists that can handle your audio transcription on a wide range of topics, utilizing our knowledge base and research abilities to offer you quality transcripts at a cost that is well below the national average.

 

We are owned and operated here in the US.  ESLs are welcome however we do not off shore our work, ever.   Many of our team are Veterans or family members of Active Duty Servicemen and women. We support our troops.

 

We want to save you time and money and allow you to enjoy the season and prepare for the New Year.  So come on, check us out and find out why we come so highly recommended.

 

We are an e-mail away from assisting you with your next project.

Carollee@clktranscription.com

Twitter = @CLK_Shortcake
Facebook = http://www.facebook.com/CLKTranscription
and
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CLK-Transcription-Inc/100158850050342

LinkedIn = http://www.linkedin.com/in/clktranscription

 

 

 

So much work, so little willing workers? I don’t think so.

Many have heard this and many use this as an excuse to send their work offshore.

It may be true for some industries.  In others, like transcription, it is not.  What may be true is that there are so many workers who have become accustomed to demanding rates and salaries that are no longer feasible.  Now that does not mean they don’t deserve the pay they wish to demand.  So what does it mean?

It means with the economy the way it is and the ability for so many to take the easiest, cheapest way and send their work offshore – even if the American people find the results sub-par – the workers have to adjust their way of thinking about work.  Where five years ago you could charge someone $70 to 100 for an hour of audio, no one is making enough money to be able to pay that now, especially when off-shoring has become an option.

Do you want to work and earn money in one of the fastest growing industries, where you can prove your worth and work up to a level that is doable for both you and the client?  Or do you want to sit at home and be able to view word boards, transcription forums, complaining about no work, low pay, and the demands of the clients that you do have?

In an industry where the majority of the workers are independent contractors, in essence their own business, the fact that many feel they can bash, dismiss, and essentially burn bridges with those clients that are allowing them to earn any kind of income is astonishing.  In an industry where the quality of work is essential to the client, yet the IC transcriptionist will question the work requirements or ignore them totally, is simply not acceptable.  Not to the private client, and not to the small business that utilizes ICs, such as myself.

Where once an IC could charge X amount for transcription, it just isn’t possible anymore.  You are dealing with physicians who are being bled dry by their own economic drama and journalists, educators and other persons who may develop audio for transcription that are a cog in the economic wheel that turns slowly as well.

I have heard the IC blame clients for the lack of pay and lack of work, but in reality it is the idea that no matter what the economic situation on the world, some in the transcription industry feel they can demand a rate and have no understanding of what clients must do to stay within their budgets – and when I say clients, I mean the smaller transcription companies, the journalists, the educators, the students, and the doctors.  Those that have the potential to work with us to bring back and keep the transcription jobs here in the US.

No one should work for peanuts.  But when a newbie, someone just starting out, or a seasoned transcriptionist wants to keep working and earning money – taking a dip in the rate they may have asked for years ago while maintaining the quality they demand, is one way to insure you will remain working and the transcription needs of the client kept here in the US.

As a company that could easily offshore every bit of work I get and probably make more money than I do by not, I prefer to work with my clients to meet their budget demands, and as we prove ourselves, when the situation turns around, those rates will pick up – but until then, we are working, we are honing our skills, and we are growing.  Sure my rates are a bit lower than the national norm to my clients, but they are on point with the national norm to the IC – even if on the lower level of that norm, and there is work to be done.  It is the ICs that look back to even just five years ago, and think those rates are still obtainable.

I know that by being true, honest, and accommodating to the clients I have, they will be appreciative and be around a while.  I find the same can be said about the ICs I utilize.  I also know that without clients there is no work, and without the assistance of some absolutely wonderful ICs, I have no business.  Being able to juggle the needs of both can be difficult.  I do my best.

Having work today, in my opinion, is much better than having time to sit on web forum boards complaining about having no work, or the rate of pay you can garner from doing it.

Here at CLK Transcription, I would like to think that the respect I give my clients and those ICs that assist me with the workflow would come back to me two-fold – and it does.  I love what I do and helping others find their way to loving it too, is a wonderful feeling.

There is lots of work, and there are lots of wonderfully talented, capable US transcriptionists willing to handle it.

Check us out.  Find out why we come highly recommended.  You will not be disappointed.

www.clktranscription.com

Proud to be an American Business! Happy Independence Day!

Growing up, the fact that I was an Army brat was not as significant as it has become in my adult years.  My childhood wasn’t regimented as some see in the movies, but respecting the fact that my dad was a military man came easier than listening to the rules of the household.

 

I remember the “Made in the USA” commercials urging people to buy American.  I miss those ads and feel we need them to be resurrected.

Nowadays, finding anything made in the USA is difficult as more and more work is being sent off shore, and more and more imports are accepted and purchased here in this great nation.

This continues even after recent horrible events where products made overseas have been found to be poor quality and even causing death to humans and animals.

Now I am not saying this would not occur here, but we will never know because the cheap (not inexpensive) products are still utilized here because, well, the fact that we off shore so much HAS affected our economy.  Couple that with the cheap and dangerous labor practices that other countries have, and who are we really helping here?  So many companies and celebrities complain of sweatshops and inhumane practices, but they still find a way to focus energy on using these same services because it saves them a buck and costs the American people jobs, affecting the US economy.

 

I have said many times, even our personal security is at risk due to the offshoring of our medical and non-medical transcription projects and work.  Even your insurance claims for your health, worker’s comp, car and home owner’s insurance  are now sent off shore to be processed.  Think about the information being shared with those who do not have to follow our rules and regulations.  And you worry about healthcare?  So now everyone will be able to be exposed to this risk.

 

Journalists who use these offshore transcription mills run the risk of their hard work being “taken” by someone else and there is nothing that can be done about it.  A company’s recordings of roundtable discussions, meetings, etc, all sent to offshore mills with that same risk.

 

So, as the Fourth of July approaches, and I hear news of some of more and more of our troops coming home, I celebrate the fact that all of CLK Transcription’s work is done here in the USA.  CLK Transcription, Inc. is proud to be an American Business.

 

We have been extremely proud to enable many of those who are family members of our fabulous and respected servicemen and women, and even some veterans themselves, to find assignments with CLK Transcription, helping the wives and mothers stay home and care for the family when the men in their lives fight for our country, helping returning DAVs and veterans in general the ability to earn an income while recuperating or while they attend continuing education classes to move back into the ‘regular’ world.

 

I am a proud Army Brat.  I am a proud American.  I am made in the USA and love everything that affords me.

 

Happy Independence Day America.   God Bless our Troops.  God Bless the USA!

 

www.clktranscription.com

 

 

 

In my opinion, here is what makes a good businessperson…

In the past several weeks I have been met with some professionals (and I use that term because they use it only) that I was giving my business to.  I was their client, their customer, their money in the drawer during this sucky economy.

 

The first was a professional who did construction, maintenance – you know the ‘all around handy guy.’  When asked to do emergency work that was being paid for by me, it ended up being a four-day job with no work and no communication.  I moved on.

 

Then it was the mechanic who floored me in a number of ways.  First I asked if the job could be done in two days, because well, I needed my vehicle back in two days, and I told him politely that if he couldn’t, I would have to find someone else to do the job, if possible, in two days.  (just a tire rod replacement and inspection, which I know only takes a couple of hours).

He was offended and told me I should show him more respect. What?  Am I not paying him?

Oh and the second way he floored me.  He called me to tell me it was done, and then said I am going to lunch at 12 so be here before then or wait for it.  Now I was on my way, about 20 minutes out, and it was 11:30.  You would think rather than putting me out, and making me wait to PAY him, he would hang around for a few minutes IF I were late – he does own the shop after all.

After paying, I was then harangued about how I should show respect for the good work that is done and not threaten to take the work elsewhere.  Well, I am a customer.  I pay for what I want.  If you can’t give it to me, then I will find someone who can.  That is the price you pay for calling yourself a professional.

I should respect him even though he can talk to me, a paying customer that way?  I think not.

 

Here’s how I treat my clients.  When they need something I either deliver it, or they go elsewhere.  I certainly wouldn’t tell them take it or leave it.  I certainly wouldn’t go to lunch and not accept a payment, making them wait to pay.  i wouldn’t put their work on the back burner because they had a rush job.  I work harder to show them I can do it, and do it the way they want.

 

Has this become a primitive way of thinking?

 

 

In this economy, I think the best way to maintain clients – not just get them and move on – is to treat them like paying clients.  because well, they are.  If I can’t give them what they want, why waste their time.  By being honest, they may just come back next time to me when I can give them exactly what they want.

They may just spread the word about how wonderful their interaction is.  They may even refer others tome. And I have found they do.

 

Now, I firmly believe that when you get crappy service, you should mention it.  And many will repeat the information about the crappy service over and over and over again.

But let’s not forget the good service.  As a client myself, when I like something, I share and share often.  I refer and promote and recommend all the time.  That is the respect they EARNED when I do business as a paying customer.  Notice, I haven’t shared the name of the crappy customer service companies.  I won’t give them weight!

 

That is the respect I try to earn as a business owner/operator for my clients.

 

So, if it is primitive thinking that gets me here, then so be it.  It works for me.

 
http://www.clktranscription.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking about transcribing your own audio/video? Why not let us handle that for you and save you time and money?

When journalists, authors, doctors, etcetera, begin to think about having their audio/video transcribed, the first thought is probably cost. Many attempt to do the work themselves, or hire in-house staff to do the transcription.

When hiring an in-house staff, you have to consider hourly pay, benefits, and keeping that person busy with “busy work” when no transcription work is available for them to handle. They have to consider days off, sick time, vacation…not just the cost, but who handles the work when their “transcriptionist” is not around?

If you are handling the transcription task yourself, I have to ask you – how much is your time worth? How long does it take you to transcribe the audio? What does it breakdown to in terms of hourly wage? Are there other things you would rather be doing? Interviewing another person? Organizing the data for your article/book? Managing other tasks? Taking time out to do personal chores?

For those who hold weekly, monthly or annual meetings or conferences – having those events recorded and then transcribed allows you to share this information with more than those who have been able to attend the function personally. Sure you can share the video, but what happens when other’s busy schedule precludes them from sitting and watching a video?

Having the transcript allows them the freedom to move around and tackle their day, and you the knowledge that they have a true concept of what occurred and something they, and yourself, can refer back to when necessary. How many times have you wished you could replay a meeting for what was said?

For the educator, or those seeking higher levels of education – your class audio can be transcribed for sharing as well. Those interviews and other audio developed for your paper can be transcribed for reference.

CLK Transcription offers a discount for educators and students alike. We feel education is THE most important thing a person can have, and love the opportunity to help you reach your goals. We have been proud to handle transcripts for professors or students of UCLA, Bloomsburg University, Wilkes Barre University, King’s College, Illinois State University, Minnesota State University, Wisconsin State University, Harvard University, and others.

Having a transcription service handle your audio/video projects allows the freedom to do what it is you must do to meet your TAT. Freedom to continue your other work to bring the project together. Freedom to share information in a manner that fits everyone’s schedule. Freedom to develop the best end-result you possibly can, without the stress, time or money you may have been spending in the past.

A transcription service can be the cost-effective and cost-efficient tool that you are looking for to allow you more time to get your project done, to share important information, or just to get your personal chores tended to.

When using CLK Transcription Service, you only pay for the audio/video assigned. No sick time, no vacation time, and certainly no overtime or benefits. We have individuals who have special skills to research terms and information, skilled in listening and hearing the most difficult audio and transforming it into a quality transcript.

CLK Transcription can handle multiple audio, in varying lengths, and can meet or surpass your expected TAT in most, if not all, cases. We have transcriptionists all across the United States and we never offshore, EVER. We also never use speech recognition. We feel the nuances of your audio deserve the extra care given by a human ear and human hands.

CLK Transcription has been recommended by the best journalists and by many of the Universities in the country, as well as large publishing companies and other professional corporations – from the medical research industry to the business and finance industry. We also have handled many motivational and teaching seminars by many of the world’s most well-known speakers and coaches. We have handled files as large as multi-day conferences and seminars to the few minute audio of a journalist, on a wide variety of topics. Yes, we even do voice mail transcription giving you the freedom to step away and know your important calls will never be missed again. We have clients all over the world, and have transcribed many, many ESL audio as well. We love what we do and take the time to do it right – for YOU!

Check out our recommendations today at http://www.linkedin.com/in/clktranscription and find out what CLK Transcription can do for you. Let us transcribe your next audio/video and show you what you have been missing. It may just be the time and money you have been looking for!

I believe we can be, so much so that I stake my name on it.

We also love to retweet our favorite journalists and organizations tweets to share your wonderful ideas and projects with others. Join us @CLK_Shortcake or on Facebook – look for CarolLee Streeter Kidd or CLK Transcription. Join us! We would love to have you as part of our team!

CarolLee Kidd

President/Owner

CLK Transcription, Inc.