Bundling thoughts – addition by addition

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This last week, I experienced a classic business bundling sitaution. In order to rent out a flat, it became necessary to make repairs and paint it. Consequently, we met the contractor at the flat, who by chance invited his son, a real estate agent, to arrange the matter. As the flat would need thorough cleaning, the handyman mentioned that he could get a quote on that task from a company he worked with. Voilà – one project will provide work to three different companies, all because of the cooperation between them. This almost magical creation let me to consider types of business bunding and question how it works in the translation business.

First, some professionals are by definition bundlers, more commonly known as contractors. Building contractors may do some of the work themselves but they openly subcontract a significant part of the work to specialists, including plumbers, electricians and roofers. In fact, their intrinsic value is that they find the required complimentary professionals.

Other professions have links to complementary experts that are required to complete certain projects but the customer retains the privilege to choose the specific service provider. For example, insurance claims often involve assessors and repair services but the customer has the right to select the actual provider. Likewise, a real estate agent may have a preferred handyman but the renter can limit the agent’s services to finding tenants only.

Some companies bundle their own services. As the State Farm ad reminds us, it is less expensive to bundle home and car insurance. A packing service may also naturally provide storage and shipping. There generally is some connection between the bundled services as the assumption is that the services involves some common expertise or goal. It would be weird if a mortuary service also provided refrigerator repair. To a certain degree, expanding the range of potential services to a customer is an effective way to increase income.

As a translator, not a translation company, which is a contractor in effect, I need to consider what type of bundling I can offer. I work from three languages into English as well as do English editing. This package is a good start but clearly limited in itself. In projects requiring multiple language combinations beyond my expertise, I have occasionally arranged translators of other language combinations for customers, who have appreciated the extra service. As for complementary services that would benefit all parties, I have not discovered any effective combination aside from translator/editor, which is generally only requested in literary translation.

Based on the real-life incident and the analysis of the bundling, all businesses can benefit from partnership with complementary services. The challgenge can be identifying those services and service providers that would create additional value. 

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