A Message from the President

Happy New Year. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing than leading a company for which cross-cultural communication is the status quo as we assist clients doing business across borders. As Vlada Kuznetsova relays in her exuberantly toned employee profile, McElroy Translation celebrates cultural diversity. How this applies to business strategy is detailed in this month's article about McElroy's Glocal Partnership program. Our partnership with Kilgray Translation Technologies of Hungary is BIG NEWS! Implementing the largest U.S. licensing and partnership deal with this provider of a fully integrated translation environment means new and leading-edge ways to work with translators and clients. McElroy is moving decisively into 2009 with realistic optimism.

Shelly Priebe, President

Surviving the Life Sciences Audit

(published in Pharma, Nov/Dec 2008)
Kim Vitray, Vice President of Operations at McElroy Translation, a member of the nonprofit Globalization and Localization Association, reveals how to survive an audit.

Your favorite vendor just called in a bit of a panic. Despite working for your department for many years, they are concerned because the auditor of your life sciences company just got in touch. But, have no fear. The auditing process is generally routine and does not need to cause your vendor any strife or sleepless nights. Life sciences companies that are ISO-certified and/or FDA-registered are required to conduct audits of all and any vendors providing products and services to the company. Read on…

Glocal Partnerships: Locally Global

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

This is the goal of McElroy’s Glocal Partnership program. We form symbiotic alliances to develop mutually beneficial opportunities geographically, technologically and operationally. Before committing to a partnership, we ensure that the relationship will advance both parties strategic objectives, long-term goals, and cultural commitments. Read on…

McElroy Becomes Biggest U.S. Partner for Kilgray of Hungary

McElroy Translation has penned the biggest U.S. licensing and partnership deal with Kilgray Translation Technologies, provider of the highly regarded MemoQ translation server, the first fully integrated translation environment. McElroy chose MemoQ for its ability to integrate with McElroy’s workflow and project management systems, as well as The McElroy Hub, a major vendor management system that acts as a portal for translators. MemoQ was also chosen for its ease-of-use and its adaptability to future technology initiatives at McElroy. Read full press release…

Vlada Kuznetsova

Business Development Manager – Energy Division

I am known at McElroy for my unbridled enthusiasm. It stems from my certain conviction that it is my destiny to work for this company, as all paths have converged to lead me to a rewarding career in business development at McElroy Translation.

Originally from Tallinn, Estonia, I moved to Austin five years ago. While living in Estonia, I received a degree in translation at the Private Commercial College, in Tallinn. I had taken English courses there, but college language courses do not compare to the education you receive by immersing yourself in the culture! Knowing that full immersion was what I needed to get past the culture shock and language barrier, I enrolled at the local community college in Austin to pursue an Office Administration Associate Degree. While pursuing toward my degree, I had a job at the college as a Lab Tech, eventually working my way up to becoming an Adjunct Assistant Professor for Microsoft Word I, Introduction to Keyboarding, and Access Database.

While still at Austin Community College, I began working with McElroy as Communications Coordinator. McElroy offered the flexibility I needed for going to school, the opportunity to apply what I was learning in school, and the chance to see what being a translator was really all about. The cultural diversity of McElroy allowed me to quickly feel at home, and it was then that I realized this was an industry I wanted to be a part of; however, my need for continuing my education was greater. I left McElroy in 2006 to return to school full-time. It worked out great, though, and given the flexibility of being a student, McElroy could call on me to come in and cover the front desk when their Communications Coordinator was out. Then, this past year, the opportunity I had dreamt of came to fruition. McElroy asked me to come in and help them out while they were in transition to replace their Communications Coordinator who had just moved to Ohio. When I came in, I discovered a vacancy in the sales department for a Business Development Manager in the Energy Division. I was determined that was MY job. I had already proven to McElroy my enthusiasm, my skill set, my ability to learn, adapt, and work with others. All I had to do was convince them to give me a chance to prove my ability to sell…and they did, and I have!

In my spare time, I love to travel! I’ve ventured to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and Hungary. Since I’ve been living in the States, I’ve taken holidays in Hawaii, Mexico, the Grand Cayman Islands, and Jamaica.

I’m incredibly grateful to my mother for laying the path to come to the States, for showing me a better way, and for the strength I inherited from her to not just dream for a better life, but to go out and get a better life. I now have opportunities that are not available to women from Tallinn, Estonia, and I will continue knocking on every door to make sure no new opportunity passes me by!

McElroy Translation Gives Back:
The Spina Bifida Association

Spina bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. It occurs when the spine of the baby fails to close during the first months of pregnancy. The effects of spina bifida are different for each person, and there is no known cure.

The mission of the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) is to promote the prevention of spina bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected. Learn more.