English US
The conferencing space is undergoing a paradigmatic change with online meetings becoming the norm and with more and more people connecting remotely.
We are also witnessing the emergence of a new use case: online multilingual meetings lasting no more than two hours on average. Lead-time is also becoming shorter, and the traditional way of booking interpreters is simply not agile enough. A new way is needed.
KUDO Marketplace offers a better way, for clients and interpreters.
To help you understand this new and bold concept, we have pasted below the answers to the 10 most common questions we hear:
1. What is KUDO Marketplace?
KUDO Marketplace is the first ever B2B platform allowing clients to instantly book interpreters for multilingual meetings. It streamlines the multilingual experience while giving full autonomy to both clients and interpreters.
2. Who has access to KUDO Marketplace?
KUDO Marketplace is available only to clients with an annual KUDO subscription on any of these plans.
3. I am a KUDO Pro interpreter, but I don’t want to be in KUDO Marketplace. How can I opt out?
To be considered for assignments in the Marketplace interpreters must opt-in. They have full control over their privacy settings, and they can choose to make their profiles public or private.
4. Do you seriously expect interpreters to jump into meetings without time to prepare?
No. Most meetings are scheduled days or at least several hours in advance. In any event, interpreters will have at least two hours to prepare.
They will also have a chance to specify which topics they are comfortable tackling with short notice. Interpreters can also decline offers at their discretion.
5. Will interpreters have access to preparation materials before a meeting?
Yes. Clients will submit preparation materials online through KUDO Marketplace. Interpreters are notified through multiple channels. If materials are not submitted, the interpreters will not be responsible for terminological inaccuracies.
6. Are interpreters paid per hour?
Interpreters are paid according to the following matrix:
Hourly rate
For assignments lasting 1 hour or less
Half-day rate
For assignments lasting more than 1 hour but less than 3 hours
Full-day rate
For assignments lasting more than 3 hour but less than 6 hours
KUDO will also:
pay interpreters within 24 hours of assignment completion
pay the same rate to all interpreters on a team, regardless of language, location or experience
pay rates that match or exceed those paid by international organizations in most duty stations
pay separate rates for separate meetings (no rate consolidation)
pay industry-standard overtime and cancellation fees
7. How are interpreters assessed for quality?
KUDO Marketplace is open only to KUDO Pro interpreters vetted against the following professional and technical criteria:
KUDO Certified status (attesting proficiency in the use of the platform)
Advanced degree in interpretation from a reputable school
100-day minimum experience as a conference interpreter
10 or more meetings previously completed on KUDO
Full compliance with KUDO’s connectivity and technical requirements
8. Will interpreters have a booth partner?
Yes. Interpreters will be assigned a booth mate for any assignment lasting more than 60 minutes.
9. How does the system pick the best interpreters for a meeting?
The system looks at the following criteria when selecting interpreters:
meeting duration
language combination
subject-matter expertise
overall interpreter experience
previous exposure to that client
KUDO-specific experience
time zone of meeting relative to interpreter location
Pending availability, the same team will be assigned to a particular client in the case of recurring meetings.
10. Can the system be trusted to pick the interpreters?
Except for meetings scheduled with short notice, a KUDO staff reviewer will always check and adjust the proposed assignments before offers are sent to the interpreters.
Reviewers are in-house project managers who are also interpreters. They have extensive experience and will work under the supervision of a former Chief Interpreter.
Still have questions? Well, as a bonus, here are a few more we often hear:
11. Are interpreters accountable for system glitches and connection drops?
Interpreters who work on KUDO Marketplace have had their technical equipment and connection vetted against a rigorous set of technical requirements, including reliable and faster-than-average internet connections. They are expected to fully comply with those technical specs, but their responsibility ends there.
12. Do interpreters work from home?
The KUDO Pro interpreters on KUDO Marketplace have the choice of working from home or from a fully equipped KUDO Studio that they can safely access. For the availability of our studios, please talk to our KUDO Partners.
13. Will interpreters be rated by the client? If so, how do you ensure that it is fair?
The current system does not include a rating system. In the future, clients will have a chance to rate the overall meeting experience, including language quality. Interpreters will also be prompted to rate a client’s compliance with KUDO’s best practices for meetings (like wearing a headset).
14. Is KUDO Marketplace an attempt to ‘uberize’ the interpreting profession?
Absolutely not. It is a managed marketplace for the booking of professional conference interpreters for a fast-growing and new type of use cases – short online multilingual meetings lasting two hours, on average. These meetings cannot be effectively booked in the traditional way. The existing system just isn’t agile enough.
KUDO Marketplace empowers interpreters by giving them 24/7 visibility to clients worldwide. It is a tool for those who have identified and are ready to meet the needs of this new kind of multilingual meeting.
KUDO is breaking new ground again. For more information about KUDO Marketplace visit www.kudoway.com.
