CEO

What do you do at Global textware?

“In 2012 I joined Global textware. A real family business, as I work in the company with my father and brother. I started to help out with the financials while I was studying for my Bachelor degree in accounting. When I finished in 2018 my side job grew to a fulltime job where I started to assist with sales activities. Then in 2020 after finishing my degree in business administration the initiated the transition to CEO. As CEO I’m learning all the trades of the business, and I’m starting to get more involved in the day-to-day affairs as well as the strategic side of the business.”

What do you like about your work?

“In the last couple of years I was able to use my knowledge I gained from my studies to help grow the company. What I like most is the interaction with my colleagues, but also with all the great people I’ve met so far in the industry at events. The last thing I think is important in a job is the chance to learn and grow as a person. This is something I’ve been able to do at Global textware since I first started.”

What do you like to do on weekends?

“I like to spend most of my free time with friends, play some videogames or sometimes have a beer and relax. Aside from all the fun and games, I try to train in the gym for at least three times a week to stay healthy. A few years back I also started with baseball, as I really missed the teambuilding and fun you have with a team.”

Founder

What do you do at Global textware?
“In 1997, I started Global textware as a translation company specializing in software and IT that grew into an all-round and complete translation agency. I am now concentrating mainly on contacts with the outside world, such as clients, international relations and universities.”

What do you like about your work?
“Although running a business is a new challenge every day, I also know how to take advantage of the pleasures of entrepreneurship. Especially travelling to various congresses and conferences all over the world is not exactly an unpleasant side effect of my daily work. Nevertheless, I also enjoy the daily business at the office: working with different people on beautiful projects for satisfied customers.”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“In addition to the active existence of an entrepreneur, I am a qualified triathlon coach and regularly participate in triathlons and marathons myself.”

Project Manager

What do you do at Global textware?
“As a Project Manager, I manage large complex projects and answer complex questions from both clients and translators.”

What do you like about your work?
“What I like most about the work of a Project Manager is the variety of work and the contact with clients and translators.”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“In my spare time, I prefer to go out with my two children: have fun together after a busy week at work.”

Project Manager

What do you do at Global textware?
“Being a Project Manager is probably not the first thing people think of when they hear I studied to be a Facility Manager, but the match is better than you’d think. I’ve always had an interest in project-based work/planning and organizing. During my studies, I worked at an organization within the Hanze University in Groningen, which offered help to students with the Dutch and English spelling, grammar and reporting skills. As Project Manager, I have the opportunity to carry out project-based work with a focus on language. For me, this is a challenge I like to accept daily.”

What do you like about your work?
“I gain a lot of satisfaction from working in a team and successfully meeting deadlines together. What I like most about this company is the togetherness. Me and my co-workers may be busy but we’re never too busy to help each other. We aim to provide quality together and good vibes contribute to that.”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“When I was studying, I did a Minor in applied Psychology and I still like to delve into the books and teaching material of it. I encounter these matters on a daily basis and it’s fascinating to use this knowledge. In addition to that, I’m currently learning Spanish and I like to play video games with my boyfriend. I used to dance at a high level (hiphop), but nowadays I practice kickboxing. I like to read English books (mainly true crime) and try to eat out with friends as much as possible.”

Project manager

What do you do at Global textware?
“As an intern at Global textware, I discovered how much fun it is to work at a translation agency. That’s why I started working as a translator at Global textware after my studies and now work as a project manager.”

What do you like about your work?
“Every day is a fun challenge to get all the pieces of the puzzle in place. Besides, there are nice colleagues I can learn a lot from.”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“In my spare time I enjoy dancing (jazz and modern ballet), reading and watching movies and series.”

Project Manager

What is your job at Global textware?

“I started at Global textware as a translation intern. During the internship, I learned what it is like to work at a translation agency and how much the work itself can vary. I currently work as a project manager and handle multiple projects for several clients.”

What do you like about your work?

“Getting bored is never an option, because there’s always something to do here. Not to mention that my colleagues are really great and there’s a lot that I can learn from them.”

What do you like to do during the weekend?

“I developed an addiction to the Sims 4 during the first lockdown. I also enjoy watching videos and films on platforms like YouTube and Netflix and like visiting my friends. One of my more active hobbies is going for walks, often for Pokémon Go purposes.”

Project manager

What do you do at Global textware?

“As project managers, we are responsible for posting and managing translation projects. This involves keeping an eye on deadlines, financial margin, and quality. A significant part of the day is also spent communicating with clients and freelancers, which adds variety and a personal touch to the work.”

What do you like about your work?

“This job requires several different skills that I consider highly valuable. Organization and communication skills can be applied almost anywhere, so I’m incredibly pleased to see that I’m improving in these areas. And my colleagues make every day at work a good time too!”

How do you like to spend your weekends?

“In my free time, I really enjoy a long stroll. I also like to browse at thrift shops for nice pieces to add to my home. Ideally, I’d watch a film with my cat Cleo in my lap every day, from Disney classics to modern thrillers. I also really like to pay my family a visit, so that I can play video games with my brother.”

Project manager

What do you do at Global textware?

“After working as an assistant project manager for a year, I’m now a project manager. My job is to ensure that all projects run smoothly and that we deliver high quality.”

What do you like about your work?

“I studied translation, so I enjoy working in the translation industry.  No day is the same, so it’s impossible be bored.”

How do you like to spend your weekends?

“I mostly spend my free time gaming, crocheting, and drawing at the moment. I also really enjoy strolling around the city and hiking out in nature.”

Assistant project manager

What do you do at Global textware?

“As an assistant, I support our team of project managers in their work, primarily by scheduling small, standardized translation projects, preparing these for the translator, and helping with administrative tasks.”

What do you like about your work?

“I enjoy working alongside the different project managers, which allows me to learn from their individual work styles and about the various fields that they focus on. I also find it satisfying to properly complete my daily work tasks: that enables me to really assist the project managers. I truly appreciate my colleagues too, and I really like the fun times we have while we work.”

How do you like to spend your weekends?

“I’m in this line of work partly due to my fascination with language: I’m currently dedicating time to learning Korean. I also read a lot and enjoy spending time in Groningen with my friends — going for a stroll, going out to eat, and so on.”

Translator

What do you do at Global textware?
“At Global textware I work as a Translator and Proofreader of translations from English to Dutch. In this job, I get to see texts in a variety of subjects.”

What do you like about your work?
“Some translations have to stay very close to the source text, while others have to deviate completely from the source text. The last variant is the biggest challenge but therefore also the most fun to do. In addition, I have also become all too familiar with the strict deadlines that are a standard occurence in this industry. It is a challenge to maintain a high level of quality in such cases.”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“Working with language and playing with language are hobbies of mine anyway. I also like drumming and playing darts in my spare time. I also like to watch films and I like to attend all home matches of our football team FC Groningen”

Translator

What do you do at Global textware?
“I’ve been working at Global textware as a translator for quite some time now. I specialize in manuals and software for e.g. antivirus products and printers.”

What do you like about your work?
“I enjoy working with a team on a project and achieving the best possible translation. In doing so, it is a challenge to deliver the best product within the set frameworks.”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“I prefer to spend my free time with my husband and daughters. I also do reading, watching series, walking, cycling, cooking and baking and I like doing crafts with my daughters.”

Translator

Judith studied English Language and Literature and Medieval Studies and now works as a translator at Global textware. She translates texts and proofreads the work of colleagues and freelancers. What Judith likes about her work is the variety and the collaboration between colleagues. “Mutual discussions allow you to improve together.”

According to Judith, each individual text has its challenges; not just the translation itself, but having to allow for the client’s wishes and instructions. “Some texts must be translated quite literally, while for another text you have to let go of the source and be more liberal in your work. It continues to be a challenge to find the right balance so that everyone is eventually satisfied with the end result.”

She is proud of her work on long-term software localization projects, where it helps if you have a broad general background.

Outside her work at Global textware, Judith likes to watch movies, read, play video games and do fun things with friends. Her favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy.

Translator

What do you do at Global textware?
“I’ve been working at Global textware for “centuries”. As a translator, I enjoy working on marketing and gaming projects and I also have some telecom projects under my care.”

What do you like about your work?
“I see it as a challenge to present the complex and varied subjects we face in a language that’s easy to understand.”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“In my free time I like to play football, watch sports and movies, play the occasional video game and go fishing. And meet up with friends and enjoy some delicious German wheat beers.”

Translator 

What do you do at Global textware?
“At Global textware, I am involved in translation and proofreading, as well as supervising translation trainees.”

What do you like about your work?
“Every type of text has a different challenge: software needs to be translated clearly and unambiguously, Help documentation needs to be clear but not patronizing, and marketing texts need to be recruiting and have the right tone.”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“When I’m not at work, I like to read, cook, watch detectives and costume series and dance tango.”

Office Manager

What do you do at Global textware?

“I ensure that all the “little details” are in order so that the other staff members can properly do their work. I also handle administrative affairs with the administrative department as well as many HR matters, where communication with our colleagues is important.”

What do you like about your work?

“The best thing about working at Global textware is how much freedom I’m given to do my job and the wide variety of tasks. These matters have to be well-balanced with each other and carried out correctly. Of course, it is also essential that the work culture and atmosphere at our lovely location near the Stadspark be the best that it can be.”

How do you like to spend your weekends?

“During the weekend, I love going to our sons’ sports games, watching sports (on TV), and spending time with our grandson. I also enjoy a weekend when there’s nothing I have to do, so I can do anything: sometimes it’s shopping, going out to eat, or having fun with my husband. Spending my weekend this way gives me enough energy to get through the week, which can sometimes be exhausting, in good shape and with a positive attitude.”

Administrative staff member

What do you do at Global textware?

“As an administrative staff member, I focus on the invoicing for completed work. I also assist with the accounting.”

What do you like about your work?

“I enjoy working towards concrete results: I find it very stimulating. I also really enjoy the variety in my work. It makes my job satisfying.”

How do you like to spend your weekends?

“Over the weekend, I like to take day trips, go out for a nice meal, or have drinks with friends. Every now and then, I really like playing video games too.”

Strategic innovation consultant

What do you do at Global textware?

“My work is centered on optimizing the use of technology when improving the business processes and services that we offer.”

What do you like about your work?

“That I get to spend every day working on how things can be improved for my colleagues and our clients.”

How do you like to spend your weekends?

“I like to head out with my daughter and visit family and friends. I also enjoy setting time aside to read a good book or spend some time outdoors.”

IT Specialist

What do you do at Global textware?
“After studying to be an application developer, I joined Global textware as an IT Specialist. Because of my experience with web development, PHP, Javascript, HTML and CSS, I at Global textware can make a good contribution to the development of our intranet and extranet”

What do you like about your work?
“By working on long-term projects, such as improvements to the intranet and extranet, while solving current problems, the work is always different and challenging”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“I like exploring websites like Wikipedia to accrue more knowledge and inspiration. I also love gaming and writing short science fiction and fantasy stories.”

Marketing and sales manager

What do you do at Global textware?

“I am the client contact: I market the translations and help them figure out exactly what’s necessary for a project.”

What do you like about your work?

“Communicating with clients and solving problems. Contributing to good service.”

How do you like to spend your weekends?

“I prefer going to a concert or festival, a city getaway, a hike out in nature, or bicycle racing.”

Content Manager

What do you do at Global textware?
“As a Content Manager, I manage Global textware’s website and write texts for various media, such as the corporate website, marketing materials and internal communications.”

What do you like about your work?
“I really like to delve into a subject and write a clear and catchy text about it. That’s quite a challenge: it is not just writing a text aimlessly, you have to find the right words and tone.”

What do you like to do on weekends?
“My favorite pastimes at the weekend are reading, listening to music and watching sports on TV. Every now and then I like putting on my own running shoes and go on a run.”