Powerbling, the chef’s kiss approach to corporate ethics and PR, continues to be the gift that keeps on giving. While most companies, when faced with a PR crisis, might hire a consultant or issue a groveling apology, they seem to have chosen the bold strategy of doubling down on their own incompetence. Truly groundbreaking.
Let’s start with the latest chapter of this saga: getting booted out of the VViN. For context, the VViN (the Association of Translation Agencies in the Netherlands) is not exactly known for taking rash or extreme actions. They’re the Switzerland of translation associations—neutral, diplomatic, and about as exciting as a plain cheese sandwich. So for them to collectively decide, *”You know what? Powerbling is *that* bad,”* they really had to put in the work. Bravo!
But let’s not forget the unsung heroes here: a group of relentless freelance advocates who didn’t just rattle cages—they brought the whole zoo down. These champions, with no direct stakes in the unpaid invoices, stood tall for justice in a way that’s nothing short of heroic. These guys had no personal stakes, no outstanding invoices, and no axe to grind. Yet they took up the fight for every underpaid, undervalued, and overworked translator out there. If this were a Marvel movie, they’d be assembling in a dimly lit room with a giant VViN logo glowing ominously in the background.
Now, onto the official VViN statement. There’s something almost poetic about their tone—calm, measured, and as cutting as a butter knife wrapped in velvet. “Respectful communication” and “adherence to the code of conduct” were mentioned as if Powerbling’s sins were merely a mild case of email rudeness. But we all know the truth: this was a corporate mudslide of unpaid bills, hollow promises, and public tantrums dressed up as press releases. That “fresh start in BeNeLux”? It’s giving “fresh coat of paint on a sinking ship.”
Oh, and that part about the overwhelming majority voting to eject Powerbling? Sweetheart, when you can’t even scrape together a third of the votes to stay in a professional association, you’re not just a problem—you’re the problem. Powerbling probably thought they were playing chess while the rest of the industry was playing checkers, but it turns out the game was charades all along, and they were terrible at it.
And then there’s the NGTV (The Dutch Society of Translators), swooping in like a proud parent cheering from the sidelines. Their newsletter reads like the corporate version of a slow clap: “Well done, VViN. You’ve set a precedent. Also, can someone please get Powerbling a mirror?” It’s heartwarming to see the industry rally together, not just to preserve professional standards but to send a clear message: you can’t just sweep translators under the rug like leftover crumbs from a corporate buffet. These crumbs have teeth. And hashtags.
What’s even more baffling is Powerbling’s complete lack of self-awareness. Instead of taking a beat to reflect, apologize, and, oh, I don’t know, pay people, they pulled out the legal threats faster than a bad actor reaching for the fainting couch. “Defamation!” they cried, as if the truth were some kind of optional add-on they’d decided not to purchase. Sorry, Powerbling, but you can’t call something defamation when it’s literally just people quoting your actions. That’s not slander; that’s customer feedback.
It’s worth noting that in Dutch courts, freedom of speech is taken seriously—like, Scientology-level seriously. If the courts stood by Karin Spaink against an army of highly motivated, litigious cultists, what hope does Powerbling have against a battalion of linguists armed with receipts, screenshots, and righteous indignation? None. Zip. Nada. They couldn’t win this fight if the courtroom handed them a victory coupon.
So, what now for Powerbling? A rebrand? A new logo? Perhaps a “We’re Learning and Growing” campaign? Whatever they try next, one thing is clear: they’ve underestimated the translation community at every turn. These are people who dissect language for a living. They can parse out subtext, navigate nuance, and wield sarcasm like a scalpel. Powerbling didn’t just poke a sleeping bear—they handed it a thesaurus and dared it to write an op-ed.
In the end, the lesson here is simple: Pay your freelancers. Treat people with respect. And if you absolutely must make an ironic LinkedIn post, at least make sure it doesn’t backfire so spectacularly that it becomes a case study in “How Not to Corporate.”
Powerbling, you’ve made history. Just… not the good kind.
Addendum: Interestingly, Bothof, a part of the WCS Group that Powerling took over, still appears on the VViN website. A curious oversight, considering the VViN’s otherwise decisive actions. It’s a bit like leaving a framed photo of your ex on the mantle after kicking them out—it sends mixed signals. One might expect the VViN, with their newfound commitment to integrity, to pay closer attention to such details. Perhaps this is their QA department’s moment to shine—or stumble. Either way, it’s a lingering relic of a saga everyone thought was wrapped up.
English translation of NGTV’s statement:
WiN Decides to Expel Powerling from Membership
In 2024, the interpreting and translation sector faced a series of events triggered by the bankruptcy of the WCS Group at the end of 2023 and the subsequent acquisition of a significant portion of its agencies by Powerling. These events led to a prolonged conflict between freelance translators and Powerling, which largely played out publicly on social media. The VViN was held partly accountable for the behavior of its member Powerling.
Communication between the two parties did not comply with the VViN code of conduct, nor with the agreements outlined in the Dutch Translation Sector Covenant. This resulted not only in protests from freelancers but also in disapproval from other translation agencies, which believed that such behavior harmed the entire translation industry. Following a complaint by a group of translators, the VViN issued Powerling a warning and imposed various sanctions before the summer.
However, in late October, Powerling issued a press release that once again caused an uproar among translators. In response, the NGTV (Dutch Association of Interpreters and Translators) sent a letter urging the VViN to take action. Powerling subsequently promised, during a verbal consultation with the WiN board, to revise the press release. In reality, however, Powerling chose not to make the promised revisions.
The VViN board places great importance on respectful interactions among members and stakeholders in the interpreting and translation sector. Several VViN members indicated that Powerling’s actions had not only harmed the association but also the sector as a whole. The VViN board concluded that Powerling had violated multiple articles of the VViN code of conduct. Following this conclusion, VViN members approved, with well over the required two-thirds majority, the board’s proposal to expel Powerling from membership. Powerling was immediately removed from the VViN website.
The NGTV expressed great appreciation for this courageous decision by VViN board and its members. This outcome demonstrates solidarity and contributes to a positive and respectful collaboration between freelance interpreters and translators and translation agencies. The NGTV thanked the VViN for this clear signal and reaffirmed its commitment, along with other VViN members, to fostering a translation and interpreting sector where freelancers and agencies support and encourage one another to continue delivering professional translations and interpreting services to all clients.
Source: Anouschka Schutte (Sworn translator (medical, academic, mental health) EN/ES/NL)
Thanks to: Bart Roelands, BEc (Freelancer translator English-Dutch, general board member of the Dutch Society of Interpreters and Translators)
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