| Vom Thema belegte Seiten: [1 2] > | Poll: A client asks you to take on a big project with a short deadline. You... Initiator des Themas: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "A client asks you to take on a big project with a short deadline. You...".
This poll was originally submitted by Sandrine Zérouali. View the poll results »
| | | | | negotiate... | Jun 16, 2013 |
...both the deadline and the rate.
[Bijgewerkt op 2013-06-16 08:16 GMT]
| | | | Mary Worby 
Vereinigtes Königreich
Local time: 18:53
Deutsch > Englisch
+ ...
It would depend entirely on what the current workload was and whether it was feasible.
| | | | neilmac
Spanien
Local time: 19:53
Spanisch > Englisch
+ ...
Some of the above. For example, "try to renegotiate" and "recruit colleagues" would by my usual course of action. I don't remember the other options, but there may have been another one too...
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It depends... How big is the project? How short is the deadline? Who is the client? What is the subject? What is my current workload?
[Edited at 2013-06-16 08:41 GMT]
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It depends... How big is the project? How short is the deadline? Who is the client? What is the subject?
| | | | Thayenga
Deutschland
Local time: 19:53
Mitglied (2009)
Englisch > Deutsch
+ ...
Teresa Borges wrote:
It depends... How big is the project? How short is the deadline? Who is the client? What is the subject? What is my current workload?
[Edited at 2013-06-16 08:41 GMT]
Exactly.
| | | | | Can't understand | Jun 16, 2013 |
the double entry! I only edited the 1st one...
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JaneD
Schweden
Local time: 19:53
Mitglied (2009)
Schwedisch > Englisch
+ ...
Most of the above, depending on the client and the subject.
Some big projects can be done in short deadlines, particularly if I haven't got anything else pressing on my plate.
Some clients get a "No" practically every time they ask because their jobs are *always* urgent and huge.
Generally I'd ask for an extension or take only part of a job, although I don't really like doing the latter as it always seems to be me who ends up tidying up the other part afte... See more Most of the above, depending on the client and the subject.
Some big projects can be done in short deadlines, particularly if I haven't got anything else pressing on my plate.
Some clients get a "No" practically every time they ask because their jobs are *always* urgent and huge.
Generally I'd ask for an extension or take only part of a job, although I don't really like doing the latter as it always seems to be me who ends up tidying up the other part after someone else has made a mess of it! ▲ Collapse
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This is par for the course on many jobs. It boils down to "either it's possible, or it's not".
If I have doubts, then I would reply that it is possible but in +XX time. If not, I'd refuse as handing stuff in late is bad news all round.
PS : a translator who takes on a big job with tight deadlines without having seen the doc first is shooting himself in the foot. The obvious caveat, as with any job, is that the beast has been viewed and that what has been agreed is clearly written d... See more This is par for the course on many jobs. It boils down to "either it's possible, or it's not".
If I have doubts, then I would reply that it is possible but in +XX time. If not, I'd refuse as handing stuff in late is bad news all round.
PS : a translator who takes on a big job with tight deadlines without having seen the doc first is shooting himself in the foot. The obvious caveat, as with any job, is that the beast has been viewed and that what has been agreed is clearly written down somewhere! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Suzan Hamer
Niederlande
Local time: 19:53
Englisch
+ ...
| Negotiate deadline and rates, and if unsuccessful, decline. | Jun 16, 2013 |
With Nikki, AFTER seeing the text, of course.
With Teresa. There are so many variables to consider:
It depends... How big is the project? How short is the deadline? Who is the client? What is the subject? What is my current workload?
With JaneD:
Generally I'd ask for an extension or take only part of a job, although I don't really like doing the latter ...
I'd rather do the entire job myself so I am sure it meets my standards than to work on a project that might have unequal participants and yield an uneven result.
[Edited at 2013-06-16 10:09 GMT]
[Edited at 2013-06-16 10:10 GMT]
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 02:53
Mitglied (2011)
Japanisch > Englisch
| Another factor to consider ... | Jun 16, 2013 |
Teresa Borges wrote:
It depends... How big is the project? How short is the deadline? Who is the client? What is the subject? What is my current workload?
[Edited at 2013-06-16 08:41 GMT]
How many bills have I got to pay at the end of the month?
If you've got a mortgage and a couple of kids to put through college, bills are constantly piling up. Something sober to think about on a Sunday. If you need the money, you tend to burn the candle at both ends to help make ends meet. 
Small edits
[Edited at 2013-06-16 13:51 GMT]
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| Depends... Negotiate if possible | Jun 16, 2013 |
I prefer small jobs, and it depends a lot on how big the job is and how tight the deadline.
May this year confirmed my policy. I was asked to do several large-ish jobs - for me, by different clients, and they were all delayed for different reasons. I managed three out of four, plus several of my usual smaller ones, and turned down one large job when the source was sent to me a fortnight late.
Feedback was positive for the first two, but I was feeling burnt out after tha... See more I prefer small jobs, and it depends a lot on how big the job is and how tight the deadline.
May this year confirmed my policy. I was asked to do several large-ish jobs - for me, by different clients, and they were all delayed for different reasons. I managed three out of four, plus several of my usual smaller ones, and turned down one large job when the source was sent to me a fortnight late.
Feedback was positive for the first two, but I was feeling burnt out after that, and was not happy with the third job. You have to know how much you can do as a sustained effort - and be realistic.
The client agreed that the source text was no literary gem, and could have been shortened and clarified with advantage before I started. Spending a couple of days more on proofing would have solved the problem with the translation. Luckily it was for internal use, not publicity, so I got away with it, also considering it was a rushed job. But another time I will insist on more time or help from a colleague.
It all depends on the type of job, how critical a good result is, and what it is to be used for. I do make a special effort (especially when paid extra ) for good clients. But it is also important to know when to say no, or tell the client up front that the results will be less than optimal. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jenn Mercer
Vereinigte Staaten
Local time: 13:53
Mitglied (2009)
Französisch > Englisch
I don't mind doing big projects with short deadlines, as long as I can reshuffle other work and the wordcount/time ratio is not such that I would not be able to produce a quality translation.
| | | | Angie Garbarino
Local time: 19:53
Mitglied (2003)
Französisch > Italienisch
+ ...
| Very, very good point! | Jun 16, 2013 |
Julian Holmes wrote: How many bills have I got to pay at the end of the month? If you've got a mortgage and a couple of kids to put through college, bills are constantly piling up. Something sober to think about on a Sunday. If you need the money, you tend to burn the candle at both ends to help make ends meet.
I strongly agree, oh yes
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