| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How often do you receive compliments on your work from clients? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often do you receive compliments on your work from clients?".
This poll was originally submitted by Terejimenez. View the poll results »
| | | | Tim Drayton 
Cyprus
Local time: 17:56
Turkish to English
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In our business the maxim 'no news is good news' applies.
| | | | MikeTrans
Germany
Local time: 16:56
Italian to German
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Tim Drayton wrote:
Rarely...
What's important: they are comming back to me
Mike
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 07:56
English to German
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In memoriam | Your clients might like compliments just as you do | Oct 11, 2010 |
I like feedback and compliments, and my favorite agencies are forwarding their end clients' compliments to me. I need motivation just like everybody else.
However, think about it: When was the last time that you wrote a nice compliment to a PM? After all, you are equal business partners and sometimes you have to take the first step to establish the overall tone of communication.
Addendum:
Please note that the titel "project manager" refers to both, agencies as w... See more I like feedback and compliments, and my favorite agencies are forwarding their end clients' compliments to me. I need motivation just like everybody else.
However, think about it: When was the last time that you wrote a nice compliment to a PM? After all, you are equal business partners and sometimes you have to take the first step to establish the overall tone of communication.
Addendum:
Please note that the titel "project manager" refers to both, agencies as well as direct clients.
[Edited at 2010-10-11 13:28 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Michal Surmař
Czech Republic
Local time: 16:56
Member (2010)
English to Czech
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| ... frequently from direct clients, rarely from agencies ... | Oct 11, 2010 |
... very frequently from direct clients, very rarely from agencies where that "no news is good news" (Tim) seems to apply ... M. ...
| | | | Jenn Mercer
United States
Local time: 10:56
Member (2009)
French to English
I agree with MikeTrans that the best compliment is a return customer. As proof of this, I received one of my best compliments indirectly. A PM in one department of BIG COMPANY was inquiring about my availability as the PM in another department "always spoke so highly of me." I had always had a good relationship with the other PM, but would not have guessed that she valued my services so highly - but she had given me a lot of business.
| | | | Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:56
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
| The invisible profession | Oct 11, 2010 |
Tim Drayton wrote:
In our business the maxim 'no news is good news' applies.
Totally. I try and derive some satisfaction from being completely ignored! Literary critics of translated novels often lavish praise on the author without even mentioning the translator, who only gets mentioned if there’s something wrong.
Of course, another peculiarity of our profession is that the client is often unable or unqualified to assess the quality of our work because they don’t speak the source or target language. So good, bad or non-existent feedback from these clients has to be taken with a pinch of salt.
| | | | Alison Sabedoria (X)
United Kingdom
French to English
+ ...
| Often for the "little extras" | Oct 11, 2010 |
All part of the service!
I agree with Nicole, the compliments need to flow both ways.
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Tim Drayton wrote:
In our business the maxim 'no news is good news' applies.
even though a particular client always tells me she really appreciates my complete availability and good work. But it's only one.. and I reply I appreciate their prompt payment and total availability when I need.
| | | | | Depends on the kind of clients you have | Oct 11, 2010 |
When you've worked for an agency for over a decade and occasionally contact your peers, compliments reach you by word of mouth. Besides, I translate scholarship-related documents for English-speaking students and they are very generous in recognizing a job well done. Everybody needs an ego-booster now and then
| | | | | Part of my marketing policy! | Oct 11, 2010 |
Nicole Schnell wrote:
...
However, think about it: When was the last time that you wrote a nice compliment to a PM? After all, you are equal business partners and sometimes you have to take the first step to establish the overall tone of communication.
Last time I delivered a job
It's a cheap and easy way to get yourself noticed.
I was once introduced at a company party as ' She is the one who writes the nice e-mails,´ and I was quite taken aback!
Of course, there is no substitute for good work, delivered on time and all that, but when so many others do the same, you have to do something extra to stand out.
I do make an effort to thank PMs when they are helpful.
I always wish them a nice weekend or make some little friendly comment if I can. They tell me snippets about their backgronds, and it warms my heart.
And they come back! True, no news is good news too, but then you never know whether there was room for improvement or whether you really hit the mark. Getting feedback is a way to make sure you keep your clients really happy.
| | | | | Various categories | Oct 11, 2010 |
I definitely receive praise from fellow translators who share their overload with me, e.g. when they get a job too large and a deadline too tight to handle it alone.
New direct clients praise my first job for them, then they grow used to expect that every time. No praise should be expected for delivering anything as expected. The only thing that gets me praise every time is when I translate and subtitle a video, and t... See more I definitely receive praise from fellow translators who share their overload with me, e.g. when they get a job too large and a deadline too tight to handle it alone.
New direct clients praise my first job for them, then they grow used to expect that every time. No praise should be expected for delivering anything as expected. The only thing that gets me praise every time is when I translate and subtitle a video, and take the chance to significantly improve some rather IMHO poor audio (just because I need a clear soundtrack to translate from).
When I translate into Portuguese, most foreign agencies have no clue on what they'll be delivering, and are happy enough from having no complaints from the end-client.
Meanwhile I really strive to make things easier and cheaper for the clients. I see some of them on the way to unnecessary expenses, so I give them options to achieve the desired results without spending more than they should. Most clients fail to notice this, unless they've had such costly adventures before. ▲ Collapse
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| Little extras | Oct 11, 2010 |
I have been fortunate to have agencies with great PM's - Who doesnt love to get a few motivational words of praise. Usually it is for accurate explanations for their client reviewer's notings, and more often for delivering more and earlier than they expect me to. I find "This is amazing" or "Thank you 'so' much !!" significantly motivating.
| | | | Kiwiland Bear
New Zealand
Local time: 02:56
Russian to English
+ ...
| The best comment I remember... | Oct 12, 2010 |
...was when I was doing a pseudo-scientific text about nothing. You probably know the sort of thing - lots of important sounding words but no substance. Was a bit tricky because of that but, when I was done and the customers inspected the work, one of them nodded approvingly: "Good job, no one will understand anything"... and he wasn't joking, they were happy with the result.
| | | | Petra Buric (X)
Switzerland
Local time: 16:56
Slovenian to English
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| I like that ;) | Oct 12, 2010 |
Christine Andersen wrote: Last time I delivered a job It's a cheap and easy way to get yourself noticed. ...
this is really a great idea.
I would always tend to write sth like this, but then was afraid to be taken as immature, not serious, too playful, maybe even nosy... and therefore not a reliable and good-quality translator.
thanks for sharing and inspiring me!
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