| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Poll: Which of these attributes do you mainly look for in a translation company? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Vera Schoen 
Sweden
Local time: 10:09
Member (2008)
German to Swedish
+ ...
| Other: professional project managers | May 23, 2016 |
Professional project managers will pay my rates, send work I’m qualified to translate, set sensible deadlines or ask when I can deliver and communicate well.
| | | | | I don't "look for" attributes, they "look for" my services | May 23, 2016 |
Cart before the horse???
They are the ones who may be looking for my services, when they have a job I can do.
Of course, I require a combination of most of these (listed) attributes, usually plus a few others, before I commit to do that job for them. If they can't deliver what I expect from them, I won't be able to provide what they want me to do. Simple as that.
Note that in the 'normal' paradigm it'... See more Cart before the horse???
They are the ones who may be looking for my services, when they have a job I can do.
Of course, I require a combination of most of these (listed) attributes, usually plus a few others, before I commit to do that job for them. If they can't deliver what I expect from them, I won't be able to provide what they want me to do. Simple as that.
Note that in the 'normal' paradigm it's up to the client to define what is to be done, and therefore it's up to the services provider to state what they require in exchange for that. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 10:09
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| A combination | May 23, 2016 |
Good rates are as important as interesting projects and regular work, all paired with on-time payment and excellent communication with PMs.
Even a 0.28 EUR per word rate can't make up for boring projects or scarce work-flow.
[Edited at 2016-05-23 12:06 GMT]
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First I check if the agency has a 'clean profile' - no history of payment issues
after that it's
- payment terms (I find those 45-60 days end of the month in one collective invoice very disagreable)
- rates - they have to agree with my standard rates
There are other things that may put me off, such as their 'tone of voice' both in the e-mail communication and in a Vendor's contract, only listing the obligations of the translator and not a word about their... See more First I check if the agency has a 'clean profile' - no history of payment issues
after that it's
- payment terms (I find those 45-60 days end of the month in one collective invoice very disagreable)
- rates - they have to agree with my standard rates
There are other things that may put me off, such as their 'tone of voice' both in the e-mail communication and in a Vendor's contract, only listing the obligations of the translator and not a word about their own.
I forgot to add that I am not in favor of the trend of translations agencies getting their own portals, passwords, own CAT tool requirements, special invoicing system, guidelines to read etc. as if they are the only ones you work for.
[Edited at 2016-05-23 12:57 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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| Most of my clients come with once-off jobs | May 23, 2016 |
I take jobs one at a time - the majority of my clients appear and disappear again. They simply do not have a lot of work in my language pairs.
One client from the early days reappeared after a ten-year interval and asked how much I had put my rate up - THAT was satisfying!
So I am not necesarily looking for a long-term relationship when new clients contact me. As long as they pay my rate and allow reasonable deadlines, I take on the first job and see how it goes.
... See more I take jobs one at a time - the majority of my clients appear and disappear again. They simply do not have a lot of work in my language pairs.
One client from the early days reappeared after a ten-year interval and asked how much I had put my rate up - THAT was satisfying!
So I am not necesarily looking for a long-term relationship when new clients contact me. As long as they pay my rate and allow reasonable deadlines, I take on the first job and see how it goes.
Having said that, the greatest volume of my work comes from previous clients who specialise in Scandinavian languages. Some turn up once or twice a year, and others are there more or less every month.
PS REASONABLE DEADLINES are one of the really, really important factors I look for in a client. I wonder why that was not on the list of options?
Everyone can run into a panic job now and then, and I have 'caught' some good clients by helping them out when their other translators were too busy. But if it happens all the time, I drop them again! I can't guarantee my best quality in a rush. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 04:09
English to Spanish
+ ...
I don't see corporations, companies or governmental entities as having attributes. Given the character limit of a Proz poll, maybe the creator had other words in mind, like features? But I'm speculating.
I usually have a set of criteria when I decide to work with a company, not just one. If we substitute “shoes” for “translation company” maybe we will arrive at some interesting parallels:
Shiny
Comfortable
My size
Inexpensive
Fashi... See more I don't see corporations, companies or governmental entities as having attributes. Given the character limit of a Proz poll, maybe the creator had other words in mind, like features? But I'm speculating.
I usually have a set of criteria when I decide to work with a company, not just one. If we substitute “shoes” for “translation company” maybe we will arrive at some interesting parallels:
Shiny
Comfortable
My size
Inexpensive
Fashionable
On sale
Given the fragmented nature of the marketplace as far as translation companies are concerned, it is difficult to settle on just one set of so-called attributes, especially when some translation agencies are after the same clients I am. ▲ Collapse
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That's a tricky one.
On the one hand, rates, obviously.
On the other hand, for my standard rates I'm not going to work with anyone who isn't very polite, expects a lot unnecessary paperwork, offers non-standard terms that are favourable to his company but not quite to me, has a complicated process (e.g. non-standard CATs, online systems with registration etc.) or otherwise makes my life more complicated.
| | | | Jeff Whittaker
United States
Local time: 04:09
Member (2002)
Spanish to English
+ ...
1) reliable payment - they pay when they say they are going to pay without the need for a reminder. I work for one agency that has paid on the 15th of every month for 16 years without fail.
2) minimum micromanaging and procedures - they treat me like a professional and allow me to translate the document without the need for constant updates and assurances and they know I will always deliver on time.
3) projection allocation - they don't only contact me when they have a ... See more 1) reliable payment - they pay when they say they are going to pay without the need for a reminder. I work for one agency that has paid on the 15th of every month for 16 years without fail.
2) minimum micromanaging and procedures - they treat me like a professional and allow me to translate the document without the need for constant updates and assurances and they know I will always deliver on time.
3) projection allocation - they don't only contact me when they have a small or rush project.
4) benefit of the doubt - they support their translators when a client makes a complaint and do not immediately blame the translator. ▲ Collapse
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Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 04:09
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Decent rates, larger projects, and regular work | May 23, 2016 |
It really has to be a combination of these factors.
Rates can also not be evaluated independently of project size. After all, a magnificent rate for translating a couple of birth certificates every month isn't the stuff that creates enduring ties of affection to an agency.
| | | | EvaVer (X)
Local time: 10:09
Czech to French
+ ...
| A combination, except... | May 24, 2016 |
I do not look for large projects, I avoid them. And there are some no-no points, like the compulsory use of an online CAT tool, or filling in a 3-page form about a 1-page translation.
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Wendy Streitparth wrote:
The option I would like is not available: combination of the above.
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 05:09
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Only rate and reputation are possible | May 25, 2016 |
Only two of the options can actually be verified in advance: the rate (agreed) and the company's reputation. If you receive a contact from a new client, you can only check their reputation and negotiate the rates with them. All the other choices can only be verified if you actually start working for them. Unless you want to believe in their promises, potential jobs, etc.
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