Poll: Have you ever missed the chance to work on a project due to a delay in receiving a previous one? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever missed the chance to work on a project due to a delay in receiving a previous one?".
This poll was originally submitted by Manuel Martín-Iguacel
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more ... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever missed the chance to work on a project due to a delay in receiving a previous one?".
This poll was originally submitted by Manuel Martín-Iguacel
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629 ▲ Collapse
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Basically because until it lands on my desk I classify it as provisional rather than definite, so I don't refuse other work while I'm waiting for it to arrive.
Of course, it helps that I generally work on relatively short translations - not more than 10,000 words at the very most, and an average of about a fifth of that. My approach would not be practical for large projects.
[Edited at 2007-07-20 17:45]
| | | | | Yes, occasionally | Jul 20, 2007 |
ProZ.com Staff wrote: This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever missed the chance to work on a project due to a delay in receiving a previous one?". This poll was originally submitted by Manuel Martín-IguacelView the poll hereA forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
It does happen occasionally. The most annoying thing is when a client says an extremely urgent job is on its way and I then sit around waiting for it, sometimes for several hours. In those circumstances, I'd be reluctant to take on another job, because as soon as I did, the ultra-urgent one would immediately arrive.
Maddening ...
Regards,
Jenny.
| | | | Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 16:17
Dutch to English
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| It never happens | Jul 20, 2007 |
It never happens because I simply inform the previous client that "I will be working on another assignment for the next xxx days. I will be able to start on your job by yyy date and have it done by zzz date."
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Yaotl Altan 
Mexico
Local time: 16:17
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
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No, because I classify projects accordn to their delivery date.
| | | | Parrot
Spain
Local time: 00:17
Spanish to English
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| Murphy's Law | Jul 20, 2007 |
Accept another job if you want that really urgent one you're waiting for to come through
| | | | | Same here basically ... these days | Jul 20, 2007 |
Marie-Hélène Hayles wrote:
Basically because until it lands on my desk I classify it as provisional rather than definite, so I don't refuse other work while I'm waiting for it to arrive.
I just don't stress about what I haven't received and formally confirmed anymore. Years ago, I used to find it infuriating but now I prefer to leave that stress in the hands of the PMs. That's what they get paid for, after all.
Most I'm ever prepared to say now is "could do in principle if you had confirmation now, but since you don't, check in again when you do".
If I'm already too busy when they check back in, I'm working and earning my rates anyhow. They'll either extend the deadline or go elsewhere - that's life.
My regulars know me and know I'll give them a best delivery time only when I've seen the job and not before they've got a go-ahead - I don't accept previously unseen texts for translation anyhow as my rates differ depending on the level of (legal) specialisation.
I always compare this job to being an air traffic controller - if it ain't on the radar, there's no need to worry about mid-air collisions.
I manage the runway, so I can decide what lands and takes off - only difference is my flights don't have any delays on departure and are subject to exhaustive security/safety checks, so there are no aborted take-offs.
[Edited at 2007-07-20 17:53]
| | | | | I love this way of seeing things! | Jul 21, 2007 |
Lawyer-Linguist wrote:
I always compare this job to being an air traffic controller - if it ain't on the radar, there's no need to worry about mid-air collisions.
I manage the runway, so I can decide what lands and takes off - only difference is my flights don't have any delays on departure and are subject to exhaustive security/safety checks, so there are no aborted take-offs.
[Edited at 2007-07-20 17:53]
It has happened to me a just a couple of times, just enough to learn. Now my approach is also like Marie-Hélène's. No need to stress.
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| I meant confirmed urgent jobs that then take hours to arrive! | Jul 21, 2007 |
Lawyer-Linguist wrote: Marie-Hélène Hayles wrote:
Basically because until it lands on my desk I classify it as provisional rather than definite, so I don't refuse other work while I'm waiting for it to arrive.
I just don't stress about what I haven't received and formally confirmed anymore. Years ago, I used to find it infuriating but now I prefer to leave that stress in the hands of the PMs. That's what they get paid for, after all. Most I'm ever prepared to say now is "could do in principle if you had confirmation now, but since you don't, check in again when you do". If I'm already too busy when they check back in, I'm working and earning my rates anyhow. They'll either extend the deadline or go elsewhere - that's life. My regulars know me and know I'll give them a best delivery time only when I've seen the job and not before they've got a go-ahead - I don't accept previously unseen texts for translation anyhow as my rates differ depending on the level of (legal) specialisation. I always compare this job to being an air traffic controller - if it ain't on the radar, there's no need to worry about mid-air collisions. I manage the runway, so I can decide what lands and takes off - only difference is my flights don't have any delays on departure and are subject to exhaustive security/safety checks, so there are no aborted take-offs. [Edited at 2007-07-20 17:53]
I agree, Debs. I meant it's annoying when confirmed "ultra-urgent" jobs then take hours to arrive, leaving me waiting and occasionally having to turn down others offered later. It's not a major stresser. Most of the time my runway operates pretty smoothly - not many killed.
Love,
Jenny.
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Jenny Forbes wrote:
I agree, Debs. I meant it's annoying when confirmed "ultra-urgent" jobs then take hours to arrive, leaving me waiting
Hi Jenny,
Hope you're ok with all this weather chaos.
I know, same used to happen to me - but I've stopped waiting. I just tell them what I said above.
The last straw in my case was waiting for "urgent stuff" all evening from a lawyer a few years back. Eventually I called him at 10 p.m. to be told casually "oh, after reviewing the client's case I decided there was no need to amend the contract, after all".
After an exchange of "words" he ended up agreeing to pay me for my waiting time and today phones me when he's actually ready to roll. He now knows not to leave everything until the last minute on his side. We get on fine, but had I just said ok that evening I'd still be getting messed around today.
Nobody seems to care when it's us kept waiting. Have you noticed?
After previously getting fed up and stressed with it all, my attitude now is they must take their luck like the rest of them when they've got something ready to send.
It's amazing how more organised the client's side becomes when you firmly adopt this attitude. I haven't lost work or client's because of it - they just seem to respect my need for planning better these days.
I deal mostly with lawyers (directly or through agencies) and I know when urgency is genuine or self-created because I've practised myself and know the procedures. I only bend over backwards to help a client when it's genuine urgency - they can take a holding pattern like everyone else when it's not or else find another airport if fuel levels are low and hope like hell the runway is long enough to land on.
Keep well, hope you get some good weather there soon
Debs
[Edited at 2007-07-21 21:24]
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 15:17
English to German
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In memoriam | Only when I had to wait for translations for editing.. | Jul 21, 2007 |
..and the translator considers the editing process an additional grace period for his/her personal deadline.
Not very fair, not very funny and it can mean a large amount of lost revenues, especially when we are are talking about several days and the translation is repeatedly promised to arrive within the next several hours, over the course of nearly one week.
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