| Páginas sobre el tema: < [1 2] | Poll: What is generally the decisive factor in your deciding to accept a project? Autor de la hebra: ProZ.com Staff
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| Exactly the same here! | Apr 2, 2010 |
Client is the first criterion! Of course "client" includes the rates and deadline they pay at, and the topics covered. But it also includes communication, way of working and the kind/duration of relationship.
My best clients are always prioritary. There's in particular one client who hires, as long as possible, only me me for one end client. They will hire someone else only if I really really can't, which happened twice in 3 years collaboration. I am prioritary for them, so it is normal th... See more Client is the first criterion! Of course "client" includes the rates and deadline they pay at, and the topics covered. But it also includes communication, way of working and the kind/duration of relationship.
My best clients are always prioritary. There's in particular one client who hires, as long as possible, only me me for one end client. They will hire someone else only if I really really can't, which happened twice in 3 years collaboration. I am prioritary for them, so it is normal that they are prioritary for me. New clients which I believe to have a strong potential are also prioritary. Then there are customers who are nice but obviously contact me only when they couldn't find someone cheaper or when the text is too difficult to accomodate with someone else: I'll be happy to help them if I have free capacity, but I won't do anything for them. Then there are the other clients, who are everything but prioritary. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | A whole sequence of decisions | Apr 2, 2010 |
... and any of them may be the decisive factor.
1. Subject area - If it's technical about medicine or finance, it won't get to the pricing stage. I'll refer the client to one or two of subject specialists I know, and step out.
2. Feasibility I - If they want Trados and no other, if the files are in some CAD program, or they need FrameMaker and no other, I'm out.
3. Feasibility II - If I can't do it because they want it ready earlier than I can deliver (and ... See more ... and any of them may be the decisive factor.
1. Subject area - If it's technical about medicine or finance, it won't get to the pricing stage. I'll refer the client to one or two of subject specialists I know, and step out.
2. Feasibility I - If they want Trados and no other, if the files are in some CAD program, or they need FrameMaker and no other, I'm out.
3. Feasibility II - If I can't do it because they want it ready earlier than I can deliver (and I'm fast!), I won't take it. I prefer to deliver two days early than two hours late, but never the other way around.
4. Price - If it's too low, unless they raise it, they have a chance to change other conditions, i.e. waiving or doing on their own steps I would be expected to provide, extending the deadline, etc. Otherwise, I'm out.
5. Payment terms - I won't take any job with payment terms beyond 30 consecutive days from delivery with invoice, unless heavy interest rates are applied. I've made a one-sided deal with my bank: as long as they don't offer translation services, I won't lend money at less than twice their interest rates. While I strive to stay among the best translators in my language pair, I don't object to being ranked as the worst financial institution in the world.
6. The client - f they are known - either by me or the Blue Board - as "trouble", I'll spare myself.
Therefore any of these six factors can be the decisive one. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | The reliability and reputation of the client | Apr 2, 2010 |
Jenn Mercer wrote:
I cannot believe that no one has mentioned the relationship with the client yet. Yes, some clients *pay* better than others, but that is only part of the story. I also appreciate good communication, friendly project managers, and swift payment. Add it all together and I will take a job for one client while I may be unavailable for the other at the same (or even higher) rate.
I voted "other" too. I absolutely agree with Jenn. Provided I'm not already up to my neck in work, I'll accept jobs from clients who are reliable and have a good reputation - all my regular clients fulfil those criteria.
Like other answerers here, I don't accept work that is way outside my field, of course, or agree to unacceptable payment rates or long payment terms but, again, my regular clients know this and know my capabilities.
Jenny
| | | | Andrea Riffo 
Chile
Local time: 18:09
inglés al español
+ ...
I'm surprised that 13% of answerers has chosen "None. I accept all projects." Really??!!
:-|
Andrea
[Edited at 2010-04-02 16:27 GMT]
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| For me source complexity + pricing are the decisive factors | Apr 2, 2010 |
As fas as my little career concerned, first of all I always like to have a 1st hand look of the document I am going to translate and if I feel I am comfortable in the subject area and feel that I am going to do reasonable justice to the translation quality, then only I go for the job otherwise it's a pass even though it is financial loss to me. I am very particular about this aspect because I do not want my client should suffer anyway because of my bad quality translation.
Then the ... See more As fas as my little career concerned, first of all I always like to have a 1st hand look of the document I am going to translate and if I feel I am comfortable in the subject area and feel that I am going to do reasonable justice to the translation quality, then only I go for the job otherwise it's a pass even though it is financial loss to me. I am very particular about this aspect because I do not want my client should suffer anyway because of my bad quality translation.
Then the 2nd most factor if of course price. If simultaneously I have two offers and both the jobs are within my area of expertise, then I will go for the job giving me better fee.
My 2 cents! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ildiko Santana
Estados Unidos
Local time: 15:09
Miembro 2002
húngaro al inglés
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MODERADOR | Other (accept><refuse) | Apr 2, 2010 |
I don't think I have ever considered whether I should 'accept' a project or not. On rare occasions I may 'refuse' a job, if the offered pricing is too low or if the deadline is not feasible (or both).
| | | | | Pricing and deadline | Apr 2, 2010 |
I have to refuse the job if the client does not accept its cost or some other times when I know I will not be able to finish it the day they want me to.
| | | | | deadline, availability and topic | Apr 3, 2010 |
If it's not in my bailiwick, forget it, if it's too long and with a tight deadline, forget it...unless i have nothing else to do. Pricing is only really a factor if the rates are too low.
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Michael Harris
Alemania
Local time: 00:09
Miembro 2006
alemán al inglés
Subject and deadline. Pricing is no problem as I tend to only work with long term clients.
| | | | | (1) Deadline, (2) topic, (3) pricing | Apr 3, 2010 |
Definitely in that order. I have a wide price range, and if I like the topic or see it as an opportunity to learn something interesting, I may agree to a lower rate.
| | | | | scheduling and client | Apr 3, 2010 |
If it doesn't fit within my schedule of already accepted projects, I don't care how much you pay. I'm not going to kill myself for one project that will upset 3-4 others.
Also, there are some clients from whom I *always* accept work. And there are some whom I avoid.
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