| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Poll: Do you fear losing clients whenever you go on vacations? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 03:25
Spanish to English
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| Depends on the client | Dec 14, 2015 |
For my 3 or 4 best clients, I tend to want to be available most of the time. And for my number one client, I simply don't want to see the quality slipping, because if they are in a hurry they will either try to do it themselves or get someone else to do it and whenever they have done so, the results have been... less than optimum. If I'm going on holiday, I usually tell them in advance and say that I will be able to handle the important stuff, although it will take longer than usual because I am... See more For my 3 or 4 best clients, I tend to want to be available most of the time. And for my number one client, I simply don't want to see the quality slipping, because if they are in a hurry they will either try to do it themselves or get someone else to do it and whenever they have done so, the results have been... less than optimum. If I'm going on holiday, I usually tell them in advance and say that I will be able to handle the important stuff, although it will take longer than usual because I am away.
Another point to consider is that I actually enjoy my job, and tend to get rather bored if I have absolutely nothing to do. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Freitas 
Brazil
Local time: 22:25
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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| With some clients... | Dec 14, 2015 |
With some clients, there is such risk. But that's considering long vacations (more than 10 days).
However, I haven't had one of those in many years, so it's not a real problem right now.
| | | | | If I were outsourcing I'd be very wary of anybody claiming to be "available all the time" | Dec 14, 2015 |
Thayenga wrote: I just went on vacation for 2 weeks and still have my clients.  All it takes is to inform them ahead of time and then remind them again the day before I leave. 
I may have lost a client once during a vacation - but it was still worth it.
I regularly turn down jobs, or ask to postpone deadlines, because I'm already fully booked, and I can't see how taking a vacation would be any different.
I believe that taking time off makes me a better translator, and generally tell my clients exactly that when I send out my e-mail reminder before leaving.
[Edited at 2015-12-14 20:03 GMT]
[Edited at 2015-12-15 05:40 GMT]
| | | | | I wouldn't forget either | Dec 14, 2015 |
Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:
I do remember a PM once saying to me, "If you turn down a job, your name goes to the bottom of our list." I didn't forget that.
I would remember that comment. I'd make sure to increase my client base, and put that one to the bottom of my own list. That is a dreadful attitude.
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 21:25
English to Spanish
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| Overcooked ham, that PM | Dec 15, 2015 |
Cecilia Civetta wrote: Muriel Vasconcellos wrote:
I do remember a PM once saying to me, "If you turn down a job, your name goes to the bottom of our list." I didn't forget that.
I would think it twice before working with someone with such an attitude!
Such a lousy attitude indeed. I've never had anyone tell me that. Then again, I've worked for managers (when I was an in-house translator) who could behave lousily at times.
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 21:25
English to Spanish
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| Hege has a point | Dec 15, 2015 |
Phrases to be leery of:
I'm available 24/7 all year
I offer quality translations really fast
We have 4,000 tested freelance translators in our database
We translate all languages, all specializations
| | | | Ildiko Santana
United States
Local time: 18:25
Member (2002)
Hungarian to English
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MODERATOR | What is a 'vacation'? | Dec 15, 2015 |
| | | | 564354352 (X)
Denmark
Local time: 03:25
Danish to English
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| I never go on vacations | Dec 15, 2015 |
Sometimes I take a holiday, though... But I dont' invite clients along... That would sort of defeat the purpose of being on holiday...
[Edited at 2015-12-15 07:48 GMT]
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