A webinar: a standart procedure or a waste of time? Thread poster: Elena Aleksandrova
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Hello everyone
I accepted a project of 1800 words (educational flipbook of a study) as a 3rd reviewer. So far I've been asked to read the text and make a list of possible localization issues which I accepted as I have already read the text, although I cannot understand why I have to do this (I’m the 3rd reviewer!!) for such small project. Now I’m being asked to join a webinar with unknown length and to fill a document with questions I may have about this text (the text is standa... See more Hello everyone
I accepted a project of 1800 words (educational flipbook of a study) as a 3rd reviewer. So far I've been asked to read the text and make a list of possible localization issues which I accepted as I have already read the text, although I cannot understand why I have to do this (I’m the 3rd reviewer!!) for such small project. Now I’m being asked to join a webinar with unknown length and to fill a document with questions I may have about this text (the text is standard and the complexity is low for such texts) for which I’m going to say No as I do not have any questions and I have no time to waste.
So as I’ve never been asked to “investigate” the text even as a translator and I’ve never been asked to join Webinars where someone will explain basic terms, my question is: Is it a standard procedure for the agencies to do this or just this agency likes to waste peoples’ time?
Thank you in advance ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kay Denney 
France
Local time: 12:30
French to English
| never heard of such a procedure! | Mar 10, 2012 |
I worked as PM in an agency for 12 years, I have had dealings with countless agencies both as supplier and customer, and I have never heard of anyone doing any more than sending a glossary, TM or previous translations in preparation for the review of a small text.
I have occasionally met with clients to learn more about their company/products, but only when several hundred thousand words are at stake.
As an in-house translator a client did once want me to go to her prod... See more I worked as PM in an agency for 12 years, I have had dealings with countless agencies both as supplier and customer, and I have never heard of anyone doing any more than sending a glossary, TM or previous translations in preparation for the review of a small text.
I have occasionally met with clients to learn more about their company/products, but only when several hundred thousand words are at stake.
As an in-house translator a client did once want me to go to her production plant to see the products (lipsticks) in order to have a better idea of them, but it was for a minimum charge translation so the boss refused. So then I spent an hour on the phone instead. The client was delighted with my suggestions, however we never worked with them again. The firm was expanding globally and I'm sure that we could have had lots more work if I had been allowed to visit them, but the boss was not at all far-sighted. And given the amount of time they wanted me to invest for 100 or so words, we could have tripled our rate, but the boss didn't have any creative flair for pricing either...
Have you asked or have they given any reason for all this in-depth preparation? Do they perhaps think you lack experience or specialist knowledge? Have they been burned recently? ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Might be standard procedure if it is part of a clinical study | Mar 10, 2012 |
Elena Aleksandrova wrote:
I accepted a project of 1800 words (educational flipbook of a study) as a 3rd reviewer. Now I’m being asked to join a webinar with unknown length and to fill a document with questions I may have about this text (the text is standard and the complexity is low for such texts) for which I’m going to say No as I do not have any questions and I have no time to waste.
It might be a standard part of a linguistic validation procedure for this project. I have participated several times in such webbased sessions. I always found it very interesting and it always improved the final result.
In any case your customer should have informed you how it fits into their process and they should pay you for your time.
| | | | | Lol you make me laugh:) | Mar 10, 2012 |
Elena Aleksandrova wrote:
Now I’m being asked to join a webinar with unknown length and to fill a document with questions I may have about this text (the text is standard and the complexity is low for such texts) for which I’m going to say No as I do not have any questions and I have no time to waste.
Really, I strongly agree with you, never heard about such procedure for a standard and short text, in Italian this is called "complicazione affari semplici" = complicating easy affairs"
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| Compare it to being a parent | Mar 11, 2012 |
I really think you can compare it to parents and their children. For parents with only one child, the best is never enough but when parents have three or four children (or more) they have more experience and less time, and are more relaxed in certain aspects.
Many years ago, I realised that businesses are like children: first you give them life and then you look after them on a daily basis. When it comes to putting your business into someone else's hands for the first time, I think... See more I really think you can compare it to parents and their children. For parents with only one child, the best is never enough but when parents have three or four children (or more) they have more experience and less time, and are more relaxed in certain aspects.
Many years ago, I realised that businesses are like children: first you give them life and then you look after them on a daily basis. When it comes to putting your business into someone else's hands for the first time, I think it's understandable when the owners want to be sure everything is done as they want.
If you think they might give you more work, and you wouldn't mind receiving more work from them, then join the webinar, if not, just say "No". ▲ Collapse
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