Looking to create a backup network Thread poster: Dorothy Schaps
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Dorothy Schaps 
Germany
Local time: 20:57
Member (2010)
German to English
Hi all!
I finally have daycare for my little one (Woohoo!) and from September he'll being going to a childminder until January. Then from February he has a nursery school place! Yey! This is all extremely good news, but I've heard that as soon as the kids come into daycare (probably more so in nursery school) they are constantly ill, at least for the first few months. So what I'm looking for is backup - colleagues who could step in for me at short notice if my son is ill and can't ... See more Hi all!
I finally have daycare for my little one (Woohoo!) and from September he'll being going to a childminder until January. Then from February he has a nursery school place! Yey! This is all extremely good news, but I've heard that as soon as the kids come into daycare (probably more so in nursery school) they are constantly ill, at least for the first few months. So what I'm looking for is backup - colleagues who could step in for me at short notice if my son is ill and can't go to the childminder or to nursery.
I guess the worst case scenario would be that you'd have to complete and deliver projects for me... Is that weird? Is it done? Does anyone generally have experience in this area?!
Just some basic info: I'm a DE > EN translator, specialise in culinary, marketing and tourism and I work with MemoQ.
Thanks ever so much!
All the best,
Dorothy ▲ Collapse
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Hi!
I dont work from German to English, but from French to German and understand your worries.
When my girl came into daycare she was constantly ill in winter during two years. I was lucky that her grandfather could care about here because she was at home for nearly 3 months both years... (and I had to work...).
It is in deed a good idea to lo look for backup-colleagues even though children sleep a lot when they are ill.
Good news: The two year... See more Hi!
I dont work from German to English, but from French to German and understand your worries.
When my girl came into daycare she was constantly ill in winter during two years. I was lucky that her grandfather could care about here because she was at home for nearly 3 months both years... (and I had to work...).
It is in deed a good idea to lo look for backup-colleagues even though children sleep a lot when they are ill.
Good news: The two years passed she was nearly never ill again!....
Also: Ohren steif halten...
[Modifié le 2014-07-27 14:21 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Yael Ramon
Israel
Local time: 21:57
German to Hebrew
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| that's what PROZ is for | Jul 27, 2014 |
just post the job needs to be performed and pay the translator who takes it.
| | | | | Tell the client | Jul 28, 2014 |
I would NOT post the job on Proz.com personally, and I would prefer to have a backup I knew beforehand. Then I could simply unload the job without vetting bids and possibly ending up with an unusable translation anyway.
I work mostly for agencies, and if I am unable to deliver on time (migraine strikes occasionally...) I let the client know, and we arrange something, depending in how much I have done and when the deadline is. Postponing it is sometimes possible.
I am no... See more I would NOT post the job on Proz.com personally, and I would prefer to have a backup I knew beforehand. Then I could simply unload the job without vetting bids and possibly ending up with an unusable translation anyway.
I work mostly for agencies, and if I am unable to deliver on time (migraine strikes occasionally...) I let the client know, and we arrange something, depending in how much I have done and when the deadline is. Postponing it is sometimes possible.
I am not encouraged to pass on work I can't finish - it would be gainst the NDA in most cases, but that depends on the agreement you have with your client.
If the agreement is that you must not pass on work to anyone else, then the agency must find another translator, and the problem is largely out of your hands. You have to renegotiate payment etc. but can do that later, when you have time. Some agencies are very understanding.
I have been on the receiving end with regard to translations when people's children have been ill or other problems crop up. My son was grown up before I started translating, but I certainly benefited from the support of colleagues in other jobs when he was little.
You need a quick and streamlined solution, but if you outsource work, it should preferably be to someone you know in advance and can trust. You must also let the client know, at least as a general principle, first that you have a backup, and second, that you might use it, so the work delivered is not guaranteed to be 100% yours.
I hope it all works out smoothly, but there will inevitably be occasions when you need to concentrate on your baby or toddler and then get a little sleep yourself before you are fit for work.
I don't work with German or MemoQ, so will not be volunteering for your network
Best of luck!
[Edited at 2014-07-28 12:08 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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DLyons
Ireland
Local time: 19:57
Spanish to English
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| Maybe look at the Teams functionality? | Jul 28, 2014 |
The basic problem is to find people you trust. But, once that's done, have a look at
http://www.proz.com/faq/teams
| | | | Emma Goldsmith
Spain
Local time: 20:57
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
| How to find people you trust | Jul 28, 2014 |
DLyons wrote:
The basic problem is to find people you trust.
Indeed. Over the years, I have got to know a number of translators in my language pair and specialism whom I trust and respect.
I call on them to review my translations when I work for direct clients, recommend them when I'm too busy to take on work, and sometimes email them directly with specific questions/issues (terminology, technology, etc.)
How did I find them? I read their answers and comments to Kudoz questions, followed their discussions in forums here and in other specialised networks, and met them face to face at conferences and workshops.
| | | | Phil Hand
China
Local time: 03:57
Chinese to English
| Agree with this | Jul 28, 2014 |
Emma Goldsmith wrote:
How did I find them? I read their answers and comments to Kudoz questions, followed their discussions in forums here and in other specialised networks, and met them face to face at conferences and workshops.
For me the greatest benefit of the Kudoz system by far is that it gives me a chance to identify competent translators with whom I'd like to work. I haven't used the Proz Team function myself, but it's got to be worth a go.
| | | | Dorothy Schaps
Germany
Local time: 20:57
Member (2010)
German to English
TOPIC STARTER | Thank you for all the tips | Jul 28, 2014 |
Hi everyone,
Thanks ever so much for all the advice
Andrea: Thank you for your understanding!
Yael: I don't actually think it would be viable to post the job here. I'm imagining (worst case scenario) having half finished jobs where there is no leeway on the deadline and a poorly child who is demanding my full attention. I'd h... See more
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| KudoZ is a real good idea to find translators | Jul 28, 2014 |
I agree with Emma.
KudoZ is a good way to find competent colleagues!
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Emma Goldsmith wrote:
How did I find them? I read their answers and comments to Kudoz questions, followed their discussions in forums here and in other specialised networks, and met them face to face at conferences and workshops.
I entirely agree with this approach. You definitely need to get to know the people in detail and, if possible, in person.
If you cannot finish a job personally after your subcontracted colleague's work, you should definitely tell so to the customer and give them the option to find a translator themselves. Clarity is healthier for all parties and protects your business from other people's gross mistakes.
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