Comments on: The elusive PO [#1] http://blog.albatrossolutions.com/life-as-a-pm/the-elusive-po-1 All about TEnT, CAT tools, translation memory, translation resources, Italian localization, etc. Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:44:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Gabriella Ascari http://blog.albatrossolutions.com/life-as-a-pm/the-elusive-po-1/comment-page-1#comment-502 Gabriella Ascari Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:33:54 +0000 http://blog.albatrossolutions.com/?p=424#comment-502 The rule you advocate is what I try to put into practice on a daily basis, and it is a very simple rule really: treat others the way you'd like to be treated. On the job this translates as trying to teach by example and showing (rather than telling) that working in an organized and systematic way is a great help and not a hindrance (or a way to slow you down). In my experience however, with respect to clients, though they appreciate that you work in a certain way and sometime take the time to actually notice, no major or minor change has ever been produced in them as a result of presenting a different (more efficient?) way of working. With respect to the freelancers that work for us, on the other hand, quite the opposite is true and the "teaching by example" concept works more effectively, sometimes even exceptionally well. But perhaps this is another topic altogether and the issue of POs has been turned into something else... The rule you advocate is what I try to put into practice on a daily basis, and it is a very simple rule really: treat others the way you’d like to be treated.

On the job this translates as trying to teach by example and showing (rather than telling) that working in an organized and systematic way is a great help and not a hindrance (or a way to slow you down). In my experience however, with respect to clients, though they appreciate that you work in a certain way and sometime take the time to actually notice, no major or minor change has ever been produced in them as a result of presenting a different (more efficient?) way of working.

With respect to the freelancers that work for us, on the other hand, quite the opposite is true and the “teaching by example” concept works more effectively, sometimes even exceptionally well.

But perhaps this is another topic altogether and the issue of POs has been turned into something else…

]]> By: mia dintinjana http://blog.albatrossolutions.com/life-as-a-pm/the-elusive-po-1/comment-page-1#comment-500 mia dintinjana Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:41:32 +0000 http://blog.albatrossolutions.com/?p=424#comment-500 Asking for a P.O. is anything but confrontational behaviour. On the contrary, providing the translator with a purchase order upon the commencement of a job reflects the general business culture of the company you work with as well as the competence and good business manners of the project manager. In my opinion, it is an indicator of how the customer values you as a translator and a person. I have learned that one gets what one attracts: if you abide by your rules, others will, too. Asking for a P.O. is anything but confrontational behaviour. On the contrary, providing the translator with a purchase order upon the commencement of a job reflects the general business culture of the company you work with as well as the competence and good business manners of the project manager. In my opinion, it is an indicator of how the customer values you as a translator and a person. I have learned that one gets what one attracts: if you abide by your rules, others will, too.

]]> By: Gabriella Ascari http://blog.albatrossolutions.com/life-as-a-pm/the-elusive-po-1/comment-page-1#comment-497 Gabriella Ascari Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:46:10 +0000 http://blog.albatrossolutions.com/?p=424#comment-497 Your advice is worth considering, though I tend not to be so confrontational with clients if I can find another way. I will definitely keep it in mind though, you never know. Thanks :-) Your advice is worth considering, though I tend not to be so confrontational with clients if I can find another way. I will definitely keep it in mind though, you never know. Thanks :-)

]]> By: Edwin den Boer http://blog.albatrossolutions.com/life-as-a-pm/the-elusive-po-1/comment-page-1#comment-492 Edwin den Boer Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:43:46 +0000 http://blog.albatrossolutions.com/?p=424#comment-492 Have you ever tried sending an invoice without a PO number? As a freelance translator, I once threatened to do this, and I received a PO within a week. The PO number is for the convenience of the client, so if they don't provide it, it's their problem (assuming you kept a record of the volume and price details). Postponing invoices this way could cost me hundreds of euros in lost interest every year. Have you ever tried sending an invoice without a PO number? As a freelance translator, I once threatened to do this, and I received a PO within a week. The PO number is for the convenience of the client, so if they don’t provide it, it’s their problem (assuming you kept a record of the volume and price details).

Postponing invoices this way could cost me hundreds of euros in lost interest every year.

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