| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Which of the following do you most value in a Project Manager? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Which of the following do you most value in a Project Manager?".
This poll was originally submitted by Sylvie Mathis. View the poll results »
| | | | | Maybe I'm too greedy, but | Nov 4, 2010 |
all of the above.
| | | | John Cutler 
Spain
Local time: 09:08
Spanish to English
+ ...
I've always found it ironic when a PM sends me a job on a Friday afternoon and requests that it be on their desk first thing Monday morning and then takes the weekend off! This complete lack of availability makes me wonder what they're doing to deserve their cut of the profits.
Disclaimer:
Just to be fair, obviously not all PMs follow this work methodology and most that I've worked with make a huge effort to be available. ... See more I've always found it ironic when a PM sends me a job on a Friday afternoon and requests that it be on their desk first thing Monday morning and then takes the weekend off! This complete lack of availability makes me wonder what they're doing to deserve their cut of the profits.
Disclaimer:
Just to be fair, obviously not all PMs follow this work methodology and most that I've worked with make a huge effort to be available. ▲ Collapse
| | | | GeoS
Local time: 10:08
Greek to English
+ ...
| I voted for Other but... | Nov 4, 2010 |
I think a good project manager must combine all the above. Each of these items alone does not suffice.
| | |
|
|
|
inkweaver
Germany
Local time: 09:08
French to German
+ ...
Good assignment, clarity and availability are at the top of my personal list.
I find it mildly annoying when I keep getting availability requests for legal or technical translations from PMs I have been working with for years when they should really know by now that I don't work in those fields. Some even seem to be a bit miffed when I dare to refuse jobs I simply know nothing about.
Clarity is important as well - I certainly like being told in advance what is expected... See more Good assignment, clarity and availability are at the top of my personal list.
I find it mildly annoying when I keep getting availability requests for legal or technical translations from PMs I have been working with for years when they should really know by now that I don't work in those fields. Some even seem to be a bit miffed when I dare to refuse jobs I simply know nothing about.
Clarity is important as well - I certainly like being told in advance what is expected, not afterwards...
Fortunately, I have had no availability issues with the agencies I currently work for. I used to have problems with a former client, but since that wasn't the only problem with him, I stopped working for him altogther.
Thinking about it, I also appreciate a certain amount of politeness... ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 09:08
Spanish to English
+ ...
Answering my queries (and replying to emails) is important. Providing all the necessary information (including billing details, times etc) is a desirable trait too. However, rather than spend several minutes racking my brain trying to rank them in terms of imortance, I'm afraid the answer has to be ALL of the above.
In general I have a pretty low opinion of about 50% of those I've had to deal with. It never ceases to amaze me how agencies /clients are usually soooo demanding but the... See more Answering my queries (and replying to emails) is important. Providing all the necessary information (including billing details, times etc) is a desirable trait too. However, rather than spend several minutes racking my brain trying to rank them in terms of imortance, I'm afraid the answer has to be ALL of the above.
In general I have a pretty low opinion of about 50% of those I've had to deal with. It never ceases to amaze me how agencies /clients are usually soooo demanding but then turn out to be lax and inept themselves... ▲ Collapse
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 09:08
Spanish to English
+ ...
inkweaver wrote: I find it mildly annoying when I keep getting availability requests ...
Likewise, I find it extremely irritating when I keep getting job offers sent in massive group mailings from clients who I have already sent my CV to and specifically asked to approach me individually. To me this means that there is/can be no relationship with them since they have failed to appreciate my initial overture, because if truth be told they should consider themselves lucky if they did ever manage to contract my services. Which they won't. Ever.
| | | | Adam Jarczyk
Poland
Local time: 09:08
Member (2009)
English to Polish
+ ...
| Definitely a combination of some of the above would be needed... | Nov 4, 2010 |
... such as to form a good business partner.
The same way that I not only keep the deadline in mind but am also available and do research for my work, offer good background and certifications on the tools I work with, and will give competent and consistent translations that are edited and proofread by the time I deliver.
Our business is a business in which just one parameter taken care of is by far too little. Which is, on the other hand, probably one of the reasons tha... See more ... such as to form a good business partner.
The same way that I not only keep the deadline in mind but am also available and do research for my work, offer good background and certifications on the tools I work with, and will give competent and consistent translations that are edited and proofread by the time I deliver.
Our business is a business in which just one parameter taken care of is by far too little. Which is, on the other hand, probably one of the reasons that makes it an attractive job as well: Never boring, and challenging in a variety of fields... ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Most of the above, apart from negotiating rates.
With most of the agencies I work for, I have agreed a flat rate. It saves time when the rushed jobs come in, and it is far from easy money every time.
Like everyone else, I think all these aspects are imortant, but if I have to choose, then I am divided between clarity, explaining the job, and matching it to my skills.
Perhaps clarity finally comes out on top, because then I can decide for myself whether I ca... See more Most of the above, apart from negotiating rates.
With most of the agencies I work for, I have agreed a flat rate. It saves time when the rushed jobs come in, and it is far from easy money every time.
Like everyone else, I think all these aspects are imortant, but if I have to choose, then I am divided between clarity, explaining the job, and matching it to my skills.
Perhaps clarity finally comes out on top, because then I can decide for myself whether I can take the job on.
But availability etc. are very close too. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 09:08
English to French
+ ...
‘Good assignment’ among “the following”, but I would actually call it PR: a human relationship between a PM who is clever enough to check out source texts/clients and match them with what translators like or do best. A good PM should also be sufficiently organised to match a team of translators to each client (and possibly several clients to a translator).
Yes, there are such people out there and they deserve the ‘best to my ability’. We work as a team: they give me ple... See more ‘Good assignment’ among “the following”, but I would actually call it PR: a human relationship between a PM who is clever enough to check out source texts/clients and match them with what translators like or do best. A good PM should also be sufficiently organised to match a team of translators to each client (and possibly several clients to a translator).
Yes, there are such people out there and they deserve the ‘best to my ability’. We work as a team: they give me plenty of work and I get them “customer satisfaction”. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 09:08
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Yasutomo Kanazawa wrote:
all of the above.
Each quality is equally important.
| | | |
Thayenga wrote: Yasutomo Kanazawa wrote:
all of the above. Each quality is equally important.
| | |
|
|
|
Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 03:08
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Other (clarity, availability, and dilligence all equally important) | Nov 4, 2010 |
On the other hand, I am the one responsible for accepting or refusing a job that is not a good match for my skills.
| | | | | Can I say: PAYMENT ARRANGED AND BE PAID ?? | Nov 4, 2010 |
Wow, Sylvie, you're alive! You never answered my e-mail...
Anyway, everything mentioned for sure is valuable, but I guess the most valuable thing is communication; that when the project manager receives the job from the translator, that she, first of all:
- Reads it, thanks for it
- Arranges payment and pays!!!
- Reads emails
- Answers them
That is called politeness, and of course, involves ethics and professionalism, don't you agree?
... See more Wow, Sylvie, you're alive! You never answered my e-mail...
Anyway, everything mentioned for sure is valuable, but I guess the most valuable thing is communication; that when the project manager receives the job from the translator, that she, first of all:
- Reads it, thanks for it
- Arranges payment and pays!!!
- Reads emails
- Answers them
That is called politeness, and of course, involves ethics and professionalism, don't you agree?
[Edited at 2010-11-04 13:15 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | |
Because it covers all of the above. In order not to waste my time the job must be well explained, payment terms firm and queries answered promptly. Time is money so I prefer the PM's that don't call just to say they have already send an e-mail because they don't get it that I would probably first receive the e-mail on my mobile, then the call
The best PM is an automated one. The in-person contact should be there ONLY ... See more Because it covers all of the above. In order not to waste my time the job must be well explained, payment terms firm and queries answered promptly. Time is money so I prefer the PM's that don't call just to say they have already send an e-mail because they don't get it that I would probably first receive the e-mail on my mobile, then the call
The best PM is an automated one. The in-person contact should be there ONLY if there are any difficulties. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Which of the following do you most value in a Project Manager? | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
| | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
