| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | motivating your translators Thread poster: cunninglinguist
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I\'m about to start a 10-week simulation of a translation bureau: my final project in my translation studies. I will be the office manager of this bureau, which will have roughly 20 translators. Now, my question to you \'fellow office managers\' is: how do you motivate your employees? I\'m planning to reward them with compliments and show a personal interest. Any other ideas?
Big thanks
Anne
Maastricht
Holland
| | | | | It's amazing how motivated people are | Mar 10, 2003 |
when you pay them well and FAST! And are really helpful answering their questions, give clear instructions and a purchase order. The fastet way to demotivate translators: don\'t pay them, criticise them, don\'t answer their emails!
| | | | Parrot 
Spain
Local time: 20:28
Spanish to English
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| Stay on top of the hierarchy in pricing | Mar 10, 2003 |
Fully agree with Gillian.
It\'s also curious how an agency that pays well communicates that it cares about quality, making translators pore over finished products with an eye to finesse and detail. Likewise, such an agency always gets priority and inspires greater effort -- many translators would rather lose sleep during a busy season than miss out on a job from such an outsourcer, if not for the money, for the sake of good public relations.  ... See more Fully agree with Gillian.
It\'s also curious how an agency that pays well communicates that it cares about quality, making translators pore over finished products with an eye to finesse and detail. Likewise, such an agency always gets priority and inspires greater effort -- many translators would rather lose sleep during a busy season than miss out on a job from such an outsourcer, if not for the money, for the sake of good public relations.  ▲ Collapse
| | | | Uldis Liepkalns
Latvia
Local time: 21:28
Member (2003)
English to Latvian
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| By carrot and stick :))) | Mar 10, 2003 |
Subj.
[addsig]
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Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 20:28
English to German
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| Information is key | Mar 10, 2003 |
Make sure that you provide information along the entire process chain:
- Provide reference material (term lists/term bases, project TMs, other reference material).
- Keep the terminology updated throughout longer projects.
- Always return the edited version, and communicate that you expect translators to check the changes made.
Obviously, Gillian\'s point of timely payment also reflects a very important issue.
Bes... See more Make sure that you provide information along the entire process chain:
- Provide reference material (term lists/term bases, project TMs, other reference material).
- Keep the terminology updated throughout longer projects.
- Always return the edited version, and communicate that you expect translators to check the changes made.
Obviously, Gillian\'s point of timely payment also reflects a very important issue.
Best, Ralf ▲ Collapse
| | | | cunninglinguist
Netherlands
Local time: 20:28
Dutch to English
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TOPIC STARTER | We're working with virtual money | Mar 10, 2003 |
Thanks all, but as this is a simulation, I can\'t pay my employees in real cash, as that would mean the end of my bank account within a week I\'ll try to pay them in coffee.
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As Gillian says : pay them well and FAS and of course feel free to tell them what you think of the job done wether good or bad.
| | | | | as, in fact, you clearly recognise... | Mar 10, 2003 |
...given your choice of nickname - oral stimulation is always the best - whatever tongue you\'re dealing with. 
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| I'd say trust is probably the most important element | Mar 10, 2003 |
Trust between the agency and its freelancers, trust between the agency and its in-house translators, and trust between the employees themselves.
If that foundation isn\'t there then you can forget any of the other useful stuff about dissemination of information, on-time payments, etc. I\'m not saying that that doesn\'t play a role, but that it needs a solid foundation.
HTH
Alison
| | | | Marc P (X)
Local time: 20:28
German to English
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| Employees? Or suppliers? | Mar 10, 2003 |
>my question to you \'fellow office managers\' is: how do you motivate your employees?
| | | | Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 20:28
English to German
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| True, but... | Mar 10, 2003 |
Quote:
Do you really mean employees? The other posters in this thread generally seem to think you mean freelance staff, for some reason.
Well spotted, Marc - probably due to the fact that most people active in here are freelancers rather than employees. However, I believe what I posted about information is important regardless of status.
Best, Ralf
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With the right attitude, the right expectations, the right information (and the right way to communicate it), the right price, the right recognition (a simple thank you) for receiving and appreciating the work and the payment on time!
Simple really...that is why I find so amazing it does not come naturally (or at all) to everybody.
Cheers to all!
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| Don't forget *non-material* elements | Mar 10, 2003 |
Communication, respect, Christmas/Easter Cards will maybe contribute to a more proper spirit of partnership, at least in some countries or at least in relation with some translators. Such small - let\'s call them attentions - may, at a first glance, provoke smiles, but who wouldn\'t appreciate beeing remembered not only on occasions of a certain project/job?!
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| | | | cunninglinguist
Netherlands
Local time: 20:28
Dutch to English
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TOPIC STARTER | My people will be in-house... | Mar 10, 2003 |
...but they will have the liberty of working wherever they want to, as long as they deliver on time and remain contactable during office hours.
| | | | Paul Roige (X)
Spain
Local time: 20:28
English to Spanish
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Quote:
On 2003-03-10 17:02, cunninglinguist wrote:
Thanks all, but as this is a simulation, I can\'t pay my employees in real cash, as that would mean the end of my bank account within a week I\'ll try to pay them in coffee.
Now, that\'s cunning, my dear linguist! If you try coffee, please try well: have decaf just in case, heat the milk properly and get enough f
... See more Quote:
On 2003-03-10 17:02, cunninglinguist wrote:
Thanks all, but as this is a simulation, I can\'t pay my employees in real cash, as that would mean the end of my bank account within a week I\'ll try to pay them in coffee.
Now, that\'s cunning, my dear linguist! If you try coffee, please try well: have decaf just in case, heat the milk properly and get enough froth for them all, never ever serve it cold or lukewarm, keep the coffee machine clean, and have a cloth handy to wipe out stains from the keyboard. Croissants and bagels on the side will be highly appreciated. And the background music, please be sensitive, do NOT play neither Cliff Richard nor Engelbert Humperdinck. Tom Jones and Abba OK.
There is nothing virtual about coffee, it\'s more real than you and me together.
And please, don\'t expect payment for your waiting services. Motivation would sink ipso facto...
Happy virtual whatevers
Paul
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