| Pages sur ce sujet: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you consciously maintain a nice, approachable attitude when communicating with your clients? Auteur du fil: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you consciously maintain a nice, approachable attitude when communicating with your clients?".
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| | | | Allison Wright (X) 
Portugal
Local time: 02:16
| No, not consciously. | May 18, 2013 |
As far as I know, I do maintain a nice, approachable attitude with my clients. It requires no conscious effort, however, owing to its fundamental sincerity.
| | | | | Always with clients... but... | May 18, 2013 |
Yes, always with clients, but it is much harder for me with agencies. On the whole I work for some excellent agencies, but there was one in particular who overworked me to breaking point (back in the beginning) because of my overly-accommodating attitude, and I really lost it with them. Since then, I have been careful not to be too accommodating.
| | | | | Agree with Allison | May 18, 2013 |
Being poilte is a basic rule in doing cordial busines. IMHO
If customers cross the line beyond what is generally regarded or what I expect as "poilte," they're instantly history and don't deserve my services.
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| Agree with Allison and Julian! | May 18, 2013 |
Being polite and mannered is a basic rule in any business. Politeness is so simple and requires no special effort on my part…
| | | | | Carefully considered as part of my marketing | May 18, 2013 |
I don't like to waste time on marketing, but I really do consider how I come across in mails, and have different styles for different clients and even PMs I have come to know.
I agree, politeness is simply a rule of business, but some people go in for a quiet, no-frills kind of politeness, and others like to discuss things going on in the background, hope I had a nice weekend or whatever.
It is no substitute for delivering professional translations on time etc. etc. but... See more I don't like to waste time on marketing, but I really do consider how I come across in mails, and have different styles for different clients and even PMs I have come to know.
I agree, politeness is simply a rule of business, but some people go in for a quiet, no-frills kind of politeness, and others like to discuss things going on in the background, hope I had a nice weekend or whatever.
It is no substitute for delivering professional translations on time etc. etc. but it keeps things running smoothly.
Some clients only send work occasionally, because they do not have a lot in my languages, and I try to make a memorable impression, so they think of me when anything does come in! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 21:16
anglais vers espagnol
+ ...
| Isn't politeness a given? | May 18, 2013 |
Manners evolved because civilizations evolved. Impolite and uncouth people are usually shunned in varying degrees.
Besides flies preferring honey to vinegar, I'm curious about two things:
a) Who is the author of this poll?
b) Why do I sense a hint of bluntness in the poll question?
You may not be aware of this, but in America, the value of honesty is so enthroned that it borders on grating bluntness. There's no nuance, no obliqueness, no measured expr... See more Manners evolved because civilizations evolved. Impolite and uncouth people are usually shunned in varying degrees.
Besides flies preferring honey to vinegar, I'm curious about two things:
a) Who is the author of this poll?
b) Why do I sense a hint of bluntness in the poll question?
You may not be aware of this, but in America, the value of honesty is so enthroned that it borders on grating bluntness. There's no nuance, no obliqueness, no measured expression in public discourse. Sarcasm has its place, but with this obsession with honesty at all costs, American sarcasm becomes obnoxious or unbearable.
Some customers (project managers, owners, users, etc.) blithely assume that they are being positively prodding for the best in us when they apply bluntness. In this all-too-often scenario, manners are likely to go the way of the dodo. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Politeness costs nothing | May 18, 2013 |
Being a genial soul by nature, I hope that this comes across in my communications with clients. Business is so much more pleasant when both sides extend to each other those courtesies which are the binding force of social co-existence.
However, when the smile is perforce a little laboured due to the intransigence of the opposite party, I am reminded of a favourite maxim of a friend of mine:
"Politeness costs nothing - but then, neither does abuse!"
Steve K.
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Marjolein Snippe
Pays-Bas
Local time: 03:16
Membre (2012)
anglais vers néerlandais
+ ...
| mostly comes naturally... | May 18, 2013 |
...but when it does not I am always grateful for the delay I can build in with email - I find it a lot easier to remain polite than over the phone.
I recently received an offer that said something like 'we need this translation. we offer xx (around 4 times lower than any decent minimum rate). we need it by 4pm today. can you do it????'
After my explanation (not my rate, not my field, not my language combination, very sorry, good luck) I promptly received another saying 'so whe... See more ...but when it does not I am always grateful for the delay I can build in with email - I find it a lot easier to remain polite than over the phone.
I recently received an offer that said something like 'we need this translation. we offer xx (around 4 times lower than any decent minimum rate). we need it by 4pm today. can you do it????'
After my explanation (not my rate, not my field, not my language combination, very sorry, good luck) I promptly received another saying 'so when can you finish it???'
Counted to 20 before replying... I was very glad I did not have to handle that one by phone as I am not known for being the world's most patient person. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 19:16
néerlandais vers anglais
+ ...
| Almost always | May 18, 2013 |
I was about to click on "Yes, always", when I thought of 2 or 3 clients over the (many) years who made a nuisance of themselves. In those cases I still stay polite but I remember one case where I asked the client (politely) to find another translator.
| | | | neilmac
Espagne
Local time: 03:16
espagnol vers anglais
+ ...
Not sure about "consciously", but most of the time I like to think I'm nice and approachable by nature.
However, on the other hand, I don't suffer fools gladly and have occasionally told clients to take their business elsewhere. Sometimes "no thanks" just isn't strong enough.
| | | | Yaotl Altan
Mexique
Local time: 20:16
Membre (2006)
anglais vers espagnol
+ ...
...unless they start again with the old chattering:
"is that your best rate?"
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Marlene Blanshay
Canada
Local time: 21:16
Membre (2009)
français vers anglais
+ ...
it's just a given...always polite and respectful!
| | | | Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
États-Unis
Local time: 18:16
espagnol vers anglais
+ ...
| I should hope so | May 19, 2013 |
As others have said, it comes naturally, like self-presentation. In my wildest imagination, I can't even dream of being anything but polite with a client.
That said, a couple of times when clients have gotten really picky and unreasonable, I have told them that I wouldn't be able to work for them. But I do it politely.
We're grownups here, aren't we?
| | | | Thayenga
Allemagne
Local time: 03:16
Membre (2009)
anglais vers allemand
+ ...
| Proper business conduct | May 19, 2013 |
Teresa Borges wrote:
Being polite and mannered is a basic rule in any business. Politeness is so simple and requires no special effort on my part…
A proper business conduct is mandatory, and it comes easilyy. After all, when I am the clients, e. g. in a store, I want to be treated with respect and courteousy.
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