Dear Client: Please don’t wait last minute to contact us
Dear Client:
Sometimes, you want us translators to translate a 5,000 word PowerPoint presentation which required the efforts of a 3 person team during 2 weeks. That’s fine, we love working for you because you are nice and look good in a suit (this may or may not be appropriate).
However, there is a tiny problem when you want us to translate your presentation as fast as possible, because you need it yesterday.
Now, I may not be the brightest bulb in the box in math (and only math; in all other fields I shine like crazy), but according to my calculations, yesterday is already gone!
And you know what they (my therapists) say; it’s not good to dwell on the past.
I am not talking about the time your boss’ angry and scary boss wanted something done right away or else [please insert some catastrophic situation with as many gore details as possible].
We get that. And we’ll help you the best we can.
What I am referring to (slowly, I know, but aren’t you glad we are spending quality time together? Me too) is a situation where you have a reasonable timeframe and you forget or worse, you don’t think it’s necessary to include us early in the process.
I say with the utmost respect and a barely annoying and condescending tone, tut-tut-tut-tut.
Even though we are not physically there within your team, we are there in spirit [please insert touching music].
What I mean is (geeez, it’s like I’ll never get to the point): translation is an important part of your project and you need to allow enough time for the job to be done properly.
You should always include us in your action plan. You should never hesitate to contact us to discuss your project. You should always let us know if there is a major change in your project that we should know about. And finally, when possible, you should not wait last minute to include us in the process.
This way, we will be able to allocate the required resources, prepare ourselves and be ready to go when you are!
Remember, just like the other members of your team, we’ll give everything we’ve got towards your project, and then some.
Big hugs and kisses. No wait, this might not be appropriate. High five and chest bump. Yeah, much better.
Your devoted translator,
V.