Poll: How often do you outsource work?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jan 28, 2020

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often do you outsource work?".

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neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 16:08
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Jan 28, 2020

I don't usually outsource work per se, but sometimes I might pass work on to another translator if I'm too busy or not interested in the job. And I sometimes ask a colleague to check ("proofread") my texts before delivery, but I don't really consider that outsourcing either.

Tina Vonhof (X)
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 15:08
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other (very irregularly) Jan 28, 2020

I don’t outsource work from English, French, Spanish and Italian into European Portuguese (my work languages), but I have outsourced work when my clients have requests for languages I don't cover and I have been working with the same tested, approved and trusted translators for ages (some are Prozians). When the request comes from a potential new client and I’m not available or I don’t cover that particular language combination I prefer recommending specific translators.

 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 16:08
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
Never Jan 28, 2020

I have done it once or twice, but I really prefer to recommend a colleague to the client and let the client work directly with my colleague.

Chiara Foppa Pedretti
Tina Vonhof (X)
 
Alexandra Speirs
Alexandra Speirs  Identity Verified
Local time: 16:08
Italian to English
+ ...
only within the family Jan 28, 2020

I answered Never, but then I remembered that I recently shared a job with my son.
It was about artefacts in a museum from the First World War, which is one of his specialities, so I knew he would get it done easily.
I did check it before delivery to the client.
For medical jobs I ask my daughter ....
So not really outsourcing so much as family collaboration.


 
Kay-Viktor Stegemann
Kay-Viktor Stegemann
Germany
Local time: 16:08
English to German
In memoriam
Never Jan 28, 2020

My work is at least 95% for agencies, and I cannot outsource that. I am the guy people outsource to.

Elaine Ruby
Philippe Etienne
 
Nina Khmielnitzky
Nina Khmielnitzky  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 11:08
Member (2004)
English to French
Never Jan 28, 2020

I can recommend other translators if I don't have the time to do an assignment, but I don't want to split my income.

Tina Vonhof (X)
 
Andrew Morris
Andrew Morris
Local time: 16:08
ProZ.com team
90% of what I get Jan 28, 2020

Been doing it for 7 years. The initial pitfalls soon disappear when you build up an efficient and competent team of people you can turn to time and again. You give them work, they give you quality. Everyone's happy.

It's not for everyone, but it definitely opens up new avenues in terms of the variety of clients you can deal with and the quantity of work you can handle, not to mention the obvious financial aspects.


 
Tom in London
Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:08
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Never Jan 28, 2020

I would never outsource work to another translator working in the same language pair. All translators working in the same language pair as me are my competitors. I would never do anything to help my competitors. Sorry folks, but that's the way it is.

[Edited at 2020-01-28 15:29 GMT]


 
Tina Vonhof (X)
Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 09:08
Dutch to English
+ ...
Other Jan 28, 2020

Large agencies usually have their own pool of translators but if it concerns a document that needs to be certified, most private clients and small agencies are happy when I recommend someone. There are only about 4 o5 certified translators in my language pair in all of Canada and a private client may not easily find one. The colleague I usually refer to I consider my friend, not my competitor.

 
Sarah Basto
Sarah Basto  Identity Verified
Brazil
English to Portuguese
+ ...
I have done it twice and have DEEPLY regretted it. Jan 28, 2020

Never again.

Tom in London
 
Ventnai
Ventnai  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 16:08
German to English
+ ...
Not permitted Jan 28, 2020

I am not allowed to outsource work as I have signed agreements which forbid it.

 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 12:08
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Very rarely Jan 28, 2020

It happens every now and then that a client has a huge project and a tight deadline, and I suggest one or two collegues to divide it. And many colleagues do the same with me. But the only acceptable way to do that is agreeing with the client in advance and copying them in all emails.
There is no way you can accept a job then send part of it to someone else without the knowledge and approval of the client. That is dishonest.

[Edited at 2020-01-28 20:57 GMT]


 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 08:08
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Never Jan 29, 2020

I did it once about 18 years ago, though I wasn't supposed to, and lost the client. I had kept 20% of the payment to cover the cost of reviewing the document, which had a number of problems - mainly material that was skipped. My outsourcee got upset that she didn't get 100% and told the client. Never again!

 


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Poll: How often do you outsource work?






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