Poll: Is being competitive an advantage in your line of work? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Is being competitive an advantage in your line of work?".
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| | | | I don't know | Sep 14, 2019 |
At first I misunderstood the question. If we're talking about working for competitive rates, then NO. My rates are not "competitive" and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have all the work I want to take on. My colleagues are my friends. If they want to take on more work than I'm willing to accept, more power to them. If I have too much on my plate and an offer comes in, I often refer the client to a colleague.
[Edited at 2019-09-14 09:11 GMT] | | | Samuel Murray Netherlands Local time: 16:14 Member (2006) English to Afrikaans + ... Yes, definitely | Sep 14, 2019 |
ProZ.com Staff wrote: "Is being competitive an advantage in your line of work?" Absolutely. Having a competitive streak results in better quality work and greater enjoyment. One must take pride in one's work. Or... wait... are you using the word "competitive" to mean "charge low rates"? | |
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neilmac Spain Local time: 16:14 Spanish to English + ... Occasionally. | Sep 14, 2019 |
I suppose it depends on how you define "competitive". If it's a euphemism for "cheap", then sometimes it may be an advantage. However, in general I prefer cooperation or collaboration with colleagues rather than competing against them. | | | I don't know | Sep 14, 2019 |
As others have said before me, it depends on what is meant by competitive. Personally I’m not competitive at all. I prefer working together with people rather than compete. Well, maybe I was a little bit back in my younger days: I hated losing to my brothers. I’m competitive with myself. I set my own goals, I’m extremely persistent, even stubborn, I don’t give up easily but all that has very little to do with others. If we’re talking about competitive rates then the answ... See more As others have said before me, it depends on what is meant by competitive. Personally I’m not competitive at all. I prefer working together with people rather than compete. Well, maybe I was a little bit back in my younger days: I hated losing to my brothers. I’m competitive with myself. I set my own goals, I’m extremely persistent, even stubborn, I don’t give up easily but all that has very little to do with others. If we’re talking about competitive rates then the answer will be no. Some say I’m expensive, but I had a solid client list when I moved to Portugal in 2016 and I see no reason to charge less than I did in Belgium just because I live now in another country… ▲ Collapse | | | DZiW (X) Ukraine English to Russian + ... Define: As good as or better than others | Sep 14, 2019 |
Certainly, one must be unique and competent or very soon such a specialist would become outdated and replaced with someone better (more active/promising). And while now I mostly work as an interpreter, I do consider myself competitive--quite successful for they still pay me $0.25-$0.50/word no problem. | | | Mario Freitas Brazil Local time: 12:14 Member (2014) English to Portuguese + ... Is being competitive an advantage in ANY line of work? | Sep 14, 2019 |
Of course it is. And if you think "competitive" relates to lower rates only, you should look up the meaning of "competitive". Offering lower rates is a means to TRY to be competitive through prices when you can't be competitive through competence. If you are not competitive, keeping your stantard rates untouched, you'll be in a pretty bad position in the market.
[Edited at 2019-09-14 17:22 GMT] | |
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Depends on definition. | Sep 14, 2019 |
Mario Freitas wrote: Of course it is. And if you think "competitive" relates to lower rates only, you should look up the meaning of "competitive". Offering lower rates is a means to TRY to be competitive through prices when you can't be competitive through competence.
[Edited at 2019-09-14 17:22 GMT] I answered "yes," after holding a wavering cursor over "I don't know" and "sometimes." Mario has mentioned the keywords I was thinking of: "TRY" and "competence." I'm not competitive by nature. I don't "TRY" to compete with others; on the contrary, I teach translation, with a view to seeing my students become my colleagues and thus "the competition," and I cheer them on! However, I am competitive in the sense that I am a competent translator, and my clients tell me I'm better than others they have worked with. (I don't ask them to compare me to others, but it happens.) If the poll question means, "Do you charge lower rates in order to get more jobs" or "Do you market yourself as 'better than the rest'," then my answer is NO. If it means, "Do you strive for excellence in your work, and do you believe that helps you get jobs," then YES. --Jane | | | Doing one's best means "being competitive" | Sep 15, 2019 |
I've never thought of competition per se. I simply do quality work to the best of my ability, do not take on work that I'm not competent to handle at a professional level etc. One cannot know, however, whether in the poll only "price" (lower) might have been meant. | | | Mario Freitas Brazil Local time: 12:14 Member (2014) English to Portuguese + ... That's it Jane | Sep 16, 2019 |
JaneTranslates wrote: Mario Freitas wrote: Of course it is. /quote] I answered "yes," after holding a wavering cursor over "I don't know" and "sometimes." Mario has mentioned the keywords I was thinking of: "TRY" and "competence." f the poll question means, "Do you charge lower rates in order to get more jobs" or "Do you market yourself as 'better than the rest'," then my answer is NO. If it means, "Do you strive for excellence in your work, and do you believe that helps you get jobs," then YES. --Jane You intepreted what I wanted to say with perfercion, Jane. Thank you.
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