Approaching potential clients in a colleague's events Thread poster: Joao Marcelo Trovao
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I would like to know your guys opinion about this.
A colleague invites me to an interpreting event, to be his mate in a cabin. His client is X. We have a verbal agreement that I should not try to get X as my client.
In the event there are like 20 other different companies that are NOT my colleague's clients.
Am I acting wrong if I approach these potential clients in my colleague's event, and give them my business card, even if they're not his clients?
... See more I would like to know your guys opinion about this.
A colleague invites me to an interpreting event, to be his mate in a cabin. His client is X. We have a verbal agreement that I should not try to get X as my client.
In the event there are like 20 other different companies that are NOT my colleague's clients.
Am I acting wrong if I approach these potential clients in my colleague's event, and give them my business card, even if they're not his clients?
Or does the fact that he is responsible for the event "closes the door on me" to all these clients?
[Edited at 2012-06-15 13:00 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Alex Lago 
Spain
Local time: 22:57
English to Spanish
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| I would say no unless... | Jun 15, 2012 |
I would say no it does not unless the specific reason your colleague arranged the event was so he could meet these people.
If the event is for some other reason and those people happen to be there I don't see anything wrong with you approaching them but at the same time I would say it would only be courteous for you to let your colleague know you plan to do that.
| | | | Phil Hand
China
Local time: 04:57
Chinese to English
If it were an agency job, I would not approach any clients as an independent operator. If they approached me, I would say I'm here working with Agency X; if you'd like to use me, please contact them and mention me by name.
When it's a colleague, sometimes they're OK with it, sometimes they're not. The fact that you're asking the question suggests that you think your colleague might not be OK with you introducing yourself as an independent interpreter. I think in that case you owe it... See more If it were an agency job, I would not approach any clients as an independent operator. If they approached me, I would say I'm here working with Agency X; if you'd like to use me, please contact them and mention me by name.
When it's a colleague, sometimes they're OK with it, sometimes they're not. The fact that you're asking the question suggests that you think your colleague might not be OK with you introducing yourself as an independent interpreter. I think in that case you owe it to your colleague at the very least to give him "first bite". ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Ask your colleague | Jun 15, 2012 |
I would simply talk with your colleague about this, maybe you can both approach the potential clients as a team. Anyway, I think it is fair to talk with him/her about this before you act, since you´re taking part at the event in the first place because your colleague choose you to work with him/her.
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| Previous agreement | Jun 15, 2012 |
Chiara Cherubini wrote:
I would simply talk with your colleague about this, maybe you can both approach the potential clients as a team. Anyway, I think it is fair to talk with him/her about this before you act, since you´re taking part at the event in the first place because your colleague choose you to work with him/her.
Yes, I agree with Chiara. This is the wisest and polit approach.
| | | | | A bit disloyal if you ask me | Jun 15, 2012 |
Joao Marcelo Trovao wrote:
Am I acting wrong if I approach these potential clients in my colleague's event, and give them my business card, even if they're not his clients?
The fact that you have doubts should be enough information. Your colleague is offering you work, and I am sure that, in exchange, he would appreciate your loyalty. I am sure that he will contact you again and even give you the customers when he cannot manage them.
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Chiara Cherubini wrote:
I would simply talk with your colleague about this, maybe you can both approach the potential clients as a team. Anyway, I think it is fair to talk with him/her about this before you act, since you´re taking part at the event in the first place because your colleague choose you to work with him/her.
A very good proposal too. Talk before acting.
| | | | Marlene Curtis
United States
Local time: 16:57
English to Portuguese
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| Potential clients at an event | Jun 15, 2012 |
I agree with Chiara in that the other 20 or so potential clients present at the event are not your colleagues' clients yet.
However, out of courtesy, I would talk to him about it first, and you could both distribute your business cards.
Best,
Marlene Curtis
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| Not a zero–sum game | Jun 16, 2012 |
You and your colleague have an agreement and therefore you could talk with him/her before acting as suggested by the other forum participants.
I think that this is not a zero–sum game. You may find opportunities to your colleague in the future as well and this cooperation can be profitable for both parties. Loyalty is helpful if you want to stay in this business in the long run.
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