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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Batshit client: stand back and watch it all go horribly wrong, or have a firm word?

10 replies

SolidGoldBrass · 28/06/2013 23:21

Among my various jobs, I have been doing some translation/copy-editing for someone I will refer to as F. F runs a magazine and a website and is expanding his leisure/lifestyle business.

F is, I rather think, bipolar. I've worked for him on and off for a couple of years and there have been a few issues with him not paying me (though he has paid in full for the last bouts of work and seems at least to have his finances sorted at present). He is prone to bouts of 'distress' when he will just fuck off and disappear for a while, but he is currently back and very focussed. However, I think his business plan is ridiculously grandiose and over-ambitious, and even allowing for language difficulties, the 'mission statement' I have just translated and edited for him sounds like a total load of old cock to me.

So do I just take the money (assuming I get it at all anyway) and run, or do I (given that I am not exactly Alan Sugar myself) try to steer him in a more workable direction?

OP posts:
NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 28/06/2013 23:24

I'm in your line Solid....and my advice is to take the money.

cozietoesie · 28/06/2013 23:24

I'd steer him from conscience but then I'm a glutton for punishment. (It might mean that you become his muse or something.)

solarbright · 28/06/2013 23:24

Is it your job to translate, or your job to advise? Because if it's translation, I'd take the money (if forthcoming) and say nothing. Tempting though it may be...

WorraLiberty · 28/06/2013 23:27

I really would just do what you're paid for in this case.

It doesn't sound as though he'd take kindly to your advice to be honest.

aldiwhore · 28/06/2013 23:33

This is really up to you. Without being disrespectful to those who are bi-polar, if you catch him on a good day, and word it right, then of course you could inform him that his mission statement doesn't flow correctly when translation. That it would benefit from re-tweaking, and you could do it (on your own time) and see it you can improve it.

If you catch him on a bad day, you're fucked.

The safest strategy is to do exactly what he wants, that goes for any employer, BUT when you hand in the final draft, put footnotes on that look like positive, constructive criticism... or reword it without telling him, if you're clever enough (not disrespect to you) it will still say what you want it to, and he will think they are his own words.

I need to clarify, a very dear family friend is bipolar it's part of him, on a good day he's the most generous (of spirit) accommodating and wonderful person, on a bad day beware. My parents turned up at his home one evening, after being invited to stay for the weekend... they were told to fuck off at the door. We always have a plan B so they had a lovely weekend in the Lakes instead... another time they turned up (invited) and were treated like royalty.

We never know how we'll be received, and I think the fact you suspect he may be bipolar needs to be taken into account when you decide how to deal with it.

Saying all THAT there's a chance YABU, I know a complete twat who runs a business, who's advertising is AWFUL, who actually delivers naff all and is all about the spiel, every word he utters in business or real life makes my toes curl yet... and yet, people seem to lap him up, he's hugely successful, ridiculously so!

Tough one! Is there a happy line you can walk?

quoteunquote · 28/06/2013 23:33

I always tell my clients exactly what I think, but that is partly what they pay me for,

If you put it tactfully, at least he will know you do care.

aldiwhore · 28/06/2013 23:35

I need you, I seem to have turned into Borat... apologies for crazy tenses and bad grammar.

SolidGoldBrass · 28/06/2013 23:37

I think I will just take the money and plead ignorance of the Dark Arts of marketing anyway.

I am paid for 'translation'. I have rather firmly suggested this be 'editing' as the stuff I usually translate, for articles in the magazine, is bloody awful so I rewrite it. (I did run the originals past a mate who speaks the language and she said they were terrible so it's not just me). Even if I get to do editing of features, I'm not a marketing person.

And I know that 'run away very fast' is quite probably the most sensible option but so far, this time, he has bought me lots of drinks and not loaded up too much work. I have in my head a cutoff point for 'no more work until there's some money.'

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 28/06/2013 23:40

Grin Grin @ Borat!

Yes OP. Don't let him take the piss regarding money.

Bi Polar or not. If he's using your services, he'll need to pay for them.

sunshinesue · 28/06/2013 23:40

Aren't all mission statements a load of old cock?

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