blowing your own trumpet!

[multilingual]

We are often asked to work on projects as sub-contractors to the official contractor. For example we may be asked to take on the translation of 5 languages for a 25 language main contract.

Let's say that the main contract is with Aston Martin (it isn't but the example is not far from the truth) but our contract is with XYZ Ltd. XYZ Ltd are good enough to hand us some work and we are happy to work with them as part of a team.

At the end of the job, once we have done everything to the best of our abilities and received very good feedback, it would be nice to say on our website

"We translated Aston Martin's sales brochures" and put up a case study and some page examples. This sort of PR is hard to come by!

The thing is, I am worried about annoying the main contractor (who gave us the work) and that it may not be ethically correct to say such things as technically XYZ Ltd is our client and not Aston Martin.

Did think about contacting XYZ and asking them, but if they object on the grounds that we are tryng to hijack the goodwill then they might look elsewhere in future.

It probably isn't worth it. :?

Any thoughts?

JB

[refreshious]

I know a lot of people who have worked within a company and had projects with an investment bank. Afterwards they started a business and said their client's included the investment bank

[Richard Conyard]

You can but ask, normally you'll receive a polite no.

It's something we have over here. We have good working relationships with companies not directly in our field where they bring us in. The work is generally for household names both nationally and internationally and it is of a sensitive nature. We'd love to be able to say we work for these end companies, but we cannot even though everything is up front with the end company and they know we are a seperate company.

[ebonybailey]

I have a similair situation with a very large car company too - asain based.
We are doing the work through one of our large clients but due to confidentiality we are not allowed to say who they are or that we are carrying out the work for them. Its a oity it would strengthen the list of corp clients we already have too.

I would ask them what do you have to lose

Michael

[Cornish Steve]

The key is, indeed, getting permission. If you can secure approval, go for it! No harm in tooting your own horn. It's good for business.

[Richard Glynn]

Ask them.

Consider writing a brief endorsing quote complimenting your company on all your main unique selling points; meeting deadlines, accuracy etc. - and attribute it to the person at the company that contracted you.

Ask them for permission to use it at the same time.

They may well be flattered?

[WakingDragon]

We have a lot of similar issues working with companies that are working for major brands.

Your first consideration is the importance of your existing (paying) customer. You want them to use you again so politely ask them. There will be some way that you can move forward to everyone's benefit.

We have been asked for a few direct customers to sign agreements saying that we will not work directly for their client, for example.

Most commonly we simply ask permission to use the brand as an example. The most common response is that we can after a certain period of time and with certain conditions. Case studies can be quite revealing so you might have to consider just have AM in a list of companies you have done work for.