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Poll: Have you noticed a decrease in your incoming projects over the last 2-3 months?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Dec 5, 2008

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you noticed a decrease in your incoming projects over the last 2-3 months?".

This poll was originally submitted by Vibeke Breivik

View the poll here

A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For
... See more
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you noticed a decrease in your incoming projects over the last 2-3 months?".

This poll was originally submitted by Vibeke Breivik

View the poll here

A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
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Venkatesh Sundaram
Venkatesh Sundaram  Identity Verified
India
Local time: 21:21
German to English
Perhaps would depend on location, language pairs, specialisation.... Dec 5, 2008

Its heartening to note that at least 40 % of those who've voted so far do not see a decrease in the quantity of work coming their way, though the sample size (55 at the time of writing) is still quite small to draw meaningful conclusion. However, I would imagine that the downturn would affect colleagues more or less depending on their locations, specialisations and perhaps language pairs. If those writing in could provide some information about these, it may be useful in getting a better univers... See more
Its heartening to note that at least 40 % of those who've voted so far do not see a decrease in the quantity of work coming their way, though the sample size (55 at the time of writing) is still quite small to draw meaningful conclusion. However, I would imagine that the downturn would affect colleagues more or less depending on their locations, specialisations and perhaps language pairs. If those writing in could provide some information about these, it may be useful in getting a better universal picture.
Regards,
Venkatesh
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Noni Gilbert Riley
Noni Gilbert Riley
Spain
Local time: 17:51
Spanish to English
+ ...
Exactly Venkatesh Dec 5, 2008

For this poll to be useful for those who are suffering (and I think it could be), we need to know which areas (both geographic and with regard to subject matter and language pairs) are being most affected, and which not, to draw some conclusion and possibly look at some solutions.

I voted that I hadn't noticed any difference - possibly even marginally more work coming in. My pair is Spanish- British English for these purposes, physically working in Spain, but customers from Spain, U
... See more
For this poll to be useful for those who are suffering (and I think it could be), we need to know which areas (both geographic and with regard to subject matter and language pairs) are being most affected, and which not, to draw some conclusion and possibly look at some solutions.

I voted that I hadn't noticed any difference - possibly even marginally more work coming in. My pair is Spanish- British English for these purposes, physically working in Spain, but customers from Spain, UK and US/Lat Am. I charge in Euros and my main specialities have been tourism and automobile repair. Average project size pretty small, I might also mention, around 5000 words. HTH!

Actually, of course to be really useful, maybe a follow-up poll with far more subdivisions would be a more efficient way of processing the information.
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Cecilia Civetta
Cecilia Civetta  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 17:51
Member (2003)
Italian to Spanish
+ ...
.... Dec 5, 2008

Venkatesh Sundaram wrote:

Its heartening to note that at least 40 % of those who've voted so far do not see a decrease in the quantity of work coming their way


True... but still, "yes, definitely" and "yes, slightly" make up 53% at the moment... which could be definitely / slightly? discouraging

[Edited at 2008-12-05 21:30 GMT]


 
Nadja Balogh
Nadja Balogh  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 17:51
Member (2007)
Japanese to German
+ ...
I voted "definitely" Dec 5, 2008

I'm definitely noticing a sharp decline in Japanese-to-German projects coming from German clients, as if they were treating these types of projects as something extravagant that, for the moment at least, they might as well do without.

My Japanese clients, on the other hand, are still faithfully providing me with work, even though there is a certain amount of nervousness to be felt (I've asked some of my agency clients in Japan, and they've confirmed this).

As to my seco
... See more
I'm definitely noticing a sharp decline in Japanese-to-German projects coming from German clients, as if they were treating these types of projects as something extravagant that, for the moment at least, they might as well do without.

My Japanese clients, on the other hand, are still faithfully providing me with work, even though there is a certain amount of nervousness to be felt (I've asked some of my agency clients in Japan, and they've confirmed this).

As to my second language pair (English to German), things haven't changed much yet. I have suffered a decline there earlier this year because due to some recent EU legislation, the translation of patents (my main specialty) issued within the EU is no longer required if the patent is written either in English, French, or German.

After this rather nasty loss of income, I could now really do without nervous clients, and I hope that everybody will regain their spirit soon (alright, I know the situation cannot be blamed on low spirits alone, but I think the psychological factor of this crisis shouldn't be underestimated).
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Kathryn Litherland
Kathryn Litherland  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 11:51
Member (2007)
Spanish to English
+ ...
not overall, but with certain clients Dec 5, 2008

I work mostly for agencies, and I've noticed that certain clients that I used to get projects from regularly only have dribs and drabs every now and then. On the other hand, I've gotten some new clients on board recently that always seem to have something! I'm not sure if it's because the agencies themselves are struggling, or because they've found someone else to work with, or what...

What I have noticed is an increase in potential jobs getting canceled, including one job that was
... See more
I work mostly for agencies, and I've noticed that certain clients that I used to get projects from regularly only have dribs and drabs every now and then. On the other hand, I've gotten some new clients on board recently that always seem to have something! I'm not sure if it's because the agencies themselves are struggling, or because they've found someone else to work with, or what...

What I have noticed is an increase in potential jobs getting canceled, including one job that was confirmed to go ahead and got canceled half a day later. Fortunately, I'd not started on it, so no harm, no foul.
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Philippe Etienne
Philippe Etienne  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 17:51
Member
English to French
I'd say 25% decrease in business Dec 5, 2008

since Jan 1st, 2008. I don't know if it is directly related to the worldwide crisis, but agencies seem to give me less work, especially UK-based ourtsourcers, where my invoicing in euros is not hugely appealing and costs them about 30% more than last year.
I am not moaning yet, but I really feel that I have more free time than the past years.
Philippe


 
No Dec 5, 2008

None whatsoever.
In fact it's increasing, beyond my handling.


 
Marlene Blanshay
Marlene Blanshay  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 11:51
Member (2009)
French to English
+ ...
with some clients Dec 5, 2008

I was REALLY busy this summer, but in the last couple of months, I've had periods of NO work at all. THis past week-nothing. OF course, two of my regulars are out of town, but one of them hasn't had as much for me lately. It could also be the time of year- it's december and people go on vacation.

Of course, trying to get new ones all the time. It's not a steady decline, it's very slight, but there have been more slack periods in the last two months...about 2 weeks (altogether) of no
... See more
I was REALLY busy this summer, but in the last couple of months, I've had periods of NO work at all. THis past week-nothing. OF course, two of my regulars are out of town, but one of them hasn't had as much for me lately. It could also be the time of year- it's december and people go on vacation.

Of course, trying to get new ones all the time. It's not a steady decline, it's very slight, but there have been more slack periods in the last two months...about 2 weeks (altogether) of nothing.
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Todd Field
Todd Field  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 09:51
Member
Portuguese to English
Suggest a follow-up poll on regions Dec 5, 2008

I think this issue concerns and ultimately affects all of us in some way. For this reason, I suggest a follow-up poll along the lines of:

"If you have noticed a decrease in your incoming projects over the past 2-3 months, what region are you from?"

(Followed by a list of world regions)

Information by major language pair groups/specializations would be even more meaningful, although probably too difficult to poll.

Hope the site staff will consi
... See more
I think this issue concerns and ultimately affects all of us in some way. For this reason, I suggest a follow-up poll along the lines of:

"If you have noticed a decrease in your incoming projects over the past 2-3 months, what region are you from?"

(Followed by a list of world regions)

Information by major language pair groups/specializations would be even more meaningful, although probably too difficult to poll.

Hope the site staff will consider following up on this interesting question...

Todd
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Sara Senft
Sara Senft  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 11:51
Spanish to English
+ ...
I've had more work Dec 5, 2008

I've actually had more work lately. I'm mainly an interpreter; Maybe that has something to do with it.

 
Anabel Granados
Anabel Granados  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 08:51
Member (2007)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Sharp decline since November Dec 5, 2008

I work in the Spanish to English pair. I am a translator based in Oakland, California. I have experienced a sharp decline in work starting mid-November. I assumed it was because of the holiday season. I expect to get slammed with work in January, which is what happened to me last year. I welcome the small break in work. I am trying to discipline myself to take these breaks to revamp my resumes, profiles, and marketing tools. I am an optimistic person and believe that the translation indu... See more
I work in the Spanish to English pair. I am a translator based in Oakland, California. I have experienced a sharp decline in work starting mid-November. I assumed it was because of the holiday season. I expect to get slammed with work in January, which is what happened to me last year. I welcome the small break in work. I am trying to discipline myself to take these breaks to revamp my resumes, profiles, and marketing tools. I am an optimistic person and believe that the translation industry will be just fine. Don’t let the bad vibes in!!!Collapse


 
Tatiana Lammers
Tatiana Lammers  Identity Verified
United States
Member (2008)
English to Russian
+ ...
no work Dec 5, 2008

I worked for 2 days only in November and have no work ever since

 
Helena Genel
Helena Genel
United States
Local time: 08:51
English to Spanish
+ ...
Exactly my case Dec 5, 2008

Kathryn Litherland wrote:

I work mostly for agencies, and I've noticed that certain clients that I used to get projects from regularly only have dribs and drabs every now and then. On the other hand, I've gotten some new clients on board recently that always seem to have something!


 
Jennifer Forbes
Jennifer Forbes  Identity Verified
Local time: 16:51
French to English
+ ...
In memoriam
Same volume, different clients Dec 6, 2008

The volume of work I've been getting this year has been much the same as usual, but I've noticed that the British agencies who used to flood me with work are now sending much less. As I bill my UK clients in £ Sterling I don't think the £/€ exchange rate can have anything to do with it, but who knows?
However, the "slack" has been completely taken up by agencies in other parts of the EEC which I invoice in euros - nice for me with the present exchange rate!
Most of my work concer
... See more
The volume of work I've been getting this year has been much the same as usual, but I've noticed that the British agencies who used to flood me with work are now sending much less. As I bill my UK clients in £ Sterling I don't think the £/€ exchange rate can have anything to do with it, but who knows?
However, the "slack" has been completely taken up by agencies in other parts of the EEC which I invoice in euros - nice for me with the present exchange rate!
Most of my work concerns finance, banking and commercial law, contracts and insurance.
Jenny
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Poll: Have you noticed a decrease in your incoming projects over the last 2-3 months?






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