Poll: In 2013, I expect my business to... Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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| | | I put grow... | Dec 27, 2012 |
...but that is only because it shrank slightly in 2012. I'm hoping (with some signs that it may be happening) for a return to 2011 levels.
| | | | Julian Holmes 
Japan
Local time: 21:46
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Grow, in a sense | Dec 27, 2012 |
I will be working to continually build up a base of customers with new ones that appreciate quality work more and pay rates more commensurate with my skills. Current or future customers, too, who pay less but expect more will die a natural death and become dust in the universe while I shall be cultivating and laying the ground for new stars to appear. 
Winter is a period of thinning out and getting rid of dead wood in... See more I will be working to continually build up a base of customers with new ones that appreciate quality work more and pay rates more commensurate with my skills. Current or future customers, too, who pay less but expect more will die a natural death and become dust in the universe while I shall be cultivating and laying the ground for new stars to appear.
Winter is a period of thinning out and getting rid of dead wood in preparation for a glorious spring and summer. Sometimes you have to prune back hard to promote new growth. 
Two small edits
[Edited at 2012-12-27 09:28 GMT]
[Edited at 2012-12-27 11:23 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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I won two direct clients. Who knows what's next in 2013.
Gudrun
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Arif Rakhman
Indonesia
Local time: 19:46
English to Indonesian
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SITE LOCALIZER | grow, definitely | Dec 27, 2012 |
that is the only thing I expect to happen in next year regarding my business
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 14:46
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Julian Holmes wrote: I will be working to continually build up a base of customers with new ones that appreciate quality work more and pay rates more commensurate with my skills. Current or future customers, too, who pay less but expect more will die a natural death and become dust in the universe while I shall be cultivating and laying the ground for new stars to appear. Winter is a period of thinning out and getting rid of dead wood in preparation for a glorious spring and summer. Sometimes you have to prune back hard to promote new growth.
It's the same with me. I am sorting out those you will be served "better" by other translators, and focus on a few new clients with very promising collaboration prospects.
And I will focus on my second career which I had to somewhat neglect in 2012. So all in all, things look quite nice for 2013.
| | | | | I only wish I knew! | Dec 27, 2012 |
I do hope that 2013 is better than 2012, but some of my customers have cut their budgets to grapple with the economic downturn...
| | | | David Young (X)
Denmark
Local time: 14:46
Danish to English
| What an optimistic bunch we are! | Dec 27, 2012 |
As I write, some 63% of over 400 voters are expecting growth next year. I also voted positively, although I know it's likely to be a bit of a hard slog given the economic climate and I'm not at all so "bullish" when it comes to the world economy.
There was an article in a Danish newspaper recently which showed that GDP in the developed world had peaked in the 1960s/70s and has been in steady and pronounced decline ever since, giving the lie to the current story that "it's all the fault of ... See more As I write, some 63% of over 400 voters are expecting growth next year. I also voted positively, although I know it's likely to be a bit of a hard slog given the economic climate and I'm not at all so "bullish" when it comes to the world economy.
There was an article in a Danish newspaper recently which showed that GDP in the developed world had peaked in the 1960s/70s and has been in steady and pronounced decline ever since, giving the lie to the current story that "it's all the fault of those greedy bankers". Their practices may well have given things a hefty shove, but the underlying trend has been for low growth/stagnation and still is for some years to come (barring a world war, of course - wars, or their aftermath, are always good for the economy).
Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings, but I'm still a very moderate optimist. ▲ Collapse
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 14:46
Spanish to English
+ ...
| No expectations | Dec 27, 2012 |
Like the Rolling Stones song. I do, however, HOPE that my situation as a freelancer remains more or less the same as last year, which wasn't bad, compared to that of other people I know.
| | | | | More about skills than optimism here | Dec 27, 2012 |
I put growth because I think business will grow due to enhanced skills on my part.
When I started out as a freelancer, everyone told me that the first two years would be the hardest - and I think that was true - I was screwed over by a client early on, I was quite overworked and lost all sense of work-life balance at one stage, I charged lower rates than I was worth because I didn't know any better and I also had a period of near zero income... I mean, coming out on top after all that imp... See more I put growth because I think business will grow due to enhanced skills on my part.
When I started out as a freelancer, everyone told me that the first two years would be the hardest - and I think that was true - I was screwed over by a client early on, I was quite overworked and lost all sense of work-life balance at one stage, I charged lower rates than I was worth because I didn't know any better and I also had a period of near zero income... I mean, coming out on top after all that imparts life/business skills to continue to improve from there onwards
I'm seeing growth on the cards for some time to come... ask me in another 5 years and I might feel differently ▲ Collapse
| | | | Leon Hunter
Spain
Local time: 14:46
Member (2005)
Spanish to English
+ ...
| The only way is up! | Dec 27, 2012 |
I was just thinking of the title of an old eighties song as I can't envisage anything being worse than it already is, and this crisis has lasted five years already.
The situation is pretty bad in Spain and as hard as we work we just seem to be paying tax, tax and more tax and expenses are eating up most of the revenue.
My business is actually quite successful and we get a lot of enquiries and more work than we can handle but there are other problems which are basically nothing to do ... See more I was just thinking of the title of an old eighties song as I can't envisage anything being worse than it already is, and this crisis has lasted five years already.
The situation is pretty bad in Spain and as hard as we work we just seem to be paying tax, tax and more tax and expenses are eating up most of the revenue.
My business is actually quite successful and we get a lot of enquiries and more work than we can handle but there are other problems which are basically nothing to do with the translation business at all.
A large problem is that a lot of people do not pay or pay late and it is difficult to enforce the laws, another problem is low rates / bartering for discounts and free work and the third problem is excessive tax pressure to pay for Spain's multiple debts.
So, in reality, I often think that I'm not doing anything wrong and it's Spain that's wrong!! Maybe I should move to one of these growth countries in the New Year. I'm sure I'd do much better.
Leon Hunter ▲ Collapse
| | | | Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 13:46
I am aware of what economists say.
I am also aware that a law of nature says we fulfil our expectations, one way or the other.
I expect my business to grow.
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2011 was actually a bad year for me, so 2012 was great! MY wife and I signed on a new client that's giving us tons of work, so we have high hopes for 2013.
Wishing you all the best,
Triston
| | | | | I said stay the same... | Dec 28, 2012 |
but that's better than decline. I had a pretty good start to the year but it's been slow since the summer. I really HOPE it will grow...
| | | | | Stay the same | Dec 28, 2012 |
2012 was better than 2011: 2011 was better than 2010,; 2010 was better than 2009. I've pretty much hit the peak of how much I can do without burning out.
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