Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | Off topic: Has your works affected by corona virus? Thread poster: Mehmet Çelik
| Mehmet Çelik Türkiye Local time: 11:17 Turkish to English + ...
I just wonder how is others works since mine is affected.. | | | Tom in London United Kingdom Local time: 08:17 Member (2008) Italian to English Agencies goodbye | Mar 19, 2020 |
I think we're going to see hundreds (or thousands) of the worst agencies crashing and burning. Good riddance. I hope that when this is over, the whole translation industry will give itself a thorough shakedown and that only GOOD agencies will be left (and of course with the corollary: that jumped-up incompetent translators will all go away and find other jobs). Personally I'm still getting some work but not much. My language pair (Italian to English) is moribund.
[Edited at 2... See more I think we're going to see hundreds (or thousands) of the worst agencies crashing and burning. Good riddance. I hope that when this is over, the whole translation industry will give itself a thorough shakedown and that only GOOD agencies will be left (and of course with the corollary: that jumped-up incompetent translators will all go away and find other jobs). Personally I'm still getting some work but not much. My language pair (Italian to English) is moribund.
[Edited at 2020-03-19 14:45 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | | Kevin Fulton United States Local time: 04:17 German to English Only the most cut-throat will survive | Mar 19, 2020 |
Tom in London wrote: I think we're going to see hundreds (or thousands) of the worst agencies crashing and burning.
[Edited at 2020-03-19 14:45 GMT] That is to be hoped, but I'm pessimistic. I suspect that smaller agencies that pay well but with thinner margins will suffer and be consumed by the giants that can afford to ride out the inevitable economic downturn that is already underway during this pandemic. | | | RobinB United States Local time: 03:17 German to English I fear you're right | Mar 19, 2020 |
Kevin Fulton wrote: That is to be hoped, but I'm pessimistic. I suspect that smaller agencies that pay well but with thinner margins will suffer and be consumed by the giants that can afford to ride out the inevitable economic downturn that is already underway during this pandemic. I agree that the bigger agencies with the deeper pockets and the ability to cut margins to the bone (and slash what they pay their freelancers) are better placed to survive this crisis than better-paying, but traditionally undercapitalized smaller boutique agencies. Work is beginning to dry up in my language combination (De-En), as economic activity slows in the German-speaking countries. I doubt that the big agencies will bother taking over the smaller ones: They'll just wait for them to wither away and move in on their clients once the crisis has moderated. So we might actually end up with a situation where both you and Tom are right: the decimation (not just one in ten!) of the worst agencies AND the disappearance of many of the good, smaller ones, resulting in an even stronger group of large, global agencies. In turn, this will lead to permanently lower incomes for many or even most freelancers, which could have a knock-on effect on their discretionary professional spending, including association memberships, training and conferences, and paid platforms like ProZ. | |
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Hard to stay positive | Mar 19, 2020 |
Strangely enough, jobs are still coming in, but will these agencies survive corona, in other words, will I still be paid at the end? I think this is a risk we have to take.
[Edited at 2020-03-19 16:35 GMT] | | | Alternatively... | Mar 19, 2020 |
... government bailouts will keep them all afloat and in three or six months it will be as though nothing had happened... | | | Tea Komšić Bosnia and Herzegovina Local time: 09:17 English to Croatian + ...
Honestly, I planned on starting my own business this year, that is, my own small agency, and slowly expanding it. But since this situation occurred, I am not sure right now, since my job has been affected. But hopes are, that I will manage to do that in the same way I planned it. | | | Tom in London United Kingdom Local time: 08:17 Member (2008) Italian to English First customer | Mar 19, 2020 |
Tea Komšić wrote: Honestly, I planned on starting my own business this year, that is, my own small agency, and slowly expanding it. But since this situation occurred, I am not sure right now, since my job has been affected. But hopes are, that I will manage to do that in the same way I planned it. You could sign me up as your first translator This quiet period might actually be the best time at which to set up an agency. | |
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Tom in London United Kingdom Local time: 08:17 Member (2008) Italian to English
Robert Rietvelt wrote: Strangely enough, jobs are still coming in, but will these agencies survive corona, in other words, will I still be paid at the end? I think this is a risk we have to take. That risk has always been there - virus or no virus. Currently I have 7 outstanding invoices. I just have to assume they will be paid in full, on time. It's a risk we have to take. | | | MollyRose United States Local time: 03:17 English to Spanish + ... finally working at home | Mar 19, 2020 |
I was lent a laptop to take home, with virtual remote connection to my desktop at the office. It is like using my office desktop through this laptop. I can even translate, import, and export files in MemoQ through our Outlook e-mail! It is also nice to have my windows open and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and cows nearby. I had been wanting to work from home instead of driving so far back and forth every day, but this is certainly not a good reason to be allowed to do so. I pr... See more I was lent a laptop to take home, with virtual remote connection to my desktop at the office. It is like using my office desktop through this laptop. I can even translate, import, and export files in MemoQ through our Outlook e-mail! It is also nice to have my windows open and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and cows nearby. I had been wanting to work from home instead of driving so far back and forth every day, but this is certainly not a good reason to be allowed to do so. I pray that virus disappear just as quickly as it seemed to appear. ▲ Collapse | | | Elena Feriani Italy Local time: 09:17 Member French to Italian + ... 15% rate reduction imposed by an agency | Mar 20, 2020 |
Jobs are still coming in but an agency has just announced they are going to cut all rates by 15%. | | | Tom in London United Kingdom Local time: 08:17 Member (2008) Italian to English
Elena Feriani wrote: Jobs are still coming in but an agency has just announced they are going to cut all rates by 15%. I suspect I know what agency that is. There is no legitimate reason why anyone would cut their rates as a consequence of the coronavirus. Vultures. | |
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Some good news | Mar 20, 2020 |
I've already received messages from two agencies who are reaching out to all their translators, basically with the same message: "We know you must be worried sick. From us, all of you can expect your payments in time. We're fully operational and doing what we can. Hang in there and stay safe." I know agencies aren't always so popular in these forums, but they certainly aren't all bad. | | | Tom in London United Kingdom Local time: 08:17 Member (2008) Italian to English
Off-topic I'm just wondering when and why people started using the Americanism "reach out" instead of the much more concise "contact" or "get in touch". WTF? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EaflX0MWRo
[Edited at 2020-03-20 09:30 GMT] | | |
Elena Feriani wrote: Jobs are still coming in but an agency has just announced they are going to cut all rates by 15%. Next step is to extend payment terms. Beware. If I worked only with such agencies and mimicked their practices, I'd have to increase the rent of a flat I'm renting to a young couple who will be hit hard. Fortunately for this couple, I don't work with such agencies: I therefore have some slack to be accommodating if they get into trouble to pay their rent. Philippe | | | Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Has your works affected by corona virus? Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
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