Poll: How many regular clients do you have?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jun 24, 2012

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How many regular clients do you have?".

This poll was originally submitted by Antoni Yalap. View the poll results »



 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japan
Local time: 21:05
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
6 < 10 Jun 24, 2012

I'm consciously expanding my customer/client base to minimize the risk in case one goes belly up as my oldest looks as if it might do soon.

If I put all my eggs in one basket, i.e. do business with just a few select companies, I'll be left in the lurch if one can't carry on. This way, I have a better chance of weathering the blow should that happen. <
... See more
I'm consciously expanding my customer/client base to minimize the risk in case one goes belly up as my oldest looks as if it might do soon.

If I put all my eggs in one basket, i.e. do business with just a few select companies, I'll be left in the lurch if one can't carry on. This way, I have a better chance of weathering the blow should that happen.

@Teresa, I'm glad I wasn't the only with that uncanny feeling of déjà vu. Also, I hope we don't get sucked into that "Define regular" argument.

Added last line

[Edited at 2012-06-24 14:19 GMT]
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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 13:05
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
6 < 10 Jun 24, 2012

Many of my regular clients (circa 50%) have been with me since the beginning (1985), but I’m always looking to expand my client base (within reason): I do believe in the “small is beautiful” principle…

Anyway, here we go again:... See more
Many of my regular clients (circa 50%) have been with me since the beginning (1985), but I’m always looking to expand my client base (within reason): I do believe in the “small is beautiful” principle…

Anyway, here we go again:
http://por.proz.com/forum/poll_discussion/197638-poll:_how_many_regular_clients_do_you_have.html
http://www.proz.com/forum/poll_discussion/162577-poll:_how_many_regular_clients_do_you_have.html

[Edited at 2012-06-24 09:04 GMT]

@Julian

I thought the same question was posted "only" twice, but apparently I missed one...

[Edited at 2012-06-24 12:30 GMT]
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Ty Kendall
Ty Kendall  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:05
Hebrew to English
Same question. Exact same wording. Jun 24, 2012

Before I get lynched for moaning, this question has been asked three times with the EXACT same wording. In addition, unlike technology questions this isn't the type of question which will really reveal any insights from a diachronic analysis (not with the sheer amount of variables involved).

Maybe it's just me with my mind in the gutter, but the question "how many regular clients do you have?" always sounds quite prostitute-ish. Maybe better wording could be "how many clients do yo
... See more
Before I get lynched for moaning, this question has been asked three times with the EXACT same wording. In addition, unlike technology questions this isn't the type of question which will really reveal any insights from a diachronic analysis (not with the sheer amount of variables involved).

Maybe it's just me with my mind in the gutter, but the question "how many regular clients do you have?" always sounds quite prostitute-ish. Maybe better wording could be "how many clients do you work with on a regular basis?"

You'll note I never answered the question. I don't believe it will add anything to the discussion.....and it's none of your business. Part of me is starting to think ProZ stands to learn a little bit too much about me via these sometimes quite personal and/or intrusive polls which often intrude upon areas of sensitive personal/business information.

Think about it, over the course of a year, think about what questions you answer: how much do you earn, where are your clients located, do you have a savings account, are you preparing for a pension,....in isolation these questions seem quite innocuous, but if someone asked you these questions in quick succession you'd suspect foul play and probably be far less inclined to want to answer.

[Edited at 2012-06-24 11:43 GMT]
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neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 14:05
Spanish to English
+ ...
6-10 direct (not agencies) Jun 24, 2012

Thanks goodness for direct clients! Otherwise I'd be at the mercy of agencies and their demands.

 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japan
Local time: 21:05
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
Tonight's low turnout Jun 24, 2012

Good points, Ty

Ty Kendall wrote:
Think about it, over the course of a year, think about what questions you answer: how much do you earn, where are your clients located, do you have a savings account, are you preparing for a pension,....in isolation these questions seem quite innocuous, but if someone asked you these questions in quick succession you'd suspect foul play and probably be far less inclined to want to answer.


Is this a record low? Maybe this is due to the rehashed and intrusive nature of poll questions these past months?
Or, is it because Japan's miserable Rainy Season has hit the rest of the world. It is p-ing down outside.

Any thoughts anyone? Constructive ideas and discussion welcome

Mind you, this poll is not really conducive to in-depth and passionate discussion about translation. Sigh....

If anyone asks, mine's Tinkerbell.


 
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XXXphxxx (X)
XXXphxxx (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:05
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Define "regular" Jun 24, 2012

I answered "6-10" although well aware that I had no idea what you meant by "regular"

 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 14:05
French to English
Continuing with the light-hearted weekend themes! Jun 24, 2012

Julian Holmes wrote:

If anyone asks, mine's Tinkerbell.


And mine's Nala, the only one to ever get the upper hand over Simba

Although I do have a very soft spot for Baloo


 
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Nikki Graham
Nikki Graham  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:05
Spanish to English
Always room for more... Jun 27, 2012

Actually, I think it's interesting to note that the "6-10 regular clients" category has increased by nearly 9% in just over a year. Hopefully this is a sign that people are realising that the more regular clients they have the better, because in this day and age especially, things can go "belly up" (as Julian quite rightly points out) not only surprisingly fast, but rather unexpectedly to boot.

 


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Poll: How many regular clients do you have?






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