5 QUESTIONS, 5 DEFINITIONS FOR THE LOCALIZATION INDUSTRY IN 500 WORDS OR LESS - FIRST EDITION

By: Maria Gabriela Morales, Director - Rosario Traducciones y Servicios S.A.

Rosario Traducciones y Servicios S.A. invited Industry Associations, Companies and Translator Boards to tTake part in this short survey. The goal was to portray and explore main players, features, changes and challenges of the localization industry worldwide, in their own words.

We suggested answering these 5 questions with 500 words or less.

And the first answers didn’t disappoint. For instance, we always suspected that women play a significant role in this industry, and it was fun to learn how others picture this. Case in point is Renato Beninatto and his opinion on what it takes to run a successful company: “Lipstick, high heels, skirts, perfume, and make-up. The best companies are run by women.”

What do you think? Do you agree?

When talking about the future, Lori Thicke managed to synthesize one of the key challenges, and it’s simple as this: “Differentiating our human translation services from MT and from our competitors.”

We thank everybody who was willing to participate; here we randomly chose some of the responses and hope you like them as much as we do.

You still have time to participate: send us your answers and we will post them through our own channels and in future blogs via GALA.

Angelica Perez & Virginia Minhondo (Del Sur Translations)

1. Who are you? Answer in a sentence plus 5 words that best describe you.

Delsurtranslations is a Spanish provider based in Argentina only serving MLVs. Translation. Localization. Linguistic services. Argentina. Spanish.

2.  What do you do? Answer with a description plus 5 features and/or services that best identify you.

We are a translations company providing services to other translations companies worldwide. Translation, localization, editing, proofreading, post-editing.

3.  In your opinion, which were the most important changes in the industry in the past 5 years?

Technology, and most precisely, automation, machine translation and web-based systems.

4.  In your opinion, which would be the main challenges for the next 5 years?

The improvement of machine translation. Tackling with user-generated content.

5.  Name 5 elements needed to run a localization company.

Patience, business skills, sales team, loyal employees, seamless operations.

BONUS: What are your plans to rule the world?

Our plans to rule the world: through communication. Human relationships.

Alvaro Rocabayera (MSS)

1.  Who are you? Answer in a sentence plus 5 words that best describe you.

I'm managing a translation company.

2.  What do you do? Answer with a description plus 5 features and/or services that best identify you.

My main task is trying to sell our services.

3.  In your opinion, which were the most important changes in the industry in the past 5 years?

Of course, MT.

4.  In your opinion, which would be the main challenges for the next 5 years?

Facing and adapting to the new technologies.

5.  Name 5 elements needed to run a localization company.

People and technology.

BONUS: What are your plans to rule the world?

Trying to have a good behavior.

Renato Beninatto (Consultant)

1. Who are you? Answer in a sentence plus 5 words that best describe you.

Renato Benitatto., Podcaster, Consultant, Instigator, Provocateur, Brazilian

 2.  What do you do? Answer with a description plus 5 features and/or services that best identify you.

I am an experienced executive who focuses on growth. I make your company sell more and sell better.

3.  In your opinion, which were the most important changes in the industry in the past 5 years?

The most visible change is the consolidation among the top vendors. In the technology space, it has been very boring. I haven't seen anything revolutionary, just evolutionary.4.  In your opinion, which would be the main challenges for the next 5 years?

The main challenge will be to automate processes. There is still a lot of manual work being done that can be automated in the translation and localization space.

5.  Name 5 elements needed to run a localization company.

Lipstick, high heels, skirts, perfume, and make-up. The best companies are run by women.

BONUS: What are your plans to rule the world?

Marry a rich translation company owner.

Costanza Marinelli (Larsen Globalization LTD)

 1. Who are you? Answer in a sentence plus 5 words that best describe you.
Recruiter
2.   What do you do? Answer with a description plus 5 features and/or services that best identify you.
Recruitment for the localization industry
3.  In your opinion, which were the most important changes in the industry in the past 5 years?
Fast translation services link 1 hour translation, gengo
4.  In your opinion, which would be the main challenges for the next 5 years?
Keep customers
5.  Name 5 elements needed to run a localization company.
Adaptability, technical know how, excellent international human resources
BONUS: What are your plans to rule the world?
No plans to rule the world :)

Ahmed Nassar (AsiaLocalize)

 1.   Who are you? Answer in a sentence plus 5 words that best describe you.

I am Ahmed Nassar a Localization expert working in the field since more than 12 years. I'm a risk taker dreamer with an optimistic vision.

2.  What do you do? Answer with a description plus 5 features and/or services that best identify you.

I'm a Business Development Manager mixing the traditional old fashion knowledge with creative new ideas and seeking blue oceans.

3.  In your opinion, which were the most important changes in the industry in the past 5 years?

Technology, Automation & QA tools along with MT SW.

4.  In your opinion, which would be the main challenges for the next 5 years?

Introducing a Value-added service with a competitive edge and at the same time driving the best ROI during the pressure of the global economy and price reduction pressure.

5.  Name 5 elements needed to run a localization company.

Strong Talented Calibers

Project Management

Process/SystemBusiness Development

Supply Chain Management.

BONUS: What are your plans to rule the world?

I'm not a fan of Rulers, I'd love to be considered as a Leader.

Lori Thicke (Lexcelera)

1.  Who are you? Answer in a sentence plus 5 words that best describe you.

Founder & CEO.

2.  What do you do? Answer with a description plus 5 features and/or services that best identify you.

Manage an LSP.

3.  In your opinion, which were the most important changes in the industry in the past 5 years?

MT.

4.  In your opinion, which would be the main challenges for the next 5 years?

Differentiating our human translation services from MT and from our competitors

5.  Name 5 elements needed to differentiate in the localization market.

Size and capacity, ability to use technology in a smart way, offering services beyond just translation, technology, technology :)

BONUS: What are your plans to rule the world?

Access to knowledge for the developing world through translation.

 Laura Brandon (Globalization and Localization Association)

1.  Who are you? Answer in a sentence plus 5 words that best describe you.
Outdoor enthusiast, gourmande, soccer nut, Mom

2.  What do you do? Answer with a description plus 5 features and/or services that best identify you.

Executive Director of GALA

3.  In your opinion, which were the most important changes in the industry in the past 5 years?

Translators are training on new systems and helping our industry keep pace with their clients, who want everything smarter, faster, and better. New approaches like crowdsourcing and MT post-editing are impacting the role of the translator. And in some cases, we are seeing more linguists working directly with clients, bypassing the service providers.

4.  In your opinion, which would be the main challenges for the next 5 years?

Two key areas come to mind: machine translation integration services and remote interpreting services. More and more companies are adopting machine translation in parts of their workflow, creating growth for the companies that can guide and support the set-up.

Meanwhile, there is a lot of buzz in the interpreting technology arena. Interesting new solutions are challenging old models, making interpreting services more accessible and affordable than in the past.

5.  Name 5 elements needed to differentiate in the localization market.

Specialization and commitment to the best technologies

BONUS: What are your plans to rule the world?

My (country's) plan should be to put full resources behind figuring out how to beat the Argentinians in men's soccer.

Publicado en:

https://www.gala-global.org/blog/5-questions-5-definitions-localization-industry-500-words-or-less-first-edition

https://www.gala-global.org/blog/5-questions-5-definitions-localization-industry-500-words-or-less-first-edition</