ReadySetGo: Lean Localization

Localization teams across business types are made up of many operational models. One localization model that is often neglected by localization industry leaders is the lean localization team. This type of team may be in one of many modes and maturity levels. The lean localization team can be affected and driven by larger business bumps in a company – private equity takeovers, technology pivots, investment shifts. With recent pivots in organizations in a rapidly changing global economic and technology climate, the Lean Localization Machine concept comes front and center as a critical competency center.

Target Audience:

• Program and Project Managers
• Product Managers
• Translation and Interpretation Leads
• Localization Engineering and Technology Resources
• UX/CX Leaders
• International Content Leads
• Marketing/Growth Leaders

This class is specifically designed to address a Lean operations model in emerging through mature, small through large, corporate organizations. Attendees with a minimum of 3-5 years leading localization and/or international business practices will benefit most from the Lean RSG class.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction – Definition, When, Why, Where

2. Steps in Lean Org Development – Who and What

3. Prioritization for the Lean Org

1. Basic prioritization principles
2. Partnerships, Engineering
3. Technologies

4. Recipes for Success – Best Practices

5. Working Models

6. Final Takeaways

The Lean Localization Machine course will feature class discussion and short exercises to aid focus to best practices and processes.

Key Takeaways

The Lean Localization Team RSG is a reality check. This short course will highlight effective processes and solutions, based on actual practices in lean localization organizations. The Lean Localization Ready Set Go includes conversations around your challenges and successes in running a lean team model. Students will discuss and learn about key lasting and practical solutions to more effectively manage a lean operation. We’ll highlight target strategies and processes that will keep a Lean Localization machine humming and vibrant.

Please note: recording or republishing any part of the class session is prohibited. We do this in order for students to be able to speak and share experiences freely with the instructor and their fellow classmates in a comfortable and safe environment without fear that something they say might later be made public.

Overview

About Your Instructor

Melissa Biggs is a localization veteran with over 25 years of experience in management roles targeting localized products for enterprises. Her career focuses on technical content and localization leadership. Her enthusiasm for localization started at Olivetti Corporation in Italy. Melissa then led a technical publications group at Xerox for artificial intelligence products. She switched fields to focus on globalization strategy at Sun Microsystems, managing localization groups, as well as leading corporate initiatives for global products, and international technology strategies. At Oracle, she contributed to Oracle’s translation products and processes. Melissa also managed marketing localization at Informatica, a data integration company.

In addition to deep corporate localization engagements, Melissa is active in industry and non-profit groups. She has served on localization industry-wide groups, including as charter member of GILT Leaders Forum, TAUS (Translation Automation User Society) and Localization World. In 2022, Melissa contributed as an expert from the GILT Leaders Forum and as a co-author of “The Globalization Strategy Playbook”. She is on the board of the non-profit Global Lives Project, which teaches global empathy through global film and curriculums, and is a mentor for the international TechWomen program.

Her passion is promoting best practices to connect global users with localized product experiences and information.

Currently, as a founding partner with Locale Solutions LLC, she provides localization strategy consulting services for companies in technology. Melissa graduated from Bucknell University and completed communications graduate studies at San Jose State University.  In her copious free time, she loves travel (virtual for now), a good read, anything film (film festivals, streaming, etc.), and swimming.