The Space Between Us

Kit Brown-Hoekstra, Comgenesis, LLCTerena Bell, In Every Language

Introductions: Kit

@kitcomgenesis

#LavaCon

Introductions: Terena

@InEveryLanguage

#LavaCon

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

All About You

• Responsible for localization?• Responsible for getting content to localization?• Nothing to do with localization but have to mindfully

create?• Depends on the day?

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@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

Agenda

• Controlled language• Translation memory• Quality

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Controlled Language

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Controlled Language

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

When and How to EngageContent Management

• When you are thinking about implementing controlled language

• When you are having quality issues with your source content or your localized content

• When you are defining your terminology• When you need to train your team• When you need to set up or change your QA, change

management, terminology processes

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@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

When and How to Engage Localization

• When tone changes!• When you need guidance in determining which terms

link to your TM.• When you’ve already chosen your key terms for STE,

etc.• When the writer has changed. (Who do we talk to with

questions?)• When terminology in your pre-change reference material

contradicts the post-improvement material.• When layout will be affected (especially website & app

content)

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@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

Key Components of a Combined Strategy

• Designed with the world in mind• Content creators who understand internationalization• Robust workflow and content management• Effective editing, QA, change management processes• A good relationship with your localization vendor• Good content structure, curation, metadata

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@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

Process Must-Haves

• Internal buy-in/cooperation• A single preferred way to write (STE? Something else?)• A flexible PM at your localization provider who has done

this before.• Strong QA/editing/change management processes• Editorial control board (preferably cross-functional)

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@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

Key Metrics

• Is readability of your original documents improving?• Are you seeing increased full & partial TM matches over

time?• Are you seeing fewer 90-95% matches (indicates

preferential changes)• Are you answering fewer questions about your writing

over time?• Are you getting fewer doc-related support calls?• Are your in-country reviewers having fewer issues with

the content?

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@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

Translation Memory

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@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• When you want to integrate with the CMS• When you want to improve the structure of the content• When you need template improvements to support

localization• When you want pull localization upstream in the process• When there are issues with the source content• When the TMs need alignment• When the terminology needs review

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When and How to EngageContent Management

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• When changing your controlled language – This will impact pricing!

• When your savings will be reinvested in translation –Affects demand & turn-around!

• When your preferred software changes.• When you also have style guides or glossaries.• Whenever you want a copy!

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When and How to Engage Localization

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• Workflow that allows pushing/pulling multilingual content to/from CMS and TM

• Modularization of content that allows for agile workflow and improves turnaround

• Buy-in from upper management• Streaming model of localization/content dev

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Key Components of a Combined Strategy

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• A solid translation company (vs sh*t from shine) Can they prove it with metrics?

• Integrated tech comm and localization processes• TM provided at end of projects• Workflow that supports localization

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Process Must-Haves

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• End user feedback!• Fewer accidents/improved safety reporting• Improved re-use/pre-translation percentage• Reduced localization costs• You tell us

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Key Metrics

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage #LavaCon

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• When source content is inconsistent• When the templates are poorly internationalized• When the terminology is inconsistent or wrong• When the graphics are not culturally appropriate• When you are considering localization workflow

management software• When you want to improve time to market

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When and How to EngageContent Management

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• When you are selecting new content creation software (formatting affects quality)

• When project & document management is out of control• When you’re going to be reviewing – no matter who, no

matter how

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When and How to Engage Localization

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• Make your content intelligent• Make your content accessible• Regular TM, style guide & glossary audits.• Choose tools that support most of your languages

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Key Components of a Combined Strategy

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• A reliable PM at your localization provider who will not only measure but share metrics.

• An open-minded translation partner.• A partner who knows your TM belongs to YOU.• Localization partner that can be agile and get away from

release date mentality

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Process Must-Haves

@kitcomgenesis, @ineverylanguage

• Are you saving money over time?• Is quality improving?• Is re-use going up?• Is efficiency improving?• Is time to market getting shorter?

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Key Metrics

Q&A

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Follow up

Kit.brown@comgenesis.com@kitcomgenesis

terenabell@ineverylanguage.com@InEveryLanguage

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