Developing a Globalization Strategy

Introduction

Globalization refers to the process of designing and developing products that can be adapted to various languages and cultural contexts. A well-defined globalization strategy is essential for businesses looking to expand into international markets.

Key Concepts

• Internationalization (i18n): The process of designing applications that can be adapted to various languages and regions without requiring engineering changes.
• Localization (l10n): The process of adapting a product to meet the language, cultural, and other requirements of a specific target market.
• Translation Management: The process of overseeing and coordinating the translation of content across different languages.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Conduct Market Research:
   Understand the cultural and language needs of your target market.
2. Define Globalization Goals:
   Set clear objectives for your globalization strategy.
3. Choose the Right Tools:
   Select software and tools to aid in localization and translation management.
4. Develop Content:
   Create content that can easily be localized.
5. Implement Localization:
   Begin the process of adapting your content for specific markets.
6. Test and Validate:
   Ensure that localized content meets quality standards.
7. Launch and Gather Feedback:
   Monitor performance and gather user feedback for continuous improvement.

Best Practices

• Involve native speakers in the localization process to ensure cultural appropriateness.
• Utilize translation management systems (TMS) for efficient workflow.
• Keep source content simple and clear to ease the localization process.
• Regularly update localized content to reflect changes in the source version.

FAQ