Research

Essential Data to Increase Language Investment

by Rebecca Ray, Arle Lommel, January 16, 2019, 12 Pages View abstract

All localization directors and strategic planners need the best data they can get their hands on to convince their managers and executives of the value of investing in the right languages at the right time for the right audiences – whether at home . . .

Align Your Localization and Enterprise KPIs

by Arle Lommel, Rebecca Ray, Hélène Pielmeier, March 28, 2018, 11 Pages View abstract

Finding the right key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your localization efforts challenges even the most sophisticated global companies. Many organizations get no further than internal metrics focused on their language processes . . .

Fourteen Ways to Ace Your Executive Presentation

by Rebecca Ray, January 03, 2018, 4 Pages View abstract

Need help with building effective business cases and presentations that lead to increased investment in localization and global growth? CSA Research recently analyzed data from 20 companies to determine what worked and what did not when making the case . . .

Investment Proposal for Adding Language Support for Marketing
A CSA Research Guide to Developing Business Cases

by Rebecca Ray, December 29, 2017, 46 Pages View abstract

CSA Research designed this presentation as an “ROI by example” guide for translation, localization, and globalization teams. Use it as the basis for developing and presenting investment proposals, business cases, or ROI arguments to add language . . .

The ROI of Customer Engagement
The Business Case for Localizing the Global Customer Journey

by Donald A. DePalma, Rebecca Ray, September 15, 2017, 35 Pages View abstract

Consumers and businesspeople have more choices than ever before. With rare exceptions, they can buy whatever they want, from wherever they want, whenever they want. All that typically stands in the way of buyers getting what they want is their ability . . .

Financial Benchmarks for Global Enterprises: Language Services Spend

by Rebecca Ray, Donald A. DePalma, September 01, 2017, 18 Pages View abstract

An organization’s ability to deliver a winning global customer journey depends on two core elements: 1) the maturity of its localization team; and 2) the degree to which all groups enterprise-wide have globalized their business processes and . . .

Financial Benchmarks for Global Enterprises: Organizational Maturity

by Rebecca Ray, Donald A. DePalma, September 01, 2017, 20 Pages View abstract

Digital Opportunity: Top 100 Online Languages for 2017

by Benjamin B. Sargent, Arle Lommel, August 15, 2017, 10 Pages View abstract

Evaluation of return on content begins with understanding the language composition of the online world. CSA Research’s annual online benchmarks capture the total economic opportunity that global brands address when they add a new language. The benchmarks . . .

Financial Benchmarks for Global Enterprises: International Revenue

by Rebecca Ray, Donald A. DePalma, July 31, 2017, 21 Pages View abstract

Should We Centralize Our Globalization Function?

by Rebecca Ray, December 30, 2016, 9 Pages View abstract

One of the most common questions asked by organizations implementing globalization as a business function is whether they should centralize language services. Data from CSA Research demonstrates that companies continue to consolidate in this area as they . . .

Governance: Elevating Localization as a Business Function

by Rebecca Ray, Donald A. DePalma, December 01, 2016, 18 Pages View abstract

In preparation for the release of Localization Maturity ModelTM 3.0, CSA Research conducted a comprehensive survey of enterprise buyers of language services in 15 countries in June and July 2016. We asked about five strategic areas - governance, strategy, . . .

Why Benchmarking Localization Maturity Matters

by Rebecca Ray, Donald A. DePalma, December 01, 2016, 7 Pages View abstract

How many times have you heard "localization is special" or "globalization only affects a few departments?" Probably too many. Why are these attitudes still held by otherwise informed middle managers and executives? Because localization or globalization . . .

Top 100 Ranking of Global Brand Websites

by Benjamin B. Sargent, November 30, 2016, 7 Pages View abstract

This brief ranks the 100 most global brands for 2016, based on CSA Research’s annual study of global websites. This year we assessed 2,657 sites. Based on that analysis, we identified 58 best practices for global customer experience (CX). Then we . . .

Pragmatic Global Content Strategy
Managing Global Information Overload

by Rebecca Ray, Donald A. DePalma, April 27, 2016, 33 Pages View abstract

Digital marketers, localization managers, and corporate planners want guidelines and data to help them decide which materials to translate and how much to translate. This report answers that question by showing how to develop and use marketing personas, . . .

What to Do When It’s Time to Drop a Language

by Rebecca Ray, February 29, 2016, 7 Pages View abstract

Translation and localization managers are skilled at adding languages and locales for their products and services, documentation and support, and web and mobile sites (see "Adding Languages to Websites - It Gets Easier," Jan14). However, decommissioning . . .

Benchmarking the Top 100 Online Languages for 2015

by Benjamin B. Sargent, Donald A. DePalma, April 30, 2015, 20 Pages View abstract

Among the three billion people traversing the internet in 2015, 100 languages account for almost all economically significant online activity. Fourteen of those represent 90% of the total economic opportunity of digital communication and commerce. Companies . . .

Insights on Enterprise Translation Automation
How Clients Deploy Translation Technology

by Donald A. DePalma, Fred Hollowood, April 14, 2015, 49 Pages View abstract

As your clients expand globally, they struggle to scale content to a range of products, languages, and platforms. The only way to meet this demand is with technology. In this report, CSA Research explores six scenarios for how buyers automate processes . . .

TMS Customer Satisfaction
How Users Rate TMS Solutions and Their Vendors

by Benjamin B. Sargent, Rebecca Ray, March 31, 2015, 35 Pages View abstract

To date, little research has been available on the level of satisfaction among decision-makers, practitioners, and end-users of TMS solutions. In October 2014, CSA Research surveyed 688 enterprise and supply side users, asking them about a range of customer . . .

Enterprise Translation Automation
Use Cases for Deployment of Translation Technology

by Donald A. DePalma, Fred Hollowood, March 10, 2015, 42 Pages View abstract

Many organizations employ technology to manage digital content and its translation. Some rely heavily on tools that vendors provide. Others require partners to use proprietary systems that they have developed themselves or bought from commercial suppliers . . .

Agile Localization at 17 Silicon Valley Companies

by Rebecca Ray, February 02, 2015, 9 Pages View abstract

Twenty-two globalization champions from 17 global software developers came together recently in Silicon Valley to share their challenges and solutions for Agile localization at a CSA Research Colloquium. This brief outlines workflow models presented by . . .

Eight Guidelines for Budgetmeisters

by Fred Hollowood, Rebecca Ray, December 08, 2014, 2 Pages View abstract

Translation budget managers and directors often consult Common Sense Advisory on how to win more funding and, conversely, how to avoid budget cuts. This brief summarizes eight guidelines for effective budget management, based on in-depth interviews with . . .

Take Command of Your Translation Budget
Establishing a Sustainable Funding Model

by Rebecca Ray, Fred Hollowood, December 08, 2014, 39 Pages View abstract

There is no standard budgeting model for translation and localization teams, so managers and directors often ask Common Sense Advisory for advice on how to increase their budgets, maintain them, and keep them from being cut. Many continue to scramble . . .

What Should We Localize, and How Deep Should We Go?

by Rebecca Ray, November 03, 2014, 5 Pages View abstract

Revenue from emerging markets represents sizable chunks of total revenue for many companies nowadays. The nature of documentation is changing as more and more of it is accessed through the cloud and made available via mobile. At the same time, localized . . .

Seven Areas to Address for Merging Translation Groups

by Rebecca Ray, July 08, 2014, 6 Pages View abstract

Marketing and engineering or R&D managers often have questions and concerns as they centralize and merge their translation and localization functions. From engineering, Common Sense Advisory hears, "Marketing isn't very organized when it comes to translation . . .

10 Questions to Ask Your CFO

by Rebecca Ray, July 03, 2014, 4 Pages View abstract

Whether new to localization or old hands at it, translation and localization managers should become best friends with their chief financial officer (CFO) and his or her staff. Why? Even if you're not directly responsible for budgeting, you need to understand . . .