This book is for aspiring Localization Project Managers who want to uplevel their career. Localization Project or program Management is one of the most underestimated, often unappreciated job roles. The size of the overall global language industry is currently around US$40 Billion with estimates to grow up to US$45 Billion by 2020. Much of industry and shareholders interest focuses on language related technology. While technology solutions are a vital part of the highly dynamic globalization business, it is imperative to sharpen the project management capability that pulls intelligence, specialties, and technology altogether. The work required in these fields is far beyond the translation and software internationalization. Project managers have to be well versed in knowledge and experience working with specialists; geopolitical, natural language, advertising law, transcreation, complex scripts, graphic reproduction, voice reproduction, audio recording, video rendering, anti-piracy, regulatory and compliance. This expertise needs to build on top of localization project management skills. Localization Project Managers; both within the business and from language service providers, are responsible heroes/heroines behind the scenes and are usually the last person to leave the office. If you a manager of Localization Project Management team, you may feel the similar frustrations. Although managers spend much effort in growing their talented staff professionally, it is no wonder those superstars get tired of doing the same thing over and over, change companies often, the worst case, burnout, and leave the profession altogether. This book provides you a compass to navigate your professional career and journey. Managers can use this book to up-level your team and retain the indispensable superstars. Your business is as good as the quality and competency of your project managers. Localization Project Management is a kind of profession that requires a high level of intangible skills a with a wide variety of competencies. As a result, it poses a challenge in not having enough objective standards and measurements to access the level of "quality" and "expertise." Head of Project Management teams recognizes the need, but it is harder to establish a meaningful set of such standards and measurements. This book aims to help you succeed as a Localization Project Manager operating at a master level as quickly and efficiently as possible. This compact volume fills in that gap and provides vital professional development points to consider. If you are the head of Localization Program Management, this book is intended to help you create and update your team's job role advancement and training program. While this book is intended to provide pointers, there are simple case studies and assignments throughout, as an additional learning opportunity. The idea is to apply the knowledge learned in this book to your daily scenarios. Having the mental image of an end in mind and start thinking about the possible solutions leaps a difference. Often the answer is not apparent or achieved merely, as you will likely need other team members to work with you. You can invite others to do a brainstorming session to exchange ideas for improvements.
About the Author: Yuka is a Japanese born American, who lived in Switzerland, Seattle WA, and enjoys the life in the Pacific Northwest. She has worked as a Senior Director at Microsoft Corporation for 15 years. During her tenure, she drove the centralized globalization model for Microsoft's product packaging artwork, compliance, and regulatory management. She has also created a flexible resourcing model to localize Microsoft Studios Xbox game titles for its international market. She is passionate about the complex and dynamic nature of global business and designing transformational solutions. She currently conducts professional courses and writes about personal productivity, globalization and localization, and solution design. YukaJordan.com