Local IQ™: Your Localization Intelligence
Local IQ™ is the only framework that can successfully localize your product or service offerings into another country or market.
What’s Local IQ™?
One of the biggest challenges when entering any market is knowing whether your product or service is going to succeed. This is already a huge undertaking locally and is even more complicated globally. Ask yourself the following questions about your market:
- Do you have the time for extensive research on your target market?
- Do you have access to all the insights that only experience from that market can provide, and how will you leverage those insights?
- Do you have the technical resources to localize your product or service?
You’ve got a lot to think about, but the good thing is, you don’t have to do all the thinking! Explore how Local IQ™ can help you succeed in new markets.
The Three Pillars of Local IQ™
As a localization partner for clients and as a company localizing our own services our of Columbus, Ohio, we’ve identified three attributes for effective localization:
- Getting the language translated correctly was always a major challenge. Idioms don’t always translate directly and what’s acceptable to say in one country may not be acceptable in another.
- Any creatives that we used had to be localized and designed for a native audience. Clothing, colors, and even gender must be considered when selecting creatives.
- Technology had to be localized and played a critical role for customer engagement. Device and app preferences are important to know.
We realized that when all three were executed together, synergies started to emerge. Customers would engage with this 3-pronged localization approach at extremely high rates, often increasing engagement by 100%. This raised many eyebrows from our internal team and made us want to learn more. And so we did by developing Local IQ™, which is broken down into three pillars:
Language
Language is everything and is first of three ways for localizing to your target audience. Language localization requires the right mix of the tone, intent, and message. This mix isn’t always apparent and is dictated by what’s most receptive by your target audience.
Design
Language isn’t the only way customers engage with your brand; the images that you choose will also impact, reinforce, and support your localization efforts. By localizing relevant assets for your target audience, you’ll increase your win percentage in different markets.
Technology
When entering new markets, knowing your customer’s technological preference is key for successful localization. Understanding whether your customers are more receptive towards a desktop ad than a mobile ad will help better allocate your budget and improve your ROI.
THE FRAMEWORK
How Does Local IQ™ Work?
There are four phases for Local IQ™: Discovery, Assessment, Alignment, and Learning. Each phase is designed to uncover a 360-view of where you’re trying to go and how you’re going to get there through localization. Below details the four phases of Local IQ™.
01.
Discovery
This is the first and most crucial phase. We’ll ask the right questions and dive deeper into your brand to understand your needs and the problems you’re trying to solve. In doing so, we will craft a successful plan of attack. At this stage, we’ll also identify KPIs and other factors that we want to baseline as we unravel and understand your Local IQ™.
02.
Assessment
After discovery, our next step is to uncover the full picture of your current localization efforts. We use our proprietary methodology, which is backed by research and data, to flush out and address any localization gaps within your organization.
For a successful assessment, input from stakeholders across your organization’s localization chain is needed. Therefore, we will engage with them to map out your current process. At the end of this phase, you’ll receive a report of localization gaps (if any) and action items to address and capture more localization value.
03.
Alignment
With the assessment completed, our team then collaborates with key stakeholders across your localization chain to execute on the action items from the Assessment phase. If you lack key capabilities, such as translations, marketing, and web development, identified during our assessment, we can offer our own resources to support you or introduce you to partners who can.
In addition to execution, we’ll start tracking your KPIs and establish a localization system (spreadsheet, translation management system, or some other automation) that not only implements easy to manage workflows, but also opens up a feedback loop for process improvement.
04.
Learning
If you’re familiar with agile principles, then the Learning phase is just an extension. Here, we’ll benchmark your new localization process against your baseline KPIs. Local IQ™ is dynamic and ever changing and as such, it requires continuous improvements. You’ll find yourself repeating the Assessment and Alignment phases to incrementally improve your localization. Your Local IQ is dependent on this phase and without Learning, your localization will eventually fall flat.
THE FRAMEWORK
How Does Local IQ™ Work?
There are four phases for Local IQ™: Discovery, Assessment, Alignment, and Learning. Each phase is designed to uncover a 360-view of where you’re trying to go and how you’re going to get there through localization. Below details the four phases of Local IQ™.
01.
Discovery
This is the first and most crucial phase. We’ll ask the right questions and dive deeper into your brand to understand your needs and the problems you’re trying to solve. In doing so, we will craft a successful plan of attack. At this stage, we’ll also identify KPIs and other factors that we want to baseline as we unravel and understand your Local IQ™.
02.
Assessment
After discovery, our next step is to uncover the full picture of your current localization efforts. We use our proprietary methodology, which is backed by research and data, to flush out and address any localization gaps within your organization.
For a successful assessment, input from stakeholders across your organization’s localization chain is needed. Therefore, we will engage with them to map out your current process. At the end of this phase, you’ll receive a report of localization gaps (if any) and action items to address and capture more localization value.
03.
Alignment
With the assessment completed, our team then collaborates with key stakeholders across your localization chain to execute on the action items from the Assessment phase. If you lack key capabilities, such as translations, marketing, and web development, identified during our assessment, we can offer our own resources to support you or introduce you to partners who can.
In addition to execution, we’ll start tracking your KPIs and establish a localization system (spreadsheet, translation management system, or some other automation) that not only implements easy to manage workflows, but also opens up a feedback loop for process improvement.
04.
Learning
If you’re familiar with agile principles, then the Learning phase is just an extension. Here, we’ll benchmark your new localization process against your baseline KPIs. Local IQ™ is dynamic and ever changing and as such, it requires continuous improvements. You’ll find yourself repeating the Assessment and Alignment phases to incrementally improve your localization. Your Local IQ is dependent on this phase and without Learning, your localization will eventually fall flat.
The Bottom Line / TLDR
Be intelligent. Local IQ™ is a framework that redefines localization. By analyzing the three key pillars of localization – language, design, and technology – Local IQ™ optimizes localization success in current and new markets. Connect with our team today to get started with your Local IQ™.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? We have answers! Everything you need to know about localization and Local IQ™.
What’s the difference between language translation and language localization?
Even though localization is always the better approach, we find many companies repeating the same mistake by directly translating or by using machine translations instead of localization. Connect with us today for more details around localization.
How do I know my language translations are legit?
Our translation process undergoes three levels of translations quality assurance:
- The work is initially translated according to your requirements.
- Our skilled proofreaders then proofread it for accuracy and voice.
- Finally, our translations lead reviews the final translations in the live working environment to ensure it matches the surrounding imagery and has the right context.
There’s also an optional forth layer where we can work on a voice of the customer to grade our translations for a sanity check.
Can you help us with localization strategy and planning?
Of course we can! We’ve got years of experience helping clients enter new markets and can help build your business case as well as support it through execution.
How much does it cost for localization?
If it’s just language localization, our pricing ranges between 10 cents per word and 40 cents per work. The rate is usually a factor of technical expertise, volume, and language needs. If we are localizing language, design, and technology, then this requires a custom quote.
How long does it take for localization?
For language localization only, our pace is roughly 1000 words per day, which includes translations, proofreading, and a final review once our work is live on production. It’s possible to localize at a faster rate. However, this will incur additional charges. Additionally, if you’re looking for design and technology localizations, contact us to get your free custom quote.
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Beyond Localization Intelligence, Local IQ™
Local IQ™ isn’t all that we do. Our clients typically engage with our entire suite of digital solutions:
Design
Our designers, animators, and UX/UI professionals are here to bring your vision to life. Your customers make decisions on whether they like your website and marketing collateral in micro, subconscious moments. We focus on the most pleasing design and user experience to get your customers where they need to be and take the actions you want them to complete.
App Development
The Development and QA team at Uplancer is focused on one thing: bringing your solution to life through a web or mobile app. We embrace change and we do what needs to be done. We’re not about creating code-as-artwork. We’re giving life to a beautiful design.
Marketing / Brand Strategy
Who is my customer? What competitive pressure am I facing? What is my message? How am I driving demand? These are all questions our marketing strategy team will tackle for you. Marketing is like asking someone on a date, and branding is the reason they say yes. We’ll make sure your brand is positioned and communicating all the right things.
Cloud Solutions Architect
Elevate your business with our cutting-edge cloud solutions! We tailor scalable, secure, and seamless cloud infrastructures that drive efficiency and innovation. Whether you’re leveraging cloud for building applications or enhancing security, our expert team ensures a smooth transition towards a cloud architecture. Experience the cloud like never before with Uplancer Agency.
Beyond Localization and Local IQ™
Local IQ™ isn’t all that we do. Our clients typically engage with our entire suite of digital solutions:
Design
Our designers, animators, and UX/UI professionals are here to bring your vision to life. Your customers make decisions on whether they like your website and marketing collateral in micro, subconscious moments. We focus on the most pleasing design and user experience to get your customers where they need to be and take the actions you want them to complete.
App Development
The Development and QA team at Uplancer is focused on one thing: bringing your solution to life. We embrace change and we do what needs to be done. We’re not about creating code-as-artwork. We’re giving life to a beautiful design.
Marketing / Brand Strategy
Who is my customer? What competitive pressure am I facing? What is my message? How am I driving demand? These are all questions our marketing strategy team will tackle for you. Marketing is like asking someone on a date, and branding is the reason they say yes. We’ll make sure your brand is positioned and communicating all the right things.
Cloud Solutions Architect
Elevate your business with our cutting-edge cloud solutions! We tailor scalable, secure, and seamless cloud infrastructures that drive efficiency and innovation. Whether you’re leveraging cloud for building applications or enhancing security, our expert team ensures a smooth transition towards a cloud architecture. Experience the cloud like never before with Uplancer Agency.