TRANSLATION IN THE 21st CENTURY
A TAUS ROUND TABLE
INTRODUCTION
TAUS Round Tables are one-day meetings for buyers and providers of language services and technologies, aimed at an open exchange about language business innovation and translation technology. These industry brainstorming sessions are organized throughout 2011 in various cities around the world, hosted by TAUS members.
TRANSLATION IN THE 21st CENTURY
Language and translation business is undergoing dramatic changes, characterized by a growing number of languages, a shift to more dynamic content and user-centric publishing. In this rapidly changing environment buyers and providers of language services and technologies are challenged to change their business models. In the TAUS Round Table meetings we invite language industry operators to help define strategies for translation in the 21st century.
STRATEGIC CHALLENGES
Buyers of translation are in need of an enterprise language strategy to be ready for expansion in languages, growth in social media, rapid turn-around translation and effective global customer support in the cloud-computing age. Language embedded in everything we do as opposed to the current project-oriented approach to translation. How do we make this transition?
Providers of translations services and technologies need to redefine their business and value for their customers. Increasing efficiencies by introducing more technology is just part of the full picture. New opportunities are emerging for the most apt innovators.
SCENARIO BASED PLANNING
In previous TAUS Executive Forums participants debated certainties and uncertainties for the future of translation. They concluded that it is certain that content will keep growing explosively, that there is a shift towards speech, video and mobile devices and that the pressure to deliver in real-time is increasing. Senior executives were not certain about whether open or closed business models will prevail, and to what extent machines will make inroads into the core business of language. It is these uncertain drivers and their implications that are most interesting to consider.
SIMPLIFYING THE DRIVERS
In the TAUS Round Table meetings participants will focus on simplifying the picture into trends that reflect possible scenarios. By raising critical questions, and considering the key stakeholders, participants will establish a better understanding of the impacts, potential and values of different possible future states. We will analyze the characteristics of translation business in the different quadrants of the diagram, and we will gather a good insight in the attributes of old and new business models and the possible scenarios that lead to a translation industry fit for the 21st century.
SHAPING OUTCOMES
The outcomes of the strategic thinking exercise throughout 2011 will be a key component in an upcoming TAUS White Paper on 21st century translation. This report will distill the collective intelligence of leading translation practitioners, thinkers, and decision-makers. The report will be publicly available and circulated among all participants.
MEETING FOR A REASON
TAUS was established in January 2005 as a think tank for the translation industry. Beyond the high-value networking, TAUS has been pivotal in formulating an industry agenda for innovation, automation and collaboration. Participants who are not familiar with the work of TAUS and the TAUS Data Association are recommended to download the TAUS Innovation Roadmap and the TAUS Annual Plan 2011.
FORMAT
The format of the TAUS Round Table is open and informal. The goal is to learn from peers in the industry. Participants may present their experience and perspective on a particular question and request others in the meeting to share their reflections. The meeting will be facilitated by Jaap van der Meer, Director of TAUS.
SUPPORT
The TAUS Round Table meetings are supported by TAUS members or regional partners, who may host the meeting at their offices.
SCHEDULE AND HOSTING
Please check the Events page on the TAUS web site for the latest overview of scheduled TAUS Round Table meetings. Please contact us if you are interested in hosting a TAUS Round Table meeting in your company for colleagues, customers and associates.
REGISTRATION
Cost for registration is €350 for non-members and €250 for members (plus 19% VAT for events in Amsterdam). Register as early as possible. Capacity is limited to 20 participants. Networking dinners may be organised. These will be charged seperately, ranging between €50 and €70.
