Case Overview
An international organization was preparing a high-stakes bid to host a major global event, with cities from around the world competing for the opportunity. Beyond translation, we brought our international perspective and insight to help the Japanese bid team communicate its proposal effectively to audiences worldwide, including adapting materials in real time as the bid unfolded.
- Multilingual Communications
- Business & Technical Documentation
- Subtitles & Voice-over Scripts
- Presentations & Bid Materials
The Brief
The bid required a wide range of materials in multiple languages, from technical and business documentation to promotional content, presentations, subtitles, and voice-over scripts.
Materials went through multiple rounds of review and revision, often under extremely tight deadlines. The Japanese team also needed to respond to what they were seeing and hearing on the ground in Europe, refining their presentation based on audience reactions and competing proposals and requiring new or revised content to be translated and localized almost immediately.
The project therefore involved several interconnected needs:
- Provide translation across multiple major languages at consistent speed and quality
- Adapt messaging to different audiences and cultural expectations
- Deliver content across print, digital, and audiovisual formats
- Respond to real-time changes and requests within very tight timelines
Our Approach
We were more than a translation partner. We worked as an extension of the client’s team, combining language expertise with an international perspective and the flexibility the bid demanded to ensure that the Japanese team was never held back by language.
Understand the Objective
We started by listening and understanding the bigger picture, looking beyond the quotation request to grasp the bid strategy, what was at stake, and how Japan needed to be presented.
Think Internationally
We drew on our international experience to shape wording and messaging that would appeal naturally to audiences from different countries while remaining authentic to Japan.
Look Beyond Language
We considered how tone, visuals, and cultural nuances could influence how Japan was perceived, helping present Japan in a way that was clear, compelling, and culturally authentic.
Adapt Across Formats
We worked across marketing materials, presentations, technical and business documents, subtitles, and voice-over scripts, adapting language to suit each format.
Respond in Real Time
Materials were repeatedly updated and reworked as the bid progressed. We remained flexible, integrating new content and revisions in real time, often within hours.
Work to the Deadline
With multiple layers of review and complex formatting, timing was critical. We worked around the clock when needed so the time difference never affected delivery.
The Results
Japan won the bid with an outstanding margin, securing the opportunity to host the event.
Our work helped the client present Japan to an international audience in a way that was clear, warm, and compelling while remaining true to its identity.
Most importantly, the project showed the value of understanding the objective before producing the language. By becoming part of the process rather than simply translating individual materials, we supported the client’s wider communication strategy from the first request through to the final presentation, responding to developments in real time while maintaining consistent quality and speed across multiple major languages.
Instead of simply sending us a cost estimate, they first took the time to understand what we were actually trying to achieve. That conversation alone was incredibly valuable.
