For decades, translation agencies have relied on process-first thinking to meet client demands.
Reactive, service-driven models fueled the growth of multi-million dollar businesses around the world.
But according to Bureau Works' CEO, Gabriel Fairman, that era is ending fast.
The Rise and Fall of Process-First
Process-first thinking was built on reactivity.
Stakeholders made requests, and supply chains bent over backward to accommodate them.
Flexibility was the secret weapon. Whether it was translating an InDesign file or launching an interpreting project, agencies were praised for their ability to "make it work."
But this adaptability came at a hidden cost: complexity.
Over time, the processes became so intricate and manual that they slowed businesses down.
As Gabriel puts it:
"The process becomes more expensive than the translation itself... and that's going to become more common as the per-word value declines because of the rise of generative AI."
In a world where margins are shrinking, that inefficiency is no longer sustainable.
Why Software-First Thinking Matters
Instead of reacting to every new request, software-first thinking focuses on what technology can do efficiently.
Rather than crafting a custom process for every need, software offers a framework, a way to standardize and automate without sacrificing quality.
This model forces companies to specialize, not generalize.
It’s no longer about offering every possible service; it’s about becoming world-class at a focused set of skills.
As Gabriel explains:
"Specialization becomes a lot more important because it's very hard to improve if you're doing a little bit of everything."
By relying on smart technology that drives information (not just stores it), companies gain something priceless: bandwidth.
Bandwidth for leadership to strategize.
Bandwidth for teams to innovate.
Bandwidth for businesses to stay relevant as AI reshapes the industry.
Bandwidth: The Most Valuable Asset
Without bandwidth, companies drown in administrative work.
They spend more time quoting projects, assigning tasks, and running manual workflows than actually building better businesses.
Software-first organizations flip that equation.
They free up time, allowing teams to focus on improving services, developing new solutions, and creating real value for clients.
Gabriel sums it up simply:
"Bandwidth is the most valuable commodity at a time like this."
The companies that understand this shift and act on it will define the next decade of localization and translation services.
Conclusion: Change or Be Left Behind
Transitioning from a process-first to a software-first model isn’t easy.
It requires tough choices, trimming inefficient revenue lines, and embracing a new identity centered around technology and specialization.
But the alternative is even harder: irrelevance.
In the AI-driven future, flexibility alone won’t save you. Bandwidth will.
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