Transform localization from cost center to strategic growth driver
Why it matters: Localization leaders are stuck executing requests instead of driving strategy. Executives see localization as overhead, not opportunity. This certification teaches you to reposition your work as essential to growth and secure the resources and influence you need.
What you'll accomplish In this 4-week intensive program, you'll create a complete strategic roadmap for 2026:
Build a compelling business case that positions localization as strategic growth
Design stakeholder engagement strategies that create cross-functional buy-in
Develop ROI frameworks that go beyond "words translated" or "hours saved"
Practice executive communication that earns you a seat at the strategy table
Who this is for Localization managers and directors at growth-stage companies who are ready to transform from tactical execution to strategic leadership.
How it works
3 live cohort sessions (2 hours each, Thursdays 4pm GMT)
2 private 1-1 strategy sessions (30 minutes each, scheduled weeks 4-6)
Small cohorts (8-12 participants) for personalized attention
Complete Strategic Goal Canvas delivered by week 4 (ready to present to leadership)
What you’ll learn
Enhance your skills in aligning localization with business goals, influencing stakeholders, and delivering strategic international growth.
Learn the strategic role framework to shift localization from cost center to revenue enabler
Develop ROI measurement frameworks that connect localization directly to business outcomes
Apply value chain positioning to identify where localization creates maximum business impact
Use empathy mapping to understand Sales, Marketing, Product, and Finance team goals
Apply strategic alignment frameworks to identify shared objectives and build support coalitions
Practice executive communication strategies that resonate with different stakeholder audiences
Apply market prioritization frameworks that balance opportunity size and organizational readiness
Use localization maturity assessment tools to benchmark current capabilities and identify gaps
Create your Strategic Goal Canvas with timeline, metrics, and stakeholder alignment built in
Build KPI dashboards that track localization's contribution to revenue, user growth, and market penetration
Implement feedback loops that help your localization program evolve with business needs
Create delegation frameworks that distribute localization ownership across product, marketing, and regional teams while maintaining quality
Develop comprehensive documentation including strategy frameworks, process workflows, and governance
Create stakeholder communication templates that maintain alignment throughout international expansion
Master executive presentation techniques for securing budget and strategic influence
Learn directly from Kevin
Kevin O'Donnell
International Growth Advisor
Who this course is for
Localization leaders who want to increase their strategic influence & impact among senior leaders.
Ambitious localization individual contributors who want to accelerate their career and deepen their expertise in localization strategy.
Product Managers and Marketers who want to develop strategies to drive international product growth.
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Kevin O'Donnell in a real-time, interactive format.
2 Private Strategy Sessions
Personalized 1-1 sessions to refine your Strategic Goal Canvas and prepare your stakeholder communication plan for your specific company context
Strategic Localization Certification
Maven certification credential you can add to LinkedIn and use for career advancement
Strategic Localization Playbook
Custom playbook you'll develop throughout the program, tailored to your company's specific needs and challenges
Strategic Goal Canvas
Complete Strategic Goal Canvas - your personalized roadmap for positioning localization as a strategic growth driver
Ask Me Anything
Dedicated "Ask Me Anything" live session and community forum for Q&A.
Slack community: Strategic Loc Alliance
Private Slack community with 70+ alumni from Nike, Apple, PayPal, Stripe, and other leading companies
Lifetime access to recordings & materials
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Maven Guarantee
This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.
Course syllabus
11 lessons • 9 projects
Week 1
Foundations of Localization Strategy
Week 2
Creating Effective Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
Free resource
Build Your 2026 Localization Roadmap in 30 Minutes
Strategic Localization Framework: From Reactive to Revenue
You'll learn the 5-pillar framework for building a strategic localization roadmap that positions loc as a growth driver
Your 2026 Roadmap Canvas (Live Workshop)
We'll walk through a real example together, and you'll start building your own roadmap using a proven template covering
Implementation Strategy: Getting Executive Buy-In
You'll learn the three critical steps to take in the next week to validate your roadmap with stakeholders and present it
Schedule
Live sessions
2 hrs / week
Projects
1-3 hrs / week
2 Private Strategy Sessions
1 hr / week
Testimonials
- I love the content covered in the sessions as it speaks to the challenges we face in our current roles. I am learning from other programs in the industry, and it is great to hear different perspectives from people who speak your 'language.'
María Caravaca Gómez
Sr. Localization Program Manager, Asana - The knowledge and insightful tactics are very useful and applicable to my role and career goals. They highlight the true potential and value of our work in the industry. Excited to apply these learnings and drive meaningful impact.
Paula Martinez
Localization Program Manager, GoFundMe - The course was engaging, fun and with lots of tools and real-life examples to help us improve our localization strategies! I’m very happy to have been part of this amazing cohort.
Iara Altkorn
Sr. Localization Operations Specialist, Braze - The course provided insights, real-life examples and highly useful tools to help streamline our localization processes, align them with business goals and lay out a cogent, overarching strategy.
Mark Neustadt
Language Specialist, envelio - What an incredibly valuable course. Thank you so much for the thoughtfulness and expert insights you've shared. I'll be using the frameworks and learnings for a long time to come!
Rachel Varnergardner
Sr. Program Manager, Remitly - An engaging and well thought-out course. It was great meeting other like-minded localization leaders and exchanging ideas and experiences.
Ana Mandic
Principal, Globalization Planning & Language Strategy, Nike
A summary of everything we will cover on the course.
Frequently asked questions
$1,190
USD