SOFA Stage | LocWorld54 Monterey | Iti Sahai

With SOFA Stage, we have a direct link to live stage talks. This is where voices meet and ideas take the spotlight.

In this episode recorded live at LocWorld54 in Monterey, California, host Fabiano Cid sits down with Iti Sahai, a product management leader who took the scenic route from film and television in LA to drive innovation in localization technology. Discover how storytelling connects every chapter of her remarkable journey.

What You'll Learn:

How a background in film production and content acquisition translates to product leadership.
The art of reframing localization challenges as business opportunities.
Why product managers should be "CEOs" of their domain, not permission-seekers.
How to deliver feedback with radical candor and genuine care.
The importance of staying close to customers (3 days a week, 2-3 calls daily).
Why connecting customer problems to engineering solutions and business outcomes is essential.
How to make your problem their problem when seeking stakeholder buy-in.

Key Highlights:

From storyteller of cultures to storyteller of language and technology.
Why localization isn't a boardroom issue (and how to change that narrative).
The winning formula: tie everything to business outcomes, make it relevant to stakeholders.
Real talk on product management in localization vs. true product craft.
The power of getting scrappy and informing leadership rather than asking permission.
Moving beyond AI hype to structured, tangible, tactical outcomes.
Leading with kindness while delivering direct, measured feedback.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction & Getting to Know Iti
1:30 - The Scenic Route: Film & Television Background
3:00 - Pivoting to Product Management
4:30 - On Firmness, Clarity & Compelling Leadership
5:00 - The Process Innovation Challenge Experience
6:00 - Feedback as a Gift: Measured, Actionable, with Radical Candor
6:45 - Staying Close to Customers
7:15 - Last Year's Boardroom Challenge Workshop
8:00 - Making Localization a Business Priority
9:00 - The SEO Analogy: Connecting Dots to Business Outcomes
10:00 - Being the CEO of Your Product Domain
11:45 - What's Next & The Element of Surprise
12:45 - Why LocWorld Matters: Community & Adjacent Expertise
14:00 - Beyond AI Hype: Delivering Tangible Outcomes
15:00 - Lead with Kindness & Closing Thoughts

What's your approach to connecting localization challenges to business outcomes? How do you deliver feedback that drives real change? Share your strategies in the comments!

🛋️ Brought to you by SOFA, where bold ideas find a comfy seat. 🛋️
Produced by Powerling, helping brands turn global content into powerful local experiences.

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