Welcome to Episode 124: In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, we share a clear playbook for buying a franchise the right way. We dig into time freedom vs myth, how to filter brands, what to read in the FDD, and the calls you must make before you invest. You will leave with a simple system to choose, validate, and operate with confidence.

What you will learn

• How to define your role first then pick the brand

• A fast filter to sort winners from hype

• What to check in Item 19, training, territory, and support

• The right way to run validation calls with owners

• Funding basics, SBA, E2 visa, and total cost math

• Semi-abstent vs. owner operator, what works in real life

• A 90 day plan to launch and measure early traction

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:00 Buy a life, not a job

07:30 Time freedom vs passive income myth

12:40 The franchise filter and role first thinking

18:10 Reading the FDD, Item 19 and support

24:00 Validation calls that reveal the truth

31:00 Funding options, SBA and E2 visa

37:30 Semi absentee vs owner operator

44:00 First 90 days and success metrics

49:00 Final takeaways

Guest

Giuseppe Grammatico, Franchise expert and author

Host

Robin Ayoub, Founder, Localization Fireside Chat

Watch more and connect

• Website, www.L10NFiresideChat.com

• Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX

• Be a guest, https://calendly.com/robin-ayoub/localization-fireside-chat-podcast-recording

• LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/

Disclaimer

Opinions are shared for educational and discussion purposes. Always apply judgment in your own context.

Welcome to Episode 123: In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, Viveta Gene, PhD shares a clear, human-first view of how to build quality in localization. We talk about why teams should pay for thinking not typing, how to use AI as a tool without losing the human edge, and practical ways buyers can source, scope, and measure work that actually moves outcomes.

What you will learn

• Why cognitive effort in post editing and review should be measured and compensated

• How to design human in the loop so AI speeds work without lowering quality

• A simple buyer playbook, scope clearly, measure what matters, pay for value

• When to automate and when to slow down for expert judgment

• How Greece fits into the global market and where nearshore teams shine

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:00 Pay for thinking, not typing

07:30 AI is a tool, people drive value

12:40 Human in the loop that actually works

18:10 Fair compensation for cognitive work

24:00 A buyer’s playbook for quality outcomes

31:00 Greece in the global localization market

37:30 Building teams, values, and trust

44:00 Final takeaways

Guest

Viveta Gene, PhD, Localization leader and researcher

Host

Robin Ayoub, Founder, Localization Fireside Chat

Watch more and connect

• Website, www.L10NFiresideChat.com

• Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX

• Be a guest, https://calendly.com/robin-ayoub/localization-fireside-chat-podcast-recording

• LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/

Disclaimer

Opinions are shared for education and discussion. Always apply judgment in your own context.

When sales feel heavy, results stall and stress climbs.

In this practical episode, I sit down with Dr. Deepak Bhootra, Sandler trainer and sales strategist, to unpack a calm, repeatable approach to selling that wins more and stresses less. We dig into emotional fluency, coaching the middle of the team, AI as an assist, and the career rebuild playbook from his new book Rise Up.

Together, we explore the questions many teams avoid:

Can mindset and process lower stress while raising win rates

How do you coach the middle 50 percent for consistent performance

Where does AI add value without losing the human edge

What are the steps to rebuild a career after a setback

🎧 About the episode:

This conversation is a field guide for modern sellers and leaders. We focus on simple moves that improve discovery, strengthen coaching, and create durable results across a team. If you lead a quota carrying team or you sell for a living, this one is for you.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Emotional fluency changes discovery and negotiation

• Coaching the middle 50 percent moves the whole number

• AI should augment the seller, not replace judgment

• A simple process turns activity into results

• You can rise without burning out

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:10 Why sellers burn out and what to do first

08:45 Emotional fluency in real sales conversations

16:20 Coaching the middle 50 percent

24:30 Process that sticks and scales

33:00 AI as an assist, not a crutch

41:40 Career rebuild moves from Rise Up

50:00 Final takeaways

🔗 Connect and Learn More

Guest

• Dr. Deepak Bhootra

• Email, deepak@bhootra.com

• Email, deepak.bhootra@sandler.com

• Phone, +1 346 244 3550

• LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepakbhootra/

• Community for B2B sales reps, https://community.jabulani.sandler.com/

• Book, RISEUP, Your Career Reclaimed

Host and Show

• Localization Fireside Chat, www.L10NFiresideChat.com

• Listen on Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX?si=608c4ad8d55b4e3d

• Be a guest, https://calendly.com/robin-ayoub/localization-fireside-chat-podcast-recording

⚠️ Disclaimer

This episode shares opinions and experiences for education and discussion. Nothing here is legal, financial, or medical advice. Always apply judgment in your own context.

#sales #coaching #b2b #sandler #emotionalskills #ai #mindset #careergrowth #leadership #salesprocess #discovery #resilience #buyerpsychology #localizationfiresidechat

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Silvia Xalabarde (President @ STIBC) and Peter Madahian (President @ CLIA) to discuss a historic first for Canada’s language industry, the coming together of all provincial language associations for the 2025 National Language Industry Conference in Calgary. We explore how this unprecedented collaboration aims to strengthen Canada’s translation and interpreting community, focusing on advocacy, collaboration, and the evolving role of AI in our profession.

💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ How Canada’s language associations are joining forces for the first time ✅ Why advocacy and national collaboration matter now more than ever ✅ The role of AI in shaping the future of translation and interpreting ✅ How events like the Calgary 2025 conference are redefining professional unity ✅ The power of “One Industry, One Future”

📍 About the Conference: The CTTIC 2025 Conference in Calgary will bring together leaders from across Canada’s language sector for a unique hybrid event, featuring keynote speakers and critical discussions on the future of translation and interpreting.

🎤 Featuring International Keynote Speakers: Silvia Xalabarde, AI and the Future of Interpreting Joachim Lépine, The Great AI Reset Roula Salam, Leadership in Translation and Interpreting Betty Cohen, Building Stronger Professional Communities

🎟️ Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cttic-conference-calgary-2025-tickets-1662067782479?aff=oddtdtcreator

With the support of: 👉 Society of Translators and Interpreters of BC (STIBC) 👉 Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta (ATIA) 👉 Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of Manitoba (ATIM) 👉 Association of Translators and Interpreters of Saskatchewan (ATIS) 👉 Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) 👉 Corporation of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of New Brunswick (CTINB) 👉 Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia (ATINS) 👉 Canadian Language Industry Association (CLIA) 👉 Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC)

📢 Connect With Us: 🎙 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX 🎙 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183 🌎 Blog: https://www.robinayoub.blog 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/ 📧 Email: rsayoub@gmail.com

⚠️ Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the guests and host. This episode is for information only and does not constitute professional advice or an endorsement of specific products, vendors, or organizations.

When language access fails, lives are at stake.

In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Silvia Salabarde, President of the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC), to discuss a recent tragedy in Canada where the absence of an interpreter led to fatal consequences.

Together, we explore the questions no one is asking:

Could a life have been saved if a human interpreter had been present?

Why do institutions still rely on Google Translate in critical situations?

How can we ensure language access becomes a human right, not an afterthought?

🎧 About the episode:

This conversation is not just about translation—it’s about humanity, empathy, and the systems that fail when communication breaks down. A powerful discussion every policymaker, interpreter, and language advocate needs to hear.

💡 Key Takeaways

Language access should be recognized as a human right

Technology can assist, but human interpreters save lives

Emotional and cultural nuance cannot be automated

Policy reform is needed for crisis language access

Awareness and collaboration between government and industry are critical

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Intro & context

01:00 The tragic case in Surrey, BC

05:00 Why language access matters

08:00 The limits of technology in crisis situations

13:00 Emotional nuance and cultural understanding

18:00 Is language access a human right?

22:00 Industry and government responsibility

30:00 How STIBC is taking action

36:00 Lessons learned and call for change

40:00 Closing thoughts

🔗 Connect & Learn More

🌐 Localization Fireside Chat: www.L10NFiresideChat.com

🎧 Listen on Spotify: Localization Fireside Chat Podcast

🎙️ Schedule a guest appearance: https://calendly.com/robin-ayoub/localization-fireside-chat-podcast-recording

⚠️ Disclaimer

This episode discusses real events and news reports from publicly available sources. The views shared are for educational and awareness purposes only and do not represent legal or investigative conclusions.

🎬 Episode #119 | Tim Bradley — The Video That Sells Trust

Welcome to episode #119 of the Localization Fireside Chat! In this episode, I sit down with Tim Bradley, Co-Founder of Pennant Video, to explore how brands can move beyond vanity metrics and use 🎥 video to build trust, drive decisions, and convert audiences.

With nearly two decades in video marketing, Tim has helped leading B2B tech brands like Cisco, Hitachi, and Philips tell stories that sell. Together, we unpack the Video Marketing Trifecta™ — Pennant’s proven framework that transforms video from a creative expense into a business growth engine.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✅ Why most companies waste money chasing views instead of building trust

✅ How to design videos that convert and support your sales funnel

✅ The secret to mastering the mid-funnel — where real momentum happens

✅ How storytelling builds credibility and shortens the buyer’s journey

✅ Why authenticity beats production gloss in today’s B2B marketing landscape

⏱ Chapters

0:00 Welcome and intro to Tim Bradley

2:10 From creativity to conversion: Tim’s early journey

6:30 What’s broken in B2B video marketing today

10:40 The Video Marketing Trifecta™ explained

18:25 Why trust is the new currency in brand storytelling

24:50 Mid-funnel magic, driving real decisions

31:15 Localization and cultural nuance in video content

38:00 How to measure impact beyond views

44:20 Building human partnerships through storytelling

50:00 Final takeaways

🎙 Watch the full interview on YouTube: 👉 https://youtu.be/CbtsQ2imYl0

📢 Connect With Us 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183

📝 Blog: https://www.robinayoub.blog

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/

📬 Email: rsayoub@gmail.com

👤 Connect with Tim Bradley

🌐 Website: https://pennantvideo.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbradley/

⚠️ Disclaimer: Localization Fireside Chat (LFC) is a personal project. The views expressed are those of the host and guests. Content is not sponsored, not an endorsement, and does not represent any organization or affiliation.

Episode 118: EA Clarke — Fixing Broken Hiring with Storytelling and Values

In Episode 118 of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with EA Clarke, founder of Pivot + Edge, to explore why traditional hiring is broken and how storytelling can fix it.

With 30+ years of recruitment and startup experience, EA has seen firsthand how the wrong hires can derail growth and how the right story can attract the right people. From his early days at Mitel to raising nearly $40M and building sales from scratch, EA shares why companies need to stop cold-calling candidates and start marketing like they mean it.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why recruiting is really a storytelling challenge
• How culture fit and shared values outweigh credentials alone
• Why startup hiring caps out after 10–15 people and how to scale beyond it
• How Pivot + Edge uses marketing-first recruiting to attract talent
• Where AI fits into recruiting and why humans must stay in control

Chapters 0:00 Welcome and intro 3:15 EA Clarke’s story from HR to startup executive 7:00 Lessons from NetActive and the dot-com era 12:00 Why values and culture beat resumes 16:00 The role of employer brand in attracting talent 21:00 Marketing-first recruiting explained 27:00 Using storytelling to attract candidates and customers 36:00 Startup vs enterprise hiring challenges 39:00 AI in recruiting: help or hype? 45:00 Key takeaways for leaders

Watch & Listen 🎥 YouTube: [insert link after upload] 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183

More from Robin Ayoub 📝 Blog: https://www.robinayoub.blog 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/ 📩 Email: rsayoub@gmail.com

Connect with EA Clarke & Pivot + Edge 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eaclarke/ 🌐 Website: https://pivotandedge.com

⚠️ Disclaimer: The Localization Fireside Chat is a personal project. Views shared are those of the host and guests. Content is not sponsored, not an endorsement, and does not represent any organization or affiliation.

Welcome to Episode 117

In this episode of the Localization Fireside Chat, I sit down with Neil Twa, entrepreneur, podcaster, and author of Almost-Automated Income. Neil has built and scaled Amazon FBA businesses to more than $100M in exits. He shares how he approaches entrepreneurship, automation, data-driven decision making, and why systems matter more than hustle.

This conversation covers Neil’s journey from startup to $100M exit, his philosophy on building almost-automated businesses, and how he mentors the next generation of entrepreneurs. For anyone interested in e-commerce, entrepreneurship, or financial freedom, this is a must-listen.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How Neil scaled Amazon FBA brands to over $100M in sales
• Why “almost-automated income” is a practical, not passive, business model
• The struggle to the first million and lessons from early challenges
• Why data-driven businesses are more likely to succeed
• How Neil mentors others, including teaching his kids to sell on eBay
• Why commitment means “burning boats” and going all in

Chapters 0:00 Welcome and introduction 2:15 Neil’s background and first ventures 6:40 From startup to $100M exit 12:05 The Almost-Automated Income framework 18:45 Lessons from the first million 25:00 Data-driven success and business growth 32:00 Teaching kids entrepreneurship through eBay 36:15 Mentorship and empowering others 42:00 Choose your hard: commitment in business 48:00 Final thoughts and takeaways

Connect With Us Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5OoURgc29R31XPGzOWL9iX Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/localization-fireside-chat/id1688770183 Blog: https://www.robinayoub.blog LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinayoub/ Email: rsayoub@gmail.com

Connect with Neil Twa Website: https://neiltwa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa/ Book: Almost-Automated Income

Disclaimer The Localization Fireside Chat is a personal project. Views shared are those of the host and guests. Content is not sponsored, not an endorsement, and does not represent any organization or affiliation.