Let me take you back to the late 1990s, in the prehistoric era of the language industry — when we still used paper dictionaries and hadn’t yet invented a jungle of acronyms for ourselves. Back then, I had a small translation business called Lexis. A typical small Italian translation agency
1. Introduction In the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), choosing whether to be a buyer or a seller it’s a strategic one that can redefine your company’s future. Yet many business owners approach M&A reactively, waiting for an offer or opportunity to land in their inbox. That’s a risky
Introduction: Why M&A Matters for LSPs The language services industry is changing fast. Consolidation is accelerating. Larger groups expand with acquisitions, while technology reshapes service delivery. For small and mid-sized LSPs, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are no longer just for the big players. They are a practical strategy to unlock
Ask any LSP owner what drives their company’s growth, and you’ll hear the usual suspects: sales, project management, maybe marketing. But there’s one critical function that rarely gets mentioned—one that could be the difference between sustainable scaling and hitting a ceiling you can’t break through. Vendor management. If that surprised
1. AI Disruption Is Already Redefining the Language Industry AI is not a future trend. It is a present reality that is rapidly reshaping the translation and localization industry. Many LSPs still operate under the assumption that they have time to adapt, that the impact will be gradual, or that
Introduction: When Business Becomes Personal For most LSP founders, the company isn’t just a business, it’s a piece of who they are. Years of hard work, sleepless nights, and personal sacrifices shape it into more than an asset; it becomes part of their identity. Selling a business will be one
The language services industry is experiencing unprecedented change. Yet one outdated belief persists across boardrooms and coffee shops alike: Mergers and Acquisitions are exclusively the domain of industry giants. This misconception isn’t just wrong, it’s dangerous. Small and mid-sized LSPs that dismiss M&A as “not for us” risk being left
Knowing your LSP’s worth is not only about selling. It shows where your business stands and how it can grow. Whether you’re planning to sell, merge, acquire, or future-proof your company, knowing your valuation is a powerful tool. Let us explore what buyers actually care about when valuing small to
In recent years, mergers and acquisitions have become a vital growth and exit strategy in the language services industry. This is no longer a path reserved only for large multinational players. More and more small and mid-sized LSPs are now exploring M&A as a way to scale, exit, or reposition
On 15-16 May 2025, ELIA’s Focus on Executives took place at the St Raphael Resort & Marina in Limassol, Cyprus, offering an exclusive setting for language industry decision-makers to step back, rethink, and engage. But beyond the beautiful location, what set this year apart was the depth: open conversations about
The language services market is evolving fast. AI is redefining workflows. Client expectations are rising. And competition isn’t slowing down. For small LSPs that want to grow, standing still is not an option. Growth is still possible, but it requires a shift in mindset, a clear strategy, and focused execution.
Welcome to the Jargon Buster. We understand that navigating the world of mergers and acquisitions can be tough. That’s why we’ve created this blog post to walk you through the most commonly used business and legal terms often encountered in the structuring, negotiation, and execution of an M&A deal. Accountability Chart
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