Siemens: French-Canadian Localization for Customer Excellence Training

Challenge

Adapting successful US training for French-Canadian employees

Siemens Canada recognized the success of their US-based Customer Excellence training and wanted to make it accessible to their French-Canadian employees. However, everything—onscreen text, scripts, graphics, and narration—was in English, creating a significant barrier to effective learning.

The real challenge wasn’t just translation—it was ensuring the training resonated authentically with the Quebec market. Simple word-for-word translation wouldn’t achieve the cultural sensitivity and market relevance needed to make the training as effective in French as it was in English.

The French Canadian CE360 Online Course was very well received. Everyone really liked the whole course, but most of the comments I received were about the interaction of the training simulations and the great BluePrint tool at the end. They were excited that they got such a great tool to work with. That was definitely the first time we’ve seen such a professional online training course.
– Marie-Eve Loof, Siemens

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Solution

Localized training ensures effective learning for French-Canadian workforce

From English-only to culturally authentic: a comprehensive localization

For Siemens Canada, simply translating their successful US-based training into French wouldn’t guarantee success. The real need was for a full-scale localization that ensured the content resonated authentically with the cultural nuances of the Quebec market.

Our solution focused on achieving true cultural fluency. We engaged expert linguists specializing in Canadian French and partnered with professional narrators from the Quebec region. Every element—from text and graphics to interactive simulations—was meticulously adapted to create a learning experience that felt genuinely local, ensuring maximum impact and a consistent brand experience.

Approach

Comprehensive localization strategy that ensures cultural authenticity and learning effectiveness

Here’s how our collaborative localization process transformed English training into culturally resonant French-Canadian experiences:

Siemens: Customer Excellence work example

Expert Linguistic Translation and Cultural Adaptation:

We engaged expert linguists specializing in Canadian French to translate all content—onscreen text, scripts, graphics text, and narration. These specialists understood Quebec market nuances, ensuring translations felt authentic and relevant rather than mechanically converted.

Authentic Regional Narration Integration:

We partnered with professional narrators from the Quebec region to deliver the French script with authentic pronunciation, intonation, and cultural understanding. This regional authenticity enhanced learner connection and engagement with the material.

Interactive Training Simulation Localization:

We localized the highly praised training simulations, ensuring all interactive elements, scenarios, and decision points reflected French-Canadian business culture and communication styles while maintaining the effectiveness that made the original training successful.

An infographic titled Customer Experience Blueprint with four columns: Marketing, Quality, Tech Support, and Customer. Each shows stages of customer expectations and responses, plus instructions at the bottom.

Comprehensive BluePrint Tool Adaptation:

The popular BluePrint tool received complete localization treatment, with all interface elements, instructions, and content adapted for French-Canadian users while preserving the functionality that generated such enthusiastic learner response.

A woman talks on the phone in her office

Impact

Consistent brand experience across US and Canadian markets

Key learner outcomes

Exceptional learner reception with enthusiastic feedback about course quality and relevance
Enhanced engagement through culturally authentic content that resonated with Quebec market
Consistent brand experience across US and Canadian markets while respecting cultural differences
Expanded market reach enabling Siemens to serve French-Canadian employees effectively

Enhanced engagement and market expansion – authentic localization drives success

The French-Canadian CE360 Online Course was exceptionally well received, with learners particularly praising the interactive training simulations and the BluePrint tool. The professional quality and cultural authenticity exceeded expectations, representing the first time Siemens Canada had seen such high-quality online training.

The careful localization effort ensured French-Canadian employees had access to the same high-quality training as their US colleagues, creating a more inclusive learning environment. Enhanced engagement through native language delivery led to better understanding and retention, ultimately helping Siemens deliver consistent customer experience across Canada while strengthening their brand in the Quebec market.

The Strategic Difference: This was a cultural adaptation, not just a translation project. We ensured the training resonated authentically with the Quebec market by using expert linguists and regional narrators. This commitment to cultural fluency is what made the program so successful and well-received.

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