Together 2025 Speaker Article: Part 7 with Federico Colombo

How can we balance the needs and expectations of both LSPs and freelancers? What makes long-term partnerships successful? As part of our Speaker Articles series, Federico Colombo addressed how to forge successful collaborations between both sides of the industry at ELIA Together 2025, and reflected on his experience as a speaker:

Talent Management Redefined: How LSPs Keep Talent, How Freelancers Shine

Attending ELIA Together 2025 in Barcelona was a fantastic experience. These types of networking events are essential for our industry, not only because they bring professionals together but also because they create spaces for open conversations about the challenges and opportunities we all face. Being able to hear firsthand about different workflows, business models, and strategies from fellow professionals is always insightful, but for me, as someone working in HR, what stood out the most was the opportunity to listen to freelancers.

Freelancers are the backbone of the localization industry, and their perspectives are crucial to understanding how we can create better work environments and collaboration models. Throughout the event, I had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations with linguists, project managers, and vendor managers who shared their experiences, concerns, and what they look for in a long-term partnership with companies. Hearing about their challenges, such as inconsistent workloads, or the need for clearer communication with LSPs, reinforced the importance of fostering strong, mutually beneficial relationships.

In my talk, I focused on this dynamic, sharing insights from my experience at Terra Translations and other companies. A key point was how vendor management departments operate and how their role is evolving. Vendor managers do much more than just recruiting; they are facilitators who help freelancers find the right opportunities while ensuring that companies can build reliable and skilled teams. When done right, this relationship is a win-win for both sides.

One of the most valuable aspects of ELIA Together is that it allows us to bridge the gap between LSPs and freelancers. It’s not just about companies finding the best talent but also about freelancers feeling heard, valued, and supported in their careers. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and fair industry where both sides thrive.

Beyond the professional discussions, the event was also a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, meet new people, and share moments outside of the conference rooms. These informal interactions often lead to some of the most interesting conversations and potential collaborations.

On a personal level, this event reinforced why I love working in this industry. Having the chance to interact with so many talented professionals, share ideas, and learn from their experiences reminded me of the impact we can have when we collaborate. The energy, the passion, and the willingness to support each other were truly inspiring. I left Barcelona feeling more connected than ever to this global community, and I can’t wait to see where these conversations take us next.

What are your thoughts on the LSP and freelancer relationship? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Federico via LinkedIn to continue the conversation!

Share your thoughts on this topic here on LinkedIn, and follow this series where we will share more speaker articles from Together 2025.