Building Global by System: from start to scale

by Sourabh Suri

Building Global by A Practical Guide to Software Globalization

In today’s digital economy, global scale is a necessity. Building Global by System is a powerful, narrative-driven guide that blends real-world experience with actionable strategies to help engineering leaders, product managers, and localization professionals internationalize and localize software the right way.

Told through the personal journey of Sourabh Suri, a tech leader navigating the global expansion of the ecommerce platform ShopSphere, this book unpacks the systemic challenges and breakthroughs involved in scaling software for global markets. From the early realization of globalization gaps to forming dedicated teams, avoiding translation pitfalls, and harnessing the power of AI, each chapter dives deep into the technical, organizational, and cultural shifts required for success.

Whether you're modernizing a legacy application or launching a product internationally, this book offers clear frameworks, thoughtful anecdotes, and battle-tested insights to build globalization into the core of your system, intentionally, safely, and sustainably.

267 pages, Hardcover

Published July 3, 2025

Reviews

[Arya Veritas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ShopSphere journey adds credibility. These aren’t abstract theories—they’re tested insights from a company that actually went through the grind.

[Mehra Scribes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting a dense technical book, but the tone is easy to follow. I finished it in two sittings, and I’m already revisiting chapters to apply the frameworks.

[Ishaan Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The frameworks in this book are gold. I’ve already used the organizational readiness checklist with my team, and it exposed gaps we didn’t know existed.

[Anaya Singhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, it’s about globalization, but at its heart it’s about leadership. The sections on team structure, mindset, and resilience are as relevant to executives as they are to coders.

[Ishika Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sourabh Suri’s Building Global by System reads less like a dry manual and more like a mentor guiding you through the complexities of globalization. The ShopSphere narrative makes the book engaging, and the lessons are immediately applicable. I especially appreciated the balance between technical frameworks and organizational strategies—it shows that going global isn’t just about code, it’s about mindset.

[Krisha Oberoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sourabh Suri nails the complexities of software globalization in a way I haven’t seen before. The combination of personal storytelling (through ShopSphere’s journey) and actionable frameworks makes this book both relatable and practical. As a product manager, I finally feel like I have a roadmap for building global-ready products.

[Vivaan Arora · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a product manager, I often struggle to align engineering and localization. This book bridges that gap beautifully. Suri explains pitfalls like improper translation handling and lack of cultural adaptation with examples that felt very real. While a few sections were a bit technical for my taste, the frameworks for collaboration were invaluable.

[NainaRathore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely reframed how I think about building for international markets. The emphasis on building globalization into the system rather than as an afterthought was eye-opening. I loved the chapter on using AI to streamline localization—it’s forward-looking without being unrealistic. Highly recommended for any team planning to expand.

[Devansh Kapoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you’re a CTO or a localization specialist, there’s something here for you. The frameworks are adaptable to different roles, and the focus on building systems with globalization in mind makes it universally applicable. A few sections assume prior knowledge, but it’s still very accessible overall.

[Reyansh Bhasin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Globalization often feels like a black box, but this book breaks it down systematically. I particularly loved how it covers everything—from translation pitfalls to organizational challenges—without overwhelming the reader. A great resource if you’re serious about scaling internationally.

[Saanvi Chaturvedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books on localization are either too theoretical or too technical. Building Global by System finds the sweet spot. The ShopSphere narrative adds so much depth—it feels like sitting with a mentor who has actually been through the fire. Highly recommended for engineers and leaders alike.

[Kabir Bhardwaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out to me is how Sourabh emphasizes the cultural side of globalization, not just the technical. I never realized how much organizational mindset impacts success until reading this. The section on forming dedicated teams was gold.

[MyraLuthra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t just a “how-to” book; it’s a journey. The way Sourabh shares his challenges and breakthroughs makes the book engaging while still being deeply instructive. A must-read if you’re modernizing legacy systems or planning international launches.

[RudraTalwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an engineering lead, I expected this to be very technical, but it’s so much more. The frameworks are clear, but the stories make it stick. I can easily see product managers, designers, and even executives benefiting from this perspective.

[Advika Kapur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Global expansion is no longer optional, and this book reflects that urgency. I liked the sections on AI and automation—very forward-looking. It’s rare to find a book that balances lessons from the past with tools for the future.

[PranavSarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read dense technical guides before, but this book felt light without losing substance. The language is approachable, the structure is logical, and the takeaways are actionable. It feels like a reference book I’ll revisit again and again.

[Diya Saxena · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a founder of a growing startup, this book opened my eyes to how early we need to think about globalization. Waiting until after launch is a recipe for pain—Sourabh explains why and how to avoid that trap. Wish I had this resource a year ago!

[Samar Duggal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to recommend one book on software globalization, this would be it. It’s detailed without being boring, narrative-driven yet full of frameworks, and applicable to both startups and big enterprises. A worthy addition to any tech leader’s bookshelf.

[Aarav Jindal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how relatable Suri’s storytelling was. He doesn’t just give abstract theories; he shares real challenges faced at ShopSphere and how they were solved. Some of the frameworks could have used more visuals, but the depth of insight makes up for it.

[Simran Sethia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books on software focus on engineering or business separately. This one brings them together through the lens of globalization. It’s not just about “translation,” it’s about designing systems that thrive across cultures. That systemic approach is what makes this book stand out.

[Yuvraj Bajaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was skeptical about how applicable this would be to my work with legacy software. To my surprise, the book dedicates a good portion to modernization strategies. The step-by-step breakdown of internationalization challenges helped me map a realistic path forward for my team.

[AnviNarang · Rating 5 out of 5]

What impressed me most was the focus on cultural nuance. Suri makes it clear that globalization isn’t just about language—it’s about respect, empathy, and adaptability. For global software teams, that’s a lesson worth internalizing.

[Shaurya Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The personal journey woven into this guide kept it from being too dry. I enjoyed the ShopSphere narrative as it gave context to the lessons. I’d have loved more case studies from outside the ecommerce domain, but overall it’s a solid resource.

[Tara Malhotra · Rating 5 out of 5]

With globalization becoming a necessity, this book feels like a playbook for the future. The focus on sustainable scaling and safe integration of AI tools is especially relevant. It’s practical and aspirational at the same time, which is rare.

[Kiara Mittal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sourabh Suri has done something rare: created a practical playbook for software globalization that’s actually usable. The frameworks are clear, the examples are concrete, and the balance between engineering and organizational challenges is spot on.

[ArnavNair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this, I thought globalization = translation. This book proved me wrong. It digs into culture, mindset, systems, and leadership. That shift alone has already changed how I approach my product roadmap.

[Esha Deol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ShopSphere story makes the lessons stick. I’ve read “technical” books that felt like reference manuals; this one reads like a story you want to keep turning the pages on. And yet, the structure is strong enough to use as a framework at work.

[Aarush Suri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a PM, I often feel disconnected from engineering when talking about internationalization. This book bridges that gap. I shared it with my engineering lead, and we both walked away with action items we could align on.

[Zoya Rungta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the forward-looking sections on AI, automation, and predictive localization. Most globalization books are stuck in the past; Suri gives you tools that will still matter five years from now.

[Anu Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Globalization is messy. Regulations, translations, culture, infrastructure—it can feel overwhelming. Suri manages to untangle the mess into clear, actionable steps. That clarity is what makes this book special.