Outsourcing is when you hire someone outside your company, locally or from another country, to handle certain business tasks. This has become a common practice because it provides access to specialized services and skills that might be too expensive or difficult to develop in-house.
By outsourcing, business owners can concentrate on what they do best, save money, and boost their company’s efficiency. In fact, outsourcing can reduce costs by up to 60% compared to hiring locally.
However, bringing an outsourced team on board comes with its own challenges, especially when managing a remote team effectively. In this article, you'll discover the common obstacles of working with an outsourced team and learn strategies to overcome these challenges and achieve great results.
Managing an in-house and outsourced team requires two different approaches. Here are some of the challenges you might face when managing an outsourced team:
Your outsourced team might be living on the other side of the world, which means they're in a different time zone. While some offshore teams are flexible and can adjust their schedules to match yours, there may be issues such as national holidays in their country that don’t align with yours.
Another issue could be conflicting attitudes toward time, as some cultures are punctual, while others have a more relaxed approach. These differences can create scheduling conflicts and require careful coordination. You can resolve them by taking the following steps:
Establish how many hours you want your offshore team to work for you. Do you want them to work 10 or 12 hours? It's crucial to consider your team members’ respective time zones and see if there are any overlapping hours between them. This shows that you value their work-life balance and respect their personal time.
Will you follow strict working hours or offer a more flexible schedule for your team? When scheduling meetings, deadlines, and projects, find out how many days or hours your team members need to prepare for so they can carefully plot their calendars.
These days may be nonworking holidays in your team members’ countries, which could mean delays. Determine if you want them to come to work during that particular holiday and make up for it as their overtime pay.
Effective communication is key when working with a remote team. Some team members might be fluent in English, while others might not be as comfortable with the language.
When hiring an offshore team, make sure to check their language skills. Use simple, clear language to explain tasks, deliverables, and overall goals. Establish transparent and open communication channels with your team.
Schedule regular video calls so everyone can learn each other's communication styles and nonverbal cues. This will help your team put faces to the names and voices they interact with, making collaboration smoother and more personal.
Every country has its unique culture, beliefs, values, principles, and habits, which can lead to differences when working with an offshore team. To manage these differences effectively, start by acknowledging and respecting them.
Practice basic courtesy and good work ethics, and ensure everyone on your team understands these standards. Consider asking your recruitment firm or HR department to provide culture and sensitivity training for your offshore and onshore teams. This will help everyone become more aware and respectful of each other’s backgrounds, fostering a more cohesive and productive working environment.
One of the biggest challenges companies face with outsourcing is setting unrealistic expectations. Clearly defining your offshore team's roles, responsibilities, and priorities will help you manage expectations effectively, minimize mistakes, and avoid disappointment.
By providing detailed project briefs that outline the scope of work, specific tasks, and exact deadlines, you ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what is expected. This comprehensive approach instills confidence and reassurance, leading to smoother collaboration and better results.
In a typical office setup, having a manager on-site helps keep everyone motivated, ensures deadlines are met, and maintains quality standards. Designate a project manager to replicate this in your remote team. This person is the go-to for coordinating tasks, addressing cultural differences, and resolving scheduling conflicts.
This contact person connects you and your offshore team, helping both sides understand each other better. Having a project manager lets your offshore team easily communicate any work-related issues back to you, keeping everyone aligned and on track.
Ready to face the challenges of working with your outsourced team? Check out these tips to overcome hurdles and maximize your collaboration!
To promote harmony and motivation within your virtual team, aligning them with your company's mission and vision is crucial. Help them better understand why your company's goals are important and what success means to you. Your passion and vision will make them more inclined to work diligently and share in your aspirations. Don't hesitate to gently remind them of the company's objectives when necessary.
To get the most out of your outsourced team, it's important to keep communication clear and consistent. This means making sure everyone knows what needs to be done and when. When your team members work well together, they can produce great results. Choose a communication tool that works for your team to keep everyone connected and working smoothly.
It's also important to ensure everyone on the team takes responsibility for their work. Tools like Dropbox and Google Drive can help you keep track of their progress and ensure everyone is managing their time well. This will help your team be more productive and successful.
Boost your team's productivity by embracing flexibility and trust. Recognize that not everyone performs well under strict or constant supervision. Allow your team the freedom to work when they're most inspired and energized.
Remember, you hired your offshore team for their expertise, so trust their judgment and capabilities. Make them feel valued by considering their opinions and including them in making decisions. Encourage open communication and participation, empowering them to contribute their ideas and perspectives to the project or task at hand.
Never underestimate the power of a simple “good job” or “thank you.” It can mean the world to your team members and supercharge their productivity. Showing appreciation fosters a sense of value and motivation.
Consider going the extra mile with tokens of gratitude like gifts or awards. There’s a reason many companies have an “Employee of the Month.” It boosts morale and acknowledges exceptional effort.
Introducing incentives or reward systems can also improve your team’s productivity. Recognizing their hard work and achievements inspires them to excel and meet targets. Even though they’re miles away, these gestures make the team and company closer.
Take the time to connect with your offshore team outside of regular work hours. These casual check-ins offer a chance to build deeper relationships beyond emails and tasks. Strengthening these bonds shows your team how much you appreciate their efforts and value their contributions to the company.
Working with an offshore team can be challenging, but with open communication, empathy, and teamwork, you can overcome them and achieve shared goals. Outsourcing isn't just about delegating tasks; it's about finding solutions together and lightening your workload.
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