10 Things to Know Before Hiring an Offshore Team

Hiring an offshore team for your business is a great way to boost efficiency and increase your bottom line.

Essentially, it provides you with the opportunity to access a wider pool of highly talented professionals, usually at a lower cost.

While some people are hesitant about hiring offshore, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated to us that working remotely isn’t a barrier to productivity and achieving excellence. In fact, in some cases, working remotely can be more productive than in office-based settings.

However, successful implementation of an offshore team begins with a solid action plan.

With that in mind, here are 10 key considerations if you are planning on hiring an offshore team.

The COVID-19 pandemic put remote working well and truly in the spotlight. Credit: Chris Montgomery on Unsplash.

1. You’ll Have to Step Up Your Communication

Frequent communication is a must when hiring an offshore team, particularly at the beginning.

This doesn’t just mean touching base at your scheduled meetings. It involves adequate integration from the get-go and following it up with regular check-ins and showing genuine interest.

2. Be Clear and Effective in How You Communicate

Remember, the employees you are working with may speak English as their second, third, or even fourth language. So, don’t beat around the bush when explaining yourself – and don’t use idioms like that one!

Be patient and remember, a little effort goes a long way.

Hiring an offshore team? Communicating effectively is super important. Credit: Dylan Ferreira on Unsplash.

3. Choose the Countries You Hire From With Intention

With the above point in mind, do your research about what you are looking for and what countries best fit your profile.

Things to consider might be: average level of English, technical specialities, number of technical institutes, time zone, cultural approach to work, and more.

4. Integrate Every Step of the Way

Make sure your offshore staff knows your big-picture plan. Even if they are contracted to complete just a small part of the overall project, keep them in the loop.

If they know what is driving the work they’re doing, you’re increasing the chances of a positive outcome.

Your team should be kept in the loop with your big-picture plans. Credit: Linkedin Sales Solutions on Unsplash.

5. Keep Expectations Reasonable

That said, be reasonable with your expectations. Treat your offshore team with the same respect and patience you do your on-shore group. Moreover, encourage and facilitate communication between the two groups.

And allow for some initial mishaps in terms of miscommunication, technical difficulties, and time-zone confusions. Patience is key.

6. Hire With Consistency

If you know what you’re looking for in your on-shore staff, the same values should extend to your offshore team.

Keep things cohesive and know what you’re looking for. This will make communication and integration a whole lot easier.

Be consistent with how you treat your onshore and offshore teams. Credit: Campaign Creators on Unsplash.

7. Leverage Technology

Tech tools and cloud computing are your new best friend. Even if you choose to begin by just using Google docs, make sure protocols are in place.

There is nothing more frustrating than someone messing with the template doc!

8. Time Zones and Work Days

Keep in mind what time zone you will be working with and adjust schedules accordingly. Make sure there is reasonable overlap in the working day.

Don’t expect people to work on your time. Everyone has the right to be able to clock on and off at a reasonable hour in their part of the world.

When hiring an offshore team, be mindful of differing time zones. Credit: Anastasia Nelen on Unsplash.

9. You Tend to Pay for What You Get

Offshoring will likely save your business a lot of buck. But the same goes as always – price will represent experience and the likelihood of your team ‘going the extra mile’.

10. You’ve Made the Right Decision

Offshoring is a great way to give your business a boost. You will be opening up a wide range of possibilities by going offshore.

Enlisting the help of the best professionals on the market – rather than just the best in your town or city – could be instrumental to the success of your organisation.

Hiring an offshore team may give your business a significant boost. Credit: Campaign Creators on Unsplash.

Hiring an Offshore Team – or Just an Outstanding Team

At Hunt & Hawk, we have a talented mix of marketing, branding, and sales specialists ready to elevate your business to the next level.

Keen to learn more? Reach out at hello@huntandhawk.com or book a meeting to chat.

For more marketing, branding, and sales tips and insights and plenty else, check out more of our blog.