For a decision like this, we unconsciously evaluate at least the following variables:

• Personal Preferences: This includes the type of bread, choice of meat (beef, chicken, vegetarian), type of cheese, and preferences for condiments or sauces.

• Past Experiences: How were your previous experiences with other burgers? Did a specific place leave a good or bad impression?

• Recommendations: Opinions from friends or customer reviews can influence your choice, especially if many people recommend or criticize a specific place.

• Price: The cost of the burger can be a deciding factor, especially when comparing options from different establishments.

• Ingredients and Quality: The origin of ingredients, freshness, and overall quality of the burger are important.

• Dietary Restrictions: Considerations about food allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets, or religious restrictions may rule out certain options.

• Hunger: The level of hunger can influence the size of the burger you desire or the sides you might add, such as fries, dessert, or even a salad.

• Convenience: The proximity of the establishment, delivery options, and estimated wait time can be decisive factors.

• Emotional State: Sometimes, the craving for a certain type of burger can be influenced by your emotional state or nostalgic memories associated with a dining experience.

• Weather Conditions: On a cold day, you might prefer a place that offers quick delivery, or on a hot day, a lighter burger might be more appealing.

Bringing this same scenario to data science…

Imagine you have an advanced framework that utilizes data science, equipped with machine learning algorithms, to help you decide where to order a burger. This system collects and analyses a large volume of data related to your past burger experiences, including ingredients, establishments, taste reviews, delivery time, and even how you felt after eating the burgers (if you provided that information to the algorithm) and other factors that could be included, use your imagination.

Every time you think about ordering a burger, the system applies predictive models to evaluate all available options, considering your personal preferences and consumption history. It processes information such as: which places you liked the most in the past, which ingredients you prefer, how the weather is, and even sentimental analyses of your reactions expressed in comments or online reviews. The system can even take into account external data, such as changes in the menus of establishments or new reviews from other users.

Just as you use your consciousness and memory to choose the cheeseburger from place X, the data science system uses an analytical process based on data to arrive at the same decision. It weighs all the factors, makes predictions about what you’ll likely enjoy most, and recommends the burger based on that analysis.

The fundamental difference is that while your decision is influenced by memories and subjective sensations accumulated in your memory, the decision of the data science system is derived from an objective analytical process, which quantifies and evaluates patterns in large volumes of data to make the best possible recommendation based on historical and predictive evidence.

Final Thoughts

In a world where technology advances daily, competition increases substantially, and vast amounts of data are produced every second, using data science to make a decision (speaking of business) is an absolutely valuable tool. It can reduce the margin of error in choices, help decide which direction to take, learn what not to do before doing it, and even provide detailed planning for your business both in the short and long term.

Blog article written by:

VITOR DALLAGNOLO
Data Engineer

This article explores how the Agile methodology plays a crucial role in today’s fast-changing business world. It looks at the core ideas of Agile, which focus on being adaptable, putting customers first, and improving work step by step. The piece also shows how Agile can be used not just in software development but across all areas of a business, boosting efficiency, innovation, and staying ahead in the market.

Introduction

Agile methodology started as a way to develop software by breaking projects into small, manageable pieces, allowing teams to adapt quickly to changes. This approach is becoming more popular in different industries because it helps businesses respond faster to changes and challenges in the market.

Agile Principles and Their Application in Business

The Agile Manifesto talks about valuing individuals and interactions, working solutions, customer collaboration, and being open to changes. These principles guide businesses to focus more on delivering real value to their customers quickly and efficiently.

Agile Frameworks and Tools

Frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean help implement Agile by providing structures, roles, and processes. Tools and technologies also play a significant role in making Agile work smoothly, helping teams track progress and collaborate better.

Agile Transformation in the Business Environment

Real-world examples from various sectors, such as technology, finance, and retail, show how adopting Agile can lead to success. However, transforming into an Agile organization also presents challenges, such as changing the company culture and getting everyone on board with the new approach.

Benefits of Agile for Modern Businesses

Agile helps businesses improve their operations, leading to better product quality and happier customers. It also makes companies more flexible, allowing them to adapt quickly to new opportunities or threats in the market.

Future Trends and the Evolution of Agile

Agile is spreading to non-traditional areas like marketing and HR, showing its versatility. It’s also starting to merge with new technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, pointing towards an exciting future for Agile methodologies.

Conclusion

Agile methodologies are vital for businesses that want to thrive in the digital age. They offer a framework for adapting quickly to changes, focusing on customer needs, and improving products and services continuously. As the business world evolves, Agile principles are becoming more relevant across all aspects of business, not just software development.

How do you ensure team cooperation across locations?

“I think communication is the key in every single working environment. We need to establish clear communication channels and also conduct regular check-ins with the team to make sure everyone is on the same page.”

How do you facilitate knowledge sharing and ensure everyone is up-to-date?

“We always use the available platform to create regular sessions where team members can share and present their solutions or approaches for the new features we have in the application. I think using these tools, we can have everyone on the same page and with the same knowledge in the team.”

In your opinion, what factors contribute significantly to the growth and development of remote teams?

“Continuous learning and skill development are crucial for managing remote teams as technologies are always evolving and changing. Keeping our team updated with the tools we have ensures that they can work better and more efficiently.”

In your experience, what tools or practices improve productivity and cooperation in remote teams?

“DevOps tools improve productivity and efficiency in remote teams by automating processes and fostering collaboration. For example, we use continuous integration and continuous delivery infrastructure. These approaches or practices help us to have consistent environments across different remote teams.”

How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive remote team culture?

“Even though we work 100% remotely, we usually organize regular on-site team gatherings so we are able to increase the bond and also create a positive working environment.”

How do you maintain team morale and motivation within remote environments?

“To check the motivation in a team, we try to celebrate every achievement we have, no matter how small they are. We also have regular mutual feedback sessions where we can highlight the features or the work done by other team members. This way, we share our happiness or joy of having them do something with us or helping out the team itself.”

Do You Want to Join Our Team?

If you’re passionate about driving innovation, collaborating with diverse talents, and contributing to cutting-edge projects, we welcome you to join our dynamic team. Check the open positions or send us a spontaneous application.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that seeks to develop systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. This technology has advanced rapidly and played a significant role in various areas of society, from medicine to industry, education, and entertainment. However, the progress of artificial intelligence also raises questions and concerns about the possible dangers associated with its development.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has established itself as a transformative force. With its potential to automate tasks, make precise decisions, and learn from data, AI has the power to revolutionize the job market. This technological revolution brings with it both risks and opportunities for professionals.

The discussion around artificial intelligence (AI) involves a complex debate about the potential benefits and possible dangers associated with the advancement of this technology. The theme “Artificial Intelligence: Progress or Danger?” covers a range of perspectives, from the opportunities that AI offers to drive progress in various areas to the ethical and social concerns that arise with the increased autonomy of machines.

Progress in Artificial Intelligence

Below, we can see three fundamental points about progress in artificial intelligence:

1. Efficiency and Productivity

• AI has the potential to significantly increase efficiency in several industries by automating repetitive tasks and allowing humans to focus on more complex and creative activities.
• Implementing AI systems in manufacturing, healthcare, and finance sectors can result in faster and more accurate processes.

2. Technological innovation

• AI catalyzes technological innovation, stimulating the development of new applications and solutions that can transform how we live and work.
• Advances in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing open doors to innovative applications in medical diagnosis, autonomous vehicles, and virtual assistants.

3. Solving Complex Problems

• AI algorithms have demonstrated an ability to tackle complex problems such as weather forecasting, economic modeling, and new drug discovery.
• AI’s ability to process large volumes of data in real-time can result in faster and more accurate solutions to global challenges.
  

Dangers of Artificial Intelligence

Below, we can see four fundamental points about the dangers associated with artificial intelligence:

1. Technological Unemployment

• As AI automates tasks traditionally carried out by humans, there are concerns about rising technological unemployment.
• Specific sectors may face a significant reduction in demand for human labor, requiring a rapid and effective adaptation of workforce skills.

2. Bias and Discrimination

• AI systems can inherit and amplify biases in the data they are trained with, resulting in discriminatory decisions.
• The issue of algorithmic bias highlights the need to ensure fairness and transparency in creating and implementing AI systems.

3. Ethical Risks and Security

• The increasing autonomy of AI raises ethical concerns, especially regarding critical decisions in areas such as health, safety, and justice.
• Cyber security becomes crucial, as AI can be exploited for malicious purposes, from sophisticated cyber attacks to deepfakes.

4.Loss of Control

The development of advanced AI, including autonomous systems and self-improvement, raises questions about the human capacity to maintain control over these technologies, especially if they reach higher levels of intelligence.

AI Balance and Regulation

A balance must be struck between technological progress and mitigating the associated risks to ensure that AI positively contributes to society. Implementing appropriate regulations, promoting algorithm transparency, and AI ethical development are essential steps in this direction.

I believe that regulation should be done at a global level so that the development of AI technology can be identical for all the populace, thus providing more equality and avoiding more wars in the world, which in the future could be caused by poor regulation and disparities of this technology between countries. As we know, technology also leads to the creation of weapons and military systems.

Conclusion

The question of artificial intelligence as progress or danger has no simple answer. The challenge lies in maximizing the potential benefits of AI while mitigating its risks, adopting ethical approaches and appropriate regulations, and ensuring the active participation of society in defining guidelines for the development and implementation of this technology. Artificial intelligence is changing the job market landscape, bringing risks and opportunities. Professionals must adapt, train, and be ready to collaborate with AI to face the challenges and take advantage of this technological revolution. Continuing education, understanding the ethical implications, and the ongoing search for professional development are essential to excel in this new working environment. By embracing technological progress consciously and strategically, professionals will be prepared to face the challenges and shape a promising professional future.

Ultimately, artificial intelligence represents both transformative progress and a significant challenge. A responsible and considered approach to developing and implementing AI is essential to reaping the benefits of this technology without compromising fundamental ethical and social values.

Bruno Lajoso wrote this article alongside ChatGPT 3.5.

Many businesses, regardless of industry or company size have embraced the concept of a nearshore partner for software development.

The nearshore software development, by its distinctive ability to strike a harmonious balance between cost-effectiveness and the delivery of high-quality results, creates a synergy that few alternatives can match.

However, navigating the world of IT nearshoring can be accompanied by some questions and uncertainties that can lead to misguided choices.

With over a decade of accumulated experience, we at Nearshore Portugal have successfully found and addressed numerous questions that exhibit striking similarities. In response, we have curated a selection of these recurring questions, accompanied by enlightening answers.

As new and pertinent questions arise, we are committed to updating this article with those questions and their corresponding answers. Through this resource, we intend to empower companies with the insights they need to make informed decisions and maximize the benefits of nearshore partnerships.

1. How do I choose the right cooperation model for my project?

To make better decisions regarding the cooperation model, consider the following factors:

• the scope and complexity of your project;
• the expected timeline for completion;
• and the resources it demands.

And take into account the specific skill set that will be fundamental to the success of your project.

We employ two cooperation models at Nearshore Portugal: Team Extension and Full Teams.

Team Extension is ideal for scaling your existing team and filling specific skill gaps, while Full Teams are better suited to outsource your whole development team.

2. How does communication work between my team and the nearshore team?

Communication is crucial in any IT project, and ensuring an open line for everyone is key.

At Nearshore Portugal, we emphasize seamless communication by using common collaboration tools like Slack, Teams, Skype, or Zoom. Additionally, we ensure that all team members are proficient in English and share the same working hours as your team for real-time collaboration.

Maintaining a dialogue, whether online or face-to-face, helps prevent misunderstandings and contributes to a higher-quality performance that will influence the ongoing project.

Ensure that your nearshore team operates at full efficiency and productivity with four steps.

3. What are the benefits of a dedicated team model?

A dedicated team complements an in-house team without replacing it.

For example, we operate a team extension model, an approach focused on filling in the skill gaps of an existing in-house IT team and augmenting its overall potential.

An extended team, composed of IT professionals with specific skills, becomes part of the company, its culture, and its vision with the benefit of being customized and managed as needed by the customer. This provides companies with:

• the versatility of skills;
• greater project flexibility;
• support from seasoned talent;
• long-term collaboration practices;
• increased efficiency;
• faster time to market;
• and significant cost savings.
  

4. How do you ensure the quality of the team members in each model?

In our case, we follow a stringent recruitment process, which includes screening candidates based on their technical skills, experience, and cultural fit. We provide our partners with the opportunity to interview a reduced list of candidates and make the final decision on the team composition.

5. Is my company too big or too small for an extended team?

At Nearshore Portugal, our team extension model can be applied to any company, regardless of size. We focus on providing customers with the best solutions set in order to meet project needs and capabilities. Beyond simply pairing professionals with projects, we ensure customers access top-tier talent.

6. How can I be sure consultants have the experience and knowledge I’m looking for before hiring?

At Nearshore Portugal, our tech recruitment team undergoes a detailed selection process centred on a pool of CVs and interviews to determine the candidate’s capabilities, from know-how to soft and hard skills. Once we have a shortlist, customers are involved in the recruitment process to determine if the developers have the desired experience, knowledge, and proper profile. Only then will the hire take place and the professionals or team will be allocated to the project.

How we at Nearshore Portugal can help you?

At Nearshore Portugal, we offer a complete Team as a Service (TAAS), which gives our clients the best solutions for their software development. With our TAAS model, the client hires a remote team of experts to work with directly. We handle recruitment, salary negotiations, payroll, workstations, etc., but the client has a final say over who gets hired and what profile they should have.

“The client is in control, with teams that are fully dedicated to their project.”

The TaaS model is flexible and, contrary to the traditional outsourcing model, allows companies to create the model that works best for them. They define the tech stack, the working methodology, and the team size, allowing for scaling up and scaling down within certain rules. Essentially, it’s their dedicated team, operating as if they were in-house employees, but without the organizational intricacies generally associated with HR management.

Would you like to know more about how we can help you?

Send us a message and set up a meeting with us.

Time. One of the relevant aspects of software development and IT projects that often determines the success or failure of initiatives. Recognizing this, companies are turning to nearshore development as a solution to streamline their projects and improve productivity.

In this article, we look at how nearshore development can facilitate real-time collaboration and faster turnaround times.

What will you find in this article?

• What is Nearshore Development?
• Facilitating Real-time Collaboration
  • Constant Communication
  • Immediate Issue Resolution
  • Rapid Feedback Loops
  • Shared Project Management Tools
• Faster Turnaround Times
  • Time-to-Market Advantage
  • Flexibility and Scalability
  • Access to Skilled Professionals
  • Lack of Cultural Barriers
  • High-Quality Infrastructure

What is Nearshore Development?

Nearshore development is a business strategy where companies outsource their software development or IT projects to neighboring or nearby countries. The goal is to leverage the advantages of working with teams in close geographical proximity (same time zone or a few hours difference).

For instance, a German-based company may decide to collaborate with a development team in Portugal. The time difference is merely one hour, and both countries are members of the European Union. Additionally, the high level of English proficiency among Portuguese professionals facilitates effective communication and collaboration.

Facilitating Real-time Collaboration

One of the key benefits of nearshore development is the ability to facilitate real-time collaboration between teams in different countries.

Nearshore development teams are strategically located in neighboring or nearby countries to ensure overlapping work hours with their clients. This allows quicker decision-making and immediate issue resolution, while eliminating delays and increasing productivity.

The shared working time creates a seamless collaboration environment, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation that can significantly enhance the project’s success.

Nearshore teams can leverage real-time collaboration in the following ways:

1. Constant Communication

Nearshore development teams offer significant advantages in establishing seamless communication channels and fostering real-time collaboration with clients. They have a strong command of the client’s language and cultural practices, which reduces misunderstandings and facilitates effective communication.

Within our teams, we utilize various communication tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype, or Zoom.

Nearshore teams can easily coordinate meetings, brainstorming sessions, and workshops during overlapping work hours. This enables team members to actively engage in discussions, share ideas, and make collective decisions.

2. Immediate Issue Resolution

With real-time collaboration, nearshore teams can address issues as they arise, reducing response times and minimizing delays. This ensures that potential roadblocks are swiftly identified and resolved, keeping the project on track.

3. Rapid Feedback Loops

Regardless of the specific methodology used (such as agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban), nearshore teams prioritize iterative and incremental development cycles that emphasize regular feedback.

By breaking down projects into smaller tasks and delivering them incrementally, nearshore teams can quickly provide results. This progressive approach enables them to swiftly gather valuable feedback from clients at an early stage of development.

The iterative feedback process has several benefits, such as enabling quick course corrections, avoiding rework in later stages, and accelerating the development timeline. Additionally, it creates a cooperative atmosphere where the team creating the product and the client collaborate to improve it.

4. Shared Project Management Tools

Nearshore development teams and clients typically use shared project management tools or platforms. These tools serve as centralized repositories for project documentation, task tracking, and issue management. They provide real-time visibility into project progress, allowing both parties to stay updated on the latest developments.

Here are some examples of tools our teams use:

• Project and Task Management Tools: Trello, Notion, Asana, or Jira.
• Shared document editing: Google Docs or Microsoft Office 365;
• Real-time code collaboration: GitHub or GitLab.
  

Faster Turnaround Times

Nearshore development is a method that helps businesses bring their products to market faster. It involves delivering projects or software solutions in shorter timeframes compared to other outsourcing models. Several factors in nearshore development contribute to faster turnaround times, such as meeting tight deadlines and gaining a competitive edge.

Here are some ways nearshore development can accelerate response times:

1. Time-to-Market Advantage

Time-to-market refers to the time it takes from the inception of an idea or product development to its launch in the market.

By working closely with nearshore development teams, organizations can benefit from efficient communication and collaboration, leading to shorter project cycles. The reduced communication barriers and quicker response times ensure that the development process remains on schedule. As a result, companies can get their products or services to market faster, decrease reaction time to market needs, and take advantage of new opportunities.

2. Flexibility and Scalability

Nearshore development teams can be more flexible in adjusting the team size as per project requirements and timelines. They can quickly scale the team up based on the workload, allowing for faster adaptability to changing project needs. This scalability ensures that the project can progress at an optimal pace without being delayed due to resource constraints.

For example, we have two cooperation models (team extension and full teams). Both cooperation models offer flexibility in scaling the team size. And whenever necessary, our clients can discuss their changing requirements with us, and we’ll work together to adjust the team size accordingly, ensuring minimal disruption to your project.

3. Access to Skilled Professionals

Nearshore development allows businesses to quickly assemble a team of skilled professionals with the required expertise. The proximity of the nearshore location means that the hiring process can be expedited, and teams can be set up more swiftly. This quick resource allocation enables the project to start promptly, reducing delays in the development process.

4. Lack of Cultural Barriers

Nearshore development involves partnering with teams from countries that share similar cultural backgrounds, which leads to smoother communication and understanding.

When teams have common cultural aspects like language, communication styles, and work ethics, they can better understand each other’s expectations and requirements. This shared understanding enhances communication channels, minimizes misunderstandings, and enables faster information exchange. As a result, teams can align their goals, exchange feedback, and resolve issues promptly, leading to faster project completion.

5. High-Quality Infrastructure

It’s necessary to have a good infrastructure for a project to run smoothly. Nearshore development locations often boast reliable and advanced IT infrastructure, including high-speed internet connectivity and modern communication tools. This infrastructure enables seamless collaboration, quick file sharing, and efficient remote work.

A reliable infrastructure minimizes technical obstacles and ensures smoother development processes.

Conclusion

As we have witnessed, nearshore development is emerging as a compelling solution for enhancing the quality and efficiency of software development.

Teams located in neighboring or nearby countries can enhance companies’ productivity. This occurs due to the shared working hours, which facilitate constant communication, swift problem resolution, and rapid feedback loops.

It’s no wonder that an increasing number of companies are adopting this work model, recognizing its potential to drive successful outcomes in the dynamic and demanding world of software development.

1.Democratization through Low-Code/No-Code Platforms and AI Integration

The democratization of software development is gaining momentum with the rise of low-code/no-code platforms. These platforms are the digital equivalent of DIY toolkits, enabling even non-technical individuals to create applications. According to Redhat, low-code/no-code solutions have the potential to reduce the development time by 90%. This significant reduction in development time is transforming the industry, making software development more efficient and accessible to a broader range of individuals. Coupled with the integration of AI in software development, these platforms are making the development process more efficient and accessible. AI acts as a coding assistant, automating mundane tasks, predicting potential issues, and suggesting improvements.

By 2024, low-code application development will be responsible for more than 65% of application development activity. The global low-code development platform market is predicted to generate a revenue of $187 billion by 2030. By 2024, 75% of large enterprises will be using at least four low-code development tools for both IT application development and citizen development initiatives

Source

2. Enhanced Security with Cybersecurity and Cloud-Native Development

With the increasing threat of cyber-attacks, cybersecurity has become an integral part of the development process. The DevSecOps approach is like having a digital bodyguard, integrating security measures right from the start. In parallel, cloud-native development is becoming the standard. This approach is akin to living in a smart, energy-efficient house, leveraging the speed and agility of the cloud to deliver better software, faster.

The DevSecOps market size was valued at USD 3.73 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 41.66 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 30.76% from 2022 to 2030. The growing need for secure applications due to the increasing number of cyber threats is a primary factor driving the growth of the market.

Source

3. The Future is Here: Quantum Computing and Blockchain Technology

Emerging technologies like quantum computing and blockchain are beginning to influence the field. Quantum computing, though still in its early stages, its market size is expected to grow significantly as the technology develops.

The global quantum computing market could reach $9 billion in revenue by 2030, compared to $260 million in 2020. The annual average growth of this market could be more than 40 percent between 2020 and 2030, with development intensifying after 2025.

Source

Meanwhile, blockchain technology is expanding beyond its cryptocurrency roots, finding relevance in various industries and creating a demand for blockchain-savvy developers.

The global blockchain market is projected to be worth $1,431.54 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 85.9% between 2022 and 2030.

Source

4. The New Normal: Remote Development Teams and Sustainability in Software Development

The pandemic has catalyzed a shift towards remote work, turning software development teams into digital nomads. This change has necessitated the adoption of new project management and communication tools. Simultaneously, the software development sector is taking strides towards sustainability, with developers coding with energy efficiency in mind and organizations seeking to reduce their IT infrastructures’ carbon footprints.

There are now three times more remote jobs compared to 2020. 74% of employees feel happier when they work remotely, and 97% of people recommend remote work to others.

Source

5. The Rise of Edge Computing

The global edge computing market is experiencing a significant surge, with projections indicating a bright future.

The global edge computing market size will reach USD 155.90 billion by 2030, expanding at a 37.9% CAGR from 2023 to 2030.

Source

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the edge environment is projected to drive this market growth. AI-based edge devices can be utilized in a wide range of end-point devices, including sensors, cameras, smartphones, and other IoT devices.

Conclusion

In 2023, the software development landscape is a blend of democratization, efficiency, security, and adaptability. Emerging technologies are influencing the field, and an increased awareness of environmental impact is leading to more sustainable practices. As tech professionals, staying abreast of these trends is crucial to navigate the future of software development successfully. The journey ahead is filled with opportunities, promising a bright future for the industry.

As in all outsourcing partnerships, especially in nearshoring, communication plays a vital role as an agent of change, as it should.
For organizations who seek to improve efficiency by extending their internal IT team via an outsourcing solution, enhancing communication and collaboration is a top concern, and culture is the starting point.

When researching who will be the right outsourcing partner, it’s expected that key questions arise: can the differences in cultures become a block when combining an in-house team with an outsourced one? It’s no secret that remote teams can help bridge the cultural gap thanks to their many advantages. Yet, these benefits are not without a big risk: partnering with an inexperienced provider with little practice or knowledge with cultural nearshoring.
As important as it is, there’s no step-by-step guide on how to tackle cultural differences when outsourcing. So, what do you need to know?

From the Top

What Is Cultural Nearshoring?

A nearshoring service is, in essence, using teams placed in a neighboring country where usually the language barrier is non-existent or minimal. Thus, allowing teams on both sides to better communicate with each other. An enhancement in communication which, due to the relative proximity with one another, reduces significantly the respective cultural differences while bringing together similar operational habits.
Objectively, by stripping the communication barrier on how each team approaches their work and communicates, the business itself has a greater chance of creating a cohesive and all-connected work environment focused on optimization and delivery. In other words, with the support of an experienced outsourced team, you’ll be able to turn the out-put knob to a hundred percent.

However, cultural nearshoring has its challenges. Clients and providers must come together from the very start, and recognize that people are the heart of all projects. This means understanding the existent of contrasting workplace culture behaviors.

Understanding Your Outsourcing Team Culture

People from different cultures bear different behaviors and work methodologies. They can differ in languages, processes, and communication styles, among others. Learning how your international counterparts operate becomes critical as it will put aside any chances of misunderstandings between you and your provider from the get-go.

Although a nearshore approach focuses on adaptability to the client’s work system or practices, it’s important to note that some obstacles are difficult to circumvent. For example, in France, workers are protected by a Right to Disconnect Law, which stipulates that most French professionals are not obligated to reply to emails that come in after hours. This sensible and logical measure was adopted to protect employees from being overworked. Yet, it could be a conflicting issue down the road if an outsourcing client has different standards or work expectations.

In Sweden, coffee breaks, also known as fika, are culturally embedded as they seed productivity. It gives the working force an opportunity to relax. Some companies implement a formal fika with breaks at 9 am, 3 pm, and some, more frequently. There are also other working forces who are even encouraged to take mid-day naps, such as in Japan. The same goes for holidays.
At the end of the day, working with an extended outsourced team might not match completely your specific workplace structure or culture, but it doesn’t mean it won’t live up to your expectations.

Benefiting from a shared Culture

One of the biggest advantages of nearshoring is the shared time zones, which not only provides an ease of travel to meet your outsourcing partner but brings teams closely together during similar working hours. This means teams can organize immediate meetings for updates or urgent calls to fix a problem. Alongside this, is a common benefit. If both companies share the same schedule, weekly meetings can be secured easily, as opposed to one party having to use time in their early morning or evening to trade information.

It’s no secret that the work culture of each country impacts how companies communicate with each other. As in all business relations, interpreting a message incorrectly can be disastrous, affecting the direction of the project and the business partnership. With nearshoring, working with a partner culturally adapted to different markets and with a high English-proficiency, such as Portugal, makes the work between teams faster, intuitive, and without restraints

Ultimately, shared culture is undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages of nearshoring. Providing smoother and more efficient communication, while ensuring your project is created quicker and with greater quality, with minimal miscommunication dilemmas along the way.

To get to know more about how nearshore development can change your internal team, check out our article: Why nearshore development is the best solutions

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What should you keep in mind when outsourcing software development?

We give you 5 top tips to keep in mind when browsing the market!

Choose a partner, not a vendor

At a first glance, understanding the outsourcing industry isn’t easy, especially if you have little experience or never outsourced before. Naturally, knowing what to look for or where to seek appropriate support can be a demanding task. In the IT industry, you get what you pay for, and working with a vendor is choosing a risky situation. Being unaware of the difference between an outsourcing partner and vendor can end up in assuming they’re the same thing. After all, each provides IT services, the same technical talent, follow-up and processes right? It couldn’t be more way off beam.

While a vendor supplies a product or service to a client, in this case, IT professionals, a partner becomes an extension of the client’s business. In other words, an experienced partner will assist you with market know-how. Providing highly experienced engineers for your project with the skilled-set you need, while ensuring reliable resources, constant communication, and in-house evaluations of the project development.

Although starting a partnership can be a complex decision with several comparisons – all coming back to pricing vs track record – there are no shortcuts in software development. If it comes to choosing a vendor: it’s the role of the dice.

Get Involved

When searching for IT talent in a service provider for your project, always remember how important your role is. In the first stage, it’s crucial to clearly define the objective and scope of your project. If your project is to run without a hitch, state what you want to achieve and what your needs are. Keep in mind that when it comes to your project’s requirements, you’re the guide. As in any partnership, be ready to answer multiple questions from your potential service provider as they will focus to clarify as many requirements as possible, and expectations well before the project are underway.

Now that everything is aligned and you have at your disposal the IT talent in demand, remember that outsourcing isn’t self-guiding software. As part of your staff, these highly valuable professionals will integrate your team and live by your company culture. Although your outsourcing provider will keep connected and look for feedback from both parties regarding the project development, it’s the client’s responsibility to manage its new resources.

Prepare Your In-house IT team

When starting an outsourcing relationship, your company will have to adopt some changes in its team organizational structure. Your in-house staff will now be extended with a nearshore team or professional. Therefore, it’s pivotal to prepare your employees to work efficiently with their new remote colleagues. This means collaboration tools, adjustment to new processes in work development, and more.

Communication is King

Successful outsourcing is due to effective communication. When outsourcing, nothing beats a partner who values dialogue and knows its importance. Lack of regular or clear communication can lead to your project becoming highly inefficient. If you’re looking to extend your in-house IT skills, it’s crucial to partner with a provider who, as one of its priorities, focuses on setting up standard communication channels and schedules between both parties. This means, being aware of the development of the project, and anticipating your potential future needs.

In addition, communication benefits more than strictly business. Nearshoring helps shape your own team as it ensures better and more efficient ways of communication. Helping your staff to develop faster than ever before. At Nearshore Portugal, we operate with an agile approach, valuing clear and regular communication with our clients and tech talent to guarantee max efficiency in all our outsourcing relationships.

Adopt Agile Principles

An agile approach requires a lot of open communication, collaboration and trust between you, the client, and the outsourcing partner, and that’s what you want. When outsourcing your project or simply extending your IT team, keep in mind the following: the projects that do best, are those in which the client and provider work as one organization. We believe that agile methodologies, such as SCRUM, make way for clients to reap far greater rewards. Working with an agile partner with IT professionals that are accustom to this approach means greater client involvement, more reliability and proper fail-safes.

Ultimately, in outsourcing software, an Agile team introduces benefits when it comes to improving its development and quality. A methodology focused on self-organizing cross-functional teams with autonomy, technical expertise, and higher performance.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to find and properly identify the right nearshore outsourcing partner that will meet your requirements and suit your organizations’ challenges.

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As the situation continues to unfold, many companies which lack an agile approach, are facing challenges due to the absence of automated or planned processes before covid-19. Factors that are now essential for companies to continue the path towards digital conversion and automation of their processes. However, this also created a unique opportunity for organizations to build better systems to protect against similar situations. Naturally, the unforeseen crisis has brought challenges, but not without its improvements.

In the beginning, most companies were facing hurdles in adjusting to a work from a home plan, partly due to their new introduction to an unknown work methodology, and the demands that came with it. However, the IT outsourcing industry has always succeeded in remote work. Despite the pandemic, IT outsourcing proved to be capable of continuing its software development services despite a completely remote scenario, and this was especially true for the Nearshore Portugal team who continued to support and work together with customers despite the lockdown.

Nearshore IT Outsourcing – The Aftermath

Now, more than ever, the need for an experienced and qualified Nearshore partner is critical as it offers the ability to maintain a high level of control even amid an unforeseen and critical situation. Although Nearshore IT outsourcing delivers key advantages, such as quick travels, greater team engagement, and cultural similarities, one of its major benefits focuses on communication.

At Nearshore Portugal, we know that strong relationships are essential. One thing that was set clear during the pandemic is that well-founded and kept relationships between clients and service providers are a must, especially during a crisis. For Nearshore Portugal, this meant having a well-prepared communications plan with our clients in place before a lockdown, ensuring the continuity of projects, meetings, development, and delivery.

As in any business relationship, communication is key but being available to set your clients’ minds at ease and answering questions is only half the battle. Providers need to have a plan of action for unforeseen situations. Nearshoring is the ace in the whole of outsourcing, and the right nearshore partner can lead to an efficient outsourcing relationship, a mutually beneficial two-way street. After all, outsourcing is about increasing the efficiency of your organization, and for outsourcing partners that provide talent, this means protecting what values the most: people.

New Priorities!

The future of outsourcing will bring a new age of connectivity with a much needed cultural shift. In a way, the pandemic has encouraged action that was already taking place — digital transformation. From night to day, workers from across the globe began working from home and this sparked a critical question: How can we, collectively, guarantee employee health?

A survey performed by Qualtrics in April 2020 found that 44.4% of newly remote workers have stated that their mental health had declined since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The solution to this problem won’t be as simple as returning to the office but rather to how to support people, and this will be a determining factor for talent retention. Companies need to develop wellness support programs to create steps to ascertain employees’ health. At Nearshore Portugal our team is our biggest asset, and we are committed to ensuring each employee health by:

• Providing all members of our team with wellness benefits;
• Implementing steps to guarantee a workspace where employees feel safe,

The Big Picture

Nearshore outsourcing is driving digital transformation, a necessity for businesses of all sizes. Although outsourcing models such as offshoring have advantages, nearshoring has the capabilities of quickly and reactively responding to sudden changes due to its strong communication-based model which, due to the similar time zones with external teams, allows for higher levels of engagement and responsiveness.

The coronavirus phenomenon has shown how seamless communication is critical for a robust partnership that, among many, protects organizations from what lies beyond the horizon, unseen. Regardless of what is to come, one thing is certain, companies need to protect their people.

In a year marked by change, highly-qualified professionals will continue to be a regular, and a sought-after resource. As hiring picks up, companies that fail to invest in their people’s wellbeing will struggle to retain these key professionals. For outsourcing companies who decide to start a new year focused on investing in their talent pool, they won’t just be setting a new standard, they’ll be leading it!

If you liked this article, don’t get to check out: The Future of Office Work: Is it Finished?

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