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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Technological advancements and organizational IT needs are constantly evolving, shaping business structures and objectives. For software outsourcing companies, 2020 will demand adaptation and optimization of current business models. When it comes to outsourcing, specifically teams, operational efficiency is a must for growing businesses. This means being able to bring products faster to the market. The regular recruitment and investment in worldwide talent, technologies, and adaptation to more productive work methodologies indicate that the popularity of outsourcing will keep on growing and with it, several trends.

Increased demand for Quality

Outsourcing has always focused on cutting costs and increasing budgets. However, although it is still a priority, the amount of focus has shifted. Currently, providers are more attentive to delivering a higher quality service when it comes to software outsourcing. Plus, clients are more interested in partnering with a trusted outsourcing partner whom they can maintain a long business relationship. Although the price always matters, it’s no longer the decisive choice.

Growing Nearshore Outsourcing model

The popularity of the Nearshore Outsourcing model continues to grow due to companies’ necessities, mainly centered on two key points: collaboration and communication. As we mentioned in previous articles, the nearshore model provides plenty of advantages. One of the most beneficial features being the same time zone. Working with a remote team that is in a nearby country with a similar, or a very close time-zone will allow communication to happen more quickly and effectively. This in turn ensures better management of the team and fewer complications when it comes to language barriers. Not only is it more efficient to leverage conference calls, video chats, and email communication with little to no delays in response but it also becomes easier to travel and visit for regular in-person status.

Security with software outsourcing

The last couple of years have proven to be hard security times due to the increasing hacks of companies. More than ever, companies are vetting extensively potential partners with Fort-Knox like IT security capabilities. Therefore, future partnerships will happen more frequently with providers that have a proven record of best practices in security. Such is the case with Nearshore Portugal. As a result, emerging cybersecurity tools are being developed, opening the door to new and seasoned talent to prevent future attacks, while reinforcing and improving current standards.

Ultimately, more than custom software outsourcing, the future is tied with pushing boundaries into more advanced business areas, which in turn requires pushing internal limits, adapting at the same time to future trends. Companies that can successfully identify more quickly the needs of the market will lead to 2020.

Realistically, outsourcing your operation to a provider isn’t difficult. The difficult part is hiring a provider that fits your exact needs, has the correct approach and methodology. With so many details to take into consideration and analyze, your organization’s processes must be handled in the most efficient way. Remember, ensuring the effectiveness of your outsourcing arrangements starts with you.

Make a list

Here’s the scenario: your searching for an outsourcing partner to help you improve different parts of your operation. You find a potential match and explain in what way you need help. However, before approaching your potential outsourcing partner, you must make a detailed list of the operations that you’ll be outsourcing. Not only will this provide you with a clearer perspective of what you will need, as well as a timeline, but it will also ensure a smoother and more efficient manner of communication.

Documentation

Of course, receiving the finished project you’ve been waiting for or seeing results that show improvement of a specific part of your operation is the end goal. Yet, documentation must also be a top concern. This means, before the wheels start spinning, make sure that every part of the service level agreement is documented. At Nearshore Portugal, we document all stages of the project and provide detailed paperwork that outlines accountability and responsibility, specifying explicitly what will be done.

When outsourcing, focus on Communication

In any business, communication is a must, especially when dealing with an outsourcing partner. That’s why our consultants conduct regular conference calls that range from daily to weekly, depending on the clients’ requirements. Much more than standard practice, frequent calls provide important feedback regarding the ongoing project, as well as a platform where issues, doubts or clarifications are raised. The combination of constant dialogue and straightforward information contributes massively to the success of the project.

Clear Objectives

Communication is a must, and having clear objectives is crucial. You must communicate exactly what you need, such as a description of the professional that fits your project. Remember, an ideal partnership is all about an open and detailed conversation. At Nearshore Portugal we focus on delivering the right support for your project through a wide range of IT services, being web development, UX-UI design, cloud and DevOps, mobile apps, and many more. Thanks to our seasoned consultants, experienced in various technologies, such as React, Ruby, Angular, JavaScript, Python, Html5 and CSS, among others, we make sure that all of our services meet your objectives with the utmost quality.

The Right Help

Choosing the right provider isn’t always easy. As in any service, there must be plenty of research, filtering the different outsourcers in the market. Partnering with a company that specializes in exactly what you need can be a make or break decision. Remember, the goal is a company that matches your requirements and overall goals. Resist the urge to hire the first provider you contact. Research the players and run from those that only give half-certainties. How can you tell if you’re talking to the real deal? It’s as simple as scheduling a meeting. So if you have time, we would love to talk to you!

Preparation is the name of the game and finding a company experienced and key areas are essential. This is an opportunity to grow your business exponentially by avoiding common mistakes while having the support of a seasoned outsourcing company such as Nearshore Portugal!