#1 KNOW YOUR PARTNER
The first step in finding the right outsourcing partner is thoroughly researching and understanding who they are. This involves looking into their entity type, their location, and ownership.
Conducting due diligence and ensuring you're partnering with a reliable and established organization is critical. Also, look for a partner who aligns with your business goals and values.
#2 CONSIDER PROXIMITY & TIME ZONES
Proximity and time zones play a significant role in communication and project management.
Consider the time difference between your location and the outsourcing partner's location. Time differences will impact real-time communication and collaboration efforts.
Additionally, plan to meet with your team at least once or twice a year to strengthen the relationship and enhance project outcomes. It is important to evaluate how far or near a potential outsourcing partner is in relation to your location.
#3 COMMUNICATION SKILLS ARE CRITICAL
With the physical distance and potential language and cultural differences, communicating clearly and frequently becomes even more crucial. When collaborating with a remote team, asynchronous communication, such as email and project management tools, becomes the norm.
Adapting to this type of communication and developing a new set of communication skills is crucial. Language barriers can also pose challenges, especially if working with a non-native English-speaking team. As a US-based company, bridging the language and cultural gap and finding efficient ways to collaborate and understand each other is important.
#4 LANGUAGE vs CULTURE
Language and culture are intertwined but distinct aspects of working with an outsourcing partner. While language differences may be more apparent, understanding and respecting cultural differences is equally important.
Different countries have different approaches to communication and hierarchy within organizations. This can impact the dynamics of the outsourcing relationship. Acknowledging and embracing cultural differences can lead to more productive and harmonious collaboration.
#5 WORK WITH SOMEONE YOU LIKE
When evaluating potential outsourcing partners, going beyond the technical requirements is essential. Like hiring an employee, there should be an alignment of values, interests, and work style between you and your partner.
Assessing whether you enjoy working with the team and feel confident in their abilities and perspectives is critical. Look for a partner with whom you can build a solid and enjoyable working relationship, as it will be critical during challenging times that may arise throughout the project.