Letting these common misconceptions about using offshore talent dissuade you can cost your business in the long run
Key takeaways:
Offshore talent pools have the same skilled labor as onshore.
Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to monitor and communicate with offshore teams.
Security risks are no higher with an offshore team. The risk lies in not doing due diligence in researching prospective companies.
Hiring offshore talent is a highly underrated resource that could take your business to the next level. Unfortunately, there are misconceptions about offshoring that sometimes stop businesses from utilizing this rich resource.
Misconceptions about hiring offshore talent range from security risks and low-quality work to ethical pay concerns and the assumption that it’s just for big businesses. These fallacies only get in the way of a great business move, however.
We will clear up eight common myths business owners have about hiring offshore talent for their business.
1. Offshore talent is mostly low-skilled workers
One of the first hesitancies people express when thinking about hiring offshore talent is that the workers’ skill levels will be subpar. Hiring offshore talent is often less expensive than hiring employees from home. Many people accredit the lower cost to less value but this is untrue.
Any staffing company in any country can have less-skilled workers. By researching the company, you can put together a team that has the skills you need. An excellent way to accomplish this is by asking about the staffing company’s quality control process. A professional firm will have no qualms disclosing how they keep their services at the highest quality. They also won’t guarantee you a low, flat rate prior to providing candidates. This limits the talent pool.
2. Hiring offshore talent is a security risk
Handing over sensitive information to a third party in a far-off land can be nerve-wracking. You may wonder if your data will remain safe. A company you choose to outsource with should be just like any other. They don’t want to ruin their reputation and livelihood by divulging your private information.
The solution is to hire a reputable company. Research the firm you’re considering first. Make sure they have no complaints or history of questionable behavior before you sign on the dotted line.
3. Offshore talent pools don't receive fair wages
Treating employees well is a top concern of all ethical business owners. Outsourcing from a company that doesn’t have the same morals is not an option. People know offshore talent is generally less expensive and automatically believe that they are underpaid.
In reality, offshore workers usually make up to 15 percent more than other employees in their base country, but that doesn’t mean their salaries will equal out to minimum wage in your country. The cost of living and the value of a dollar is drastically different throughout the world.
4. Hiring offshore talent is just for big businesses
Outsourcing can benefit any business, even mom-and-pop establishments and small companies. Small businesses are actually prone to find more benefits than larger ones because they need more help at budget-friendly prices.
This misconception is a holdout from years ago when outsourcing meant you had a big budget. Offshoring companies today have started catering services to small businesses with packages full of services they need at prices they can afford.
5. Offshore teams can't communicate proficiently
There are horror stories out there about communication malfunctions with an offshore team. Communication can be an issue, but it’s important to remember that a few bad apples don’t spoil the whole bunch.
Offshore staffing companies invest a great deal of time and money into their employees just like you do. They strive to ensure each client gets what they need when they need it and it takes clear communication to do that.
English is the most spoken language worldwide. Mandarin Chinese is the next most popular language. Offshoring companies consider this and make sure there is always someone who can proficiently communicate with each client. There is always a solution to any communication problem.
6. Offshore teams aren’t monitored appropriately
Today’s offshore companies have the same technology that everyone else does. The globalization of the marketplace has ensured that you can connect workplaces as efficiently as if you were in the same room. Numerous software programs make it easy to check the status of projects and even work simultaneously with someone on the other side of the world.
Offshore talent companies also keep tabs on the projects under their umbrella. Most will provide regular reports about the progress in their company and provide training. Monitoring an offshore team is as easy as checking in to the office next door.
7. You only hire offshore talent when you want to cut costs
It would be silly to deny that cutting costs is one of the biggest perks of hiring offshore talent, but believing it is the only objective is a misnomer and paints a wildly inaccurate picture of the actual situation.
Growth spurts cost money. Offshore teams help a business expand when the cost is an issue. Fast access to a competitively priced talent pool is vital. In addition, offshoring provides access to high-quality candidates when hiring is difficult in your area, such as it currently is in the U.S.
8. Offshoring is for grunt work only
It is a complete misconception that workers in another country cannot perform highly skilled tasks. The Philippines, for instance, has a rich supply of legal, accounting, marketing, sales and service, technology, and financial professionals available at a drastically discounted price compared to other countries.
We have the answers to your offshoring questions
The benefits of using offshore talent are plentiful and the misconceptions are too. Many myths come from outdated information or plain old ignorance. Any business in need of cost-effective skilled labor can benefit from offshore talent.
DOXA helps small to medium-sized businesses build high-performing, scalable, global teams. We know there is no one-size-fits-all solution and we adapt our services to fit your needs. Contact us today for a free consultation.
