Companies wishing to tap into global talent pools, reduce operational costs and increase efficiency have turned to offshore staff augmentation. Working with the right partners can help businesses fill skills gaps without long term commitments that traditional hiring brings. On the other hand, though, this approach has its own set of problems. In this blog, we will discuss the top 6 challenges that come with offshore staff augmentation and actionable ways to overcome them.
We know firsthand what these challenges are at Citadel. We have over 1,500 projects delivered successfully and proved ourselves as a leader in offering tailored IT and virtual assistant solutions. We know that first step in collaboration with your offshore team is to know what the roadblocks are.
1. Communication Barriers
Communication is one of the most difficult aspects of working with offshore teams. Language and cultural differences may cause misunderstandings and misalignments of expectations. Add to that time zone differences and you end up with offshore and in-house teams who respond late and miscommunicate.
Businesses need to create clear channels and protocols to overcome communication barriers. Tools such as project management tools and daily check-ins as well as shared platforms can help bridge the gaps. Also, it’s important to foster an environment where in-house and offshore people are comfortable asking questions and clearing doubts. In order to mitigate these risks, you need to choose the best staff augmentation company that puts communication first.
2. Quality Control Issues
Because companies depend on offshore staff, quality is often a concern. If the offshore team is not matching the company’s expectation, there is always a risk that the output may not match the internal standards.
The defining of clear objectives and performance metrics from the outset is the key to maintaining quality. The best top staff augmentation services hire companies should have some quality benchmarks and timelines for deliverables. The team is kept on track with regular performance evaluations and early interventions help correct any problems before they become big issues. Having processes in place that monitor progress will keep the project at the desired level of quality throughout the project.
3. Integration with In-House Teams
Offshore staff, especially ones that are halfway across the world, can be difficult to integrate into an in-house team. Workflows, work culture and expectations are not the same across teams and can lead to friction and a lack of productivity as well as teamwork.
The next step is to treat the offshore team as an extension of the in-house workforce and smooth integration process begins. Set up both groups meeting together and use collaborative tools. When picking the best staff augmentation company, however, choose a partner who can assist you with onboarding offshore talent to match with your company’s processes. Focusing on this process, at Citadel we’ve taken the time to make sure our offshore staff integrates so that we get the best synergy between in house and offshore.
4. Security and Data Privacy Risks
Working remotely offshore with teams presents a growing concern regarding data security. Offshore staff need to be aware that sensitive data shared with the company is protected. Data breaches, legal liabilities, and reputational damage can be the consequence of failing to safeguard data.
Implementing robust data governance framework and getting off shore partners with international compliance standards is the best way to overcome security risks. When dealing with the best staff augmentation services, businesses should see that the offshore partner is very clear with their data handling, encryption and access. Citadel is taking the data security seriously and the company cares for sensitive information by using strict protocols and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
5. Managing Time Zone Differences
Access to global talent is the benefit of offshore staff augmentation but working across different time zones is a major challenge. When offshore staff and in house employees work in very different time zones the coordination becomes difficult and there is a possibility of communication and project time lines being delayed.
The answer is that we would have overlapping working hours in which both teams can be in touch in real time. Asynchronous communication tools can even be used to speed up workflow when real time meetings aren’t possible. At Citadel, we advise businesses to work with offshore companies that offer flexible working arrangements. This flexibility also minimizes the effect of time zone issues because the offshore staff will be more in sync with operational needs of the client.
6. Finding the Right Offshore Partner
Choosing the right partner is of essence in the success of the “offshore staff augmentation.” Many companies give augmentation services, and it is difficult for businesses to find a partner that fits their goals, values and expectations. Choosing the wrong partner will mean wasted resources, missed deadlines and unsatisfactory results.
Overcoming this challenge requires that companies do thorough research of possible partners before deciding. Find the best staff augmentation company that has a proven record of delivering results. Our portfolio of over 1,500 successful projects at Citadel demonstrates our capability to develop custom tailored solutions that meet individual client needs. It should also be a transparent partner in terms of their processes and transparent throughout the engagement.
Conclusion
The strategic opportunity for businesses to leverage specialized talent and growth lies in the possibility of ‘offshore staff augmentation’. Nevertheless, companies face many challenges to make full use of this model including communication barriers, quality control and security risks. The key lies in picking the best top staff augmentation services and working with business partners who match your business requirements.
To that end, at Citadel we are dedicated to providing businesses with tailored IT and virtual assistant solutions to thrive in a competitive environment. We know how to successfully operate with offshore staffing, which is why we have experience and a client first approach to help companies achieve a seamless collaboration. Citadel is available to help with time zone differences, data security or any other issues you may have at any step.
Early identification of potential challenges and partnering with the best staff augmentation company can unlock the full potential of offshore staff augmentation and simultaneously increase productivity and long-term success.
