Here’s a stupidly simple reminder for you…
Successful team building 101:
- Define leadership strategy (long-term goals, culture, values, etc.)
- Build team structure and roles (which skill sets are required, who goes where, etc.)
- Find and recruit high-quality team members (people are the most valuable asset your business can have)
- Put tools and processes in place (develop for quality assurance and scale)
- Review and evaluate performance (on a personal and team level)
Sounds pretty simple, right?
Well for offshore teams, these steps are a bit trickier.
Your offshore staff aren’t on-site. You won’t be able to take them for a coffee and a chat. And you’ll very likely recruit and hire people you’ll never meet in-person.
But with the right steps and a thoughtful process, you can set up an offshore team that feels like an extension of the business you have right now.
10 steps to setting up an offshore team
1. Define what you really need and want out of offshoring
Don’t just jump on the offshore bandwagon. Think through what positions or projects you could offshore successfully. Talk with other leaders in your company or industry to confirm your initial impressions and research.
2. Make a business case.
Take a close look at the numbers and reasons for offshoring. Put together a written proposal that outlines what you hope to achieve through offshoring, how many people you’re looking to hire, and what goals you’ll achieve. By having a clear plan, your offshore endeavour won’t be haphazard: it will have a roadmap.
3. Look for the self-motivated talent.
Managing team members from afar can be difficult. Make it easier on yourself and others by taking your time during the hiring process. A recent Entrepreneur article advises, “Companies should hire individuals who are motivated, committed and driven to complete their tasks. It is not easy or possible to monitor daily tasks of offshore employees, and if they are not self motivated, it will be an extremely tense relationship.”
4. Put a top manager in place.
Have a skilled and experienced leader manage your offshore team, especially at the beginning. They’ll be able to navigate the unexpected challenges more adeptly.
5. Secure projects and a workflow.
Make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to the workflow and projects. Consider a small project to start in order to avoid any disasters.
6. Set-up a communication schedule.
“Schedule a weekly call. And always treat it as sacred,”recommends an Entrepreneur article. If weekly is too often for you, consider fortnighly or monthly. Most importantly, choose what’s best and stick to it. Choose a video conference method for more face-to-face time.
7. Successfully onboard the team.
A rocky start makes for shaky employment, no matter the position. Onboard your offshore team with a thorough plan using this month’s feature,
Onboarding Guide for Offshore Teams.
8. Evaluate and listen.
Invite the offshore team and other key members to discuss how things are going at the three-month, six-month, and one-year landmarks. Seek honest information from the people closest to the work, then follow-through on promises. A recent Forbes article explains, “The offshore team needs to feel integrated with the top management.”
9. Set firm goals.
The first year with an offshore team will include plenty of trials and errors. After a year, revisit your goals and ensure you have firm ones set for the future.
10. Adjust and expand.
As your offshore team becomes more stable, adjust teams and projects as needed. Consider expanding your offshore numbers if you think it could enhance your overall business.
The Secret To Happy, Productive and Loyal Offshore Teams
They say first impressions count.
And when building an offshore team it’s these first impressions, delivered through your onboarding process, that will set you apart from other employers.
Learn how to onboard new remote staff to build a productivity engine for your business that’s happy and loyal.
Any questions?
If you have questions on this topic or any others, feel free to reach me by email or set up a free one-on-one consultation session, or drop me a comment below.
Thanks for sharing!
