Key Imperatives of Global Sourcing Arrangement

Relationship… Respect… Competence… Attitude… Agility…
During the selection process while building up any global outsourcing relationship put respect, competence and leadership attitude on top of the list. Usually while offshoring, companies expect and ultimately end up getting in the shape of offshore partner – a bunch of low-IQ people with limited intelligence levels and leadership skills – who’re made to just follow the directions.
Search for a Leadership Team in your Global Partner
Now, as is prevalent in today’s highly volatile market, mere software coders or operators without leadership skills are irrelevant to success either they’re seated in-house, onshore or offshore. You need a leadership team in your offshore partner… need to communicate in an alluring yet objective manner the project goals which they need to buy in and lead towards. Especially search out those who can say a bold NO and logically reject some of the specification you’ve laid out in the RFP, and can suggest better alternatives. Almost always this kind of leadership attitude stems from superior competence, sense of ownership and commitment to the engagement in question.
Agility: Common-sense Approach and a Leadership Attitude
After the leadership skill and competence look out for the common-sense approach in their delivery models like Agile/SCRUM – Stringent processes are usually made for those who can’t be expected to make right decisions. Build stronger two-way decision framework as the corner-stone for the service delivery model to replace a sluggish top-down (= west-offshore) process framework.
Communicate <-> Argue <-> Communicate and Win Together!
Communication and single-point project management from both partners should keep the iterative decisions, changes, conflicts and deliveries on track to meet the project objectives. With this model, you’ll no longer need to write lengthy project specification documents for offshore follwers – rather the leaders on both sides can agree on the project objectives – and leave specifications, plans and delivery for mutual argument, settlement and fulfillment throughout the project till the success is achieved.



3 Comments

  • Ali Syme

    The first stages of communication are the most important. From that, we want to have some transparency and we WANT to be asked questions. Once you can put a name and a character behind the process it becomes personal – but you need to communicate beyond your first point of contact and get more people on your own side involved. Departments chatting to departments is important. Proposals should wait until after you’re satisfied with the company itself and even then, be flexible.

  • Karan Jain

    Hi Ali
    On the top of the list is Communication ( Communication is the most important area for Outsourcing.If one barrier breaks then the whole system collapses leading to a big instability in the Business). Often communication increases the gap of professional relations due to misunderstanding.
    Technology-Effective technology can help you in many ways.It will also act as a time saving factor if business is carried out at different time zones.
    Confidentiality : It is a very important factor for a business. The client should be rest assured that you maintain confidentiality.A small hitch of financial leak could be distasterous for the company as well as the shareholders.
    Transparency : Outsourcing any business needs more level of transparency than a regular business because the person you have outsourced it to is sitting far away and is not knowing what is happening at your place.You must inform the client if you are not capable of doing a particular task.
    Cultural Differences : This is a very delicate area. If you Outsource your work to a foreign country you dont want to disturb your client on a holiday unless its very important .Also knowing your client and wishing him on his line of festivals would create a positive vibe that a you show interest in the clients business.
    Let me know if you have any other questions
    Regards
    Karan Jain

  • Bruce Anglin

    Quality
    Timeliness
    Price (cost)

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