Offshore outsourcing is no new kid on the block and in today’s world is becoming an ever more powerful component of business continuity plans. Benefits include the ability to take advantage of cost arbitrage in developing countries; access to a much wider global and specialized talent pool and increased capacity to focus on strategic long-term growth and innovation. The pandemic and the right technology have proved that high-quality work can be done from anywhere. Tapping into specialised expertise allows you to demand measurable and improved service levels. Offshore outsourcing has a positive impact on organizational performance and gives a competitive edge over those not benefiting from super-smart, value-adding, cost-effective talent. It is fast becoming an important part of risk management in the uncertain world we’re living in. 

Alongside the BCP benefits, there are, like anything, risks to consider as well. These will vary from country to country around the world and will be highly dependent on the way the offshore outsourcing partner you choose to work with manages your remote team. Spreading these risk factors across multiple countries should be a key part of your offshore outsourcing risk management strategy. Language, accent and cultural barriers can sometimes present challenges. English is not the same English everywhere in the world - even between the United States and the United Kingdom. Substantially different time zones and holidays may mean enabling shift working. The quality and cost of talent in different countries is also a factor to bear in mind. The primary benefit of a reduction in labour costs will also vary from country to country and may not always be as high as the 70% often quoted when offshore outsourcing. Local IT infrastructure, internet connectivity and speeds also vary substantially in different locations - as does the prevalence of natural disasters, which, without a reliable business continuity plan in place, may cause interruption to workflow and productivity. Other criteria for assessing geographic risk when offshore outsourcing include varying geopolitical landscapes and stability. General business, regulatory and legislative environments are all going to be different, depending on where your remote team is based. Economic risk might include inflation and exchange rate turbulence or changes in taxation policy. Political instability, emergence of regional or international conflicts and possible changes in labour market regulations are other outsourcing risks to consider. 

Given how many variables are at play here, is it any wonder that engaging an offshore outsourcing partner who can offer you talent in more than one country is going to bring substantial BCP benefits to the table? And this means genuinely offering multiple countries, not multiple locations as many providers do. Different cities in the same country are not going to be as big a risk mitigator as different countries. Every risk factor that you may encounter along your offshore outsourcing journey will be mitigated if you are working in multiple countries around the world. One of the most compelling BCP benefits of offshore outsourcing in more than one country is being able to access a much wider talent pool. If you’re looking for super-smart, globally short STEM skills, the further afield you can search, the better. Diversity and inclusion are also hot topics to consider. Bringing as many different ideas, perspectives and experiences to the table as possible will strengthen your business and allow you to make better decisions. Add to this varying COVID pandemic environments in different countries globally and you start to see a value proposition worth taking note of. 

If you’re looking for an offshore outsourcing partner who provides offshore outsourcing platforms in multiple countries, Sharesource could be the answer you’re looking for. Download our eBook, '30 Essential Questions to Ask a Provider Before You Outsource’ to ensure you're informed and have the right questions to ask when considering the next step.