How To Cope with Cultural Challenges in Offshore Outsourcing Deals?
One of the greatest challenges in offshore outsourcing relationships is – Cultural Differences. Since companies outsource their work to offshore service providers belonging to completely different geographical areas, there is often friction in connecting and understanding each other.
Fortunately, with effective tactics and strategies, clients can deal with various cultural nuances that could have negative impact on the outsourcing project. When you understand how different people think differently across cultures, you can improve the chances for success and promote a seamless offshore relationship.
Here are some common cultural problems and ways to get over them:
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Language Differences
Most often, the language of your service provider is different from what you speak in your country. This creates hiccups in communication as service providers are unable to understand what the client wants and vice versa. This is why you need to choose a service provider who is well versed in your language. Countries like India have a strong English speaking background and so are able to cater efficiently to Western clients.
Different Business Mindsets
Differences in business mindsets can have a huge impact on the outsourcing expectations of clients. Western countries tend to have a comfortable and laid back attitude towards business. However, when faced with service providers with different business mindset, it creates friction in the outsourcing relationship.
The key is to connect with a service provider who has ample experience of working for clients from your country. This would ensure that they are familiar with your working mindset and can adapt more easily.
Age & Size of Market
Outsourcing clients often ignore this but market size and growth rate are extremely important when choosing an efficient offshore service provider. It has a direct impact on factors such as attrition, salary of employees, expertise and experience of the service provider.
Physical Proximity
Nothing gives a feeling of security like physical proximity! Even if not located close to the service provider, clients can use means to connect with them and communicate effectively. For example, video conferencing is a popular medium to get in touch with the service provider and transfer knowledge. Some clients even choose to fly down to the location of the service provider once to inspect their work environment.
Choosing a Professional Outsourcing Service Provider
Determine if the potential service provider understands your business and your needs and requirements from the outsourcing project.
Next, determine if they have requisite skills and expertise that is required for the outsourcing project. Skills should include English speaking abilities as well as technical skills required for the project.
Remember, in case of process based work, there needs to be more interaction between the client and the service provider as compared to project-based work which requires less interaction. So, make sure you invest a good amount of time and effort to strengthen your outsourcing relationship with your service provider. The outsourcing project can only be a success when there is a collaborative effort by both the service provider team and the client.
Maneet Puri is the managing director of LeXolution IT Services, a professional IT Services company that provides a full range of Knowledge Process Outsourcing Services such as data entry, data mining and data extraction services. His company caters to clients from across the world.