Training Your Offshore Team? Don’t Make These 6 Mistakes

For several decades now, outsourcing services have significantly changed the way businesses conduct their operations. Apart from being one of the best ways to cut operational costs, they also allow business owners to become more flexible with their funds. 

Outsourcing in the Philippines has become a popular trend amongst multiple industries, regardless of whether they are small or large companies. Outsourcing services in this island country enable businesses to conduct operations at their full potential, with greater freedom to focus on core tasks rather than on menial and repetitive ones. 

These services are not only for BPO companies in the Philippines but also for businesses located in other parts of the world. There are many advantages that come with outsourcing tasks. However, there are also several factors that you need to consider, such as the training you need to set up for your remote team. 

When you opt for the services of an offshore staff, you need to find the most efficient methods you can to get them to speed up with how they handle your operations. This includes teaching them how to meet the needs of your company, as well as your expectations. While the training process may not always be as smooth, you can avoid committing some mistakes by being aware of them.

Here are some common offshore training mistakes you should keep in mind:

1. 1. Training duration

      Regularly conducting training and workshops can be an excellent way to identify problems with your offshore team and work through them. Doing so also allows you to monitor their progress closely and immediately resolve any mishaps.

      However, if you need to guide them through every single step, you can end up taking up too much time, which can affect their productivity. One way to address this issue is by using services such as optidocs, which can effectively facilitate the creation of your standard operating procedures (SOPs). With an SOP in place, you won’t have to unnecessarily spend longer hours orienting your remote team on your processes.

   2. Lack of tools and technologies

      Failure to provide any necessary tools and software to your offshore team can significantly hinder work quality. Without the right kind of technology to facilitate the completion of the job, your operations can take longer to produce the required outputs to generate revenue. At the same time, you put yourself at risk by allowing your competitors to get ahead of you.

      Also Read: Biggest Outsourcing Pitfalls: What Are They and How to Avoid Them

   3. Failure to mind different time zones

      Your offshore team can come from any location around the world, which means that your regular working hours may differ from theirs. Therefore, you need to set up a time that works best for both parties to facilitate meetings and other tasks required by your training program. You can do this through the use of communication tools such as online messaging platforms and video conferencing apps.

   4. Inadequate preparation of materialsProper preparation is vital to the success of your training program because it reduces your risks of making mistakes that can negatively impact regular business operations. Without a definite plan and proper materials, you and your remote team can face more stress in the process when trying to come up with a solution on the spot.By taking note of the possible outcomes and scenarios and anticipating potential material requirements, you can make the necessary adjustments if something goes wrong.

   5. Not treating your offshore team and onshore team equally

      The real value for an offshore team is making them an integral part of your company. Sitting on the other side of the world makes it challenging to build human connection with your offshore team and gauge their full potential.

      Recognise your offshore team’s accomplishment, and give them positive feedback. Spend some time to know your members and build a rapport with them. This will make your communication easier, and help solidify your relationship with the team and will help create a better working environment.

   6. Not setting the right expectations, and poor team performance

      Establishing clear expectations with your offshore team and managing performance are critical to ensure your offshore success. These are commonly resolved by building the right communication within the team. Here are some ideas for communication and managing team performance:

      • Keep daily status updates / regular check-insKeeping track of your team’s daily tasks keeps your team focused on getting things done. The more involved you are on the day-to-day basis, the better the chance your expectations are being met.
      • Build performance plansJust like with your onshore team, setting performance plans for offshore team members is essential to the success of your business. Performance plans help align your team offshore to meet your organisation’s strategic objectives. Ensure performance plans are actionable, well communicated and measured and meet regularly to discuss progress.
      • Salary reviews and bonusesSalaries should be reviewed on an annual basis. With offshore staff, there is often an expectation of pay increases that might be higher than what is expected in your home country. It is important to realise that the take-home salary that a team member receives is only part of the direct cost, with several statutory and non-statutory benefits that make up the full amount. This means that a 10% salary increase may end up in a 5% increase in their take-home package.High performance, or going over and above, may also warrant a bonus payment. Consider extending the same bonus/reward program you have onshore to your offshore team.

Adequately Prepare For Your Offshore Training

When working with your offshore team, keep in mind that they will not automatically be familiar with your standard protocol and process requirements. This is why training them is essential if you want them to meet your expectations and your company’s standards.

In setting out for the training, it is important that you make the necessary preparations so you can avoid making mistakes that could undermine your training goals. For more information on how to handle offshore training, contact our offshoring experts at optiBPO today!