Software Sweatshop

Yes, it's easy to find very good software developers overseas. The main complaint we hear about outsourcing revolves around communication problems. As I've stated in other posts, you need to invest in making your offshore team feel like they're one of your own. This will foster un-inhibited ideas, creative thinking, and ultimately breed innovation. If you're looking for code monkeys that do your bidding, you're going to be really unhappy when the product turns out bad.

Open lines of communication where you discuss the goals of your project will allow your offshore team to make valuable suggestions. If you're working with a good team, chances are that they'll have some valuable insight. Because we typically work on larger projects, we try to develop a friendship with our clients. We're fanatical about commitment and focused on longevity, but it cost us a fair share of deals. Our vision is to be a great offshore software development firm, and we can't do that by chasing projects that don't fit our profile. We are aggressive problem solvers and seek out deals that challenge us and force us to learn. Once we have these clients, we bend over backwards to keep them happy. In fact, this has led to cash and equity partnerships with some of them. We didn't go in seeking this type of arrangement, but it was the consequence of a strong, mutually beneficial relationship. The point is that although we're stubborn in who we work with... we have every intention of working with them for life. Think eHarmony.com vs HotOrNot.com

Nurturing a relationship means both sides have to show a genuine interest in each other. Often times, we discuss mundane topics with our clients like business challenges, politics, our kids, etc. Anything we can do to strengthen the relationship will ultimately lead to both of our success. For example, if you're having a hard time communicating with your offshore programmer, or if you feel like they aren't giving you honest and open feedback, try talking to them about cricket. The point is to create a connection that transcends your project. Developing a real relationship with your developers results in better quality and lower attrition rates.

Of course, it helps if your offshore vendor has a local presence (we're based in Chicago with a development center in Islamabad, Pakistan... nothing wrong with a little shameless self-promotion, right?)