Why You’re Failing at Outsourcing

The one crucial mistake that founders make.

Beware, this is a rant.

I see this over and over again.

Founders looking over the pond in hope of cheap talent.

And so many projects fail miserably.

Bad communication. Shitty work. Personal mismatch.

Just last week, I overheard the owner of a US-based agency rant about the unbelievable quality of the code they’re taking over from previous, off-shored developers.

I mean, they’re so stupid.

So how can outsourcing work, if apparently whoever you work with is lazy, doesn’t speak an English word and sucks at their trade?

Founders, you’re doing it wrong.

Imagine this: you’re on vacation in a foreign, exotic country. It’s sunny and beautiful.

Apparently, it’s much cheaper than in the US.

You’re craving for dinner.

Where do you go?

I bet you wouldn’t choose the run-down burger shack which even the locals avoid.

I mean yeah, it’s cheap.

And yet, you wouldn’t.

Because while you can’t afford a high class restaurant at home every day, here in this well-priced country, you can.

So you wander around, find a fine place and enjoy some of the best cuisine this exotic country has to offer.

Now why on earth does every founder (and their COO) try to struggle with the cheapest Indian dev shop they can dig up on Upwork?

Do you really have to save every single penny?

It’s not about India, or Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Malaysia, or ... there’s nothing wrong with these friendly, talented and passionate people!

So stop complaining about their culture.

Let’s face it: the cheapest US-based shop wouldn’t do a better job.

I seriously don’t get it. What do you expect?

Instead, remember what your vacation was like.

Find a fine place.

Enjoy working with talented people for a fraction of what a comparable US-based company would charge.

Succeed.