A managed offshore office and staffing solution is a relatively new niche in the outsourcing space that seeks to improve upon the traditional project-based outsourcing model that is typically utilized by building contractors.
The traditional project-based outsourcing model can be great for plugging workflow gaps or expanding bandwidth when the demands of a project exceed the output limitations of a contractor’s team at a given point in time.
But there are certain limitations with this model that make contractors hesitate from dipping their toes into the outsourcing waters:
- Qualified help is not always available when needed, and if it is, then it is often expensive;
- It takes time to develop a network of qualified service providers in the outsourcing space, time that contractors do not typically have to invest;
- It is risky to test out a new service provider when a contractor has pressing time demands to complete certain work, such as drawings, safety plans, or work schedules, etc. today;
- There is always a time-consuming ramp up period to bring the outsourced help up to speed so that the outsourced help is empowered to contribute as needed;
- A typical outsource service provider juggles many projects for several clients at a time and they may have time available to support a contractor’s project this week, but not next week, and may thus miss deadlines.
A managed offshore office and staffing solution overcomes those limitations at a cost savings in exchange for a contractor’s commitment.
How does it work?
A professional managed offshore office and staffing solution provider will provide the American contractor with:
- Access to qualified engineers, draftsmen, schedulers, accountants, bookkeepers, buyers, and general administrative staff whom the contractor can interview and engage;
- Cost savings compared to hiring local or local remote staff;
- Full time general management and supervision of said staff;
- A safe, clean, modern and environmentally friendly office space with modern office furniture, air conditioning and high-speed internet;
- Consultations with the contractor on how to best set up, train, manage and work with an offshore team.
All the contractor has to do is:
- Commit to the relationship for a period of at least one year;
- Commit to training the remote staff as needed on the contractor’s working processes, procedures and expectations;
- Commit to reviewing and training, as necessary, how relevant local building codes are described and/or detailed on floor plans, submittal drawings and other project documentation.
The contractor should not have to pay any special set up costs and can expand its back office workforce without requiring any additional office space or having to deal with additional workplace politics or labor regulations.
Your professional managed offshore office and staffing solution provider will guide the contractor every step of the way. And, realistically, within two or three months, after certain cultural, communication and process issues get worked out and become “the norm,” the contractor will have an offshore team that works as professionally and efficiently as local staff.
