Alsbridge Notes Four Tips For Successful Relationships With Offshore Outsourcers

Alsbridge, Inc. has identified four specific ways to improve offshore outsourcing relationships and maximize business benefits. Alsbridge’s extensive experience with offshore engagements in general and Indian engagements in particular has yielded a vast and valuable body of learning for American firms hoping to maximize the business benefits of offshore outsourcing. Some of Alsbridge’s knowledge is documented in the new article, Understanding Cultural Differences in Offshore Outsourcing, available today in the latest edition of the online journal of outsourcing, Outsourcing Leadership.

Alsbridge’s experiences in working on outsourcing engagements have revealed a number of cultural differences between Indian firms and their American contractors. For example, Indian firms will be less likely than their American counterparts to say “No” to a request for a customer. Alsbridge offers an example where a shopper might enter an Indian clothing store at closing time to buy a shirt. In the American example, the shopkeeper might tell the customer that the shop is closing. In India, on the other hand, the shopkeeper would likely welcome the shopper, even though the till is closed, and allow the shopper to browse for another thirty minutes in the shop. In the relevant IT project scenario, one would expect Indian project team members to compromise family commitments and avoid saying “no” to off-hours work in support of the project goals.

Alsbridge has identified four specific areas where American management can take action to maximize the results from offshore outsourcing.

1. Training - Most offshore service providers have special “western cultural orientation” programs for their team members working on offshore projects. These training programs help them to understand the culture of a specific country including business culture. On similar lines it is important for client organizations to build a training program for their own staff to educate them on the culture of the offshore destination
2. Visiting the offshore location - This is very helpful and provides team members an opportunity to experience what the offshore location is like and how people communicate, behave, work, socialize, etc
3. Organizing cultural events - As mentioned above, most of the offshore service providers have training programs for their staff. Also, most of the offshore service providers today celebrate events such as Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Halloween, Christmas, etc. to educate their teams. On similar lines, clients can organize events (with the help of the offshore advisors orh vendors) that are important in the offshore location. This will give the client team a learning opportunity.
4. Movies as a training guide - English movies are seen across the globe and as a result, many people worldwide educate themselves, besides entertainment, from these movies. Companies can also adopt a similar learning approach by encouraging their people, who are involved with the offshore projects, to watch local movies or documentaries from the offshore locations.

“Offshore outsourcing is a very important weapon in the arsenal of today’s financial leaders,” said Ben Trowbridge, CEO of Alsbridge, Inc. “It’s critical for companies who are considering offshoring for financial benefits to also consider the cultural impacts on their business processes.”

To learn more about how Alsbridge helps companies plan for and succeed with offshore outsourcing, or to request an initial consultation, dial (214) 696-6410 or email inquiry@alsbridge.com. Visit http://www.Alsbridge.com/ to learn more about Alsbridge’s consulting services for outsourcing, shared services, and benchmarking.

About Alsbridge, Inc
Alsbridge, Inc. is an award-winning global advisory firm, providing unparalleled expertise in outsourcing, shared services, and benchmarking. The firm is fact-based and client-focused, with a proven methodology that fosters success. Alsbridge defines client goals and scope, finds the best cultural fit with providers, refines the best solutions and eases transitions and implementation. Founded in 2005, Alsbridge is the proven, effective difference. For more information, visit http://www.alsbridge.com/.