Finding and hire remote development team is a highly daunting task and it has become more challenging with the spread of the Coronavirus. Countries like China and Italy, which are known as a source of expert developers, are largely affected by this deadly pandemic. The cases of COVID-19 positive are also increasing exponentially in the USA and the UK. And, this is impacting the productivity of IT companies to a great extent.

India, being one of those countries that has all precautionary measures and is consistently fighting to curb the spread of Corona pandemic, can be the name to bet upon for hiring remote developers.

Finding Remote Development Team: How to Start

Before you hire developers for your startup, here are a few things to consider:

  • Define your business goals:

Communicate about the project in detail. Clearly describe what your project is all about, what problems you aim to resolve with your product, the problems that you are planning to solve with the initial MVP, and so on. Determine the main goal of the product, break it down into smaller milestones, and set rough deadlines for those milestones.

  • Plan the budget:

Budget can be a pitfall for any project. So, it is crucial to plan the budget properly, until the very last penny. Define what is the size of initial capital and also look for the areas where you can save money. Also, make sure you have already prepared the list of investors whom you are going to show MVP beforehand.

  • Evaluate the skill set for the project:

While hiring remote development, it is also important to know whether the team you are hiring is working or has past experience in the technology. Identify the expertise and skills that you need for the project. Also, ascertain whether you need only the developers or also the Project Managers and Quality Analysts.

  • Collect information about offshore location:

There are a number of countries to choose from when hiring a remote development team. However, the outbreak of Coronavirus has put a limit on your options. For a certain period of time, it could be risky for your business to seek a developer in China or Italy. India is by far the best country in terms of IT resources. Moreover, the current situation of Corona is also in complete control, which again makes India the right option to look for a remote development team.

What are the Sources to Find the Remote Developers?

You can find developers for startups via the following sources:

  • Recommendations from people
  • Find the offshore development agency
  • Networking on meetups, conferences, and hackathons.
  • Searching for teams or developers at freelance portals
  • Search for team or developers on LinkedIn

Read more: 5 Design and Development Tools to Boost the Productivity of Your Remote Team

How to Hire a Remote Development Team?

How to find and hire remote development team still remains a big question. Here is a checklist to follow:

  • Find if the developer or outsourced team has a proven track record:

Check the rankings on websites such as Clutch and go through their profile on LinkedIn, to find out the clients with whom they are currently working. If possible, get the reviews from their previous clients.

  • Make sure they are working on the latest technology:

Ask questions and learn on which technology they are currently working. Also, ask which latest technologies they know and how many developers in their team are working on trending technologies like Node.js and Django.

  • Ask the company about their workflow:

Find out how they interact with their current clients, what is the workflow, and how they allocate projects to developers. Ask if they are flexible enough i.e. if they can add more members to the team depending upon the project.

  • Check if the team is asking you queries:

If your remote development team is saying that they are able to fulfill each of your requirements, then it is an alarming sign. You can use modern project management tools such as Trello, Jira, and Slack to track your work. This will help you track the progress of your team.

  • Insist on frequent deployment:

Ask your developers to show you the demo of MVP at the end of each sprint, typically on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Finally, make sure that your team:

  • Understand the instructions and tasks that you are allotting to them. Make them comfortable so that they can ask questions. Better to try to solve the issues at the beginning and try to sort them out when it gets too late.
  • Understand your business goals clearly
  • Holds past experience.

Key Benefits of Hiring a Dedicated Remote Development Team

Explore the key benefits of hiring a dedicated remote development team and how it can drive your business towards success.

  • Access to Global Talent

One of the primary advantages of hiring a remote development team is the ability to access a diverse and global talent pool. Instead of being restricted to the talent available in your local area, you can recruit developers from around the world. This opens up a world of possibilities, as you can find specialists with unique skill sets and experiences that may not be available locally.

  • Cost Savings

Reducing costs is a top priority for most businesses. Hiring a dedicated remote development team can lead to significant cost savings. You can avoid expenses associated with office space, equipment, and infrastructure, as remote teams work from their own locations. Additionally, in regions with lower living costs, you can often find highly skilled developers at a lower salary, which can further decrease your overall expenses.

  • Scalability

Remote development teams are highly scalable. You can quickly expand or downsize your team based on project requirements without the hassle of recruitment, onboarding, or layoffs. This flexibility ensures that you have the right number of resources at any given time, preventing overstaffing or understaffing issues.

  • Faster Time-to-Market

Remote development teams often operate in different time zones. This means that work can continue around the clock, speeding up project delivery. When your local team is off-duty, your remote team can pick up where they left off, resulting in faster time-to-market for your products or services.

  • Enhanced Focus on Core Activities

By outsourcing development tasks to a dedicated remote team, your in-house team can focus on core activities such as strategic planning, customer engagement, and product innovation. This specialization ensures that your business operates at peak efficiency and can respond to market changes more effectively.

  • Expertise and Innovation

Remote development teams often bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to your projects. They have experience working with different industries and businesses, which can result in novel approaches to challenges. This diversity of thought can lead to improved product quality and innovation.

  • Reduced HR Burden

Managing an in-house team can be a significant HR burden, from recruitment and onboarding to payroll and benefits administration. When you hire a remote development team, many of these responsibilities are shifted to the outsourcing partner, reducing the HR workload on your end.

  • Mitigated Risks

Remote development teams can offer you an additional layer of risk mitigation. They often have well-established processes and disaster recovery plans in place, ensuring business continuity even in challenging situations like a global pandemic.

  • Quality Assurance

Many remote development teams prioritize quality assurance and have stringent testing and review processes in place. This can lead to a higher quality of work, reducing the likelihood of bugs, errors, or security vulnerabilities in your products.

  • Long-Term Partnerships

When you establish a relationship with a dedicated remote development team, it often evolves into a long-term partnership. This continuity fosters trust and understanding, making it easier to work together on multiple projects over time.

Hiring a dedicated remote development team is not just a trend; it’s a strategic move that can transform your business. It provides access to a global talent pool, cost savings, scalability, faster time-to-market, and the ability to focus on core activities.

What technologies can a dedicated remote development team work with?

Many companies are increasingly relying on remote development teams to bring their projects to fruition. But what technologies can a dedicated remote development team work with to ensure seamless collaboration and high productivity? In this blog post, we’ll dive into the technological arsenal of such teams, exploring the essential tools and platforms that empower them to excel in a distributed environment.

  1. Communication and Collaboration Tools:

    Effective communication and collaboration are the cornerstones of a successful remote development team. A dedicated remote team can work with a variety of tools, such as:

    • Slack: For real-time messaging and file sharing.
    • Zoom: For video conferencing and screen sharing.
    • Microsoft Teams: Offering a comprehensive suite of communication and collaboration tools.
    • Trello: A project management tool for tracking tasks and projects.

  2. Version Control Systems:

    Version control systems are essential for tracking changes in code, enabling multiple developers to work together seamlessly. Some popular choices are:

    • Git: Known for its speed and flexibility.
    • Subversion (SVN): A centralized version control system.
    • Mercurial: A distributed version control system similar to Git.

  3. Development Environments:

    Remote development teams need robust development environments to write, test, and deploy code. These include:

    • Visual Studio Code: A lightweight, extensible code editor.
    • IntelliJ IDEA: A powerful IDE for Java developers.
    • PyCharm: An IDE for Python development.
    • Eclipse: A versatile IDE for various programming languages.

  4. Project Management Tools:

    Efficient project management is crucial for remote teams to stay organized and on track. Tools like:

    • Jira: A widely used tool for agile project management.
    • Asana: Designed for managing team projects and tasks.
    • Monday.com: A work operating system for teams.

  5. Cloud Platforms and Services:

    Cloud technologies are pivotal for remote teams to develop, test, and deploy applications. Some major cloud platforms include:

    • Amazon Web Services (AWS): Offering a wide range of cloud services.
    • Microsoft Azure: Microsoft’s cloud platform for building, deploying, and managing applications.
    • Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Google’s suite of cloud services.

  6. Collaborative Coding and Code Review Tools:

    Collaboration in coding is essential for remote development teams. Tools like:

    • GitHub: A web-based platform for version control and collaboration.
    • GitLab: A similar platform to GitHub, often used for self-hosted repositories.
    • Bitbucket: A Git repository management solution by Atlassian.

  7. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Tools:

    CI/CD tools are integral for automating the development pipeline. Common options are:

    • Jenkins: An open-source automation server.
    • Travis CI: A cloud-based CI service.
    • CircleCI: A CI/CD platform that automates software development.

  8. Containerization and Orchestration:

    Containers simplify deployment and scaling, with Docker being a prominent choice. Container orchestration tools like Kubernetes help manage containerized applications efficiently.

  9. Database Management Systems:

    Remote development teams need reliable databases. Options include:

    • MySQL: An open-source relational database management system.
    • PostgreSQL: Known for its extensibility and reliability.
    • MongoDB: A NoSQL database for flexible, document-based data storage.

  10. Security Tools:

    Security is paramount for remote development teams. They can work with security tools like:

    • Nessus: A vulnerability assessment and management tool.
    • Wireshark: A network protocol analyzer.
    • OWASP ZAP: A security testing tool for web applications.

In conclusion, a dedicated remote development team can thrive in today’s digital landscape with the right technological arsenal. By integrating the above tools and platforms, such teams can ensure efficient communication, effective code management, secure development, and streamlined project delivery. As the remote work trend continues to grow, staying updated and proficient in these technologies is key to staying competitive in the software development industry.

Factors Affect Cost to Hire Remote Development Team

1.Base Salary

The foundation of the cost structure for a remote development team lies in the base salaries of the team members. The salaries can vary widely based on factors like location, experience, and technical expertise. Generally, hiring from countries with lower living costs can be cost-effective. However, it’s essential to ensure that the salaries you offer are competitive enough to attract top talent.

2.Benefits and Perks

Just like in-house employees, remote developers also expect benefits and perks. These may include health insurance, retirement plans, bonuses, or stock options. The cost of these benefits can significantly impact your budget, so it’s crucial to factor them into your cost structure.

3.Recruitment and Onboarding

Hiring a dedicated remote development team involves recruitment costs such as advertising job listings, conducting interviews, and background checks. Additionally, there are onboarding expenses, which include setting up software, tools, and training programs for the new team members.

4.Communication and Collaboration Tools

Efficient communication and collaboration are critical for remote teams. Investing in reliable tools like Slack, Zoom, or project management software is necessary but comes with its own costs. These tools facilitate seamless interaction and project management, ensuring your remote team works efficiently.

5.Hardware and Software

To enable remote developers to perform their tasks effectively, you need to provide them with the necessary hardware and software. This may include laptops, development tools, licenses, and other equipment. These costs can be substantial, but they are essential for productivity.

6.Internet and Utilities

Remote team members rely on their own internet connections and utilities, which can lead to variations in performance and costs. Some companies may choose to subsidize or provide stipends for these expenses to ensure a stable work environment for their remote employees.

7.Management and Oversight

Managing a remote team involves additional costs related to supervision, project management, and coordination. Companies often hire project managers or team leads to ensure that remote developers are working efficiently and meeting their objectives.

8.Legal and Compliance

Navigating legal and compliance issues can be a complex part of hiring a remote team. Depending on the location of your remote developers, you may need to deal with different labor laws, taxes, and regulations. Legal consultations and compliance measures are necessary to avoid potential legal complications.

9.Time Zones and Cultural Differences

Time zone differences and cultural nuances can also impact the cost structure. Companies may need to offer night-shift differentials or cultural sensitivity training to ensure effective collaboration and productivity.

10.Miscellaneous Expenses

Lastly, there are various miscellaneous expenses that can add to the overall cost of a remote development team, such as team-building activities, periodic meetings, training, and professional development opportunities.

While hiring a dedicated remote development team offers numerous advantages, understanding the associated cost structure is essential for effective budgeting and financial planning. It’s crucial to consider all these elements when calculating the total cost of a remote team to make informed decisions and maximize the benefits of this increasingly popular approach in the tech industry. By carefully managing and optimizing these costs, companies can harness the power of a remote development team to drive innovation, achieve project goals, and remain competitive in today’s globalized marketplace.

4 Remote Team Engagement Hacks That Work Amazingly

In light of the novel corona pandemic, even the in-house team operated from home. It was because it threatened not only the economy but also the health of the individuals. Due to such circumstances, employers had to make some tough calls. It was necessary to help the employee enhance productivity & engagement. 

Source- Flex Jobs

What do we mean by the term Employee Engagement?

Often an employee considers remote employee engagement to just restricted to the responsiveness of an employee towards official virtual meets, calls, and emails. But, it does not cover the entire concept of employee engagement.

Employee engagement can be defined as a two-way emotional relationship & commitment between an employer and his employee. Moreover, the employee and the employer’s relationship may differ and depend upon the various business environments. Now you may ask why it is crucial.

If your work depends more on the combined team efforts then maintaining and enhancing employee engagement is necessary.  And, if you are an owner of a start-up, working on employee engagement is more crucial than ever. It is because the success of an idea depends upon the unity of your team.

Why is remote team engagement pivotal?

Employee engagement should be every organization’s agenda. But when it comes to a remote team, it becomes more significant than ever. It is because of the following points- 

  1. They feel as if they are part of your team: Working as a remote team developer has its shares of cons and pros. And, one of the biggest disadvantages is that they feel as if they are not a part of the team. 

    When you focus on employee engagement activities it bonds them more with the rest of the team members. And, in such cases, it increases their overall productivity. 
  2. They work more: Often a remote team developer may not give 100% if he has no motivation. When you focus on employee engagement more, it increases profitability and reduces absenteeism. 

    A remote developer is an asset to the organization. Therefore, it is recommended to use them wisely. On the other hand, an emotionally distant employee may seek other opportunities as compared to the emotionally connected ones. 

    Aristotle once said We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit. 

An engaged remote employee is committed to their workplace, motivated to perform better, and enthusiastic. Such an employee is open to any work challenge or new reforms. 

So, let’s understand and know the main hacks that help an employer in increasing its overall remote employee engagement–

1. Cherish small moments

During this pandemic, the biggest communication facilitator was the social networking mediums such as Skype or a Zoom call. We made sure that every member is well-connected and felt like a remote family instead of a team. For instance, let us give you an example. Based on true events.

There was a day when one of our employees was appreciated for his work by a client. We made sure that we cherished this small feat of happiness and acclamation on the group call. The small gesture not only made him happy but he found a boost in his performance as well. Indulging in something new as a team.

2. Learn something together

We started this team’s eLearning activities on weekends. And, made a rule that whosoever is skilled in one thing will part his wisdom to others. It not only made them learn something new in a particular subject but also more about their team members as well. It made them bond differently and positively. It instilled the feeling of working together as one, one big team. 

3. After work fun activities

We know that this has nothing to do with your office work. But, it plays a huge role in forming bonds and nurturing great talents. Have you ever wondered, why don’t an employee who has a great caliber does not participate in team discussions and brainstorming?

Do not say that you did not even notice. When you hire talent you expect them to impart values rather than just get the work done. And, if an employee feels less confident or emotionally distant in team discussions, he cannot put forward the ideas. 

To help every employee in our team get in their comfort zone we organize a small virtual activity on the weekends. On the last working Friday, we organized a team Ludo. The positive result was that, even after that activity got over, they completed their pending task before logging off. 

The virtual happy hours or just the game nights have made every remote developer a part of the team. And did we share how the batter doesn’t stop after work hours in our WhatsApp group? We feel proud and happy. 

4. Not just schedule calls, plan virtual coffee dates or lunch

One of the best things about the office was meeting your friends, sharing happiness, gossip, and even work-related anxieties. And most of the above things we used to do while having lunch or during tea time. But the pandemic happened and the distance was created. 

You can fix this by arranging virtual coffee dates or lunch calls. Discuss your day with your favorite colleague, and let them know you are eating their favorite lunch. It will create an office feeling away from the office. 

On a Parting Note

The above activities may act as a catalyst in increasing the bonds of co-workers. Remember a happy workplace has more probability to win a marketplace.

In the past two years, the percentage of employees working from home was 5% of the total number of employees. But, thanks to this pandemic, the percentage has witnessed an upsurge. And, with the rise in the graph of remote workers comes a responsibility. And it is to manage and put every member of the remote as well as an in-house team on the same page.

The aforementioned tips and pieces of advice have worked wonders for us. It may or maybe not be an aid for you, but it can help you take a step forward in making your employees happy and engaged.

Do let us know if you found any of the above tips useful in the comments section. We will be happy to hear you out. After all, it’s better to face this business pandemic together like a big happy workforce.

In the Nutshell

A recruitment strategy to hire offshore developers becomes crucial at this time. You need world-class developers, and at the same time, you need to invest in the company for the long term. That’s why having a remote development team is a permanent workforce that is completely devoted to, employed by, and for your company.

And that’s what we do: Graffersid is a web and app development company focusing on the principle: of building the most effective team for our customers while making the whole process as easy as a colleague next door.

If you are ready to pull ahead of the competition and establish your own development team, then let us answer all your questions.

Book a free consultation by reaching us over the mail or by phone. We can’t wait to hear from you.