A new era of remote work has arrived due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted companies to embrace flexible working practices. According to data presented by Forbes, remote employment prospects will grow until 2023, indicating that remote work is here to stay.
This establishes the framework for a hybrid workplace in businesses. Due to this, businesses must adjust by figuring out how to successfully manage both onshore and offshore teams. As a result, they will be able to increase their organizational productivity and efficiency, which are crucial elements for raising revenues.
In fact, 43% of IT companies now use offshore teams to outsource in the US. However, leading hybrid teams is not a simple task. Working with an offshore workforce demands extensive project management knowledge and expertise. Furthermore, poor management is most likely to lead to decreased output and project failure.
What is a Hybrid Team?
Let’s begin with understanding the basic idea first.
The traditional 9 to 5 office job is losing its relevance now, paving the way for new work environments, management approaches, and a whole different definition of a workplace. Over half of worldwide organizations permit remote work, and according to research conducted by GoodHire as shown below, 68% of US workers prefer working remotely now. This has given rise to a hybrid workplace environment.
A hybrid team is a flexible work environment where some team members work from the office and others can work from home or while being at different locations. Employees can choose between working in an office setting or remotely from anywhere using hybrid team arrangements.
Here are some best practices to consider when building a hybrid team:
Foster Trust and Accountability
Trust and accountability are essential for building a successful hybrid team. Encourage team members to be transparent about their work and hold each other accountable for meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality results.
You may express your confidence in them by enabling freedom and liberty to carry out the tasks. Whether you are working with an onshore or off-shore team, micromanaging must not be taken into consideration. In doing so, they will feel more competent to do their duties, boosting their confidence and productivity.
Establish Clear Goals and Objectives
One of the strategies to build successful hybrid teams is to clearly define goals and objectives for the team that can help to ensure that everyone is working towards a common goal and that progress is being made toward achieving that goal.
You can begin by identifying the tasks and responsibilities that need to be performed as part of the project. Once you have identified the tasks and responsibilities that need to be performed, assign specific roles and responsibilities to each team member. Make sure to clearly communicate the roles and responsibilities to each team member to ensure that everyone understands their role in the team.
Ensure that Team Members Have the Right Tools and Access to Latest Technology
Teams that are effective and productive are essential to successful organizations. Therefore, one of your company’s business goals should be to provide your onshore and offshore workforce with the appropriate tools.
They can function more effectively and productively if the right tools and access to modern technologies are given to them. This is a key element in raising organizational productivity, which contributes to revenue generation.
Offer Ongoing Training and Support
Building successful onshore and offshore teams requires consistency in providing training and support to your team members. How to keep the teams engaged in their professional growth is something you need to think about. Keep in mind that feeling trapped typically results in dissatisfaction and resentment, leading to high turnover.
Building hybrid teams may need support and training to fully understand the project and its role within it. Make sure to provide ongoing training and support to ensure that team members have the resources they need to succeed. You can specifically provide them access to training or certification programs. This way, professional development will not only upskill the teams but also keep them productive, avoid burnout, and enhance the value of the company.
Use Agile Methodologies
Agile methodologies, such as Scrum and Kanban, can be effective in managing onshore and offshore teams because they allow for flexible and iterative project management. This can help teams to quickly adapt to changing project requirements and deliver results efficiently.
Agile project management tools, such as Jira and Trello, can help you track your team’s progress and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals. These tools can also help you to communicate with team members and track the status of tasks, leading to enhanced collaboration and communication among team members.
Final Thoughts
Building successful onshore and offshore teams are no child’s play and require consistent communication, defining clear goals and objectives, and the access to right tools and technologies to keep everything on track.
A hybrid team might be challenging to lead. But you’re now aware of the necessary information to properly manage your onshore and offshore teams with the best practices covered above.
If you’re looking to grow your company and want to build your bespoke software solutions but do not have a team for it, look no further as Exper Labs offers you impeccable custom software development solutions through dedicated offshore teams globally. With a decade-long experience in the industry, we utilize cutting- edge technologies to enhance your operational effectiveness, ensure a quicker time to value and boost your productivity and revenues.
