MOBILE APPDESIGN

HOW TO GET THEBEST OUT OF YOURINDIAN SOFTWAREDEVELOPMENT TEAM

www.idyllic.co

Introduction

The Challenges

The Big Question

How to Make it Work?

Communication

Real Appreciation

Think Out of the Box

Getting them to say No

Foster Innovation

Promote their Growth

Long Term Commitment

Final Word

2

3

4

5

6

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

how to get the best out of your Indian software development team 1

Offshoring software development to India is a much debated topic of discussion in recent times, but the benefits far outweigh the perceived pitfalls. The cost benefits of outsourcing software development are indisputable, and given the quantum of savings, find many takers. But the question remains, is it all about the cost of arbitrage?

What about the quality of development, the challenges associated with working across timezones half-way around the world?

INTRODUCTION

Here's a handy guide to getting the best out of your offshore team and making the relationship a mutually beneficial partnership

2how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

Most horror stories of offshoring software development revolve around the poor quality of work, near zero accountability and missed deadlines. The most common grouse though is the communication gap with the development teams.

Apart from that ,you would hear that Indians always say 'YES' to everything. Can you do this? Yes! You, as a customer, would assume that they got it. The developers think, they will figure it out after the conversation. The irony is that what they figure out is completely different from what you meant. This leads to a huge chaos. Yup, Indians are not the best naysayers.

THE CHALLENGES MOST SPOKEN ABOUT

So how do you now feel about working with an offshore team? Not so sure. Right?

how to get the best out of your Indian software development team 3

Out of every ten horror stories you hear from people, there is this one person who is smiling. She has figured it out. She works with an offshore team and is more than just satisfied. She is thrilled. She enjoys the cost benefits of the offshoring. But she claims to enjoy much more than just that. She is unwilling to exchange that team for her own or hiring a local team.

How is that possible? You may ask.

THE BIG QUESTION

Yes, it does work. In fact, it works better than having your own team or outsourcing to a local firm.

THE SHORT ANSWER

4how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

The Mindset

The most important thing while engaging with any offshore company is to have a positive mindset to make it work. It will need you to understand their terrain better. Expecting to work in a seamless manner, is the first mistake most people make. That is almost always the primary cause of failure.

You've heard one side of the horror story. There is another side of the story that you need to pay attention to and understand to make it work.

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK?

Let us see how you can guarantee success while engaging with an offshore team and how it would benefit you.

5how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

One of the key challenges in communication is the thick Indian accent. India has 22 languages and 1652 dialects. So each accent is very different. English is the primary language of college education though. But it is not the primary language in the country. So most Indians are better with written communication than spoken English.

If you come with a mindset that you will be able to communicate exactly like how you do in your country, then there is a problem. Weather conversations, for instance, are not common in India. The jokes that make you laugh are not always the ones that make an Indian laugh and vice versa.

COMMUNICATION

6

22Languages

1652

Dialects

Indian Communication facts

how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

English should be seen as a medium your project. For starters, asking explaining newer requests.of communication, not ridicule or them to speak a bit slower and closer

The 15 minute call may take 20, but mockery. Certainly, do have your to the mic will solve 70% of your clear communication is certainly standup calls. But make a conscious communication woes.possible. So just by having the right attempt to understand them. Most

Apart from the standup call, you mindset to accept the problem and Indian firms also deploy a Project should engage more in written making efforts to solve you can work Manager or a Business Analyst who communication. Emails and tools wonders. You will realize that it's not has good communication skills and like slack are your best bet. You will as big a problem, while the solution acts as an interpreter. But we see a lot of communication is a simple one.recommend trying to know your happening there and the calls developers and understanding them should be used to clarify queries or better which is key to the success of

A lot of customers do not pay attention to emails or slack communications. Also they opt to talk only once or twice a week. This is catastrophic. Set up daily calls. If possible, make yourself available on their standups to keep the momentum going and making course corrections on the fly.

BE IN CONSTANT TOUCH

7how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

DON'T SAY, “I APPRECIATE IT”.MEAN IT.

“I appreciate it” is one of those overused phrases that has lost it's charm. It always sounds like a formality.

Just as we say 'Thank You' but don't really mean it. In the West, work life balance is well maintained. In the East though, work is prioritized a little over personal life. So it won't be uncommon for people to work more than 8 hours or stay at night to make the delivery happen. But when you just mention “I appreciate it” in a dry manner, it's all over.

You should go that extra mile to genuinely appreciate. If you truly appreciate something, make sure you go beyond words and ensure they understand that you mean it. When they have gone a lot of extra miles, a certificate of excellence, shipped to them gives them a sense of pride. Other creative ways are to send a $20 gift card to each team member or a crate of beer or coffee with an appreciation letter.

8

When you just mention“I appreciate it” in a drymanner, it's all over.

how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

The cost savings are humongous when you offshore

Could you relocate for two weeks to work with them?

It is important to get the team on your side. When you first engage, they are trying to impress. There is a sense of fear in the team and they are being cautious and moving slow. But if you befriend them, show that you care about the product, share the vision, tell them how important they are for you and treat them with the respect they deserve, it is a completely different ball game.

The cost savings are humongous when you offshore. If you can take a couple weeks to move in with them, it will only cost you 5-6K. But it will make life much easier. You will know your developers better, how they work and connect with you on a human and emotional level. This will help you win them over and manage the project better, when you go back to your base. You will not require to spend time micro-managing them, the project maybe in cruise control.

THINK OUT OF THE BOX

9how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

GETTING THEMTO SAY NO

They say YES to everything. That is true. Most Indian firms do that to win your business.

What they are actually trying to prove to youis that they are capable of handling the complexity. So if you ask the right questions, you will get the right answers. If you make them feel that honesty is more appreciated and you realize that not everyone knows everything, and that is perfectly alright. All you are looking for is the aptitude and smartness to learn and do it, then you will start to hear the facts from them more easily.

They are smart and quick to learn, but their fears dominate the initial conversations. You must address this first.

10how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

As a customer, it is easy to push. But extremely innovative and once you Another way to address quality in that leads to bad quality. If you insist give them the space and you will be code, if you are not a technologist, is on quality over speed then it is a delighted to see the results. Again, by to hire another firm whose only job is whole new conversation and showing them that their opinion to do code reviews and be a part of mindset. Now they are trying to win matters and you truly value it and the development process to move you as a repeat customer by ensuring explaining the challenges you face at forward.they put in the correct practices in times, they will start thinking in the place to ensure quality. They are right direction.

The natural tendency, as a customer, is to make most of your buck. So you push them on deadlines and do not give them enough space to think out of the box and recommend better solutions.

DO NOT RUSH. FOSTER INNOVATION

how to get the best out of your Indian software development team 11

As a client, you want your consulting firm to think about you. But don't you think it's natural to make them feel that you care for their growth, as well? There's this little gem of a book called Karmic Management. The authors got it absolutely right when they talk about helping the people you work with grow as well. Though you have hired them to service you, part of this engagement requires that you service them. Isn't that the true spirit of entrepreneurship anyway?

Think of someone who truly cares about your growth. Won't you think about ways to try and help them however you can, even if that requires going out of your way a little?

That's exactly how the consulting firm would reciprocate if you tried to help them grow.

BE GENUINELYINTERESTEDIN THEIR GROWTH

12how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

See the consulting firm as an extension of your team. If it's ongoing work, don't hire them with the idea that eventually you'll build your team and fire them. You might want to stay open for a long-term relationship as long as it's economical and you are getting good work done. The consulting firm always looks for a long-time commitment. They’ll love if you give them that, they are sure to walk the extra mile.

DON'T AIM FOR A ONE-NIGHT STAND

13how to get the best out of your Indian software development team how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

Approach with a mindset to make your offshoring partnership work. It is not as difficult. All you need to do is embrace the change and the challenges.

The solution to these challenges are simpler than you imagine. See them as your own team, treat them as your own people and have a mindset to give them more business and help them grow. This approach will help you cruise through the most challenging situations in a breeze.

Offshore development does work. Apart from the cost benefits, understand that this team will grow farther than your own in-house team or local firm. To do that you have to ensure that you choose the right offshore firm.

We have another e-book on how to choose the right offshore firm. If you read that book and follow the principles we showcased in this one, we guarantee that you will also come out a winner in your offshore engagement.

THE FINAL WORD

14

OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT DOES WORK. All you need to do is embrace the change and the challenges.

how to get the best out of your Indian software development team

Idyllic Software is a fully integrated design and development studio that delivers innovative mobile apps and web experiences with a keen eye on user experience. With a presence in Boston, Chicago, Boulder, Mumbai and Pune, Idyllic works with global clients to transform product ideas into sustainable, scalable and profitable businesses. Idyllic specializes in UX/UI design, mobile apps and web development for startup entrepreneurs and high-growth firms.

ABOUT US“A trustworthy

partnerwith exceptional

development skills.”

Jen DurkinFounder at Project Travel

www.idyllic.co For more Customer reviews