With the recent acquisition of Leniolabs_, a software development company from Latam, Improving has become one of the top Nearshoring companies in the US. We employ software specialists who effectively integrate into existing culture, norms, and processes and are equally responsive and effective as any local team. These are trivial advantages for many, but they mean a lot for businesses using significant assets and intricate business frameworks.
**If you are familiar with Nearshoring practices, confidently jump to Nearshoring with Improving to learn more.
It's all about culture and communication
Remote working in software development is increasingly recognized as a valid working option. It is not a new concept, and a lot has been said about it already. Numerous successful companies are functioning on a full-remote schema.
From a company's perspective, remote work offers compelling advantages. Companies prioritize productivity by attracting talented professionals who can work from anywhere, potentially fostering a healthy work-life balance, and emphasizing results-oriented cultures.
However, working remotely is not that easy, and it can be challenging for companies that are not prepared for it. It is a complex subject that requires dedication to culture and communication.
Building a company culture around remote teams that live in different places can be challenging since there are no office perks or informal water cooler meetings that help build a sense of community.
Since remote workers need to communicate in a more effective, structured way, communication has to be the pillar for well-built remote companies. Technologies like Slack and Microsoft Teams can help with that, but you can't rely on typical casual office conversations to keep the team motivated and/or up to date.
Improving has successfully established the Nearshoring working schema with US enterprises, working from South America with no friction and with real integration within teams. In the following section, we will explain why nearshoring with Latin America is a great business opportunity.
Nearshoring with Improving
Improving South America knows the hidden problems behind building and maintaining a functional remote company. Shortly after the company's foundation (previously called Leniolabs_), back in 2013, we realized that a traditional on-office schema was something that we could not afford to implement. We did not want to lose valuable talent because our office was two hours away from employee’s houses. We knew firsthand that going remote would open up many more applications and possibilities. Thus, we immediately focus on building the company around a remote-first approach.
We adapted traditional management processes and created a culture around people and results where trust backed by responsibility was and still is the key. The Agile Manifesto principles, focusing on communication among teammates, fit very well with what Improving South America needed to be, so we quickly adopted them.
Almost without realizing it, we were successfully implementing what is known as Nearshoring.
So, how do we achieve that?
Most of the weaknesses of remote teams come from people, either from members who are not used to working with foreign teammates or from management that is not used to letting go of traditional management techniques. Sometimes, companies try to force screen recording applications to monitor people. We already know that such practices are deemed to fail, with the only result: pushing away talented professionals.
While Improving South America now has a fantastic office space, and many Improvers are now able to work fully in-person or hybrid roles from that office, we still understand the importance of remote work and how to handle it not only with our fellow employees, but also with our clients based in other countries. The simplicity and effectiveness of an improvised support/alignment call, a direct message, or a quickly answered email are present in everyday workflow. Timely and effective communication is key to a successful integration of any new team.
Moreover, since South American countries are culturally aligned with the US, we share historical language, traditions, and religious influences that help us understand each other. Cultural alignment is subtle and challenging to quantify in key metrics, making its impact difficult to measure. Nonetheless, it remains a crucial factor in nearshoring.
All of this helps us build an effective, flexible, and responsive nearshore team that can help you push your product's growth. Ready to leverage the power of nearshoring? Reach out to us.
