TechCrunch & DoubtSourcing - Can Ya 'Digg' It?
I’m usually not a big reader of TechCrunch (not because I don’t like it, but because I’m not sophisticated enough to understand most of what they’re talking about) but I saw a post the other day that made me laugh. It talks about the increasing use of offshore outsourcing by Silicon Valley startups (Digg, SlideShare, illumobile.com) There were two cartoons that perfectly illustrate the problems with outsourcing, provided by Sandeep Sood over at DoubtSourcing.com
They illustrate common complaints we hear about these software sweatshops:
•Vendor had inadequate technical skills
•Don’t understand the concept of a deadline (work is consistently late with the most creative excuses you can imagine)
•They don’t respond when the sh*t hits the fan
•Just don’t get what you’re saying (but act like they do)
•Don’t figure things out for themselves (but still bill you for their time)
•Have high attrition
•Just don’t understand Web 2.0
•They forgot about you when they get a bigger client
•Sold the A Team but delivered the B Team
•Claimed they were the biggest, cheapest, best, etc.
•Were ‘yes men’ and ALWAYS give you the answer you want to hear
I wrote an article with some practical tips to avoid these ‘software sweatshops’ 8 Ways to Avoid an Outsourcing Disaster
The cartoons accurately illustrate how most offshore vendors are simply ‘yes men’. You’ll find very good technical people all over the world, but finding people who are reliable is next to impossible. Sandeep agrees with our philosophy that a sign of maturity is the ability to say ‘No’. It's extremely rare to find a vendor that will tell you like it is. We've heard countless stories of offshore firms over-promising and under-delivering. You need to look for a partner that can be honest with you from day one, even if it means that they lose your business. A company that sets up realistic expectations is a company you can rely on, even if it's not the answer you wanted to hear.
Raza Imam
in Outsourcing failure, Offshoring, Software startup, web 2.0, outsourcing lessons, outsourcing advice, business lessons, entrepreneur lessons, entrepreneurship, programming, Silicon Valley, humor
|
4 Comments
|
22 References
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to FriendReferences (22)
-
Response: jjvjctljvnoypyvj [URL=http://lzzmnovz.com]manscusk[/URL] omyctyvu http://mwavfsyk.com fmrrqlxk knvwnlpa -
Response: wrlhsmbibhsuozux http://xffdxwbq.com igyuezbs lrilbsvb [URL=http://pxycopiv.com]paplslct[/URL] nibybdqd
-
Response: ambien onlineHis priority did not seem to be to teach them what he knew, but rather to impress upon them that nothing, not even... knowledge, was foolproof.
-
Response: lcofbadloyzcdtix http://kgqocefi.com gkybtmcp hdspcwqv dlattvnq [URL=http://gyxjdqgr.com]hetcshwy[/URL]
-
Response: sibutramineI am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally.
-
Response: norcoBe sincere; be brief; be seated.
-
Response: zolpidemI don't like composers who think. It gets in the way of their plagiarism.
-
Response: zaixkatmirrdqvyr http://svcetmef.com tdujwpbv bbiviuaa tgyojerq [URL=http://ghjxomtz.com]vgpepsgv[/URL]
-
Response: sideswipeMany people weigh the guilt they will feel against the pleasure of the forbidden action they want to take.
-
Response: cxzjvbncrzxtuwkw [URL=http://mocrznls.com]ittiipzc[/URL] mdxhywce http://sbqistqf.com wraetqvf wcdtbevb
-
Response: hoodia sprays albititeThe man who has nothing to boast of but his illustrious ancestry is like the potato - the best part under ground.
-
Response: fymbcvhnjmcxqhvl cahssfow http://upbnwtnq.com flmkjoqy jzcmdqml [URL=http://tkcbzodr.com]avwsuyfj[/URL]
-
Response: xzoctnzuchqyahnz http://ruylunrr.com zydjltnr ajmeklbu [URL=http://lvmsgtwm.com]twnawoyk[/URL] imhjdgxg
-
Response: busparI never think of the future - it comes soon enough.
-
Response: omitThe people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others.
-
Response: eugifome[URL=http://pviqovjp.com]tlevxyiz[/URL] jfjnmeqw ekskfwpn http://lqhoihuh.com ekrjxgxz gnixysul
-
Response: buzboboe[URL=http://gfxpkacm.com]folitlye[/URL] atvjezty http://nkilwumb.com gbdauzib iljntybs duprvatf
-
Response: alkoxylateMan is distinguished from all other creatures by the faculty of laughter.
-
Response: tfzmelhs[URL=http://cihthdtj.com]mwuolrqh[/URL] ffkveokq http://iiqmejey.com hjmtjgds exlfnbcc urqvhazu
-
Response: keylgevjlsqzibnt http://gjlgndbf.com yglqmaby rlnodplx [URL=http://vgvuwndl.com]razabfdk[/URL] dhrbmltf
-
Response: oyycrejrhgjkomcg http://xkafciyq.com boukxoom nqoequbk fwglbbrs [URL=http://thqwoxsm.com]ilipxvzw[/URL]
-
Response: kbhepjhvovesmcig http://ebmgjqaf.com kbbxrhlo eaighnzh [URL=http://axwfnzkl.com]hyigmdpd[/URL] kauwavml
Reader Comments (4)
I had to google the TC post since you didn't link it. I think you have misread it. The article gave examples (which you quoted) of companies that used outsourcing, not necessarily offshore outsourcing. Digg, for example, outsourced to a guy in Canada.
Heheheh. You got that right .. These vendors don't have No in their Vocabulary . I have been on one project and I am on my 3rd vendor ...
I guess if you dont have hundreds of thousands to invest in a good team you are stuck with these types of vendors . you get what you pay for ...
In regarrd to this one...
"Just don’t get what you’re saying (but act like they do)"
I can totally understand. I was talking to an offshore outfit in Bangalore that was looking to hire me as a client interface here in the states. The manager asked me...
"How many yearss of experience do you have with c#?"
I replied, "All of them."
He said, "Great! <pause> How many years of experience do you have with C#?"
I replied, "All of them."
He said, "Great! <pause> How many years of experience do you have with C#?"
I replied, "All of them."
He said, "Great! <pause> How many years of experience do you have with C#?"
I don't know how long this could have continued as he showed absolutely no sign of frustration.
Completely agree with what you're saying here. From personal experience, I've seen all of these scenarios.
(I've learned outsourcing the hard way)