As businesses aim to optimize their operations and take advantage of global talent, nearshoring has emerged as a powerful strategy to achieve these goals. Europe, with its diverse and highly skilled workforce, is an ideal hub for nearshoring, especially in the IT sector. If you are considering setting up a remote IT team, this guide will walk you through the process and demonstrate why Velv, as a top leading nearshore provider in Portugal, is the partner you need for a seamless nearshoring experience.

1. Define Your Objectives

Before diving into nearshoring, it’s essential to clarify your goals:

• Are you looking to reduce overheads, risks or costs?

• Do you want to access specific tech expertise?

• Is scalability a priority for your operations?

Having clear objectives will shape the structure of your nearshore team and ensure alignment with your broader business strategy. Let’s expand more on what these questions mean:

How you manage cost, overheads and tackle hiring needs are crucial considerations for any business aiming to optimize operations. Nearshoring can not only lower operational expenses but also reduce the overheads and risks associated with hiring and maintaining in-house teams. Evaluate how nearshoring will impact your overall cost structure by considering factors such as reduced labor costs, and the elimination of burdens like recruitment delays and employee turnover. Additionally, assess how a nearshore partner can help mitigate risks, such as skill shortages or fluctuating workloads, ensuring smoother and more predictable operations. What specific outcomes are you aiming for, and how will these improvements influence your bottom line?

Access to specific tech expertise is guaranteed when using nearshoring services. This is probably the main reason companies decide to use services like velv’s Team Extension. Europe’s nearshoring hubs offer a wealth of specialized skills in areas like AI, software development, and cybersecurity. Assess your project requirements and identify the expertise your team needs. Are you seeking rare skills or niche technical knowledge that aligns with your industry.

Nearshore means flexibility and scalability, as it provides the flexibility to scale your team up or down based on your business needs. Determine how quickly you may need to adjust your team size and the level of support you require from your nearshore partner. Add-on services like CTO Advisory can be crucial for any kind of company, so your partner should be prepare to offer this type of solutions. Are you prepared for rapid growth, or do you need to optimize your existing operations first?

2. Choose the Right Partner

Selecting a reliable nearshore partner is pivotal. You need a partner who understands your industry, adapts to your workflow, and delivers quality consistently. In addition to considering your goals and needs, try to identify what are the key differentiators among the nearshore partners you are evaluating. Look for factors such as, value-added services, way of work, collaboration methodologies and how they ensure performance and delivery of their teams.

Velv is one of Europe’s leading nearshore provider, renowned for building high-performing remote IT teams. With years of expertise and a proven track record, Velv ensures that your team integration is not only smooth but also exceeds expectations. We provide more tips and tricks on how to choose the right provider in this article.

3. Identify the Ideal Location

Europe’s diversity offers a range of countries with strong IT talent pools. Factors to consider include:

• Talent availability: Countries like Poland, Romania, and Portugal are known for their exceptional IT professionals. Lately Portugal has been the top destination for nearshoring services.

• Cultural compatibility: Working with regions that align culturally can improve collaboration. This Forbes article highlights what a good engineering culture means.

• Time zone alignment: Nearshore teams in Europe provide the convenience of minimal time differences for smoother communication, a small advantage for Portugal since is GMT, the same as United Kingdom, which means easier to work globally.

As a side note, Velv takes care of this step by matching you with teams in optimal locations tailored to your needs. With our operations in Europe, and presence in Central Europe, we are able to adapt to our clients preferred locations.

4. Build a Comprehensive Onboarding Plan

Onboarding is crucial for setting the tone of your collaboration. Here’s how to ensure success:

• Share your company’s values, goals, and expectations.

• Establish clear communication protocols and tools.

• Provide initial training and knowledge-sharing sessions.

Velv excels in onboarding, helping your team integrate quickly and effectively into your operations, ensuring immediate productivity.

5. Leverage Technology for Collaboration

Effective remote work rely on using the right tools. Platforms for project management, communication, and code collaboration should be standardized. Communication methodologies are crucial and they need to be established from day one. Velv’s teams are well-versed in modern tools and can seamlessly adapt to your preferred tech stack. Not only that we can help you create the best

6. Focus on Continuous Improvement

A successful nearshore collaboration doesn’t stop at the onboarding phase. Regular feedback, performance reviews, and open communication will promote growth and efficiency. Velv supports ongoing improvement with proactive team management and regular check-ins to ensure alignment with your evolving business needs.

So, why Velv?

As a trusted leader in Europe’s nearshore market, Velv combines:

• Deep expertise: Decades of experience in building IT teams.

• Tailored solutions: Customizing team structures to align with your goals.

• Strong network: Access to top-tier talent Worldwide

• Seamless integration: Ensuring your remote team operates as an extension of your in-house team.

Partnering with Velv means you’re not just hiring a service; you’re gaining a strategic ally committed to your success.

Starting your nearshoring journey in Europe doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these steps and collaborating with Velv, you’re setting up your business for sustainable growth and success. Ready to transform your IT operations? Let Velv guide you every step of the way.