Software Sweatshop

Ok, maybe he didn't speak directly about outsourcing, but I read this in a recent BusinessWeek post. Apparently, Donald Trump's secret to success is to love what you do. IMHO, you should find partners and vendors who love what they do too. How is this relevant to outsourcing you ask? Most offshore companies smell money. Outsourcing has become wildly profitable, so offshore outsourcing companies are springing up all over the world to ride the wave. In our experience, most of the companies are little more than software sweatshops.

When looking for an offshore company, you want to look for a firm that LOVES what they do. Companies that love what they do are:

-More pricey You can't hire and retain good developers on sweatshop salaries.

-More selective This will ensure they do an awesome job for you. Since they won't jump at every deal that comes to them, you can be sure they'll give you their best guys.

-Not afraid to tell you the truth Are your expectations unrealistic? Software sweatshops will dance around the issue. A company that loves what it does will tell you that they can't meet your deadlines, even if it means they lose your business. But it doesn't matter, they're so good that they have no shortage of business in the first place.

-Innovative thinkers In most cases, they'll help you solve problems before you know they exist. They will use their experience and ingenuity to add value to your business... not just sit on their hands waiting for you to bark orders at them.

 Look for an offshore partner that loves what they do. They'll be worth their weight in gold.