The Trial Lawyer Fall 2023 | Page 17

THE BENEFITS OF HIRING OFFSHORE EMPLOYEES :
Cost-Effectiveness : With the increasing pressure to manage costs while maintaining the highest level of service , offshore hiring presents an attractive solution . Countries with lower living costs often offer a skilled workforce at more affordable rates , allowing firms to save significantly on operational expenses . Many qualified offshore employees ’ hourly rates are currently running between $ 6 – 11 dollars per hour ! Skilled lawyers in Mexico can provide paralegal services such as preparation of medical chronologies , demand letters and discovery for approximately $ 28K per year . Hiring skilled offshore workers can provide huge financial savings to your law firm . Not to mention hiring offshore employees eliminates the need for additional office space and equipment , further reducing firm overhead costs .
Round-the-Clock Productivity : Time zone differences can be a powerful advantage when it comes to expanding a firm ’ s work hours . Offshore employees , located in different time zones , can continue tasks and projects even after the primary office closes for the day . At PILMMA , we have seen this firsthand with our employees in Pakistan . This “ follow-thesun ” approach enables 24 / 7 productivity , ensuring quicker turnarounds for clients and enhanced responsiveness . In addition , most firms are finding that their offshore employees are willing to work during the firm ’ s traditional business hours .
Access To Global Talent : Hiring offshore provides access to a vast talent pool that might not be readily available locally . By tapping into a diverse pool of skilled professionals from different regions , law firms can recruit individuals with unique expertise and specialized knowledge , bolstering their capabilities and client service offerings .
Positive Work Ethic And Attitude : Many law firms are finding that their offshore hires are incredibly hard working , dedicated and have very positive attitudes about their work , sometimes exceeding that of in-house employees . Typically , offshore employees are grateful for the opportunity you are giving them and produce quality work with a quick turnaround as a result .
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH OFFSHORE HIRING :
Clearly Define Roles and Responsibilities : Before embarking on the offshore hiring process , it is crucial to outline the specific roles and responsibilities you want to designate for your offshore employees . Determining which tasks will be assigned to them and establishing clear expectations will ensure a smooth integration and maximize productivity .
Choose the Right Offshore Hiring Agency : Although you can conduct your own offshore hiring search with websites such as onlinejobs . ph ( which provides a hiring pool from the Philippines ), most law firms are opting to hire an agency to assist in the process . Selecting the right offshore hiring agency is paramount to success . Conduct thorough research , seek recommendations , and consider factors like reputation , experience , and language proficiency . A reliable offshore provider will understand your firm ’ s needs , offer a diverse pool of talent , and provide strong communication channels . Currently I ’ m using Bionic Talent ( bionictalent . com ) to help me secure offshore hires from Pakistan in graphics , video editing , Websites , and so forth , and they are working well . Two additional agencies that I recommend are Regentsrs . com and Legalsoft . com . Working with a reputable agency will help assist in the vetting process so that you can be sure you ’ re hiring the best talent that will meet your specific needs and integrate with your team .
Create an Effective Communication System + Firm Culture Plan : Over-communication is the foundation of successful offshore collaboration . Utilize video conferencing , instant messaging , project management tools , and regular virtual meetings to maintain consistent communication and address any concerns promptly . At PILMMA , all our employees , including all our offshore hires , check in face-to-face in our daily virtual huddle each morning . These huddles allow us to see one another , share our biggest win from the previous day and what we ’ re focusing on today , as well as anything we might be stuck on . Additionally , we host a weekly Water Cooler chat ( employee social ) where all our employees jump on a short video call to share what ’ s going on in our lives which aids in solidifying company culture and relationships with our onshore employees . We also use Basecamp to chat daily , sharing photos from our lives and projects we ’ re working on . These tactics have allowed our offshore employees to participate fully in the team culture we work to maintain .
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