How to choose a global teams provider for your business
Global teams are a great way to access a wider pool of talent and expertise, bringing diverse perspectives that encourage innovation and creative problem-solving. They also enable round-the-clock productivity, leveraging different time zones for extended operational hours.
For start-ups and scale-ups looking for cost-effective methods of growth, expanding your staffing resources onto a global stage makes good business sense. However, hiring and managing your own global team can be a challenge. This is where a global teams provider (like Patona!) can help.
What is a global teams provider?
Simply put, a global teams provider helps businesses hire and manage employees from all over the world. Companies like Patona specialise in providing a comprehensive range of services relating to all aspects of a global workforce, including:
Compliance: Helping businesses comply with all relevant employment laws and regulations in the countries where their employees are located.
Invoicing: Handling financial statements for global teams, including currency conversion and international payments.
HR support: Providing the expertise and resources to handle areas like onboarding, performance management, training and employee relations.
Benefits: Offering competitive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement savings plans, and paid time off.
Resources: Providing staff with equipment, software and office accessibility
Why use a global teams provider?
Start-ups and scale-ups in particular have significant benefits to gain from partnering with a global teams provider beyond just managing recruitment. Let’s take a look at some of the key reasons companies choose this route:
Scalability: Global teams providers can help you scale your team up or down as needed, depending on your business needs. This is especially beneficial for businesses that experience seasonal fluctuations in demand.
Increased focus on core functions: With recruitment and employee management handled by a provider, businesses can free up their time and resources allowing in-house employees to focus on higher-value and more meaningful work.
Flexibility: Global teams partners can offer businesses a variety of flexible solutions. This means that you’re able to find a solution that meets your specific needs and budget.
Cost savings: Salary costs can vary significantly from country to country. By outsourcing to a global teams partner, businesses can access talent from countries with lower costs-of-living, resulting in significantly reduced overheads. In fact, 57% of companies say their biggest reason for global outsourcing is cost reduction.
Expertise in global payroll: Global teams partners have expertise in global payroll compliance and regulations. This means that businesses can be confident that their payroll is being processed accurately and on time, regardless of where their employees are located.
Reduced risk: Employing highly trained and experienced staff, providers reduce the risk of payroll errors and compliance violations. They can also help businesses to manage the risks associated with currency fluctuations and international payments.
Access to a wider pool of talent: Global teams partners have access to a wider pool of skilled staff, meaning businesses can find experienced and qualified professionals, even if they are located in remote or underserved areas.
What to look for when using a global teams provider?
Transparency
Understanding your provider's services and fees is important to be able to make an informed decision. While some providers offer fixed packages, others offer customised services that cater to a business’s budget and needs — so how can you tell if a provider is being transparent with you?
- Ask questions: Reach out to representatives directly and ask them about their pricing, services and additional fees. Where fixed charges don’t apply, providers have a chance to assess your needs and offer you their best plans. It’s also a great opportunity to assess the credibility of their service representation - are they giving you the run around or are they answering your queries directly and honestly?
- Look for reviews: Reviews from other businesses and from employees can give you insights into the provider's level of service and customer satisfaction. Are their teams happy to work with them and are their clients satisfied with the service?
- Request a demo: A reputable global teams provider will be willing to provide you with a demo of their service so that you can see how it works before you commit to a contract. This is a great way to get a better understanding of the provider's service offering and to ask any questions you have.
Ease of use and functionality
When choosing a global teams provider, it is important to consider the ease of use and functionality of their platform. You want to choose a provider that offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate and learn, with features and tools that meet your specific needs.
Here are some things to look for when evaluating the ease of use and functionality of a global teams provider:
- Intuitive interface: A clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, even for users with limited technical experience.
- Comprehensive features: A comprehensive set of features and tools to meet the needs of your global team, such as task management, communication tools, payroll management, collaboration features, and reporting capabilities.
- Easy onboarding: Training and straightforward onboarding for you and your team, so that you can start using it quickly and efficiently.
Expertise
A credible global teams provider will have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of managing a global team. They should also be familiar with the latest trends and technologies within this landscape.
Here are some things to look for when assessing the expertise of a global teams provider:
- Industry experience: Does the provider have experience working with businesses in your industry?
- Team composition: Can they provide a team of experts with the skills and experience to meet your specific needs?
- Thought leadership: Do they publish thought leadership content on global team management?
- Case studies: Can they provide case studies as evidence of successful global teams that they have helped to manage?
Choosing the right global teams provider is essential for start-ups and scale-ups looking to expand their workforce globally. By partnering with a reputable provider, businesses can benefit from a wider pool of talent, increased focus on core functions, flexibility, cost savings, expertise, and reduced risk.
To learn more about how Patona can help you scale your global team with ease, schedule a demo today.
