Test

&nbsp;Being a developer means you never stop learning.



The world of frontend and web development is moving fast, due to the emerging new technologies, APIs, and libraries that are changing the field.&nbsp;



As a result, the term “full-stack developer” is constantly changing and even now, it is hard to define it within the specific frameworks and languages the developer should know. One thing that’s for certain though, is that there is a huge demand for full-stack developers (as evident by the numbers), with front-end developers not falling too far behind it.



In simple terms, a full-stack developer is someone who can understand both front-end as well as back-end technologies and solutions. They build programs and applications fully, combining their skills to make something that works in production.



On the back-end side, some applications last forever. Once you set up your server, you can let it run for quite a long time without any interruptions. Some back-end technologies, such as Java, PHP, Ruby, etc., even last for decades and are still used today.



Front-end, meanwhile, is a whole different story. The <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/3-important-tech-development-key-trends-and-predictions-for-2019/">tech development trends</a> are constantly changing, there are new APIs and frameworks being developed, which in turn, causes some of the current applications to deprecate, and for the most part, a lot depends on the tools.



This partly happens due to the <a href="https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/user-experience-explained-in-5-minutes-for-newbie-front-end-developers-1293c1521407/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">user experience</a> aspect within front-end development. According to the UserTesting report from 2015 &#8211; “companies will invest heavily in creating products and experience based on continuous feedback from customers, customer experience will become a shared responsibility among all teams in an organization.”



What does this mean for front-end developers?



Simply put, for clients and users, the code is a tool, not a goal in itself.



This is why some browsers evolve and lose support, why user-interfaces are changing in their looks, and why there are other important factors, in addition to the code, such as scalability, performance tests, browser speed, code tests, and more.



So, the front-end development world is moving fast. It is no longer about the code. Developers also need to know other <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/essential-skills-every-software-developer-should-have-2019/">essential skills</a>, and need to be able to see the bigger picture beyond the code.



At Scale3C, we work closely with React.js for front-end technology, Node.js for back-end, Swift for iOS, and Kotlin for Android.&nbsp;



We believe that one of the essential skills as a developer is being able to adapt to changing technology and development languages &#8211; depending on the project requirements. Typically, we either work with IT projects from scratch, improve current ones or help find a dedicated team for development projects by connecting them with the right talent.&nbsp;



If you need any web or mobile development for your IT projects, feel free to contact us at <a href="mailto:hello@scale3c.com">hello@scale3c.com</a>



With that said, here is our take on the future of front-end development in 2020:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Overview</h2>



According to the <a href="https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2019#technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stack Overflow developer survey of 2019</a>, the most commonly used development languages include: JavaScript (for the seventh year in a row), HTML/CSS, and SQL (from 87,354 responses who selected all that apply). 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="908" height="814" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Stack-Overflow-Most-Popular-Technologies.png" alt="" class="wp-image-376" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Stack-Overflow-Most-Popular-Technologies.png 908w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Stack-Overflow-Most-Popular-Technologies-300x269.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Stack-Overflow-Most-Popular-Technologies-768x688.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 908px) 100vw, 908px" /><figcaption> Source: Stack overflow</figcaption></figure>



Though, it’s not particularly surprising to see JavaScript at the top of the list, as it’s a development language that’s vital to front-end development as well as relevant to the back-end.&nbsp;



It is also essential in the user-experience process in terms of user usability (scrolling, transitions, object movement, etc.).&nbsp;



And finally, JavaScript often includes a wide range of frameworks, web libraries, and APIs that help developers create complex applications and increase application functionality.



Front-end is an important part of any website or app development. The success of the website largely depends on the visual appeal, and of course, usability, as mentioned above. If the user can’t navigate through the website, then the whole purpose is lost.&nbsp;



As a result, front-end developers are constantly in demand.



Compared to a few years ago, front-end developers now play a more significant role and also take on parts of usability research, UX/UI, and more.&nbsp;



While the specific front-end languages a developer needs to know varies depending on the task, there are still a number of core principles that will unite front-end developers in 2020.



With that said, here’s our take on the matter:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Product for the End-User in Mind</h2>



As a front-end developer, you most likely develop websites and online products through HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and other languages and then make them look good by building from the user interface mockups.



But the bigger picture is how well the user warms up to the product and how well the target market responds to the product.&nbsp;



If it doesn’t solve their problem, sooner or later the product owner will stop investing in it.



So, in other words, the final web solution needs to be tailored with the target market in mind.&nbsp;



Front-end developers need to know who will be using their product from their target group and start from there.&nbsp;



And if developers want to enhance their skills, they need to start asking questions like:



<ul><li>What’s the specific problem of the user they’re trying to solve?</li><li>What are their goals?</li><li>What are their pain points in terms of design, and usability?</li><li>How can you make it easier for them?</li></ul>



If this is starting to sound a lot like <a href="https://uxplanet.org/ultimate-guide-to-user-research-bed4a57d260" target="_blank" rel="noopener">user research questions</a>, then you’re on the right track.



The idea is to get front-end developers more involved in the whole team process and to better understand end user’s needs, behaviours, motivations, and more. By collaborating with users, front-end developers take a more hands-on approach with a user-centered design in mind.



This also connects the front-end developer and the product owner, so that they’re working closer and are on the same page as to what the final product should look like.



How that would look like will depend on the <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/important-project-management-methodologies-for-software-development-choose-one/">project management methodology</a> you choose to use.



The Scrum framework, for example, links the team’s progress to the product owner to define requirements and solutions. For team meetings as well as development sessions, this can clear up any potential bottlenecks for the final product.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Increased Focus on Usability</h2>



A great end product is all about being clear, taking advantage of conventions and providing a practical user-interface.



Front-end development is not just JavaScript and the actions users take. The bigger picture also needs to be consistent, have a clear visual hierarchy, and be simple to navigate through.



Users scan through web pages looking for the main information, and the web page needs to accommodating of this.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/f-shaped-pattern-reading-web-content/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has found that on average, users read only 28% of the text. In fact, most users simply scan through a webpage in a way that best resembles an “F-shaped pattern” 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="785" height="364" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/F-Shaped-Pattern-UX.png" alt="" class="wp-image-377" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/F-Shaped-Pattern-UX.png 785w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/F-Shaped-Pattern-UX-300x139.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/F-Shaped-Pattern-UX-768x356.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px" /><figcaption> Source: Nngroup</figcaption></figure>



So, they mostly scan for things like:



<ul><li>First few lines of the text and headings, which should be consistent throughout the page to help them navigate better.</li><li>Buttons and elements that stand out, which should be clear and clickable.</li><li>The most important information, within the page. If it’s an article, there’s usually going to be a section that’s most important to the reader.</li></ul>



The navigation needs to be clear, and logical &#8211; from the user’s perspective.



As a general approach, you can split up your web pages into 4 quadrants, based on the F-shape pattern, based on importance and what the user values. Assuming the typical user readers from left-to-right, top-to-bottom, your web page can be split up into the following parts:



<ul><li>Primary focus &#8211; what is most important to the user? Your value proposition can go in in the top left zone.</li><li>Follow area &#8211; think of this as the follow-up. It’s not as important as the primary area, but users will look here next.</li><li>Weak follow area &#8211; after that, users will either scroll down or glance through this area, not giving it much importance.&nbsp;</li><li>Terminal area &#8211; this is when the user reaches the lower right section of the page, where there needs to be a break and the users need to take action. This is the perfect spot to place a call-to-action button, link, form, and so on.</li></ul>



This is what’s known as the <a href="https://medium.com/user-experience-3/the-gutenberg-diagram-in-web-design-e5347c172627" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gutenberg Diagram</a>, and though you can’t predict user actions in every case, it’s still a good starting point for developers. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Mobile First User-Interface That Makes Sense</h2>



Mobile first can help developers create a consistent and clear user experience for all devices, as long as it makes sense and is done right.&nbsp;



From 2015 to 2020, the number of mobile users has gone up by nearly one billion, up to 4.68B as of now (<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/274774/forecast-of-mobile-phone-users-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>).



Though the number of people browsing from their mobile devices is increasing, many websites are still not as accommodating as one would like.&nbsp;



Ideally, mobile first should not be just the desktop version but shrunk down to a smaller size. When developing a website with mobile first in mind, developers also need to take into consideration how comfortable the experience is in terms of sliding, tapping, ticking, and other users, from a mobile device.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="512" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mobile-First-User-Interface-1024x512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-378" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mobile-First-User-Interface-1024x512.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mobile-First-User-Interface-300x150.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mobile-First-User-Interface-768x384.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mobile-First-User-Interface.png 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



This, in turn, impacts all the forms and the elements on a web page that may take on a different interaction form from a mobile device.&nbsp;



Mobile is also usually used with one hand with a thumb size. The most convenient touch area is usually at the bottom of the screen, so developers need to think in terms of horizontal and vertical scrolling.



Though the specific mobile first uses differ from industry-to-industry, there are still a few practices that should be consistent throughout front-end, such as:



<ul><li>Accessible buy (call-to-action) buttons.</li><li>Email signup forms that don’t disturb the mobile experience</li><li>Clear interactive and engaging elements when scrolling.</li><li>High-quality visuals based on mobile swiping.</li></ul>



Mobile, in itself, is a touch first approach for many users.&nbsp;



As more and more users choose to browse from their mobile device, the front-end side of the website needs to be ready to handle all of their requests.&nbsp;



If users can browse the website flawlessly and go through the final call-to-action (making a purchase, sign up, booking a demo, etc.), then the website is truly optimised for mobile first.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



All in all, even though the front-end development scene is constantly changing within the specific libraries and frameworks used, some things still stay constant. And for developers to start thinking in terms of user-centric design, there are certain UX principles they need to take into consideration.&nbsp;



First, JavaScript is still the most commonly used development language for a long time now (and likely to continue the trend). Though the specific libraries and frameworks might vary and change from time-to-time, (also depending on the task), it’s still a good idea to have the main framework down first (along with HTML/CSS).



Then, in terms of development, some user-experience practices, such as usability, are crucial.&nbsp;



Which is why it makes sense for front-end developers to take a more hands-on approach and be involved in the bigger picture of project management. In other words, the more they know about the end-users &#8211; the better (how they browse the site, their needs, wants in terms of front-end development). This helps developers as to how they should structure the website from the front-end side.



Finally, to make for an overall seamless and smooth user-experience, the mobile first side of the interface needs to be up to par as well. As more and more users are browsing from their mobile phones, the website needs to be accommodating to handle all of their requests. If done well, users will be able to follow through the final call-to-action &#8211; directly affecting the conversion rate of the website.



Need help with front-end or app development? We help existing IT projects, work from scratch, and also help development teams connect with the right talent. Interested in how we can help? Get in touch at <a href="hello@scale3c.com">hello@scale3c.com</a>

Explore What is the Future of Front End Development in 2020. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

What is the Future of Front End Development in 2023 | Scale3C

What is the Future of Front End Development in 2020

To stay competitive in the business world, companies increasingly rely on <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/what-you-should-look-for-when-outsourcing-tech/">outsourcing tech</a>.



For many, staying competitive means capitalising on cost-efficiency in their work, taking advantage of lower expenses and the convenience that comes with outsourcing.



In other words, they got more bang for their buck when outsourcing IT projects.



The online gig economy is constantly growing and outsourcing is becoming a more common solution for many businesses.



To back that statement up with some numbers, here’s what you need to know about the global IT outsourcing industry:



<ul><li>The revenue of the total global ITO (information technology outsourcing) industry peaked at $62 billion in 2018.&nbsp;</li><li>65% of the firms that outsourced in 2017 say they would like to continue doing so.</li><li>IT is one of the most common outsourced service types, as 31% of it was outsourced in 2017.</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Global-IT-Outsourcing-Industry-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-373" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Global-IT-Outsourcing-Industry-1.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Global-IT-Outsourcing-Industry-1-150x150.png 150w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Global-IT-Outsourcing-Industry-1-300x300.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Global-IT-Outsourcing-Industry-1-768x768.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> Source:&nbsp;<a href="http://transcosmos.co.uk/blog/outsourcing-statistics/#C" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transcosmos</a> </figcaption></figure>



The point is, more and more businesses choose to outsource certain tasks and positions.



More specifically, these positions usually include tasks they can’t do on their own &#8211; like IT!



Meanwhile, the other side of the coin is hiring an IT professional in-house. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that but if you’re working with a tight budget or a short deadline &#8211; then outsourcing might be more up your alley.



If that’s the case, then this guide is for you as we’ll be covering how you can start outsourcing your IT projects and why you might want to consider Lithuania&nbsp;



Now, outsourcing implies hiring another person or a business to do your job. Typically, from an outside country.



So, where do you outsource?



Let’s take a look&#8230;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where to outsource</h2>



As of now, in the IT world, the most common countries businesses outsource to include India, Ukraine, Poland, and <a href="https://existek.com/blog/top-it-outsourcing-countries-in-2019/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more</a>. But the most common ones don’t necessarily mean they’re the best choice.



Let’s take at a couple of factors that define these top outsourced regions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Eastern Europe&nbsp;</h3>



Eastern Europe countries often deal with highly-competent outsourcing developers who can deal with innovations and keep up with the latest <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/3-important-tech-development-key-trends-and-predictions-for-2019/">tech trends</a>. Experts are known for high-quality education and a good level of English. Services can be provided full-time due to the convenient location and relatively lower expenses.



The time-zone difference is negligible and the culture is close to the Western one, too.



Note: We discuss the time-zone difference in more detail <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/scale3c-talking-with-simon-anderson-the-ceo-and-founder-of-notis/">here</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Asia and the Middle East</h3>



This region, India in particular, still remains one of the most popular destinations for programming outsourcing. The number of outsourcing developers is also one of the biggest for its size.



With that said, the geographical location is not that convenient and the time-zone is more noticeable. Another downside has to do with the communication aspect and the different mindset.



Receiving services for the cheapest price rates also comes with certain risks.



If you’re still on the fence about outsourcing, be sure to consider all of your <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/in-house-vs-outsourcing-what-you-need-to-know-and-overview-of-each/">options</a> first.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Latin America</h3>



Latin America is still a relatively new player in the world of IT outsourcing. This destination has become particularly attractive for the US customers due to its convenient geographical location and time-zone difference.



Though, the IT sphere is going through a stage of development due to the insufficient technical knowledge.



Other questions you might want to think about when outsourcing include:



<ul><li>What is the infrastructure like?</li><li>Is the culture exposure high?</li><li>Is the economic/political environment stable and under control?</li></ul>



All of these questions are worth considering to discover whether or not it’s worth doing business abroad.



So far, there are a number of key takeaways here.



First, cheap work doesn’t necessarily mean quality work. “Soft skills” (such as communication, involvement in projects, etc.) matter in terms of their mindset and who you’re going to be working with. And though the time-zone difference can be fixed, it still requires regular commitment and discipline.



Note: also consider other things you should look for when <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/what-you-should-look-for-when-outsourcing-tech/">outsourcing tech</a>.



Outsourcing to Eastern Europe is becoming increasingly popular for that perfect balance of quality and quantity &#8211; the best of both worlds.



Each nation provides access to both an affordable and highly skilled pool of labor. It can be hard to find a developer with a mix of strong soft <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/essential-skills-every-software-developer-should-have-2019/">skills</a> as well as the technical background.



From the Eastern Europe region, one country, in particular, stands out due to its competitive advantages and the country’s approach to IT and tech development.



Here’s what you need to know about outsourcing your IT projects to Lithuania:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Talented and young labor pool</h2>



It’s important you’re getting the best talent for your budget when outsourcing. For businesses that prioritise results (budget + quality) outsourcing to Lithuania lets them invest in quality teams and save money.



The tech sector has been thriving in this Baltic state since <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-rise-of-lithuania-as-a-force-in-it-why-google-and-nasdaq-are-investing-here/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2015</a>, with education and STEM fields at the core of its growth.&nbsp;



Lithuania’s ICT sector is quickly evolving, with no signs of slowing down any time soon.&nbsp;



With some of the fastest internet connections in Europe and a particularly tech-savvy population, the labor pool is naturally drawn to the IT sector.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IT-Sector-Labor-Pool.png" alt="" class="wp-image-364" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IT-Sector-Labor-Pool.png 667w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IT-Sector-Labor-Pool-300x225.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



In the recent years, the country has become more and more attractive to tech giants as well, such as Google and Nasdaq when they decided to set up shop in Lithuania in 2015 (more on that <a href="https://investlithuania.com/news/the-rise-of-lithuania-as-a-force-in-it-why-google-and-nasdaq-are-investing-here/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>).



The abundance of IT professionals in the country is very much part of its appeal. According to Invest Lithuania, there are currently 26,000 residents employed in the ICT and IT industries, with an additional 1,600 future experts graduating each year.&nbsp;



Additionally, Lithuania is one of the most educated countries on the continent, with the highest proportion of university graduates among people aged 30-34 (<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/6787423/3-20042015-BP-EN.pdf/b2f295ba-2e15-409c-bec9-91c4e49c5d32" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>). Nearly all young professionals speak English as well, making it ideal for international business.



Note: Interested in finding the right talent for your future IT projects? We work with IT projects from scratch, improve current ones, and help in finding a dedicated team for your development project. We work with businesses internationally and make IT projects go by a lot smoother by connecting them with talented individuals perfect for the specific job. If you need help with finding the right individuals for your future IT projects &#8211; get in touch at hello@scale3c.com



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Focus on high-quality infrastructure and progress in innovation</h2>



Due to its convenient location and strong logistics infrastructure, Lithuania is an ideal tech hub with access to the EU and nearby markets.



Lithuania’s physical infrastructure includes a reliable, and high-quality logistics option for streamlining operations. And the location gives easy access to Northern Europe, Western Europe, as well as Asia through the sea, air, road, and rail.



In terms of innovation, the capital, Vilnius, is one of the main forerunners in Europe within IT, and other fields.&nbsp;



The country’s accomplishments also include:



<ul><li>10% of the global laser market.</li><li>19% annual growth in life sciences.</li><li>5x startups increased in the last 5 years.</li><li> 20% high-tech export growth in 2017. </li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Lithuania-In-Innovation.png" alt="" class="wp-image-366" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Lithuania-In-Innovation.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Lithuania-In-Innovation-150x150.png 150w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Lithuania-In-Innovation-300x300.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Lithuania-In-Innovation-768x768.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> Source: <a href="http://www.kcci.lt/file/manual/Lithuania%20in%20Focus.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lithuania in Focus</a></figcaption></figure>



The most important takeaway from those numbers has to do with the great start-up ecosystem.&nbsp;



The number of startups has been consistently growing in Lithuania for some time now, with over a total of 183 million EUR of investments in 2018 and government entities such as “Startup Lithuania”, “Startup Visa”, LitBan”, and more.



Now, the main reason so many tech and IT startups flock to Lithuania is partly due to its high-quality infrastructure and the country’s business environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Business-friendly environment&nbsp;</h2>



For those looking to grow their business with little red tape and bureaucracy, Lithuania offers a lot of benefits and the connectivity needed to succeed.



Lithuania is committed to providing the best conditions for businesses (and startups) to thrive. It takes only 24 hours to register a business using an e-signature and to get it up and running



Currently, Lithuania is ranked 14th globally in the ease of <a href="https://www.doingbusiness.org/en/data/exploreeconomies/lithuania" target="_blank" rel="noopener">doing business</a> and among the top 10 EU countries in ease of <a href="https://www.pwc.com/lt/lt/assets/publications/PwC_Business_Guide_Lithuania_2018.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">paying taxes</a>.



The Lithuanian government is actively attracting and helping businesses transition within its borders. For foreign investments as well as IT outsourcing, there are plenty of incentives for businesses to move (and do) their work in the country.



Here’s what you need to know in terms of taxes when doing business in Lithuania:



<ul><li>Corporate profit tax varies from 0-15%</li><li>The standard value added tax (VAT) rate is 21%</li><li>The personal income tax is 20% on wages (<a href="https://www.renkuosilietuva.lt/en/taxes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>)</li></ul>



What does this mean for the IT sector?



Essentially, we’re likely to see more tech and IT startups in Lithuania, due to the growing innovation potential.&nbsp;



With Lithuania’s affordable high-quality labor and a relatively lower median wage (compared to most bigger countries), foreign investments in the IT sector are not likely to end any time soon.



Let’s look at that last part in more detail.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lithuania by the numbers</h2>



As far as IT projects are concerned, Lithuania provides the ideal place for tech professionals.&nbsp;



Here’s why:



<ul><li>Perfect internet speed for the modern business &#8211; fastest public wifi, 3rd most affordable in Europe</li><li>Talented labor pool &#8211; over 31,500 IT professionals, 2,000 IT graduates in 2018, 85% proficiency in English among young professionals. (<a href="https://investlithuania.com/key-sectors/technology/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>)</li><li>Enhanced tech-savvy culture &#8211; one of the largest startup communities and dedicated office hubs in Baltics (Vilnius Tech park Sapiegos), first in region blockchain technology center &amp; co-working space to incubate and accelerate blockchain startups, local offices for corporations like Google, Uber, Wix, and more. (<a href="https://investlithuania.com/key-sectors/gbs/business-services-it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>)</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Recap</h2>



Thinking of outsourcing your IT projects?



Due to Lithuania’s talented labor pool and business-friendly environment, working with international businesses from here is easier than ever.&nbsp;



The country also happens to be the geographical center of Europe. With easy reach to neighboring markets, making it an ideal location for IT projects and professionals.



Lithuania has the largest ICT industry in the Baltics with potential for local as well as foreign expanding businesses. 13 of the 20 largest IT companies in the Baltic states are located in Lithuania and some of the national corporations have decided to move their business there as well.



In terms of the ICT services, the main ones include:



<ul><li>Computer programming, consultancy and related activities</li><li>Telecommunications</li><li>Information services activities</li><li>Web solutions, and more</li></ul>



And the top 5 key markets include:



<ul><li>USA</li><li>Ireland</li><li>Great Britain</li><li>Germany</li><li>Denmark</li></ul>



Finally, the country’s key competitive advantages include:



<ul><li>Largest industry in the Baltic states</li><li>Leading professionals within the region that’s growing annually&nbsp;</li><li>Rapid technological development of services and outsourcing potential</li><li>Growing startup community and rising investment into IT field</li></ul>



If you’re looking to outsource your next IT project,&nbsp; consider Lithuania as a potential market.



The country has a thriving IT sector and plenty of benefits, as well as incentives, for tech startups to set up their business here.&nbsp;



If you need help with your IT, tech, or design projects, we’re interested to hear you out. We regularly work with clients within their existing projects through improvements or from scratch. We also make sure you work with the right talent. If you need help finding the right individuals for your projects, get in touch at <a href="mailto:hello@scale3c.com">hello@scale3c.com</a> and we’ll collect a dedicated remote team that’s right for your specific project.

Explore Why You Should Outsource Your IT Projects to Lithuania. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

Why You Should Outsource Your IT Projects to Lithuania | Scale3C

Lithuania is an ideal country for outsourcing IT projects for a number of reasons. Here's how the country deals with information technology and development work.

Why You Should Outsource Your IT Projects to Lithuania

Becoming a software developer, whether it be through an online course like Treehouse or independently, can be one long, never-ending journey. The habits you form along the way can have a direct effect on your career and how well you work with others.&nbsp;



As we talked about some of the <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/essential-skills-every-software-developer-should-have-2019/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">essential software developer skills</a> last week, we mentioned that the difference in skills is what separates a good developer from a great one.&nbsp;



The same applies to your habits in your work as a developer.



If you want to make sure you’re following the best practices when working within a team of developers and your personal coding skills are suited for teamwork &#8211; be sure to read on.



Everyone has a different approach to coding, some less harmful than others.&nbsp;



A lot of this comes down to experience. Bad habits can be hard to break, especially if you develop them early and they follow you throughout your career.



This is even more the case when you’re not even aware of your habits that could be taking up your precious time.&nbsp;



“First we form our habits, then they form us” &#8211; Rob Gilbert



The same applies to your bad habits that could be killing your drive and ruining your development efficiency.



<a href="https://jamesclear.com/new-habit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Research</a> says that it takes anywhere from 21 days to 66 days to form a habit. In the long career span of a software developer, adopting small programming habits can have a huge impact on your overall work.



If you want to set your expectations appropriately, it might take some time to time to build new behavior, but it’s worth noting that building is not an all-or-nothing process.&nbsp;



Building habits take time, but as long as you stick to them, the small investment is guaranteed to pay off.



You might look back on your previous web development projects, for example, and realise that your code could look better. But this shouldn’t discourage you. Everyone makes mistakes once or twice, this doesn’t necessarily impact your long-term habits.



Similarly, there is no reason to get discouraged if you start adopting a new practice in your development efforts for a few weeks and it doesn’t stick at first. As long as you’re aware of your habits and embrace the long-term, you can always change and improve your work quality.



With that said, If you’re a developer yourself, you might want to take note of some of the best-use practices to make sure your code performs optimally.&nbsp;



The following is what we’ve found to work for us at Scale3C during our software and mobile development projects, and because of the nature of the programming habits, they can work for you as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Planning Before Coding</h2>



It’s essential you know the ins and outs of a project before beginning.&nbsp;



In the development world, it can be relatively easier to plan ahead if you know the project requirements in advance (ideally, you should). Consider some of the features you might have to implement in the future.



Do you know how they work? Are there any parts you’re unfamiliar with? How will that interact with your initial code?



These are all questions you might want to ask yourself before writing the code.



If you are not sure, be sure to look it up beforehand, as opposed to when you’re halfway through a project. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Programming-Habits-Planning-Before-Coding-1024x682.png" alt="Planning before coding, idea, planning, strategy, success" class="wp-image-352" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Programming-Habits-Planning-Before-Coding-1024x682.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Programming-Habits-Planning-Before-Coding-300x200.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Programming-Habits-Planning-Before-Coding-768x512.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Programming-Habits-Planning-Before-Coding.png 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Your planning and research phase may vary, depending on your time constraints.&nbsp;



Consider the following scenarios and how you can form your habits for doing research.



<ol><li>It’s simple, and relevant to you. In this case, take the time to read through it carefully as it may contribute to your broader understanding of the subject and give you a stronger foundation when you begin. Consider how the <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/scale3c-recommends-5-effective-time-management-techniques-for-startups/">80/20 rule</a> can affect your efficiency here.</li><li>It’s important, but may not be essential to your project at hand. In that case, see if you can familiarise yourself with the main idea and don’t get too invested in learning all the details.</li><li>It’s not relevant immediately or for the mid-term. In this case, you can simply return to the original task and come back to this if you ever need it later. It might not be worth spending your time reading about it for now.</li></ol>



With the above habit in mind, you’ll find that you can stay on top of any resources relevant to you and not venture far off from the original task.&nbsp;



If it’s relevant for you to begin coding &#8211; save it as an important resource. If not, you can always come back to it later.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Writing Human-Friendly Code</h2>



Once you do your research and have a plan on how you’ll approach the project, you can then start writing code, as long as it’s human-friendly and readable.



Unclear code is a pet peeve for developers all over the world.&nbsp;



You start working on a development project, the code makes sense so far, but somewhere along the way, it loses readability in favor of functionality.&nbsp;



Does this sound familiar?



Just because the code works, doesn’t mean it’s optimal.



Remember, you’re not writing just for machines, but for your future self and your colleagues as well. It’s important to write readable code if you ever want to revisit it in the future and optimise it later.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Human-Friendly-Code-Web-Development-1024x682.png" alt="Writing human friendly code illustration" class="wp-image-353" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Human-Friendly-Code-Web-Development-1024x682.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Human-Friendly-Code-Web-Development-300x200.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Human-Friendly-Code-Web-Development-768x512.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Human-Friendly-Code-Web-Development.png 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Instead of saying “I’ll fix it later” or “I’ll come back to this in the future”, make sure to document your thinking process while coding and prioritise the architecture of the code first.



When writing human-friendly code, make sure that:



<ul><li>You’re not disrupting the flow with unnecessary conditions. Are you leveraging <a href="https://the-pastry-box-project.net/nina-zakharenko/2018-february-14" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">flow state</a> to write better code? Focus on what’s important.</li><li>You’re following a consistent naming practice. For example, if your variables start with an underscore as the first letter, make sure you follow this habit for the rest of the project Similarly, if you’re working collectively with a team, be sure to discuss your naming practices before you begin coding.</li><li>You’re commenting on the important parts of your code. This should be obvious, and it’s an easy habit to form. Also, this helps save time should you need to come back to the code later or pass it on to a colleague for revision.</li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bonus tip:</h3>



At Scale3C, we sometimes jump into already existing projects where we have to go back and improve or add certain functions within the code.&nbsp;



Having clear, human-friendly code with proper documentation is a huge relief as it allows us to save a lot of time going over pre-written code. Taking over development projects can be scary if you’re not sure what you’re getting yourself into.



Remember, you (and the machine) are not the only ones who have to understand the code. Make sure it’s readable to other developers as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Asking for Help</h2>



Asking for help can be hard at first, but it’s a great chance to practice collaborative problem-solving and improve your overall habits as a developer.



There are a number of things to consider here.



First, most people are afraid to ask for help due to <a href="https://www.laserfiche.com/ecmblog/shut-up-imposter-syndrome-i-can-too-program/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">impostor syndrome</a> or that they feel they should know it or they’ll just figure it out. In reality, this just wastes your time and hinders growth.



As a developer, you have access to a lot of important resources.



Sometimes a quick Google search or a Stack Overflow answer is all you need. But in most cases, someone working close to you will be a better resource for the specific project at hand.



Daily scrum meetings are ideal to share your experience with colleagues and to ask for help.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Asking-For-Help-Development-Process-1024x936.png" alt="Asking for help development process teamwork illustration
" class="wp-image-354" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Asking-For-Help-Development-Process-1024x936.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Asking-For-Help-Development-Process-300x274.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Asking-For-Help-Development-Process-768x702.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Asking-For-Help-Development-Process.png 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



No matter how long you’ve been a developer for, there’s always something new you can learn.&nbsp;



Whether it be a new tech <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/3-important-tech-development-key-trends-and-predictions-for-2019/">trend</a> you can catch up on or a new app development framework, you never stop learning as a developer.



Then, as soon as you learn something new, be sure to note it down for future reference. This also contributes to being consistent in your development, as mentioned above, and you’ll have a place for resources you can always double check with.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Consider Code Review</h2>



Speaking of communication, if you want to be on the same page as your team for future development sessions, consider adopting code review practices in your team.



Many developers dislike code review sessions because of how time-consuming they can be. But the aim of a successful peer review is to maintain code quality moving forward.&nbsp;



For this, code reviews require a balance of consistent documenting practices that make for a highly efficient collaborative environment.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Code-Review-Development-1024x682.png" alt="Code review development process illustration image
" class="wp-image-355" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Code-Review-Development-1024x682.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Code-Review-Development-300x200.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Code-Review-Development-768x512.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Code-Review-Development.png 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://smartbear.com/learn/code-review/best-practices-for-peer-code-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Effective code review</a> is only worth doing if it’s done right.&nbsp;



For this, consider adopting a checklist and proven best practices within your team.



Test-driven development and quality assurance practices have proven value in the long-term.&nbsp;



More specifically, you should be keeping an eye out for the following.



What to review:



<ul><li>Consistency.</li><li>Structure.</li><li>Style.</li><li>Performance.</li><li>And more.&nbsp;</li></ul>



As for when you should do code reviews, consider the scope and the size of your project. This may vary across teams and may also depend on the <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/important-project-management-methodologies-for-software-development-choose-one/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">methodology</a> you use.



Overall, look for consistent communication and feedback in your code reviews if you want to increase your development efficiency.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Proper Use of Version Control</h2>



Version control (also known as source control) is the management of file changes throughout a specific period of time.



These systems automatically record changes for all files stored, allowing you to get back to a particular version or a point you made some changes in.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Git-Version-Control.png" alt="" class="wp-image-356" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Git-Version-Control.png 800w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Git-Version-Control-300x256.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Git-Version-Control-768x656.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Source: Git</figcaption></figure>



If you want to keep every version of your code, you can use a version control system like <a href="https://git-scm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Git </a>as a way to handle and track any kind of changes during your project. It allows you to revert to selected files to a previous state or version, see who modified it last, compare changes over time, and more.



Benefits of using version control include convenience when collaborating, understanding what happened better, and having a backup in case of an emergency.



Versioning is also a great way to keep track of application versions and to see which version is currently in development, in the QA phase or in production.



Essentially, it makes for better teamwork and communication.&nbsp;



With a proper version control system, everyone on the team can work on any file, any time.&nbsp;



The VCS will then allow you to merge all the changes into one common version. This way, there is no need to look for the latest version or the status of the project, as it will be in one place that everyone can access &#8211; your version control system.&nbsp;



In order to use a VCS system optimally, be sure to:



<ul><li>Commit often so that you’ll be dealing with small changes at a time, in case you need to revert back.</li><li>Add a commit message to convey a message to other team members.</li><li>Only push completed work to make it easier for everyone involved to know the status.</li></ul>



If you’re following all of the above habits, all while documenting everything and using a proper version control system &#8211; you’ll be well on your way of developing habits needed to become an efficient developer.



The above approach prioritises collaboration and communication within a development team.&nbsp;



Not only will the habits help you in becoming a better developer, while maintaining teamwork and efficiency, they will also help your colleagues in working with you and focus on the same long-term common goal.

Explore Programming Habits All Developers Should Adopt. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

Programming Habits All Developers Should Adopt | Scale3C

Programming Habits All Developers Should Adopt

Nowadays, it is rare to find a software developer who can do it all.&nbsp;



A good engineer (whether it be in web or app development), now needs to be able to wear many hats. They have to know many different coding languages, be able to communicate within a team, as well as be up to date with any <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/3-important-tech-development-key-trends-and-predictions-for-2019/">future trends</a> that might change up the whole industry.



It’s hard to say for sure what the development scene of the future will look like as it’s constantly evolving. The software industry is one of the few fields that doesn’t slow down, as there will always be demand for capable engineers. Which is why it can be so hard to find a developer who can satisfy all of your requirements.



To help explore the question of the essential skills every developer should have, we’ve decided to add our own experience and insights to the discussion.



We believe that an ideal software developer should have a mix of hard and soft skills.



The key difference is that hard skills show you’re great for a specific job &#8211; i.e. your qualifications, technical skills (e.g. development languages), and more.



While your soft skills include more non-technical skills &#8211; i.e. your communication, leadership, adaptability, and more. They show that you can be a great fit anywhere, due to your personality and people skills.



Traditionally, most software developers were always leaning more on the hard skills side. They had a strong technical background but not a lot of soft skills that made them fit in any team.



The reason I’m bringing up the concept of hard and soft skills is because at Scale3C, we believe that all developers now need to have a mix of both if they want to make it far.



A great developer now needs to be able to communicate a problem well enough to non-tech employees, as well as know how to solve it.&nbsp;



With that said, the following is a more concrete list of skills we believe every developer should have &#8211; including the best of hard, as well as soft skills in 2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Curiosity</h2>



Great software developers are great problem solvers. And to solve problems, you need to be curious and always be questioning what’s the best way to a certain solution.&nbsp;



This is why most developers got started in the first place, and it’s important to retain that sense of initial curiosity. As long as you’re willing to learn and want to gain more knowledge &#8211; you can always improve.&nbsp;



In a field that’s constantly changing, it’s hard for a developer to peak. There is always more to learn and one should never stop after a certain point.



With web development, for example, there are always more frameworks you can look into to make your job easier. Being curious means being willing to learn and wanting to discover new things.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Essential-Skills-Software-Developers-Curiosity.png" alt="development curiosity importance illustration laptop" class="wp-image-323" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Essential-Skills-Software-Developers-Curiosity.png 788w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Essential-Skills-Software-Developers-Curiosity-300x274.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Essential-Skills-Software-Developers-Curiosity-768x702.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 788px) 100vw, 788px" /></figure></div>



It pushes you to learn new languages, experiment, and look for new, and more efficient solutions.



A developer who is curious is always open to new ways of doing things and questions their current methods.



Just because something works doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best way to do it. Always have an open mind and be open to alternatives.&nbsp;



The best developers tend to be naturally curious people who love to learn and look for the most efficient solutions. They think outside the box and always question the current way of doing things.&nbsp;



Even better is when this happens publicly and the whole team is involved. It’s important to have a sense of culture that empowers everyone involved to brainstorm together and not to be afraid to ask questions.



Intellectual curiosity drives projects and companies forward.



With developers, it’s important to be always reading on topics of interest and the newest research. Asking questions is where best ideas and solutions often come from.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Technical Know-how</h2>



When it comes to being a developer of any kind, having strong technical knowledge and background is the way to break through the industry.



As important it is to always have an open mind and constantly be looking for the best solutions, it’s just as important for every developer to know the building blocks of their profession.&nbsp;



Because the world of software development is always evolving, there is always something new to learn, as mentioned above.&nbsp;



There are new software, tools, languages and frameworks released every day. For developers, this means they have to be up-to-date with the newest technologies that they work close to.&nbsp;



While the specific coding languages might differ for everyone, every great developer also needs to know how to write clean, logical and elegant code, and also know how to properly document it.&nbsp;



Ideally, the whole development team should be able to understand each other’s code. Hence why documentation and comments are so important.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Technical-Know-How-Software-Developers-Coding-Comments-704x1024.png" alt="development coding practice communication practice" class="wp-image-324" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Technical-Know-How-Software-Developers-Coding-Comments-704x1024.png 704w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Technical-Know-How-Software-Developers-Coding-Comments-206x300.png 206w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Technical-Know-How-Software-Developers-Coding-Comments.png 750w" sizes="(max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px" /><figcaption> Source: Geek &amp; Poke</figcaption></figure></div>



Coding standards often look different everywhere, but great developers need to have some basic skills to manage their code.



Other important development background knowledge might include:



<ul><li>Qualifications or certifications.</li><li>Logical thinking and problem-solving.</li><li>Strong theoretical background.</li><li>Teaching others.</li><li>And more.</li></ul>



Of course, this is only a small list of the technical skills all developers should know.&nbsp;



Most developers are familiar with at least several coding languages, and have in-depth experience with at least one.



This is also why it’s so important to niche down. With development, there are many languages you can learn.&nbsp;



If you try to learn everything, you won’t get very far.&nbsp;



Instead of focusing on various programming languages, you should first gain a deep understanding of one specific language. For example, you can focus on Javascript, which allows you to progress both in frontend and backend, having in mind React.JS and Node.JS



At Scale3C, we primarily specialise in software development, mobile development, and product design. As such, our developers work closely with the following languages:



<ul><li>React.</li><li>Swift.</li><li>Android.</li><li>iOS.</li><li>Java.</li><li>Javascript.</li><li>Vue.</li><li>Angular.</li><li>WordPress.</li><li>AWS.</li><li>Php.</li><li>Python.</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Communication&nbsp;</h2>



Effective communication is key to any project’s success.&nbsp;



For developers, this is one of the most important non-coding skills.



We found that this is even more the case while running a business remotely. Which is why we have compiled a list of some of the important <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/8-essential-tools-we-use-while-running-a-business-remotely/">tools</a> we use that make communication easier.



There are two main points to be made here.



First, being able to communicate technical development information to non-tech people.&nbsp;



Secondly, being able to communicate in meetings (with both staff as well as customers).



The easiest way to be a better communicator is to be prepared and know your audience.



Discussing a technical topic with another developer is probably going to be easier than when talking to other members of the team. If you’re going to have a meeting in advance, it’s worth going the extra mile to prepare in case you have to break down a complex topic.



For example, in our own work environment, we mostly use a mix of Scrum and Kanban project management <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/important-project-management-methodologies-for-software-development-choose-one/">methodologies</a>. One of the main key steps of the Scrum framework is holding a 15 minute daily meeting with the Scrum Master to discuss the project’s progress.



To make sure the meetings go smoothly, strong communication skills help us update everyone on the development status.



When working with customers, we’ve developed a process that involves them at each step of the way, with how we handle projects. We adjust to their process practices if they are in place, and if not, follow this order step-by-step.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Scale3C-Communication-Process-1.gif" alt="Scale3C communication process with clients step by step gif" class="wp-image-342" width="NaN" height="NaN"/></figure>



Additionally, we also include our tech people into our communications with clients (e.g. joining skype calls with the product owner). This way, we can explain to our clients the development side of things and why one solution might be better than the other each step of the way in a way that makes sense to them.&nbsp;



Clients appreciate the effort and everyone is on the same page this way &#8211; making it a win-win situation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Time and Self-management Skills</h2>



There’s been a lot of talk on time management and being more productive. We’ve found that the best solution is simply setting one specific time management <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/scale3c-recommends-5-effective-time-management-techniques-for-startups/">technique</a> and sticking to it.



The options are many: from prioritising your tasks to splitting up your workload to tracking your time. All of them have their uses, and depending on your deadlines and work-flow, some can be more effective than others.&nbsp;



To divide your development process, you might want to split it up into small parts. All of your tasks should have deadlines, so that you can measure progress and what success looks like.



Be realistic with yourself and your deadlines. Estimate how long tasks will take and create a schedule based around that.



If you want to get a sense of how long each development task takes by the hour, consider monitoring the amount of time you spend on them. There are a lot of <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/top-15-time-management-apps-and-tools.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">apps</a> for this, and you can also track where and how you spend most of your time when working.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Tracking-Time-Self-Management-1024x768.png" alt="Toggl summary report illustration of time spent" class="wp-image-333" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Tracking-Time-Self-Management.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Tracking-Time-Self-Management-300x225.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Tracking-Time-Self-Management-768x576.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Finally, if you want to improve your overall efficiency of work, you can consistently ask for feedback during projects.&nbsp;



The more you share, the more you learn.&nbsp;



Feedback and code reviews can vastly improve what you’re working on and save a lot of time in the long run.



A big part of time and self-management is knowing yourself and becoming aware of your own patterns.&nbsp;



The bottom line is time and self-management are both great ways to grow as a developer and learn from past self.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Teamwork</h2>



The best way to improve your skills as a developer, in addition to having a mix of all the above skills, is by using your stronger asset &#8211; your team.



Teamwork is equal parts how well you work with others and how well others work with you.



It’s a stereotype at this point for developers to be lone highly excellent performers. But no software or project is completed alone.&nbsp;



Essentially, actively using teamwork in development projects is a combination of the above skills. You need people to review your code, and to brainstorm other ideas and solutions together.



In turn, teamwork creates an environment of psychological safety and encourages everyone to participate and get involved equally.&nbsp;



Collaboration is an essential part of the team, as it’s often the best way to create a coherent final product. Developers should always be aware of the main team goals, and interact with colleagues regularly (whether it be online or offline).&nbsp;



Asking others with more expertise than you and training newer engineers requires strong teamwork and communication skills.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Summing up</h2>



<a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/115/50/12630.full.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has found that the demand for hard skills increases alongside that for soft skills.



For developers looking to improve their skills, this means that while they’re focusing on skills that meet the market demands, they shouldn’t forget soft skills that are just as crucial when working with other people.&nbsp;



These skills may not get them the attention they deserve, but it can make the difference between a good developer and a great one.



Strong software developers can no longer rely only on hard skills now. Being a team member and knowing how to communicate with other developers is just as important.



Developers now need to be able to empathise with their teams to fully understand the problem, and be able to find a way to make the project work for everyone. This is the ideal mix of hard and soft skills that make a truly great developer.



To deliver excellence in development, we constantly evaluate our own mixture of skills to make sure we are on top of our business.

Explore Essential Skills Every Software Developer Should Have in 2019. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

Essential Skills Every Software Developer Should Have in 2023 | Scale3C

Essential Skills Every Software Developer Should Have in 2019

Discover the 8 essential tools that help us run a successful business remotely. From project management to communication, these tools keep us organized, productive and connected to our team.

8 best tools for remote work | Scale3C

8 Essential Tools we Use While Running a Business Remotely

Since its birth, technology development has always been an innovative industry. 



As technology moves forward, various industries always look for the most efficient way to get their tasks done accordingly. 



As a result, tech development is an industry that affects other industries in itself. 



So if you happen to be in tech, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for the next big flashy thing to capitalize on. 



2018, for example, was widely considered as the <a href="https://www.draglet.com/blockchain-review-2018/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">year of the Blockchain</a>. With Blockchain projects raising over $7.5 billion through 1,224 ICOs (initial coin offerings) throughout the year. 



While just about every industry undergoes serious changes each year, it’s probably safe to say that we’ll feel the impact of tech and software development the most. 



So, if you want to stay ahead of the curve in 2019, here are a few key tech trends you might want to keep an eye out for to get ahead of your competition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Increased IT and data security</h2>



If there’s one thing we can learn from all the data and security breaches, it’s that we need to take our data more seriously and hold companies accountable for their security. 



According to <a href="https://www.datto.com/blog/dattos-global-state-of-the-channel-ransomware-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Datto</a>, from Q2 2016 to Q2 2018, 79% of managed service providers (MSPs) reported ransomware attacks against small-and-medium-sized businesses (SMBs). 



And 92% of MSPs predict that the number of attacks will continue at the current rate or become worse in the future. 



Some of the big data breaches you might have heard of in 2018 include Google+, Facebook, Quora, and more (<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-hacks-breaches-biggest-of-2018-2018-12#8-google-525-million-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>). 



And these are just some of the bigger names on the list. The biggest data breach in 2018 came out of <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/another-data-leak-hits-india-aadhaar-biometric-database/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aadhaar</a> &#8211; India’s national ID database, which affected just over 1.1 billion registered users. 



It’s not just the tech companies that are being affected by the security leaks too. Almost every industry that collects data in one way or another faces cybersecurity and IT issues. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/JTFAaRg5ytZCtgfCsZgvG462o0MwKYb0DSlkHRtK4cuWNZ4MD4l0cxwt4aU4K3AEGaA9pwtyVo7DqNiCmLjvOxJxWzps9L020SQx-J25mPET-O4uP5Qh9LvfA1_BztmgZnSMqf2C" alt=""/></figure>



Source: <a href="https://www.wipro.com/content/dam/nexus/en/service-lines/applications/latest-thinking/state-of-cybersecurity-report-2018.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wipro</a> 



The increasing frequency of personal data breaches affects customer faith and of course, the company’s reputation is directly at stake. 



Data leaks are unfortunately becoming more common nowadays. Even some of the bigger corporations are affected by them and they are seemingly powerless to do anything about it. 



As the problem becomes more severe, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/12/28/cybersecurity-predictions-for-2019/#22c63f9a4a27" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cybersecurity</a> is becoming an essential service requirement in the IT sector. 



Currently, many companies are trying to obtain as much data as possible, but when it comes to protecting that said information, the focus just isn’t there. 



It seems that just about any company can be breached. 



The solution? 



Tighter data and IT security mean more penetration testing, software audit, and risk analysis. A lot of companies are now opening security departments and outsourcing them to specialized companies. 



Data leaks are likely to continue in 2019. 



But there are simple steps you can take to prevent them. From end-user security awareness trainings to better encryption, you can cross off your customers’ security concerns and clear away any doubts by investing more in strengthened backend development. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Blockchain Application</h2>



Blockchain has become somewhat of a buzzword recently &#8211; something everyone claims to understand but can’t seem to explain what it is properly. 



In simple words: Blockchain essentially is a digital ledger that acts as a decentralized database for all transactions (data, finances, information, etc.). It started as the main tech behind cryptocurrency but its potential goes way beyond that now. 



If 2018 was the year of exploring Blockchain, 2019 will be when companies actually start applying it to their business solutions. 



As of now, over 100 startups from 45 different countries have partnered with UNICEF to start developing Blockchain solutions and bring about the <a href="https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/inov_a_00265" target="_blank" rel="noopener">era of blockchain</a> for development. Banks are also experimenting with Blockchain as 69% of them are looking at <a href="https://www.techinasia.com/bankers-like-blockchain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">permissioned Blockchain </a>usage. 



But how is Blockchain going to revolutionize all these industries, actually? 



In terms of practical Blockchain application in the IT sector, the following are some key trends that stand out in 2019: 



<ul><li>Smart contracts &#8211; This is a form or preprogrammed application that executes once a particular prerequisite is met (think: <a href="https://hackernoon.com/smart-contracts-a-time-saving-primer-b3060e3e5667" target="_blank" rel="noopener">if this, then that</a>). Smart contracts can improve auditing, financial transactions, record-keeping, and more. Because of its many uses, smart contract usage is practically endless and can solve (or at least alleviate) many real-world problems. Benefits include being more cost-effective, secure, accurate, fast, and more.</li><li>Cyber-security (security tokens and data privacy) &#8211; as mentioned above, data breaches and security concerns are becoming more and more common. So, in terms of overall cyber-security, smart contracts also make the properties of transparency and security particularly more efficient. Additionally, security tokens offerings (<a href="https://u.today/what-is-a-security-token-offering-are-stos-the-new-icos" target="_blank">STOs</a>) are another emerging trend in cyber-security in that security tokens re-invent how companies or startups raise money. Essentially, these tokens act as real-time digital assets, with certain regulations that hold the issuers accountable for their actions, and can revolutionize how startups raise money.</li><li>Blockchain as a service (BaaS) &#8211; no doubt Blockchain is one of the most revolutionary recent tech of our time, but not everyone can manage and create their own niche-specific Blockchain solution &#8211; hence the rising importance of this service. Big names like <a href="https://aws.amazon.com/blockchain/templates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon</a> (through Amazon Web Service) and <a href="https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/solutions/blockchain/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Microsoft</a> are already offering this service and we’re likely to see more companies doing the same. This cloud-based service allows startups to build their own Blockchain powered products (including apps, smart contracts, and more) to compete with some of the bigger names in the field. </li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/sdSCS7d9OZWYJRR_tjKc1-iv7VLTO1yziP_N1eMfaIitqbNfdBj7yR9OavprWKQikrD6KEmAcFeNETB-6XglYO_vtEcv1O_nQNB_aKak88jQ0mkftdGaWMItax1CW1avobh6l_l9" alt=""/></figure>



Source: <a href="https://www.disruptordaily.com/blockchain-use-cases-cyber-security/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Disruptor</a>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Mixed reality (VR + AR)</h2>



Mixed reality is the end combination of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). 



Combined together, they have the potential to transform the lives of people both at home and at work. 



Any kind of solution that allows people to explore a fully immersive computer-generated world or display an overlay of augmented computer graphics in their close environment (AR) has a lot of potential and many different uses. 



VR, for one, offers a completely interactive and a digital world, and AR is all about building computer graphics that can be viewed in a normal environment. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EFCUmdK3QkrvzOFfadnZ1BULDZ2Ok0zEbXmt3PS2CYvFugh55zv2Wp830IIdiPH4jyoIqO4JYFBr_cy4tTCKfH0OCuvWAN85uEg5UjpVinfQB7_ijzJU_aVr0JQZGh7ZEpCXyKJn" alt=""/></figure>



Source: <a href="https://readwrite.com/2019/02/06/6-ways-to-implement-ar-vr-into-your-business-today/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Readwrite</a> 



Even though we saw a lot of VR uses in 2018, it was still widely considered a <a href="http://www.workspace.digital/is-virtual-reality-a-fad-or-is-it-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fad</a>, mainly due to its uses (mostly related to entertainment, gaming, etc.). Many even say that the demand for VR has been slowly dying since its explosion in 2016 and that it’s an oversaturated field. 



But despite this popular misconception, VR has a lot of serious potential waiting to transform how businesses and people interact. <a href="https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-applications/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VR uses</a> range from military training to training new employees in a business to the entertainment sector (not just games, but also interactive performances, galleries, museums, and more). 



As for augmented reality, new apps and solutions are entering the market and gaining the trust and interest of many users worldwide. Like VR, AR has a lot of uses throughout the many <a href="https://www.wikitude.com/blog-augmented-reality-101-ar-top-use-cases/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">industries</a> &#8211; from retail to logistics to fashion and more. 



In other words, it’s not just about entertainment. Instead, AR can also be used to improve businesses and their workflow. 



Much of AR’s success is attributed to its versatility, and its convenience. 



As AR becomes more powerful, we are also likely to see a higher degree of <a href="https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/guides/customer-experience-and-personalization/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">personalization</a> in terms of customer experience. Something as simple as pointing your smartphone to a shelf in a clothing store will be able to provide you with details about the origin and the material, but also reveal information tailored specifically to your interests. 



All in all, we’re likely to see an integration of AR and VR into big data, machine learning and customization. The final result will be an personalized customer experience and an increased awareness based on a case-to-case scenario. 



So, with that said, what does 2019 have in store for mixed reality? 



Together, AR and VR <a href="https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS44001618" target="_blank" rel="noopener">headset market</a> grew to 8.9 million units in 2018 and are expected to reach 65.9 million units by 2022 &#8211; not bad for a sector once considered oversaturated. 



What’s important to note is that as phone technology becomes more and more sophisticated, so does mixed reality. A lot of it is linked to how we use phones. So, it’s only a matter of time until AR becomes a part of our daily lives like our cell phone usage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



One of the most important questions every business can ask itself is &#8211; “what are some of the latest and the most important trends, and how can we capitalize on them?” 



Each year we see new technologies come out and the current ones improve. This happens every year and 2019 will be no different. 



Tech has always been a constantly evolving field but what makes it so interesting that as it improves, we start to see its effects in other fields and industries. 



In the 21st century, trends and tech shifts happen at the drop of a hat &#8211; something that was next to impossible before. 



So, it’s safe to say that we’re very likely to see its effects ripple across many other industries. 



Expect to see a change in tech and possibly the way we do business altogether. 



It’s a slow, but gradual change. 



But with that said, what really matters at the end of the day is how you capitalize and adapt to the next flashy change in your industry and if you’ll be successful in its execution. 



Each year marks the start of a new trend. 



How are you planning on tackling the new set of trends in 2019?

Stay ahead of the curve with Scale3C's predictions for the top 3 tech development key trends in 2019. Get insights into the future of technology.

3 Important Tech Development Key Trends and Predictions For 2019 | Scale3C

3 Important Tech Development Key Trends and Predictions For 2019

When it comes to mobile app development, companies have many different options to choose from. One of the most popular choices is hybrid mobile development. This approach allows companies to develop apps that can be simultaneously deployed to multiple platforms, conferring a multitude of benefits.&nbsp;



In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages of Flutter mobile app development and why many companies are choosing this approach for their app development needs!



What Is Flutter Mobile Development?







If you&#8217;re unfamiliar with it, <a href="https://flutter.dev/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Flutter is a cross-platform app development framework</a> created by Google.&nbsp;



One of its most significant advantages is that it allows for the development of high-quality native-looking apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase. This makes Flutter a very attractive option for those companies that want to build a mobile app but don&#8217;t want to spend the time and money necessary to create separate apps for iOS and Android.&nbsp;



So, it&#8217;s easy to understand why Flutter has quickly become the go-to choice for mobile app development among businesses of all sizes. Flutter has many benefits over competing cross-platform frameworks like React Native and Xamarin, beyond simply facilitating the concurrent development of two apps.



Let&#8217;s look at each of them in-depth.



Benefits of Flutter App Development



<ul class="has-medium-font-size"><li>Flutter App Development Is Faster Than Traditional App Development</li></ul>



As we mentioned earlier, Flutter app development requires only one codebase. Consequently, this significantly reduces development time, allowing developers to create code once and have it run on both systems. By choosing Flutter app development, you can develop apps more quickly than other approaches, freeing up time you could funnel towards other projects.



Furthermore, Flutter app development is more intuitive because it uses a declarative programming style, making the code more readable and easier to understand. As a result, Flutter app development is a more efficient way to develop cross-platform mobile apps, as it is largely employed by versatile and knowledgeable developers in what it takes to create winning apps that will be successful in each platform that they’re made available on.



<ul class="has-medium-font-size"><li>Flutter App Development Is More Affordable Than Traditional App Development</li></ul>



Developing two separate apps can be expensive. Flutter app development is a low-cost mobile app development method because it allows developers to reuse code, helping trim a company’s app development budget.&nbsp;



What’s more, Flutter&#8217;s hot reload feature saves time by allowing developers to quickly see the changes they made to their code without having to rebuild the entire app. Essentially, Flutter helps them streamline their work and focus on creating a quality product.&nbsp;



So, by using Flutter, you can significantly reduce your overall development costs, and make the most out of your budget by choosing this hybrid method that delivers results at a fraction of what was initially anticipated.&nbsp;



<ul class="has-medium-font-size"><li>Flutter Apps Are Easy to Develop and Require Less Code</li></ul>



With Flutter, you can make changes to your app quickly and efficiently without having to rebuild it from scratch each time.



Flutter employs the Dart programming language, which is easy to learn for developers with experience in object-oriented languages such as Java or C++. Moreover, Dart offers many features that make it well suited for creating cross-platform apps.&nbsp;



For example, Dart includes a reactive framework that makes it easy to update the UI in response to changes in data. This can be especially useful when developing apps that need to support multiple screen sizes or devices with different aspect ratios. In addition, the Dart pub package manager makes it easy to manage dependencies and share code between different parts of an app.&nbsp;



Therefore, Flutter app development is successfully employed by developers who can make the most out of its features to meet clients’ specific needs with efficiency in mind. This way, app development becomes more straightforward, and any future app updates or upgrades can be done much faster than what it would take for other cross-platform frameworks.&nbsp; &nbsp;



<ul class="has-medium-font-size"><li>Flutter Apps Can Be Easily Ported to Other Platforms</li></ul>



One of the key features that sets Flutter apart is its ability to be easily ported to other platforms. Since a Flutter app can be compiled for web using the same codebase, a single development team can support multiple platforms with minimal effort.&nbsp;



For example, Flutter iOS and Android apps can also be deployed to desktop platforms such as macOS, Windows, and Linux. This gives companies even more flexibility when it comes to targeting different audiences. Suppose a company wants to expand its outreach. In that case, it can easily modify its Flutter app to make it available on various platforms and, as such, streamline its marketing efforts with minimal extra development-related costs.



Ultimately, the portability of Flutter apps is one of its key strengths and makes it an attractive option for many companies, especially those who are on a tight budget yet want to make the most out of their app development projects, keeping in mind that their future expansion can be done at a much faster turnaround than having to restart app development for a different platform from scratch.



<ul class="has-medium-font-size"><li>Flutter App Development Allows for a More Personalised User Experience</li></ul>



Flutter app development provides a more personalized user experience by allowing developers to create custom user interfaces. This means that developers can create an app exactly the way they want it to, without being limited by the platform it is running on. More specifically, Flutter’s design widgets are based on Material Design, which provides a consistent look and feel across all platforms and devices and a better overall experience for users. In addition, this feature makes it easier for users to transition between different devices and operating systems, as they will already be familiar with the design elements.



What’s more, Flutter allows developers to access native platform features, such as notifications and camera access. This adds another layer of customization and allows developers to create truly unique apps. Consequently, Flutter provides a more personalized user experience which helps boost user retention based on satisfaction alone.



Conclusion: Flutter for Mobile App Development – Is It Worth It?



Flutter app development can help you create beautiful and high-performing apps. If you’re looking to build an app, <a href="https://scale3c.com/services/mobile-development">we recommend considering Flutter</a>. This hybrid model has proven to be a success for companies of all sizes, and it could help yours take your marketing efforts to the next level quickly, efficiently, and budget-consciously.



If you have any questions about developing flutter apps, contact us at hello@scale3c.com. We&#8217;re happy to discuss your projects and how we can meet your individual requirements.

Explore Flutter App Development Advantages. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

Flutter App Development Advantages | Scale3C

Flutter is an efficient way to develop a mobile app. Here, we discuss the advantages of Flutter app development and why it’s a popular choice among companies.

Flutter App Development Advantages

Two years into our great adventure of helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life by leveraging design and technology we are proud to share that we have been selected by Clutch for their Leaders Award Report as a top Lithuanian Development Firm. 



Within
2 years’ time we delivered more than 35 unique projects to our clients in the
United States, Canada and Western Europe as well as brought together a team of
25 talented developers, designers and product owners. 



<a href="https://clutch.co/lt/app-developers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clutch, a B2B
marketplace</a>,&nbsp; has been connecting buyers with the top
service firms in a variety of industries and locations since 2013. The Clutch
team analyzes industry data as well as conducts in depth client reviews in
order to create their rankings. Our profile has earned a 5-star Clutch rating
thanks to the participation of our clients in the Clutch interview process!
Check out one of our recent reviews below written by Scott Clarke from <a href="https://homehubspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Home Hubspot</a>. 



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-25-15_54_51-Scale3C-Client-Reviews-_-Clutch.co_-1024x564.png" alt="" class="wp-image-403" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-25-15_54_51-Scale3C-Client-Reviews-_-Clutch.co_-1024x564.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-25-15_54_51-Scale3C-Client-Reviews-_-Clutch.co_-300x165.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-25-15_54_51-Scale3C-Client-Reviews-_-Clutch.co_-768x423.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-25-15_54_51-Scale3C-Client-Reviews-_-Clutch.co_.png 1065w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://themanifest.com/lt/app-development/companies#Scale3C" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Manifest</a> and <a href="https://visualobjects.com/lt/app-development/top-mobile-app-development-companies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visual Objects</a>, Clutch sister sites, have also listed us on their unique platforms. 



Our
whole team is proud of this award, as well as the work we were able to
accomplish for our clients! Being acknowledged as one of the top companies in
our first years means a lot and we’re excited to see what future brings! 



Does
your company need a new development partner? Check us out today and <a href="https://www.scale3c.com/">see if we would make a good team</a>!

Scale3C named a Top Development Company in Lithuania by Clutch.co. Discover why our innovative tech solutions, strong client relationships and commitment to excellence earned us this recognition.

Clutch names Scale3C a Top development company in Lithuania | Scale3C

Clutch names Scale3C a Top development company in Lithuania

Simon Anderson is an Australian living in Utah (US). We met him during our visit to Salt Lake City and after a quick chat, we have decided to start rebuilding the platform he had developed. A few months ago Simon has decided to come to Lithuania for the first time and visit our team. Here is a short interview about his business and the overall impressions he got while visiting Vilnius.



Can you briefly describe your company and your product?



For 5 years I have been building a platform called Notis which allows students from high-schools/ colleges and their parents or teachers to communicate more effectively with each other, especially for their out of class activities. It’s all started in Australia, but now we are operating in the USA market. 



How did you find out about Scale3C and why our services were attractive to you?



A co-working space in Utah called Kiln was using your services and the founder was very satisfied with the collaboration you had established, so he had suggested meeting you guys during your visit in Salt Lake City because at that time we were looking for a new development team. A good referral from Arian took away a lot of risks and build the trust to try the development in the country we haven’t heard anything about before.



Is a time zone difference or that your team is working remotely makes the development process very hard for you? Why?



Overall, no! I am not that person who sits close to the developer watching him work. Even if I had a team in the US, the work would be flexible and remote, internet connection is the thing you need. I was a bit scared regarding the communication during the night time in Lithuania, but the response from the team was really really good, we were always getting the response within a couple of hours, the bugs were fixed in less than 24 hours, all of this makes us comfortable.



What are the biggest challenges you are facing when working with a remote development agency?



The only challenge could be the time management, but we haven’t had any problems with that, all the work and meetings were scheduled on time. We also thought that language might be a challenge, but Scale3C made sure that everyone in the team members speaks English really well. So we, actually, haven’t had any challenges and we have begun to make the decision to use Scale3C for full-time development positions.



You came to visit our country Lithuania for the first time, so what are your overall impressions about people, culture, and the country itself?



Before coming you have sent us a short video which was a great overview of what is Lithuania, so I came a bit prepared. Before that I knew nothing, we don’t hear a lot about your country. During our visit, I have learned more about your history and how strong the people were during hard times. Lithuania feels like a very historic country, but has all the newest technology, old from the outside, but modern from the inside. It loved it, it feels like you have a strong culture!



You have the experience of working with other development agencies, maybe you could tell us what are the biggest Scale3C differences or advantages compared to others?



Your business model is based on your name, you want to scale for each company. We have experienced that you have a great network of developers and are able to offer us a certain type of talents which we need at that moment. The biggest advantage for me is that I don’t need to go through the hiring and recruitment process, all the pressure in on you and you are managing it perfectly! The management process here is much smoother than in the US and it is another strong service you are offering.



Would you recommend other companies to try development/outsourcing services at Scale3C and why?



Absolutely, I&#8217;m already referring friends and other business people to Scale3c. The process is smooth, and the team at Scale3C are willing to tell you how it is. No fluff, If there are better options they will let you know. This is what every tech company needs, a team that wants the best product and best outcome for all.



Thank you Simon for the interview and your honest answers!

Hear from American entrepreneur Simon Anderson on his experience working with Scale3C, a top Lithuanian development company.

Experience working with Scale3c top development agency | Scale3C

Scale3C talking with Simon Anderson, the CEO and Founder of Notis

Jesse Robinson is one of our key clients living and working in Salt Lake City (US). We had a pleasure to have a chat with him while he was visiting our office and here is what he told us about his business and the work we are doing together.



Can you briefly describe your company and what is your product about?



I am the Executive Director of “The Getch Foundation”, which is a private foundation established by a giving family from the US who&#8217;s passion is mainly focused on ocean conservation and mental health. “Getch Foundation” also has a sub-foundation which is a public charity called “My sunshine”, devoted to helping families which suffer from cancer or other traumatic experiences. Together with Scale3C, we are building a tech platform, which is going to be an emotional wellness platform for the families in order to get more information about the disease, connect with a social worker or a therapist 24/7 and simply communicate with people who are in the same situation as they are. At the moment people are using social media as a channel to communicate, but their data are not well protected, we want to create a secure and private place for that.



How did you find out about Scale3C and why our services were attractive to you?



We got a recommendation from our investors who have utilized Scale3c before, that led a flourishing partnership.&nbsp;



Is a time zone difference or that your team is working remotely makes the development process harder for you?



Yes, you are overseas, but I have never experienced any issues while trying to set up a call with you or get the bugs fixed. You are always very flexible with time. The other thing which crucial when you are trying to build a product is speaking the same language, your team is so fluent in English that I have never had any issues in understanding or expressing myself while working together. There is a bit of the time difference, but honestly, I would hardly call that an issue. 



What are the biggest challenges you are facing when working with a remote development agency?



Maybe for some people, it might be an issues not being able to talk to your team face to face, but for me, face to face is less important, technology is so good these days when it comes to virtual communication. 



You are visiting our country for the first time, what is your overall opinion about people, culture, and the country itself?



Everyone speaks really good English and makes you feel comfortable for visiting, I think it is the most important part in order to feel welcome. I have also become very good friends with everyone who works at Scale3C, so we had as much fun as we had work done during my visit.



You already have tried other development agencies, so maybe you could share what are the biggest differences or advantages comparing Scale3C and other IT companies?



I will tell you what I tell other people when talking about Scale3C. They are cheaper than most of the development companies in the US, but they are not the cheapest compared to outsourcing through some other countries in the world. Although at the end of the day it is all about the quality vs. what you pay. Working with Scale3C is the best &#8220;band for your buck&#8221; I have come across in the development industry. 



Would you recommend other businesses to try development/outsourcing services at Scale3C and why?



Although we have been very successful in raising a significant amount of funding for our businesses and now we could easily build an in-house development team, all the founders and partners have unanimously agreed that we should continue working with Scale3C and scale a team in here. Why? Because we never had any issues with Scale3C and we share the same work ethics. You guys always set the delivery timeliness, everything comes on budget and the thing that I appreciate the most is their ability to provide the input beyond my vision. You always come back with additional ideas and suggestions which 90 % of the time is even better than mine 🙂



Thank you Jesse for your feedback and honest answers!

Read an in-depth interview with Jesse Robinson, Executive Director of The Getch Foundation, on his experience working with Scale3C.

Working with Scale3C: An Emotional Wellness Platform for Families | Scale3C

Scale3C talking with Jesse Robinson, Executive Director @ Getch Foundation

Having a strong sense of company culture as you scale up as a startup is essential in not falling apart from the original core values.



A great company culture ensures you recruit the best people in terms of their skills and how well they’re going to fit within the team.&nbsp;



This can be hard to maintain and keep track of, as you scale up, but it’s important not to lose track of the vision that got you started with in the first place.



The culture can make or break the company as it affects the company’s most valuable resources &#8211; the people.



According to <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/millennialsurvey.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a>, younger individuals joining the workforce are looking for organisations that reinforce their own personal values, and can maintain a positive environment. &#8211;



“Younger generations are putting their money where their mouths are when it comes to supporting businesses that make a positive impact on society.”



While the paycheck still remains a strong motivator, many say that they would not hesitate to end a relationship with a company that they disagree with in terms of their practices, values and/or political leanings.&nbsp;



Company culture is defined within how people in the organisation behave, their vision, values, language, beliefs, habits, and more.



So, there is no one specific thing that defines company culture. It’s a long-term investment in people that pays off through employee performance.



By maintaining a positive environment where people feel calm and can achieve better performance, the company culture is directly affecting the bottom line. 



Better performance equals better final product and higher productivity, which in turn affects just about every other aspect of the business.



With that said, here’s how to develop a strong sense of company culture and maintain it as you scale up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Building the Foundation</h2>



It all begins with the “Why”. As your company grows, it’s important to reinforce the starting company missions and values.



The first step of building the company culture begins involves discussion and decisions based on the fundamental values of the business.



What does the organisation want to be known for? How are they different? What makes them stand out?



Ideally, these questions should be asked at the beginning to define the core values as soon as possible.&nbsp;



To make sure you’re on the right track and don’t lose track of your values, it’s a good idea to get them down in writing.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/welcome-to-our-blog-the-story-behind-scale3c/">Our own story behind Scale3C here</a></blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="311" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scale3C-Entrepreneur-Centric-1024x311.png" alt="" class="wp-image-388" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scale3C-Entrepreneur-Centric-1024x311.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scale3C-Entrepreneur-Centric-300x91.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scale3C-Entrepreneur-Centric-768x233.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Scale3C-Entrepreneur-Centric.png 1684w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Looking for the right talent for your development project? Get in touch at <a href="hello@scale3c.com">hello@scale3c.com</a> to see how we can help.</figcaption></figure>



Think of what matters to your company (vision), and values you want your team members to associate the company with.



From their perspective, this might include things like: 



<ul><li>Flexible/remote work</li><li>Clear communication</li><li>Accountability</li><li>Diversity</li><li>Fun (how you have fun as a company, team building, etc.)</li><li>And more</li></ul>



Once a list of company values is created, it’s time to put them into action. 



These messages then should be shared via employee communications and be present in most of the company decisions. 



The best way to do this is by including them in everything you do. 



For example, if you believe in producing a high-quality product, make sure the feedback and communication methods with the product team is as transparent as possible. 



Ask questions like “What is the WHY behind the product? Is anything missing? How can we improve the product?” 



During the process, make sure to keep your standards high and that everyone involved in the process is not afraid to speak up. High-quality should be present across every single custom-experience touchpoint. 



Company values need to be mirrored in day-to-day activities and communications with clients as well as other employees. An organisation that seeks to be open and transparent in their communications, for example, should make any information they consider important to be accessible by all employees. 



In terms of communications, if they plan to be more informal and close-knit, they could use their first names in emails or even hold face-to-face meetings (though this might depend on the <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/important-project-management-methodologies-for-software-development-choose-one/">methodology</a> and team location). 



The point is that the language you use matters and reflects your team culture. It’s important to keep that consistent as you scale up.	 



Once you have identified a list of values and beliefs you aspire to, the next step is to put those values into action and identify the “Why” behind your activities. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Defining and tracking the Why</h2>



Defining the “Why” is not a new concept, but many companies often still have a hard time with it.



For many startups, this includes creating the perfect working environment &#8211; one full of foosball tables, free food, bean bag chairs, and more.



While all of that’s good to have, as it can create a welcoming atmosphere, it’s not really a part of your company culture.



You can’t buy your way into having the right culture, as this is focused on the short term.



Instead, the only thing that will hold your company culture intact is determining what your values are and holding yourself accountable to that every single day.



Now, this does not happen overnight and takes patience.&nbsp;



Building a strong Why takes time and patience, but is arguably one of the most important parts of your vision. If you want to recruit, hire, and onboard the right people make sure your Why is clearly defined.



Likewise, culture goes both ways.



Make sure the people you’re recruiting fit within your organisation well also.



When defining the company Why, most organisations go with the Golden Circle concept by Simon Sinek. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="700" height="498" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Golden-Circle-Why.png" alt="" class="wp-image-389" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Golden-Circle-Why.png 700w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Golden-Circle-Why-300x213.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption> Source: <a href="https://www.smartinsights.com/digital-marketing-strategy/online-value-proposition/start-with-why-creating-a-value-proposition-with-the-golden-circle-model/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SmartInsights</a> </figcaption></figure>



This concept is just as popular now and an important part of defining your value proposition. The golden circle is a concept in an attempt to explain why some people and organisations are able to inspire others, and why some can’t. 



Sinek explains that organisations should start inwards, with the Why first and then move on to the How and What. 



Successfully articulating your Why is essential in your communications (with other people, businesses, etc.).&nbsp; 



Essentially, the Why part refers to the motivation, the How refers to the process and the What to the product. 



As a business, you start off by focusing on the benefits of your product or solution, from the outside in. Then, you focus on how you do what you do.&nbsp; 



Many businesses often overlook why they do what they do. As in, what motivates and inspires them. 



For building the foundation of culture, this is an important step. Because, once you know the Why you can then better communicate your purpose for being to your employees as well as clients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Scaling up With Culture in Mind</h2>



Once you more or less have a list of certain core values and beliefs in mind, the next thing you should focus on is scaling up, without losing those core beliefs that got you started.



When you’re a smaller team, it’s arguably easier to develop a sense of culture between your employees. When scaling up, it’s important not to lose that close relationship.



One way to do that is to provide feedback channels so as you don’t lose touch with your company when scaling up. Consider weekly video meetings, sending out company-wide (anonymous) surveys, and having regular social meetings and traditions.



Here are some more practical ways to analyse your company culture



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Culture overview</h3>



The first place you can check for an overview of your culture is your communication channels.



For example, consider the language used in your Slack or other communication <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/8-essential-tools-we-use-while-running-a-business-remotely/">tools</a>. To get an overview of your morale, collaboration, freedom of opinion, and more, you can use analyse your team’s keywords used. Here’s how that works. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="998" height="381" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Bunch.Ai-Keywords-Culture.png" alt="" class="wp-image-390" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Bunch.Ai-Keywords-Culture.png 998w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Bunch.Ai-Keywords-Culture-300x115.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Bunch.Ai-Keywords-Culture-768x293.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px" /><figcaption> Source: Bunch.ai</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://bunch.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bunch.ai</a> is an AI tool that maps your keywords and phrases used to cultural characteristics, by incorporating the latest research from organisational behavior. Then, a set of KPIs show you how well you’re doing in several key areas of company culture &#8211; such as being customer-focused, goal orientation, collaboration, and more.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ensure the environment reflects culture</h3>



Office design and environment can have a significant impact on the company culture, but it can’t replace it.&nbsp;



Keep this in mind when physically scaling the company and designing your new spaces. Several <a href="https://www.dezeen.com/2016/03/22/haworth-white-paper-research-how-to-create-a-successful-organisational-culture-working-styles-office-design/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">studies</a> suggest that “architecture and design can support or even change company culture&#8221;. The research points out that the workplace is usually viewed as a cost rather than a performance indicator



Some companies need more formal office layout to help the staff focus on technical problems, this kind of approach requires more individual workspaces.



Meanwhile, others that want to encourage collaboration should, in turn, reflect that with flexible design and plenty of spaces for group activities.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Recognising achievements</h3>



As you grow and onboard more employees, keeping track of employee satisfaction becomes more and more important.



According to the <a href="https://www.bluleadz.com/blog/annual-digest-of-company-culture-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a>, organisations that show regular recognition for achievements experience 31% lower voluntary turnover.



Recognising achievements and milestones show that you’re paying attention and that you care. Consider project achievements, achievement-wide milestones, and other important group KPIs. Make sure you’re tracking what’s important, and when possible, celebrating it with your employees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



All in all, developing a strong company culture is an essential part of business, no matter how small it might seem.&nbsp;



Many companies rely on short-term onboarding processes that give the employees only a general overview of their culture. But learning is a continuous, long-term process, and many companies often lose track of this.



If you ever plan to onboard the right people and scale up eventually, it’s good to have the Why behind your company developed, and ideally, written down.&nbsp;



Once done, you have to make sure you don’t lose track of it. Keep track of your communication channels and ensure that your working environment reflects it.



Remember &#8211; culture has a direct effect on productivity. By creating a welcoming environment, you’re investing in your future and current employees.



If you’re looking for the right talent for your development project, skill-wise as well as culture-wise, contact us at <a href="mailto:hello@scale3c.com">hello@scale3c.com</a>. We work with IT projects from scratch, improve current ones, or put them in touch with the right individuals for specific company needs.

Explore How to Develop and Sustain a Strong Company Culture as a Startup. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

How to Develop and Sustain a Strong Company Culture as a Startup | Scale3C

How to Develop and Sustain a Strong Company Culture as a Startup

Explore the 5 crucial project management methodologies for software development and learn how to choose the right one for your team.

5 Important Project Management Methodologies for Software Development (and How to Choose one) | Scale3C

The project management methodology you use will dictate how the rest of the project will perform. Having the right one in place is. essential to success.

5 Important Project Management Methodologies for Software Development (and How to Choose one)

When you’re running a startup, every second can make the difference between meeting your deadlines or falling short.&nbsp;



How you manage your time means the world of a difference between sleepless nights or running a successful corporation. When you realise the importance of time management, you might start taking it more seriously and think about how you can save time each day.



Time is one of the most important resources we’ve got. Once it’s lost, it cannot be recovered.&nbsp;



Everyone has 24 hours each day. How you make use of that is what determines if your startup is going to be successful.



From hacking your sleep schedule to the different project management methodologies though, there are many time techniques out there &#8211; some more effective than others. Though staying up every day till 4 AM to work on your startup might sound like you’re getting more work done &#8211; it’s also a sure way to achieve burnout or gain some serious health problems.



When talking about time management, it’s essential to stress the importance of health.



A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.



If you’re going to be planning for the long-term future, you need to be sure you’ll get there in the first place and not lose your drive.



Elon Musk, for example, is known for putting in 120-hour work weeks and getting less than 7 hours of sleep per day. Science says sleep deprivation is a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-sleep-deprivation-damage-2018-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">recipe for disaster</a>.



If you’re going to be putting in long hours of work, make sure you know some of the health issues you’re risking.



But why risk damaging your body and brain in the first place?



Instead, you might want to consider working smart, not hard.



Some of the benefits of proper time management include:



<ul><li>Increased efficiency and productivity.</li><li>Reduced stress and a higher quality of life.</li><li>More free time to spend with your loved ones.</li><li>Achieving your set goals and meeting your deadlines.</li><li>Having more time to work on the more important parts of your business and scale-up.</li></ul>



Once you know how to manage your time effectively, you can accomplish more.&nbsp;



With that said, at Scale3C, we recommend the following time management techniques to get more done in your startup:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. The Eisenhower Matrix</h2>



Dwight Eisenhower lived an extremely productive life.



He was a five-star general in the United States Army, a president of the Columbia University, the first Supreme Commander of NATO, and more &#8211; all this before becoming the U.S. president.



Yet, he still somehow found time to pursue hobbies like golfing and oil painting.



Eisenhower had the incredible ability to sustain his productivity throughout not only weeks, but also decades of work. To say he had a lot of tasks to balance daily would be an understatement.



This eventually led him to invest the now world-famous Eisenhower Method, which is used to help prioritise tasks by urgency and importance.&nbsp;



“I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.” &#8211; Dwight Eisenhower



When you’re focusing on efficiency, it’s important to set your priorities first. This is where the above framework comes in. It’s a simple decision-making tool that can help you get started right away.



Here’s how:



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="http://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Eisenhower-Box-Time-Management-Technique.png" alt="Eisenhower box as a time management technique illustration" class="wp-image-276" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Eisenhower-Box-Time-Management-Technique.png 990w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Eisenhower-Box-Time-Management-Technique-300x242.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Eisenhower-Box-Time-Management-Technique-768x621.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /><figcaption>Source: <a href="https://jamesclear.com/eisenhower-box" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Jamesclear (opens in a new tab)">Jamesclear</a></figcaption></figure>



Essentially, there are four following quadrants:



<ol><li>Important and urgent tasks with a strict deadline that you need to do straightaway.</li><li>Important, and not urgent tasks that have a deadline and you can do later.</li><li>Unimportant and not urgent tasks that you can delegate to someone or <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/what-you-should-look-for-when-outsourcing-tech/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">outsource</a>.</li><li>Unimportant and not urgent tasks that you need to eliminate from your schedule completely.</li></ol>



The main goal of the matrix is to help you filter any unnecessary noise from your decision-making process and concentrate on the tasks that matter.&nbsp;



As with all time-management frameworks, if you’re going to adopt this one in your life, it’s important you stick to it and work on it consistently. Try not to add more than eight tasks per quadrant so as you don’t get overwhelmed.



Once you have a list and know what’s urgent and what’s not &#8211; getting started becomes much easier.



Tip: if you’re not sure whether you should outsource or do it in-house, read our guide on the topic <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/in-house-vs-outsourcing-what-you-need-to-know-and-overview-of-each/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">here</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Pomodoro technique</h2>



You might have already heard of this time management technique before.



The Pomodoro technique is famous and one of the most effective productivity methods used by startups all around the world. Mainly due to how easy it is to start using it &#8211; all you need is a timer (or just an <a href="https://zapier.com/blog/best-pomodoro-apps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">app</a>).



The technique helps you power through any distractions and stop procrastinating by cutting your tasks into bite-sized pieces. If you always end up distracted halfway through a task, this technique is for you as it allows you to work in short bursts instead.



Once you compile a list of all the tasks you need to take care of for the day, you can then use the Pomodoro technique to manage your time effectively.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="http://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Pomodoro-Time-Management-Technique-1024x538.png" alt="Pomodoro guide as a time management technique" class="wp-image-277" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Pomodoro-Time-Management-Technique.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Pomodoro-Time-Management-Technique-300x158.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Pomodoro-Time-Management-Technique-768x404.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> Source: <a href="https://project-management.com/what-is-pomodoro-technique-and-how-to-utilize-it-to-maximize-productivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Project-Management</a></figcaption></figure>



The whole process can be broken down into four simple steps:



<ol><li>Choose a task you’d like to get done. Doesn’t matter how big the task is. What matters is that you can concentrate on getting it done.</li><li>Set the timer for 25 minutes dedicated to that task and that task alone. Concentrate on giving it all you got and make sure you don’t get distracted until the timer rings.</li><li>Once the time is up, you can then take a short 5-minute break to grab a coffee, go for a walk, or do anything else as long as it’s not work-related.</li><li>Now, repeat the process four times and then take a longer 15-30 minutes break. Afterwards, start again until you’re out of tasks!</li></ol>



Simple, right?



The short work sessions help you really get engrossed in the tasks and the frequent breaks keep your mind fresh. After the break, you can come back with a refreshed state of mind and continue working.



If you’re working in development, for example, the Pomodoro technique is a great way to work in sprint coding-sessions and get a lot of work done in short sprint sessions. While this tactic works in any industry, we’ve had a lot of success in our web development tasks and projects.



If you can’t stand working for hours on end, try the Pomodoro technique and use your breaks wisely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Pareto Principle (or the 80/20 rule)</h2>



The Pareto Principle simply states that 20% of the inputs or activities are responsible for 80% of the outputs or results.



Originally, the observation came from the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto who noticed that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. This concept can now be applied to most situations in our daily lives and business.



<ul><li>20% of the company’s customers often produce 80% of the total revenue.</li><li>20% of the workers generate 80% of the result.</li><li>20% of the code makes for 80% of the value.</li><li>And so on.</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="http://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Pareto-Principle-Time-Management-Technique-1024x594.png" alt="Pareto principle for time management 80/20 cup" class="wp-image-278" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Pareto-Principle-Time-Management-Technique-1024x594.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Pareto-Principle-Time-Management-Technique-300x174.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Pareto-Principle-Time-Management-Technique-768x445.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Pareto-Principle-Time-Management-Technique.png 1463w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



It’s important to note that this is not always the case and the ratio might be different sometimes (e.g. it can be 70/30, 90/10, so on).



The practical application of the principle has to do with how we manage our time-to-tasks ratio and prioritise tasks.&nbsp;



Most things in life are not distributed evenly.&nbsp;



So, to better manage your time, try to approach your decision-making and task-management with the 80/20 rule in mind.&nbsp;



Consider the 20% investment you can put into developing a task (e.g. 10 minutes research) and how that will affect the 80% of the bulk work (e.g. 50 minutes writing the code).



There is often an underlying cause with most tasks that can help you get it done faster.&nbsp;



Work backwards and try to figure out what you need to effectively finish the task.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Eat the frog</h2>



“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day” &#8211; Mark Twain



Now, we don’t advocate actually eating live frogs. Instead, let’s interpret these “frogs” into the most difficult tasks we dread. That makes much more sense and sounds plausible too.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="http://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Eat-the-Frog-Time-Management-Technique.png" alt="eat the frog illustration " class="wp-image-279" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Eat-the-Frog-Time-Management-Technique.png 960w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Eat-the-Frog-Time-Management-Technique-300x191.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Eat-the-Frog-Time-Management-Technique-768x489.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



“Eating the frog” means doing the worst or extremely important task first thing in the morning, to get it out of the way before moving onto other tasks. Once the worst is behind you, you’re more likely to take on a more positive approach the rest of your day.



If you’ve been putting off your worst task because it’s too difficult or demanding, this technique suggests you should focus all of your attention on it so that you can move on. Otherwise, you might end putting it off and procrastinating too long.



Find your most important task, and tackle it first thing in the morning. Getting it out of the way will you give you a momentum to continue and a strong sense of accomplishment early in the day.



For some, this includes code reviews or a long-dreaded web development project. Whatever the task, it’s better to get it out of the way first.



After all, once you’ve eaten the frog, everything else doesn’t sound as hard.&nbsp;



The frog, in most cases, may include tasks that you don’t want to do, but actually have to.



You can use this approach with the Eisenhower Matrix to see what’s the most urgent and important thing you have to do, and start there.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Stop multitasking, start automating</h2>



If you want to get more done, it’s better to go through your daily list of tasks by giving them your undivided attention and then move on only when you’re done. As opposed to trying to juggle too many tasks and getting only half of each done.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" src="http://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Multi-Tasking-Time-Management-Technique.png" alt="juggling balls as multi tasking time management" class="wp-image-280" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Multi-Tasking-Time-Management-Technique.png 632w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Multi-Tasking-Time-Management-Technique-199x300.png 199w" sizes="(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px" /></figure></div>



Instead of doing many things at half-effort, concentrate on getting specific tasks done one at a time. When we switch our focus from one task to another, the change often disrupts our train of thought and forces it to wander off in another direction.



This mainly happens due to small tasks or distractions that might not take long, but long enough for us to switch focus and lose our concentration.



For example, switching to and from different development projects may cause you to lose focus and get lost in your code. It’s better to go through developing each task at a time.



To make the best use of your time, think about how you can automate (if not delegate or outsource) those minor tasks.



Look into using <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ifttt.com/" target="_blank">IFTTT</a> (If This, Then That) or <a href="https://zapier.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Zapier</a> to connect your apps and streamline your workflow process.



The tools you use in your day-to-day activities are just as important. You need to make sure they’re working for you and you’re not wasting time with any unnecessary features you don’t need.



Tip: we at Scale3C also recommend using the following <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/8-essential-tools-we-use-while-running-a-business-remotely/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">tools</a> to help you get started in managing your startup.



Multitasking can be just as harmful as procrastinating and can kill your productivity. In terms of time management, it does more harm than good. When your focus is split apart between a number of tasks, you’re not really doing either of them that well.



In short, it’s better to list out your priorities (by using the above time management techniques, for example) and then attack them one-by-one. The number one priority should be on quality.&nbsp;



When you’re taking it slow, as long as everything is on schedule &#8211; you’ll be able to clear your workload eventually, slow and steady.



Focus on what&#8217;s urgent and important, ideally at the beginning of the day, and everything else will follow from there.

Explore 5 Effective Time Management Techniques for Startups. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

Scale3C Recommends: 5 Effective Time Management Techniques for Startups | Scale3C

Every second matters when running a startup. Here's what we at Scale3C recommend for time management to get more tasks done daily.

Scale3C Recommends: 5 Effective Time Management Techniques for Startups

In our previous blog post, we talked about <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/what-you-should-look-for-when-outsourcing-tech/">what you should be looking for when outsourcing tech</a>. 



Outsourcing tech development is one of the more convenient ways you can scale up, assuming you know what you’re looking for.



However, the other side of the coin is doing it in-house.



Both of these options are viable and have their own set of pros and cons. 



Most of the time, however, the decision comes down to the scope of the project. Factors like the time-frame of the project, the budget, and most importantly, your team, are the most important things to take into consideration.



Is the project short-term? Will you continue the working relationship afterwards? Will you be able to find the right talent locally?



Regardless of the option you go with, it’s important to define your requirements and expectations first. 



It may sound obvious, but you need to clearly define what you’re looking for from a project development standpoint first.



This is why there is no right or wrong answer. Each case is different and sometimes you might want to consider hiring in-house rather than outsourcing and vice-versa.



First, to get a better sense of each option though, it’s worth defining what these terms actually mean and what you should look for when considering them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the difference?</h2>



In-house (or insourcing) simply refers to assigning a project to a person or a department within the company instead of seeking outside help. 



The cost associated with hiring an inside talent is relatively higher compared to outsourcing. Though it also comes with the benefit of being able to train employees based on the company needs and being available when needed. 



Depending on the project, and if it requires physical presence and communication, this can be a good thing.



For example, in the case of an emergency security breach, it’s a good idea to have someone nearby who can take care of it.



If a situation needs to be dealt with immediately, you need to be able to call someone in to deal with it as soon as possible. In that case, you would have no time to look for an outsourced specialist.



By hiring in-house, the company is potentially paying extra money just to be safe. The employee will be trained to the level deemed necessary and most likely, will continue working with the company. Being able to offer a high salary and the room for growth is sometimes enough to make employees become more invested within the company.



The <a href="https://www.cio.com/article/2417125/9-questions-to-consider-before-insourcing-outsourced-it.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">insourcing process</a> is also arguably simpler as the communication happens face-to-face and for most people &#8211; this is easier. 



There are fewer language and cultural hurdles, no time-zone differences, and the overall management process is also simplified.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why you should hire in-house</h2>



So, to recap, some of the benefits of hiring in-house include:



<ul><li>Being face-to-face &#8211; Physical conversations offer more engagement between employees (and employers) when covering the same project. This may lead to an increase in morale, a better understanding of the project and faster progress.</li><li>Long-term relationship &#8211; Once a company decides to hire someone they think is a right fit, they’re investing in the employee’s talents, time, and future. If this is the case, they often want the employee to stick around for future projects and help the company in other ways. An increase in salary, room for growth and other on-office perks are great motivators for most people, especially for the long-term.</li><li>Easier management process &#8211; For all the above reasons, the management process becomes much more simplified. Technical solutions usually become resolved much faster, and emergencies are easier to handle. When necessary, an in-house talent can also direct all their attention to a problem that must be fixed quickly. </li></ul>



With all that said, in-house development also comes with its own set of downsides. It’s easy to feel restricted when looking at in-house development and comparing it to other options. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The downsides of hiring in-house</h2>



The cons of in-house development can mainly be seen in terms of its restrictions. 



You need to consider factors like the financial outlay, time, and quality control.



As mentioned above, hiring in-house also means looking for the right person fit for the job, investing in them, and making sure their onboarding process goes well. Finding the right people and training them can be a costly and time-consuming process. 



Additionally, the training never stops, as they will need to constantly update their skills, knowledge, and more. All this, while making sure they’re a right fit within the team culture.



Of course, if they do satisfy all of the above criteria, they will need to be paid a regular competitive salary with certain employee benefits, in order to keep them satisfied within the company.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hiring-InHouse-Discussion-1024x768.png" alt="Team meeting discussing in-house " class="wp-image-200" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hiring-InHouse-Discussion-1024x768.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hiring-InHouse-Discussion-300x225.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hiring-InHouse-Discussion-768x576.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hiring-InHouse-Discussion.png 1934w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Once you do assemble a great in-house team with all the required talent, at the end of the day &#8211; you’re in full control. You have them fresh and ready for anything you might require along the course of the project.



Together, you will be working together towards a common goal, unified by the culture around your brand and have the precise knowledge of every little detail along the way. 



If you have the budget and aren’t constrained in time, this might be the better option for you. If not, however, it’s also worth exploring other options.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why you should outsource </h2>



Finding the right way to approach your operational activities is an important part of working on your business, as opposed to working in your business.



You always want to be looking at the most cost-effective and efficient ways to get tasks done.



Outsourcing has been a common practice for most companies (both startups and corporations) for some time now. Thanks to the internet, it is now easier than ever to hire outside help to improve your development work.



If you want to outsource, we recommend finding a company (or a freelancer) that is the perfect fit based on your <a href="https://www.inc.com/bruce-eckfeldt/10-simple-steps-to-define-your-business-processes-and-scale-more-quickly.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">requirements</a>. 



Each project has its own set of requirements, such as the budget, deadlines, and the necessary skills.



Luckily, when seeking outside help, you’re not restricted in who you can hire as the options are practically limitless. 



That is one of the biggest advantages of outsourcing work &#8211; the convenience of choice.



Most freelancers or companies are specialists in very targeted fields, such as software development, product design, UX/UI, and more. So, once you know what kind of talent you’re looking for, you can search for one within that specific niche.



It can take much less time to find talent, once you know what you’re looking for. There are many websites for hiring freelancers for quick one-time projects. 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hiring-Outsource-Discussion.png" alt="illustration outsourcing freelancers for projects" class="wp-image-201" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hiring-Outsource-Discussion.png 948w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hiring-Outsource-Discussion-300x228.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hiring-Outsource-Discussion-768x583.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 948px) 100vw, 948px" /></figure>



For short-term projects, outsourcing can be ideal. 



Because if that’s what they specialize in, you’re saving a lot of time and money. As an added benefit, outsourcing can also be cost-effective because you also have access to cheaper talent with the same high-quality proficiency.



To recap, some of the benefits of outsourcing include:



<ul><li>Convenience &#8211; If there’s a certain task you can’t do on your own, there are countless websites dedicated to hiring outside help. Usually, the developers there also specialise in a specific field or niche. This is a great way to save time. If you know what you’re looking for, the only thing that’s left to do is book a call to see if they’d be the right fit for your specific project. </li><li>High-quality talent &#8211; You get what you pay for. Depending on the task, it might be worth paying extra to make sure it’s perfect. The online gig economy is constantly growing and because there are so many freelancers available, all you have to do is filter through ratings and reviews. Once you set your expectations, finding the right talent for the job is just a matter of time.</li><li>Price-factor &#8211; Because of the nature of outsourcing, you can hire talent from other countries where the price for their work might be different. These outsourced employees often cost less than their in-house counterparts, and come with the same quality skillset (if not higher). </li></ul>



Collaboration with external workers also involves some downsides, however. So, there are a number of things you need to keep in mind to minimise them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The downsides of outsourcing</h2>



The cons of outsourcing mainly come in being limited within your work relationship.



Most people cite <a href="https://www.onescm.com/5-cs-outsourcing-concerns-address/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">communication</a> as their main concern, their involvement in project development, and finally, also have issues regarding transparency. Here’s how you can minimise all of that. &nbsp;



A lot of communication issues arise from the difference in time-zones. It may sound scary at first to hire someone from another country with a 10-hour difference but this can be subverted by maintaining a consistent schedule and sticking to it. 



To do this, set hours that work for you and the outsourced employee, and have times when both of you will be available for calls. 



Proper time-management techniques and having a clear weekly calendar go a long way, as we found out.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Talks-Simon-Anderson-Time-Management-1024x779.png" alt="Scale3C meeting with Simon Anderson regarding time-management in Utah (US)" class="wp-image-202" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Talks-Simon-Anderson-Time-Management-1024x779.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Talks-Simon-Anderson-Time-Management-300x228.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Talks-Simon-Anderson-Time-Management-768x584.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Talks-Simon-Anderson-Time-Management.png 1999w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> “The only challenge could be the time management, but we haven’t had any problems with that, all the work and meetings were scheduled on time. We also thought that language might be a challenge, but Scale3C made sure that everyone in the team members speaks English really well. So we, actually, haven’t had any challenges and we have begun to make the decision to use Scale3C for full-time development positions.” &#8211; <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/scale3c-talking-with-simon-anderson-the-ceo-and-founder-of-notis/">Simon Anderson</a>, Scale3C Talks.</figcaption></figure>



Once your time-management and communication guidelines are set, the involvement in project management also becomes easier. 



By having weekly sprints and daily status updates with a constant feedback loop, we make sure everything is in progress. We follow through this with Q&amp;A sessions once developed features go through quality assurance, which are then validated by UX/UI designers.



Finally, having transparency and trust issues at first might be a factor for those outsourcing for the first time. While hiring in-house definitely makes it easier to handle any trust factors, having a contract or an NDA document in place clears away any doubts.



With that said, you can never be too safe when hiring outside help. 



Which is why you should always go with freelancers or agencies you can trust. This is where reviews or word-of-mouth referrals come in useful and it is always a good idea to do your research before hiring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mixed approach</h2>



Both in-house team and outsourcing require a mix of understanding of skills, patience, and diligence. While outsourcing software development might be the more cost-efficient solution, <a href="https://softwarehut.com/blog/it-outsourcing/in-house-vs-outsourcing-development/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retaining in-house staff is a sound long-term strategy.</a>



Ultimately, however, most companies often use a mix of both approaches at the same time. 



Having a ready in-house IT team might be essential to some degree. Though on the other hand, tasks like customer support, online security or development can be outsourced while you continue working on your business. 



If possible, having in-person meetings can also be a great way to boost morale and make sure everyone in the project is on the same page. 



Though this is harder to do when outsourcing, we try to make it happen when possible.



This is why we met two of our key clients in Salt Lake City (US) to discuss business and the work we are doing together (more about <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/category/scale3c_talks/">Scale3C talks here</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final thoughts</h2>



Not all roles are right for outsourcing and some tasks are better to do in-house. 



Keeping experts around on the off chance that you might need them in the future can be too costly and time-consuming for most companies. On the other hand, outsourcing all aspects of your business without thinking about your company vision or your customers can kill your momentum.



To find the perfect balance, you might want to define your budget, time constraints, and other requirements in your project management.



It may be hard to satisfy all of your requirements, but as long as you know what you’re looking for, you can manage your project within that scope fairly easily.

Explore In-house vs Outsourcing - What You Need to Know. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

In-house vs Outsourcing - What You Need to Know

Operating a business can be an incredibly hard task.



Even more so when you are doing it remotely without physically meeting all of your clients.



However, working full-time off-site does come with its own set of advantages.



A remote workforce usually works from home, or more commonly, from a co-working space and enjoys the benefits of less overheads and other types of costs. In turn, the employees are more flexible in their work and have a different approach to office culture.



Operating a business remotely can be a smart and effective way to cut costs and grow your brand. 



All this, while not losing out on clients and other advantages of a traditional office environment. If anything, being fully remote exposes you to a wider variety of clients worldwide &#8211; as you’re not limited in terms of who you can work with.



Remote work has many benefits and as office culture is changing, just about everything can now be done remotely in a digital way. From sharing files to conference calls, you don’t need to physically be in the same room anymore. Getting everyone ready in one room at the same time can be more time-consuming than getting on a quick Skype call.



At Scale3C, we are based in Lithuania but we work with international clients &#8211; from the U.S. to the U.K., France, and other countries. We firmly believe in flexible and remote work and the time-zone difference hasn’t been a particularly difficult obstacle for us. 



Virtual communication can be just as effective as face-to-face, as we learned from talking with <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/scale3c-talking-with-simon-anderson-the-ceo-and-founder-of-notis/">Simon Anderson</a> &#8211; one of our key clients living and working in Salt Lake City (U.S.).



Here are a number of other things we learned from the experience of running a fully remote business.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Importance of Communication</h2>



There is nothing more important than having the foundations of communications organised while working remotely. 



Communication is arguably one of the biggest challenges people might have when thinking about working remotely. Once you establish consistent guidelines of how and when you’ll be working with your clients (and your team), you’ll find that the process becomes a lot smoother.



The time-zone difference, in particular, might seem daunting when doing business with international clients. When you have a 10 hour time difference with your client, you might think it would be hard to keep up with your communications. 



When we sat down with two of our key clients from the U.S., however, we were thrilled to see our communication efforts had paid off.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Jesse-Robinson-Meeting-1024x729.png" alt="Scale3C Meeting with Jesse Robinson of Getch Foundation" class="wp-image-184" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Jesse-Robinson-Meeting-1024x729.png 1024w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Jesse-Robinson-Meeting-300x214.png 300w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Jesse-Robinson-Meeting-768x547.png 768w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Jesse-Robinson-Meeting.png 1999w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>“Yes, you are overseas, but I have never experienced any issues while trying to set up a call with you or get the bugs fixed. You are always very flexible with time… There is a bit of the time difference, but honestly, I would hardly call that an issue. Maybe for some people, it might be an issues not being able to talk to your team face to face, but for me, face to face is less important, technology is so good these days when it comes to virtual communication.” &nbsp;&#8211; <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/scale3c-talking-with-jesse-robinson-executive-director-getch-foundation/">Jesse Robinson</a> on the challenges of working with a remote development agency.</figcaption></figure>



We found that though the time-zone difference can be challenging at first, being flexible when it comes to meetings is an easy way to plan ahead. Sometimes this might mean coming in earlier than usual or staying a bit later, but it’s definitely doable as long as you’re consistent with your meetings.



Once you set up your communication channels with your clients, you’ll find just how smooth your meetings can be. To keep it simple, create a separate communication channel for video calls, a separate one for emergencies where you’d be available all day, and another one (usually emails) to recap and cover weekly tasks.



This way, you’ll be more flexible with your clients, and they’ll know when and where to reach you if they need you. 



Time is an essential asset and when you have specific channels for your communications, you’ll find that the weekly team meetings will become much more productive and less of a chore.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Planning is key</h2>



Planning out meetings across different time zones become an essential part of your schedule once you find out how to communicate in the most efficient way possible.



Afterwards, to make sure everything goes as planned, you need to be consistent within your time management and organisation.



For this, our approach is different with each client but our values are the same.



Essentially, we create a roadmap, document each step and a task during the way, and follow it thoroughly, while still having the room to make changes.



Flexibility is the core of how we handle things as we tend to adjust to the client’s needs and practices.



Here is what that <a href="https://scale3c.com/#process">process</a> usually looks like:



<ol><li>First, we brainstorm together to get an idea of the desired product.</li><li>We then explore possible technologies and solutions to create the vision and how we’ll get there.</li><li>Based on that, we match the best talent who can fulfil those specific needs to the project and create a backlog of the first sprints.</li><li>During the weekly sprints, we give daily status updates and create a constant feedback loop with the client on the progress. Each week consists of shippable increments and is followed with quality assurance when the QA specialist and a UX/UI designer validates the deliveries.</li><li>Finally, we have a final review of everything and release the final product with the client’s permission.</li></ol>



Though our “formula” to each project-organization tends to be the same, we also realize that each client is different with their own set of unique needs. This is why our practice is built around their needs and we are always available each step of the way. During which, we keep things clean and clear in our documentation and track everything without any unnecessary bureaucracy.



Adaptability is also important here and it’s a good idea to have a back-up plan in case things go wrong. You can’t be ready for everything, no matter how well you plan, there might always be certain unforeseen variables along the way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The team matters</h2>



Like when communicating with a client, it’s just as important to have the same approach to your internal communications and work culture. If you’re working remotely and your team is close all day, it’s essential to have high morale and a strong sense of work culture.



How you communicate when you’re not working reflects your attitude when working on a project. It’s important to get a sense of everyone’s personalities and how they react to different situations. 



It’s the relationship between team members that creates a true company culture and when everyone feels natural communicating with each other. For this reason, you might have to put in extra work to make everyone feels more connected and real. 



Apps like Slack and Google Hangouts help but it’s just as important to create a meaningful bond face-to-face in a physical environment when possible.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Slack-Channel-Communications.png" alt="Scale3C Slack channel communications screenshot" class="wp-image-185" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Slack-Channel-Communications.png 493w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Slack-Channel-Communications-203x300.png 203w" sizes="(max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px" /></figure></div>



If you’re working with a startup and don’t have a lot of employees, it’s somewhat easier to create a sense of culture. Though, this also means you have to make sure you’re hiring the right people each time. Having people who are passionate about the project is the key, especially if you want your company to stand-out.



For this, meetups can be a great way to bring the whole team close, not only on projects but when working together as well. Interpersonal relationships shared by all the team members are just as important outside the office.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://scale3c.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Team-Outside-Work.png" alt="Scale3C team meeting outside office meetup" class="wp-image-186" width="NaN" height="NaN" srcset="https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Team-Outside-Work.png 720w, https://admin.scale3c.com/api/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scale3C-Team-Outside-Work-225x300.png 225w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



Every meetup we’ve held has brought the team closer, both inside and outside work. How we keep progressing and growing together is a testament to that. Any obstacles we find along the way brings us together and being able to communicate effortlessly is the key to problem-solving.



If you would like to find out more about us and what the 3C stands for &#8211; be sure to read <a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/welcome-to-our-blog-the-story-behind-scale3c/">the story behind Scale3C</a> 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Collaboration</h2>



In short, being fully remote has its advantages and it’s important to capitalize on them. 



Collaborations are an essential characteristic of any healthy organization. Culture drives collaborative practices among individuals, teams, and the working relationship with the clients.



As a result, teams are more likely to see greater communication and overall success. Start with making sure everyone is on the same page &#8211; both in terms of their work approach and so that they’re a right fit within the team as well. 



Once you have the right communication guidelines down, everything else follows naturally. Ultimately, organizations are about people and their success lies in the successful execution within their collaboration.

Explore Tips to Keep in Mind when Running a Fully Remote Business. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

Tips to Keep in Mind when Running a Fully Remote Business | Scale3C

Tips to Keep in Mind when Running a Fully Remote Business

Both startups and corporations choose to outsource parts of their business functions. Tech development, most notably, is one of the most common outsourced jobs today.



The number one benefit outsourcing tech offers is the convenience. However, just like hiring offline workers, there are a number of things you should keep in mind.



If you’ve decided to outsource parts of your software development, you’ll find that some companies and freelancers you work with tend to be more reliable than others, depending on your budget.



In other words, you get what you pay for.



The online gig economy is constantly growing. Right now, there are more freelancers than ever (with 53% of U.S. companies using flexible workers, according to <a href="https://upwork.docsend.com/view/c35mxp4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upwork</a>).



Though it is too soon to say if the field is saturated or not, there are still some precautions you should take when outsourcing tech. For example, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t hire just about anyone you find online.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Define your requirements</h2>



Every project is different and so is every tech developer.



It’s a good idea to set your expectations beforehand and let it be known to the person you’re outsourcing your work to. 



With a limited amount of time, it’s hard to truly get to know someone on the other end of the screen, so it’s best to get down to brass tacks straightaway.



Some of the more obvious things you should be looking for in an applicant is if they’ve worked on a project similar to yours, what tech they specialize in, and some of the other essential details (how long it’s going to take, how much it’s going to cost, and so on).



Be sure to also consider the “<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/317624" target="_blank" rel="noopener">soft skills</a>” in a developer. Communication is crucial to any successful project and can make or break how well it’ll go. Set clear boundaries with your workers beforehand and define how and when you’ll be communicating (Slack channel, phone calls, etc.).



There is nothing worse than not being able to contact your employees on demand. Simply setting clear working hours (so that your timezones match up) when they’ll be available can save you a lot of trouble down the road. 



Remember: proper planning prevents poor performance.



To start, it’s a good idea to have some ground rules defined (in terms of what you’re looking for and how you’ll be working together). 



This way, you’re saving yourself a lot of trouble in case things go wrong. You’re also making it easier for your outsourced employee as well. If you already have certain guidelines to live up to, they’ll know what to expect on your part.



It’s better to have certain onboarding material ready for your online employees than to be forced to meet them halfway through and figure things out as you go.



Quality is conformance to requirements.



Once you’ve set clear expectations and defined how your outsourced help will be able to integrate into your current workflow and organisation, the next step is taking a look at some of the core factors that you might want to take into consideration when outsourcing tech.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cost-efficiency</h2>



This is where it all starts. 



Can I afford it? How much will it cost?



These are some of the most first and the most important questions you might be asking yourself when considering hiring online work.



To give a more detailed breakdown of what it means to be cost-efficient, you need to consider time, quality, and money (or <a href="https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/triple-constraint-project-management-time-scope-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the triple constraint</a>). 



One of the most important benefits of outsourcing tech is being able to get work done at a relatively lower cost than hiring in-house in a more efficient way. 



Though, this largely depends on where you’re outsourcing your work. 



It might be tempting to hire a worker from a country where the cost of living is lower, because their wages would also be lower. But there are other factors you need to take into consideration here as well &#8211; such as the quality of their work, work-culture, time barriers and more.



All of this usually has a direct or an indirect effect on their cost as well. 



For example, if someone has a lot of experience in communicating with tech startups and also specializes in app development, chances are, they’re going to come at a higher rate as well. 



This would be backed up by their experience and expertise, which once again goes to the “defining your requirements” part.



On the other hand though, just because they’re willing to work for less, doesn’t always mean the quality will be high as well. There is a huge difference in the wage pattern between the developed and the developing countries, and a lot depends on the cost of living. The type of work you can get done in the West may come at a much higher price than in a developing country. 



Though, this might be reflected in the quality of their work as well.



Finding that sweet-spot between cost and quality is never easy. You shouldn’t be looking at outsourcing only from a financial standpoint. 







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scaling up</h2>



Depending on how things are going until now, you might want to continue working with your online employee on additional projects, or cut your losses and start from scratch.



Ideally, it’s the former but either way, you should be prepared for both cases.



If things have been going well with your outsourced help, be sure to document everything and note down what made it work so well for the future. For future projects, you’ll already have experience on how to approach tasks and you’ll waste no time preparing. 



If you’re going to be working with the employee &#8211; that’s even more convenient as you both will know what to expect. If you want to take things to the next level to <a href="https://channels.theinnovationenterprise.com/articles/how-today-s-small-businesses-use-outsourcing-to-scale-up" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scale up</a> &#8211; you could look into hiring an agency, instead of single freelancers.



Hiring a tech agency might come at a relatively higher cost but that’s the option most startup entrepreneurs go with. 



Of course, as mentioned above, a lot depends on your work and what you’re trying to accomplish. It goes without saying that you should do your research first.



When considering an agency, you should also take into consideration their work culture and vision. If it aligns with yours (e.g. you’re both focused on Android development as a startup) &#8211; the process is likely to be a lot smoother.



Additionally, with an agency, it’s more likely to know what you’re getting yourself into, as opposed to a mere freelancer. But there are also other things you should be looking into when considering outsourcing to an agency.



Look for any testimonials and past projects that make them stand out, what their work process and approach is like, their vision, target market, and more. If they already have some experience with working on projects similar to yours, everything is much more likely to go smoother.



Well-done scaling up campaign, especially when it comes to tech, can skyrocket your firm to success. If you’re going to go with an agency, be prepared, consider your options and know what you’re getting yourself into.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Work methodology</h2>



An essential part of any project management is deciding on a development methodology you’ll use.



This topic gets a lot of discussion and because every software development process is different, there is no right or wrong answer. Instead, a lot depends on your work process, deadlines, and quality control.



Generally, the two most popular methodologies are <a href="https://www.seguetech.com/waterfall-vs-agile-methodology/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">waterfall and agile</a>, both of which have been tried and tested but have two different work uses, with their own strengths and weaknesses. 



When it comes to outsourcing tech development, you need to take a step back and look at your project management within the bigger picture to find the methodology that best suits you.



What you will find is that the process from vision to launch depends a lot on your flexibility. 



For instance, the waterfall methodology is a linear approach to tech development and each of its stages must be finished before the next one can begin. Because the design is decided on early in the <a href="https://securityintelligence.com/the-system-development-life-cycle-a-phased-approach-to-application-security/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">development lifecycle</a>, this approach is better suited for projects where multiple software components must be designed.



Agile is based around rapid delivery of the tech functions &#8211; on sprints, in other words. Rather than creating tasks and schedules, development is defined within sprints (usually in weeks), where most work is completed. And if it’s not done, planned work is reprioritized for future sprint planning.



Agile relies on a high level of customer involvement throughout the project and a lot of back-and-forth communication.



Once you’ve decided on which methodology to use, you can then refine the process to best fit your project goals. Though this isn’t to say your development process must follow either of the above methodologies, it’s still a good idea to define them beforehand to make the process easier for everyone involved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Putting it all together</h2>



All in all, if you’re thinking of outsourcing tech development, you should first have an overall idea of what you’re after and what your project management approach will be like.



As long as there is active participation (from you and your employee&#8217;s side) and proper communication established &#8211; the development process is bound to go better when everyone is involved.



Regardless of the model you choose, it’s just as important you don’t forget regular communication and exchange of feedback. These soft skills, along with a sense of personality, work culture and a vision can go a long way.



Once you’ve set your requirements and expectations, one final thing you should do to decide if outsourcing is the right choice for you is to actually talk to and get to know who you’re taking on for outside work.



The testimonials and reviews can only say so much. The best way to actually know if who you’re outsourcing your tech to is the right fit, is by learning more about their work approach and vision.



Chances are, there are a number of online workers who can help you get your work done. However, &nbsp;the number of people who can do so while keeping your brand and your approach in mind &#8211; much less.



Every project is different and it’s very likely for your requirements and work process to be unique to you. 



As such, when outsourcing any kind of work online, being prepared and flexible are some of the best ways to go about doing so, and to bring your ideas to life &#8211; you need help from someone who truly understands your approach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Being entrepreneur-centric</h2>



Here at Scale3C, our approach is something we like to call <a href="https://scale3c.com/#entrepreneur-centric">entrepreneur&#8211;centric</a>. We always keep your needs in mind and go from there. 



We know what it is like to be a startup and we specialise in providing an approach that is based around flexibility. So, first, we have a brainstorming session with you to get an idea of what the desired product is like and then take the weight of product development off your shoulders.



This way, you’re involved in our step-by-step process to launch your product, and receive constant updates each step of the way. Our weekly sprints consist of daily status updates and a constant feedback loop with you to make sure everything is working as intended.



Afterwards, each of our developed features goes through quality assurance, during which a QA specialist, a UX/UI designer and product owner validate the deliveries.



In the end, we do a final review with the customer and release after your GO decision.



If you are interested, <a href="https://scale3c.com/#quote">Request a quote</a> now and let us work towards winning your trust and getting more business, or email us at (hello@scale3c.com) if you have any questions.

Explore What You Should Look for When Outsourcing Tech. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

What You Should Look for When Outsourcing Tech | Scale3C

What You Should Look for When Outsourcing Tech

Welcome to our first Scale3C blog post!



We are very excited to launch this blog where we will share with you the latest trends in web and mobile technologies. In an easy way, we will help you to understand the differences between similar technologies or will share insights why for example native mobile app could be a better investment into your product&#8217;s future and scalability. Our developers, designers, and product owners will also share their personal insights and knowledge with you on various topics. In our &#8220;Scale3C Talks&#8221; section you will find interviews with our clients and entrepreneurs from different business fields. Finally, we have a place where we will be able to share our expertise and experience with you!



Let us introduce ourselves, the founders of Scale3C &#8211; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurynas-pletkus-a3522a61/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Laurynas</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariuskavaliauskas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Darius</a>, 2 friends who have decided to start their own business after many years of work for the big corporations. Please check our LinkedIn profiles to get a better understanding of our professional background.



While working together we come up with the idea to start the company which could help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life by leveraging design and technology. A company which would be known for its quality of work, creativity, the dedication of the team and who would be your guide and friend on a daily basis. We wanted to help other businesses to grow by providing them world-class IT services for a reasonable price, as from our experience we knew that it is challenging to find a trustworthy IT company which could fully meet your expectations or even exceed them.



Starting from 2017 we have helped many companies to scale their
businesses and be prepared for the next investment. Our team consists of very
professional and talented people and they are coming from various fields and
companies what brings us a unique advantage when we are working with clients
from various fields and we need to combine the best suitable team for them.
Please find out more of some of us in our &#8220;Team&#8221; section. 



From simple websites to complex IT systems we are building unique and engaging experiences on web, hybrid, iOS and Android platforms with interactive UI/UX designs, animations, and 3D models. If you have a long lasting project we also provide outsourcing services where you can have your own development team dedicated only for you. Our practice is built around your needs. Let us take the weight, of product development, off your shoulders. Other good reasons to start with us: 



<ol><li>We bill fairly. Request a quote, compare with other development agencies and see it for yourself. </li><li>We make realistic estimates and follow the roadmap. </li><li>We&#8217;re always there for you. Our clients praise the way we run their projects. </li><li>Always know what&#8217;s happening and when it is going to be completed. </li><li>We keep clean and clear documentation. No bureaucratic nonsense. </li><li>The first thing we do is sign the NDA. Your trade secrets are safe with us. </li><li>Unlike some other developers, we always track the hours fairly. </li><li>We’ll be able to support your legacy code or advice on what technology to use for your brand-new project to maximize ROI.</li></ol>



The most
important principle of our work is flexibility! We’ll adjust
to your process practices if they are in place. If not, we’ve got things
covered as well: 



<ol><li>We will brainstorm together with you to get an idea of what is the desired product. </li><li>We start with wireframes and explore existing technologies to create the envisioned solution. </li><li>Matching the best talents who can fulfill the needs of the client and the complexity of the product. </li><li>A backlog is created and planning of first sprints starts based on priorities set. </li><li>Daily status updates and a constant feedback loop with you on the progress is set. </li><li>Each developed feature is going through quality assurance: QA specialist and UX/UI designer validate the deliveries. </li><li>We do a final review with you and release after a GO decision.</li></ol>



Now, you know much more about us than before. We hope you have enjoyed this read and now you have a better understanding of how we could help your business to scale. Please reach out to us, and let&#8217;s talk!



P.S. If you were wondering what &#8220;3C&#8221; stands for, the answer is &#8211; Connect, Consult, Complete.



Cheers,



Darius &amp; Laurynas



The Founders of Scale3C

Learn The story behind Scale3C. Learn how we made it.

The story behind Scale3C | Scale3C

Welcome to our blog: The story behind Scale3C

There are a lot of benefits to outsourcing work. You can get things done faster and at competitive rates, and you don&#8217;t have to worry about hiring and training employees. However, there is much more to collaborating with a remote team than just picking the right people and sending them a task list &#8211; and that&#8217;s why it&#8217;s essential to familiarize yourself with how to successfully manage an outsourced team.



In this article, we will discuss the differences between managing outsourced teams and managing in-house teams. We will also talk about the shift in work culture and how managers must adapt to be successful with outsourced teams, focusing on the managerial traits that will help you make the most out of your collaboration with your outsourcing partners and team members.



Managing an In-House Team vs. Outsourced Team



There are a few key differences between managing an in-house and an outsourced team. One of the most significant differences is the means of communication. With an in-house team, you can easily pop into someone&#8217;s office for a quick chat or impromptu meeting. But with an outsourced team, managers must be more intentional about setting up regular check-ins and video calls.&nbsp;



Another big difference is how you manage tasks and projects. With an in-house team, managers can easily drop by a team member&#8217;s desk to give them a quick update on a project or ask how their day is going. But with an outsourced team, managers must be more proactive about requesting and overviewing progress reports and using project management tools to stay on top of deadlines. If not, things may fall by the wayside, and productivity may drop simply because there&#8217;s no in-person oversight of how things are moving along.



Lastly, managers must be more mindful of cultural differences when managing an outsourced team. For example, if you&#8217;re managing a team in a different time zone, you&#8217;ll need to be flexible with your meeting times. And, if you&#8217;re managing a team in another country, you&#8217;ll need to be aware of cultural customs and holidays to set your schedule accordingly.



Overall, managing an outsourced team requires a bit more effort than managing an in-house team. It demands that the right communication tools and protocols are put in place to ensure a fruitful collaboration and that all parties involved are on the same page when it comes to following them in the same way.



The first thing to understand and embrace is the change that&#8217;s happening on a global scale in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and how that affects the way business is now conducted.



Acknowledging the Post-Pandemic Work Culture Shift



At the outset of the pandemic, many office workers were forced to work remotely for safety reasons. However, as time went on and the logistics of working from home were finetuned and perfected, remote work became a permanent option for a significant percentage of the global workforce. So, with millions of people working at least partially remotely, it&#8217;s no surprise that outsourcing staff has become more popular as well.&nbsp;



While remote work is often thought of as the perfect solution for introverts, it&#8217;s shown that <a href="https://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/is-your-personality-type-right-for-working-remotely.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it is extroverts who thrive in a remote setting</a> – but it&#8217;s not just them. In fact, several personality types are suited for remote work. Check them out below!



Personality Types That Do Well with Remote Work



<ul><li>The Independent Type: They enjoy working on their own and don&#8217;t need a lot of handholding.</li><li>The Self-Starter: They&#8217;re motivated and can stay on task without someone looking over their shoulder.&nbsp;</li><li>The Problem-Solver: They like to problem-solve and figure things out independently.&nbsp;</li><li>The Adaptable Type: They&#8217;re flexible and can &#8220;roll with the punches.&#8221;&nbsp;</li></ul>



As a result, it&#8217;s essential to know which type of worker you&#8217;re dealing with before you outsource your team and learn how to work with them after you begin your collaboration.&nbsp;



Keeping that in mind, let&#8217;s see how you can use all this information to manage your outsourced team successfully.



<ol><li>Adopt an Agile Management Style</li></ol>



<a href="https://www.apm.org.uk/resources/find-a-resource/agile-project-management/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The agile management style</a> has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more businesses look to outsourced teams to help them meet their goals. This management style is characterized by its emphasis on flexibility and collaboration, two key factors that are essential for successful outsourcing relationships.



One of the most significant benefits of the agile management style is that it helps to foster a strong sense of communication between the client and the outsourced team. In traditional outsourcing arrangements, there can often be a disconnect between the two parties, which can lead to misunderstandings and frustration. However, with agile management, both sides are constantly working together towards common goals, which helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page.&nbsp;



Another advantage of the agile management style is that it allows for greater flexibility when it comes to project scope and timelines. This is essential when working with an outsourced team, as it can be difficult to predict precisely how long a project will take or what challenges will need to be overcome. The agile manager can quickly make changes as needed by being flexible and adaptable, ensuring that the project stays on track.



Successful outsourcing relationships are essential for many companies in today&#8217;s fast-paced business world. The agile management style is a proven method for ensuring that these relationships are productive and effective. By focusing on communication and collaboration, agile managers can help their clients achieve their goals while maintaining a healthy and fruitful relationship with their outsourced team.



<ol><li>Maintain an Open Line of Communication</li></ol>



As mentioned earlier, outsourced management requires a high level of focus on communication. If you want to get what you have in mind, you must be clear about your goals, share your ideas, state your expectations, and ensure remote team members understand your project requirements.



But you shouldn&#8217;t stop there. You must talk to your remote team often to know if there are any challenges, questions, or problems and be updated regarding whether your project is going as planned.



So, when you choose an outsourced team, it&#8217;s essential to agree on the ways and formats you&#8217;ll use to talk to each other. For example, you can set up regular meetings and use remote collaboration tools such as Zoom or Slack to schedule video calls where you can discuss project updates or track progress using a project management tool like Asana or Jira. By doing so, you can make sure that everyone is on the same page and that the project is moving forward as intended.



<ol><li>Acknowledge Cultural Differences</li></ol>



When you manage an outsourced team, it&#8217;s important to remember that everyone comes from a different cultural background. What might be considered normal or acceptable in one culture may be completely different in another. This can lead to misunderstandings and conflict if not acknowledged and appropriately managed. Being aware of cultural differences can help avoid problems and build a more effective and cohesive team. When people feel respected and understood, they are more likely to be loyal and productive. So, acknowledging and accommodating cultural differences is not only the right thing to do but can also help you build a better team.



<ol><li>Encourage Collaboration and Feedback</li></ol>



The importance of fostering a collaborative environment, and being open to feedback, cannot be overstated. Emphasizing these two things helps to create a more cohesive team that can work together effectively to achieve common goals. It also helps to ensure that team members are held accountable for their performance and that they can learn from their mistakes. Feedback also allows you to identify areas where the team can improve and make changes accordingly. Furthermore, it will enable you to get input from all team members and ensure that everyone is happy with their work. Finally, by encouraging collaboration and feedback, you&#8217;ll build a stronger team that is more likely to be successful and, as such, more efficient in their work output.



<ol><li>Be Flexible and Celebrate Successes</li></ol>



Last but not least, one thing you should remember when successfully managing an outsourced team is never to stop being flexible. Things may not always go as planned, requiring you to cultivate inventiveness. Managing an outsourced team is not a static process but one that will always be in flux, and it&#8217;s important to remember when you encounter unforeseen circumstances that may throw things off schedule.&nbsp;



But, regardless of any challenges that might arise, managing an outsourced team can be a gratifying experience, and that&#8217;s why you shouldn&#8217;t forget to celebrate successes together! Team activities, either online or local to the outsourced team members, can be a source of motivation. For example, you can host online social events through Zoom so that in-house and outsourced team members can mingle with each other and, if possible, even host meetups on-site so that remote team members can learn more about your company and how you operate first-hand. This way, you will not only help foster camaraderie among staff but also show appreciation for their efforts and hard work, boosting morale and creating a positive work environment, even if remote!



Now, You Should Have a Good Grasp of How to Manage a Remote Team Effectively!



If you’re getting ready to outsource and <a href="https://scale3c.com/services/staff-augmentation">hire a remote team</a>, we believe that we have given you the rundown of how to make the experience smooth for you and your team members! So, by following the tips in this article, you can set your outsourced team up for success and avoid some of the most common pitfalls. Remember to clearly communicate your expectations, provide adequate support, and be patient while they get up to speed. With a little effort on your part, you can create a productive and successful working relationship with an outsourced team!



If you’re interested in assembling a remote team, contact us at hello@scale3c.com to explore our staff augmentation solutions. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your projects and help meet your individual needs.

Explore How to Successfully Manage an Outsourced Team. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

How to Successfully Manage an Outsourced Team | Scale3C

If you want to find out how to successfully manage an outsourced team, we've got you covered. This blog post contains firsthand experience tips for success.

How to Successfully Manage an Outsourced Team

When it comes to running a business, you&#8217;re often called to make difficult yet impactful decisions. One of the most important things you may have to consider is whether to outsource operations or not. Outsourcing and outstaffing can offer many benefits, but it is&nbsp;<a href="https://scale3c.com/blog/what-you-should-look-for-when-outsourcing-tech">not a decision that should be taken lightly</a>&nbsp;– especially when it comes to who you choose to partner with and where your partner of choice is located. However, a trend that has emerged in recent years presents an interesting alternative: nearshoring. It is a fascinating business approach worth learning more about.&nbsp;



So, read more to discover why nearshoring has become so popular – and why it may be an excellent option for your company, too!



What Is Nearshoring?



Let&#8217;s start with the basics.



Nearshoring&nbsp;is a business strategy employed by companies in which they transfer business processes or jobs to a third-party company located in a neighboring country rather than one located further away.



For example, let&#8217;s think of a hypothetical European e-commerce company looking to develop its proprietary application. After some consideration, the company&#8217;s top outsourcing contenders are Company A, which is also based in the E.U., and Company B, which is located in another continent. If our hypothetical company ends up in business with Company A, it has opted to go&nbsp;nearshore.



Nearshoring vs.Offshoring &amp; Outstaffing vs. Outsourcing



There are a few key differences between outsourcing, outstaffing, offshoring, and nearshoring. So first of all lets define Nearshoring &amp; Offshoring:



<ul><li>Offshoring is when forwarding&nbsp; jobs to another distinct country, which can be in a different time zones and cultures.&nbsp;</li><li>Nearshoring is when you are having jobs done in another nearby country.</li></ul>



This decision usually made based on competitive labor costs per different countries, but just to keep in mind,&nbsp; nearshoring typically leads to higher quality work output and better communication between all parties involved.



And now lets define Outstaffing &amp; Outsourcing main differences:&nbsp;



<ul><li>Outsourcing usually works on a project-based business model which means that most likely the client entrusts the outsourcing company the whole project from A to Z.&nbsp;</li><li>Outstaffing usually works as a&nbsp;long-term but indirect employment contract, when employer is been managed directly by the client,&nbsp; while employment contract is been signed with a contracting agency.</li></ul>



So basically, outsourcing &amp; outstaffing can been defined by the required direct or indirect management.



Now that we&#8217;ve clarified let&#8217;s zoom in on the many benefits that come with nearshoring &#8211; including risk reduction and broader access to a skilled workforce.



Nearshoring Advantages



Lower Cash Flow Risk



Not all projects are made equal, and company revenues are subject to fluctuations, so ensuring that cash flow remains positive is among the top reasons to choose nearshoring.



On principle, the need to outsource certain business operations stems from lacking the appropriate know-how internally, and looking to recruit it externally without having to incur the costs of having to hire, train, and manage employees that eventually may or may not remain on board.



This means that nearshoring allows for a no-strings-attached approach to doing business which is exceptionally beneficial when a project needs to end swiftly or when budget cuts are necessary to stay afloat.



With an explicit nearshoring agreement in place, you can halt part of your operations without negatively impacting your company budget, including having to deal with added labor-related expenses.



This way, nearshoring essentially serves as a safety net against capital loss and gives you the freedom to remain flexible in the ever-changing global economic landscape.



Streamlined H.R. Search and Management



It&#8217;s no secret that headhunting is an expensive, competitive, and time-consuming task that comes with many hidden costs. Top talent is often hard to come by, while recruitment fees can soon begin to add up, to the point that you may quickly find yourself spending more than what you had budgeted for – before even getting your project started.



Enter nearshoring, where the recruitment process has already been done for you, and every aspect of employee administration is already set in stone. As a result, you won&#8217;t be called to develop any protocols of your own or have to expend considerable energy into searching for additional team members that you had not priorly accounted for and that need to be hired during the project.



Nearshoring&#8217;s advantage of presenting you with a pre-assembled team of professionals right at your doorstep ultimately allows you to divert your attention into other aspects of your business that you would like to grow but wouldn&#8217;t have had the time to do so if you had to undertake extra H.R. duties in-house.



Borderless Recruiting and Enhanced Cultural Awareness



Another benefit of nearshoring is that you gain the opportunity to expand your hiring pool. Free from location limits, you can tap into the candidate pool of your nearshore partnering country without incurring the costs of relocation or employee travel costs.



Furthermore, nearshoring can enhance cultural awareness and understanding between coworkers, allowing employees to learn about and experience different cultures first-hand. In addition, nearshoring can improve communication by providing a common language and culture that employees can use to communicate with one another. Finally, by bringing people from different countries and cultures together, nearshoring can help create a more diverse and inclusive workplace where employees gain social and interpersonal skills and exchange knowledge that can only happen by working side-by-side.



Less Internal Administration Work



It&#8217;s easy to understand how hiring new staff members entails additional administrative work for the respective company department. Should said department already operate at capacity, the additional strain may lead to an alarming decrease in productivity. That, in turn, would make expanding it with new hires essential, cutting the company budget.



Even when internal company administration is strong, extra work would surely take time off other priorities. That&#8217;s when the cost-benefit analysis comes into play and where nearshoring proves to be a smart solution that would take care of the demanding tasks associated with managing a separate employee team.



All in all, nearshoring&#8217;s compounding benefits simplify a host of operations and processes that could otherwise cause anything from moderate to severe upheaval if they were to be implemented in your company&#8217;s already cemented and fine-working structures. That makes nearshoring a very lucrative option and a far better choice than offshoring for expanding your business with little risk.&nbsp;



Ready to Explore Nearshoring?



We believe that, with this article, we&#8217;ve managed to build a strong case for the advantages of nearshoring and why it&#8217;s the best outsourcing strategy that will allow you to yield a considerable return for your investment.



Whether you&#8217;re looking to get into nearshoring now or in the future, keep in mind that selecting a reliable partner will define your endeavors&#8217; success. Make sure you do your due diligence and team up with an established company with a robust portfolio that showcases its capabilities.



If you want to find out more about outsourcing and outstaffing at a nearshore, contact us at&nbsp;hello@scale3c.com. We&#8217;ll be happy to talk with you about your projects and how we can help address your specific needs.

Explore Nearshoring: All You Need to Know. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

Nearshoring: All You Need to Know | Scale3C

Nearshoring is a trending growth strategy for a reason. Let's discuss the advantages of nearshoring and how it helps businesses reach their full potential. 

Nearshoring: All You Need to Know

Projects falling behind the schedule or failing? We discovered the number 1 reason why this happens and how to fix it!



We all been there, done that – planning a new project, got all excited about it but fast forward to the future – it never happened or happened but way later than initially expected.&nbsp;



Let’s dig deeper what are the main reasons behind it and what are the best solutions for brilliant ideas to be implemented on time.



<ol><li>Poor initial focus and wrong evaluation of the business needs</li></ol>



Project leader needs to have a clear vision of what he/she is going to do, as early as possible. That goes hand in hand with an understanding of the business’ needs – that is why projects are happening in the first place. It’s important to define what project success looks like at the very beginning and do not lose this focus until the end. If there is no clear focus at the earliest stage of the process, things will soon get out of control – and the project will be neglected or fall behind the schedule.



<ol start="2"><li>Not having the consensus on priorities</li></ol>



Once the vision is clear and the team starts working on the project it can easily get lost if there’s no clear definition of the priorities. Make sure to decompose the project into&nbsp;“must-haves,” “should-haves” and “could-haves”, this can become a solid framework for the iteration. Also make sure that all team members are on the same page and every single person understand “must-have” as a “must-have”, to avoid situations when some team members start working and prioritizing “should-haves” or “could-haves”.



<ol start="3"><li>The winner rarely takes it all</li></ol>



Too often, enthusiasm arises from the false belief that one solution will solve a given problem. However, proper solutions are rarely so straightforward and simple. Usually, they are a mixture of methodology, strategy, and teamwork, not the result of a single action, technology or idea. Project initiators/leaders should encourage open communication and leverage participatory group decision-making to solve challenges while implementing the project.



<ol start="4"><li>Hello, procrastination!</li></ol>



Sooner rather than later team members involved with the project can experience the temptation to procrastinate and postpone the tasks related to a given project. This might happen due to various reasons, but mainly because they get overwhelmed by competing priorities – because they are involved in multiple projects at the same time and can not dedicate their time properly. This usually leads to a lack of motivation or even burn-out which results in procrastination.



<ol start="5"><li>Weak leadership</li></ol>



Talking about motivation – guess what? There’s a direct correlation between good leadership and a motivated team and in the case of weak leadership…well the ship goes down rather fast. The efforts of any motivated team are 50% of project success. Let us reverse that – efforts of a team lacking motivation are 50% of projects fail. That is one scary number, ha?&nbsp; Remember there are people – not only project managers – who at each management level have a responsibility to ensure that the project is successful. The worst-case scenario comes alive when those involved in supervising dedicated project managers start to micromanage rather than when support. The project manager when gets lost in providing information for the higher management and surely, he or she has neither time to track the project’s direction nor the time for motivating the team.



<ol start="6"><li>Not enough attention to the budget and resources&nbsp;</li></ol>



Your budget can be completely off – this goes to the very beginning of what can go wrong list: not having a clear vision, clear priorities, and clear “must-haves”. Till you have not sorted out these things, you cannot set the relevant budget and allocate the necessary resources for the project. Any project will face failure when resources run out.&nbsp;



<ol start="7"><li>Forgetting the end customer</li></ol>



Every project starts with a great idea, but does this lead to the research of how the end customer will benefit from it? Most often not. So going on with the project only means discovering that the problem you were solving was not actually the problem your customer needed to be solved. Doing the hard work of deeply understanding your customers, what they need and what they’re willing to pay for sets the ceiling on project performance and can help refocus a team when things do not go as planned.



Do you notice a common variable in projects who fail patterns?



&nbsp;So we discussed 7 deadly sins that lead to failing projects and/or missing the project deadlines. Have you noticed anything they have in common? Take a moment to think about everything you’ve read above, and we bet you will come to the same conclusion. We call it to NUMBER 1 problem why projects fail.



Yes, you guessed it right – it all starts and ends with a team. Wrong team, weak project manager, unmotivated and burned-out professionals – many things can go wrong with the project when you dedicate its implementation to the wrong, not strong enough team or the team who is lacking resources.



If there’s a problem, there’s a solution!



The good thing we discovered the one problem that lies in every reason related to project failures. It’s so much easier to find a solution when you have a clear focus, we already talked about that. The solution that could save you from seeing your projects die, from losing investments and having burned out employees – staff augmentation. Or to put it in other words – digital-based employee outsourcing!



To prove this reasoning let’s take a look at which of the following is the primary reason why companies outsource?



Reasons might vary depending on the given company and the project, the bus usually digital-based employee outsourcing is used for:



<ol class="has-normal-font-size"><li>Reducing project costs. It is not always the best strategy to hire the professionals that you feel your team is missing. If the project is once in a lifetime or short term it will be too expensive to attract and keep the desired talent. Also, digital based employee outsourcing can help you save on overhead cost, as you will not have to invest on expensive infrastructure, technology, or software.</li></ol>



<ol start="2" class="has-normal-font-size"><li>Keeping focus on that matters the most. With non-core functions robbing time, money and effort, most companies are unable to concentrate on the core competencies, resulting in slow business growth. Outsourcing a part of your work can give you the flexibility to focus on the core aspects of your business. Since outsourcing increases the workflow, you can finish your projects and usually finish them faster.</li></ol>



<ol start="3" class="has-normal-font-size"><li>Accessing highly skilled professionals. This literally means staff augmentation based on the needs you have. For example, you might need to hire a remote developer, but are unable to find one. Or keeping him or her inside the house might be too expensive for you. Outsourcing can help you gain access to such skills and invest smartly.</li></ol>



<ol start="4" class="has-normal-font-size"><li>Managing the risks related to the project. The outsourcing of your non-core or even your core business functions to an external service provider helps in sharing the risks. Outsourcing is a good risk management strategy that you can apply for your company and really sky-rocket the possibility for your projects to be implemented on time.</li></ol>



<ol start="5" class="has-normal-font-size"><li>Compensate for insufficient internal resources. When you want to fill the position, you feel that is urgent for business development, do you take into consideration all resources and investments related to filling that position? Firstly, you need resources who find, hire and train new team members. There are also additional costs like software and all the necessary equipment needed for the employee to fulfill his tasks. Unlike internal staff, an outsourcing service provider can usually guarantee you with 24/7 services for 365 days a year, without vacations!</li></ol>



Conclusion: Outsourcing is the new black!



Outsourcing might be scary at first but based on the facts that you have just read it really seems to be a panacea for failing projects. Just think about it – one decision and you can augment your staff. You have a strong team, but it lacks a skilled project manager – outsource it! You feel that your project lacks market research and you do not have internal resources to carry it out – hire a market researcher on a short or long-term basis! A great idea has just been born in your head and you feel it can lead to your business development, but you are lacking internal resources or do not want them to burn out – hire the whole product development team!



Whatever doubts or questions you have related to digital-based employee outsourcing, we are here to help you.

Explore Which of the following is the primary reason why companies outsource?. Learn great tips and tricks on the matter.

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