The Cost Savings of Nearshoring vs. In-House Development

Posted on March 30, 2023 | by TeresaPenafiel | 5 Comments

In today’s globalized world, businesses need to keep up with the fast-paced technological advancements to stay relevant in their respective markets. One of the most important decisions businesses have to make is whether to nearshore their software development or keep it in-house.

We’ll explain the differences between these two models to you and help you decide which one will work best for your company. To begin with, in-house development simply denotes the employment of internal IT resources and staff to develop software within your business. As an alternative, nearshore development refers to working with a partner who is based in a nearby country while outsourcing.

Cost Savings of Nearshoring

Nearshoring is becoming increasingly popular in recent years due to its many benefits, including cost savings. By nearshoring, businesses are able to access top talent at a lower cost than in-house development.

One of the main reasons for cost savings is that nearshoring companies often have lower labor costs due to the lower cost of living in their respective countries. For instance, software development salaries in Eastern Europe and Latin America are often lower than in the United States or Western Europe. This cost difference allows businesses to save money without compromising the quality of the final product.

Another significant cost-saving advantage of nearshoring is the reduced overhead costs. By nearshoring software development, businesses do not have to worry about the expenses that come with hiring, training, and retaining employees. Accordingly, nearshoring companies take care of these expenses and ensure that they provide the required resources to deliver a quality product.

Additionally, nearshoring helps businesses save money on infrastructure costs. Nearshoring companies typically have well-established infrastructures, including hardware, software, and other tools required for software development. Basically, this means that businesses do not have to invest in infrastructure to develop software. The nearshoring company already has everything in place, making the process much more cost-effective.

Cost Savings of In-House Development

In-house development involves hiring software developers and setting up a development team within the business. Although this option has its advantages, such as better control over the development process and access to specialized knowledge, it can be expensive. Below are some of the reasons why in-house development can be costly:

Hiring and Training Costs

To build an in-house development team, businesses need to hire developers, managers, and other support staff, which is expensive. Additionally, businesses need to spend time and money on training and development to ensure that the team members have the necessary skills to develop quality software.

Overhead Costs

In-house development requires businesses to provide office space, hardware, software, and other resources to the development team. These expenses add up quickly, particularly in high-cost locations. For instance, office rent in major cities can be very expensive, and businesses may have to invest in expensive software and hardware to ensure that the team has everything they need to develop software.

Management Costs

In-house development teams require management, which can be time-consuming and costly. In fact, businesses may need to hire a project manager or team lead to manage the development team, and this can add significant costs to the project.

The decision to nearshore or keep software development in-house ultimately depends on the business’s specific needs. However, as we’ve seen in this blog, nearshoring offers significant cost savings over in-house development. By nearshoring, businesses are able to access top talent at a lower cost, reduce overhead expenses, and save on infrastructure costs. These cost savings can be particularly attractive to small and medium-sized businesses that need to stretch their budget further.

It’s essential to remember that cost savings should not come at the expense of quality. When nearshoring software development, businesses must ensure that the nearshoring company has the skills, expertise, and resources to deliver a quality product. You have ITJ here to help with that, so feel free to ask any questions you may have. Get in touch with us!

About ITJ

ITJ is devoted to serving fast-growing and high-value market sectors, particularly the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), working with innovative medical device companies looking to improve people’s lives. With a unique BOT (build, operate, and transfer) model that sources only the best digital talent available, ITJ enables companies in the US to create technology centers of excellence in Mexico. For more information, visit www.itj.com.

Top Soft Skills for Tech Professionals: Why They Matter and How to Showcase Them

Posted on March 23, 2023 | by TeresaPenafiel | 284 Comments

As technology continues to advance rapidly, the demand for tech professionals has skyrocketed. Tech experts have become the backbone of many industries, and their skills are highly sought after by companies of all sizes. However, in addition to technical skills, employers are looking for candidates who possess soft skills in technology.
According to a recent survey, 57% of senior leaders believe that soft skills are more important than hard skills.

The Value of Soft Skills in Technology

Technical skills are the foundation of any tech professional’s career. However, they are not the only skills that matter. Soft skills are just as important as technical skills, especially in the tech industry, where communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are essential for success.

Soft skills are defined as personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. Examples of soft skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, adaptability, and leadership.

According to a report by the World Economic Forum, by 2025, there will be a growing demand for soft skills in the workplace, including critical thinking, creativity, and complex problem-solving.

The tech industry is no exception to this trend. The pace of technological change is accelerating, and the ability to learn new skills quickly and collaborate with others is becoming increasingly important. The tech industry is also becoming more diverse, and soft skills are critical for building inclusive and effective teams.

Top Soft Skills for Tech Professionals

1. Communication skills

Communication is a vital skill for any profession, but it is particularly important for tech professionals. Tech projects often involve working with teams of people who have different backgrounds and expertise. Therefore, effective communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and that the project is completed successfully. Furthermore, tech professionals also need to be able to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

To showcase your communication skills, provide examples of times when you effectively communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. You could also highlight instances where you facilitated effective communication between team members with different backgrounds.

2. Adaptability

In the ever-changing field of technology, adaptability is essential. Tech professionals need to quickly adapt to new technologies and tools, as well as changing work environments and team dynamics. Additionally, tech professionals need to adjust to changes in project scope and requirements. Thus, adaptability is a crucial skill for tech professionals because it allows them to remain relevant and competitive in a constantly changing industry.

To showcase your adaptability, provide examples of times when you successfully adapted to changes in project scope or when you learned a new technology quickly to complete a project successfully.

3. Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills are essential for tech professionals. In the technology industry, there are often complex problems that require creative solutions. Tech professionals must be able to identify problems, analyze data, and develop effective solutions.

To showcase problem-solving skills, tech professionals can provide examples of how they have solved complex technical problems, highlight their ability to think critically and outside the box, and demonstrate how they have developed and implemented effective solutions.

4. Time management

Tech professionals often work on multiple projects simultaneously, each with their own set of deadlines and requirements. Consequently, effective time management skills are critical for ensuring that projects are completed on time and to a high standard.

To showcase your time management skills, provide examples of how you have managed multiple projects simultaneously while still meeting deadlines. Explain how you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively, such as using time-tracking tools or developing efficient workflows.

5. Leadership skills

Leadership skills are crucial for tech professionals who aspire to management or leadership roles. Tech professionals who can lead teams effectively can motivate and inspire their team members, leading to better collaboration and more successful projects.

To showcase your leadership skills, highlight any experience you have leading a project or mentoring junior team members.

Although technical success depends on hard talents, these will differ depending on the role. You must demonstrate that you possess the aforementioned soft skills and can use them to contribute to success if you want to win over important stakeholders and potential employers. Consider how you’ve handled this in the past; if not, start doing so right away in your current position.

Wanna give it a go? Take a look at our open positions in ITJ’s talent development platform.

About ITJ

Dismantling Tech’s Gender Gap: A Vision for the Future

Posted on March 16, 2023 | by TeresaPenafiel | 12 Comments

Despite progress over the years, women remain underrepresented in the tech industry. As of 2022, only 28% of computing and engineering roles are held by women, notwithstanding the fact that women currently make up 47% of all employed adults in the US. Moreover, women hold only 27% of the CIO roles in the Fortune 500. In fact, the ratio of women to men in tech roles has actually decreased over the past 35 years, with half of women who enter the tech industry dropping out by age 35. The same study attributes the absence of gender gap in tech to lack of inclusivity.

These statistics are concerning, but there is hope for a more equitable future in tech.

Key Steps That Need To Be Taken To Dismantle Gender Divide In Tech

1. Addressing Biases in Recruitment and Hiring

One of the main reasons for the gender gap in tech is bias in recruitment and hiring. Studies have shown that both men and women are more likely to hire and promote men over women, even when they have identical qualifications. This bias can be unconscious, but it still leads to fewer opportunities for women in tech.

To address this issue, tech companies need to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their recruitment and hiring practices. This includes removing gendered language from job descriptions, implementing blind hiring practices, and ensuring that diverse candidates are included in the hiring process. Companies should also provide training for their recruiters and hiring managers on how to recognize and overcome unconscious bias.

At ITJ, we keep a constant training with our Talent Acquisition team to provide them with all the required tools to enable an unbiased recruitment process.

2. Providing Mentorship and Support

Mentorship opportunities can be highly beneficial for women in tech. Mentorship programs allow women to connect with experienced professionals in their field, learn new skills, and receive guidance on career advancement.

Providing mentorship opportunities help women gain the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in their careers and break through the barriers that have traditionally prevented them from advancing in the industry.

At ITJ, we provide a catalog of tech talks and bootcamps addressed to women. In these mentorships they get the chance to learn from former successful women in their field and try new things in events for women by women.

3. Encourage Girls to Pursue STEM Education

One of the primary reasons for the gender gap in tech is the lack of representation of women in tech roles. Research has shown that girls tend to lose interest in STEM subjects as they progress through school.

To address this, we need to encourage girls to pursue STEM education from a young age. This can be achieved by providing mentorship programs, hands-on learning experiences, and exposure to female role models in STEM fields. Encouraging girls to explore their interests in STEM can have a significant impact on their confidence and career aspirations.

At ITJ, we held an edition of STEMos Unidas, an in-house event inviting high school girls in Baja California to our state-of-the-art facilities to have a conversation with tech exponents in our industry to walk them through a career in tech as women. It is our goal to move stigma aside and let them know that they have everything it takes to pursue a STEM career if that is their desire.

4. Promote Inclusive Company Culture

An inclusive company culture is critical for promoting gender equality in the tech industry. Companies must create a safe and supportive work environment where women are treated with respect and are given equal opportunities.

This includes promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organization, implementing fair hiring practices, and providing opportunities for women to advance into leadership positions.

At ITJ, one of our core values as a company is that we believe talent is inclusive of all people. We foster inclusion in our workspace. As part of our community, we strive to promote diversity, respect and dignity for all employees while recruiting in an unbiased manner.

5. Promote Work-Life Balance

The tech industry has a reputation for being a high-pressure, demanding work environment. This can be particularly challenging for women, who may face additional responsibilities outside of work, such as caring for children or elderly family members. To promote gender equality in tech, companies need to prioritize work-life balance and provide flexible work arrangements that accommodate the needs of all employees.

Furthermore, flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible hours, can be highly beneficial for women in tech.

At ITJ, we offer a range of flexible work arrangements such as remote or hybrid word depending on the role for all people to feel comfortable and at ease.

6. Increase Female Representation in Leadership Positions

Women are underrepresented in leadership positions in the tech industry, which can perpetuate gender inequality. To address this, companies need to actively promote women into leadership roles and create pathways for career advancement.

It is also essential to ensure that women have access to mentorship and networking opportunities that can help them succeed in their careers.

At ITJ, we foster women equality in leadership roles and we have reached a 50-50 ratio of women and men in leadership positions within the company.

7. Address the Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is a persistent problem in many industries, including tech. Women in tech earn less than their male counterparts, even when they have the same qualifications and experience.

Companies need to address the gender pay gap by conducting regular salary audits, setting clear pay scales, and promoting transparency around salaries and compensation.

At ITJ, women and men are offered the same salary for the same job despite gender.

8. Partner with Women in Tech Organizations

There are many organizations dedicated to supporting women in tech. Companies can partner with these organizations to promote gender equality in the industry, sponsor events and initiatives, and provide funding for scholarships and other programs.

At ITJ we maintain these valuable partnerships very present in our day to day operations. We have alliances with Women Who Code, and Laboratoria.

9. Address Harassment and Discrimination

Harassment and discrimination are unfortunately all too common in the tech industry. To address this, companies need to take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of harassment or discrimination, including sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and other forms of bias. This means implementing clear policies and procedures for reporting and addressing complaints and creating a culture where harassment and discrimination are not tolerated.

At ITJ, discrimination or harassment is off-limits for every employee, and we take zero-tolerance measures in such cases.

10. Monitor and Measure Progress

Finally, it is important to monitor and measure progress in promoting gender equality in tech. This can be done by tracking the number of women in tech roles, monitoring promotion rates for women, and conducting regular surveys to assess employee satisfaction and engagement. By monitoring and measuring progress, companies can identify areas where they need to improve and make adjustments to their diversity and inclusion strategies.

At ITJ, we handle this progress seamlessly and have numbers tracked quarterly for women vs. men ratios in our company.

To sum up, the gender gap in tech is a persistent issue that needs to be addressed urgently to promote gender equality in the industry. Furthermore, the lack of gender equality in the tech industry not only affects women’s career opportunities but also limits innovation and technological advancement.

To dismantle the gender divide in tech, companies need to address unconscious bias, create more opportunities for women, encourage girls to pursue tech careers, offer flexible work arrangements, and monitor and measure progress. By taking these key steps, we can promote gender equality in the tech industry and create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

About ITJ