Scaling Is Easy If Done the Right Way

In the ever-evolving business landscape, scaling operations efficiently can be a game-changer. It’s about growing your team and capabilities without compromising on quality or control. This is where the choice between dedicated teams and outsourcing comes into play.

A dedicated team, often referred to as outstaffing, involves partnering with a third party to employ a team that works directly under your command. This model is akin to expanding your in-house team, except the team members are located elsewhere. On the other hand, outsourcing delegates a project or operations segment to an external entity, which takes complete control of the process.

Dedicated Teams (Outstaffing) and Traditional Outsourcing Compared

When comparing dedicated teams (or outstaffing) with the traditional outsourcing model, there are several facets to consider – cost-effectiveness, communication, collaboration, set up and start, and pricing transparency.

Outsourcing can be cost-effective for ad-hoc or project-based needs. It often entails set processes and established communication lines, although it might lack a nuanced understanding of your business culture and goals.

Conversely, dedicated teams offer a more personalized approach. They may be more cost-intensive upfront but provide better alignment with your business objectives. Communication with dedicated teams is typically more effective as the team is integrated into your operations, fostering closer collaboration.

Choosing between a dedicated team and outsourcing depends on your business needs, goals, and the nature of the project at hand. If you seek a team that operates as an extension of your own, with direct communication and involvement in day-to-day operations, a dedicated team is the way to go. However, outsourcing could be more suitable if your requirement is for a specific project with a defined end and you prefer not to manage the team directly.

Here’s a snapshot comparison of both models to help you make an informed decision.

Remote Talent Solutions: Dedicated Teams vs Traditional Outsourcing
	Dedicated Teams | Outstaffing	Traditional Outsourcing
Cost Effectiveness	The not-usual but equally cost-effective approach Partnering with 3rd party to provide the right team or employee to work directly and solely for you. With this approach, the 3rd party is professionalized in sourcing, hiring, and building teams for you. Usually suitable for long-term needs.	The most common cost-effective approach Hiring 3rd party to tackle certain tasks or processes. With this approach, the 3rd party is professionalized in certain aspects, and usually, they work with more than one client. Usually suitable for ad-hoc or project-based needs.
Effective Communication	With the dedicated talent solution, this risk can be eliminated as the recruitment is done per your specific needs, and the professionals and/or entire team are formed per your specific requirements. You are included in the selection process too.	There might be barriers stemming from the cultural background and linguistic background. You need to look into this risk in the beginning and make sure you get information of the professionals you will be working with beforehand.
Close collaboration and control	The client has direct communication and control over the dedicated employees. There are no 3rd parties involved in the communication, the service provider is there for support when that’s required.	There is no direct control as the processes are handled entirely by the service provider. Collaboration also can be challenging as there is no direct communication between the professionals who perform the tasks and the client.
Easy Set-Up and Start	This may vary and depends on your needs. The set-up and start are smooth if your recruitment needs are not too demanding.	There are clearly established processes and generally, the set-up and start go smoothly.
Clear Pricing	With our model, flat monthly rate pricing, you get the price of each dedicated employee before you hire them.	They have plans and terms that are usually clear, but the pricing can go up as the project requirements are changing.

Dedicated Teams with Cosmic Development as Outstaffing Solution 

At Cosmic Development, our approach to outstaffing is uniquely tailored for companies invested in long-term growth and stability. We recognize that every client has distinct needs, whether they’re building a large-scale operation or a small, specialized team. 

Our commitment is to treat each client as a unique partnership, ensuring that we act not just as a service provider but as a reliable partner invested in their success. The remarkable journeys of Factinate and Rumble are testaments to our diverse yet consistently effective approach. Each narrative showcases our ability to tailor services to our clients’ unique challenges and ambitions, illustrating our solutions’ versatility and impact.

Factinate: Crafting a Content Powerhouse with Cosmic Development’s Expertise

Take, for instance, our collaboration with Factinate, a boutique operation. Despite their smaller size, our dedication to their success is as comprehensive as with any larger brands. By focusing on specific needs and nurturing a close relationship, we ensure that Factinate receives the full benefit of a dedicated team attuned to their business ethos and objectives.

Factinate’s partnership with Cosmic Development epitomizes the effectiveness of our dedicated team approach. Our involvement began at Factinate’s inception, providing the necessary development skills and a cost-effective solution compared to local senior developers. When Factinate faced the challenge of time-consuming image insertion tasks, they turned to our content creators for assistance. This move saved valuable time for their Toronto team and significantly enhanced the quality of their imagery, with meticulous attention to sourcing and crediting​​.

Cosmic Development’s team in Macedonia is a testament to the benefits of strategic outstaffing. The team’s agility in learning and becoming self-sufficient after initial training exemplifies our emphasis on quick adaptation and independence. With tasks ranging from SEO optimization to social media management, the Cosmic team is pivotal in Factinate’s operations. Their commitment to quality and dedication is apparent in the improved content and operational efficiencies Factinate enjoys.

The collaboration between Factinate and Cosmic Development demonstrates how dedicated 

teams can become an integral part of a company’s success. By offering expertise in areas that Factinate needed to bolster, such as content creation and technical development, Cosmic Development has enabled Factinate to focus on their core business, providing trivia and engaging content to their audience. Factinate’s experience highlights the value of a dedicated team that is seamlessly integrated and attuned to the specific needs of a business, allowing for scalable growth and operational excellence​.

Rumble’s Rise with Cosmic Development: A Technological Leap Forward

In contrast, our partnership with Rumble showcases our capability to manage large and diverse teams. With Rumble, we have developed a case study demonstrating how a significant, varied team can be seamlessly integrated into the client’s culture and business processes, highlighting the scalability and flexibility of our outstaffing solutions.

Rumble’s emergence as a dominant player in the video content platform space is a compelling narrative of innovation and strategic partnership. As an open video platform, Rumble has connected over 350,000 content creators to high-profile online publishers and advertisers. In a landscape where video content is integral to both corporate strategy and individual expression, Rumble stands out for its commitment to empowering creators and reshaping how social video is distributed and monetized​​.

The platform’s journey, particularly its pivot during a crucial period of YouTube algorithm changes that disadvantaged independent creators illustrates Rumble’s responsiveness to market needs. By offering these creators a new haven, Rumble experienced exponential growth, ranking as one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies. This expansion necessitated an upscale in team size and skill, a demand Cosmic Development was poised to fill with dedicated team solutions tailored to Rumble’s unique needs​​​​.

Cosmic Development provided Rumble with a dedicated team, including a branded augmented office exclusively for Rumble. This creative solution encompassed content editors, video editors, and software engineers, forming a compact team within Rumble’s development department. Focusing on feature-driven development and utilizing project management tools like Jira facilitated an efficient workflow and a measurable output that contributed significantly to Rumble’s technological advancements​​.

The results speak volumes: from being rated as the fastest player by Google Developer Insights to surpassing giants like YouTube and Twitter in the Google Play Store rankings. Rumble’s trajectory, marked by awards and recognitions, underlines the strategic advantage that a dedicated team can bring to a brand. Chris Pavlovski, Rumble’s Founder and CEO, captures the essence of this relationship, emphasizing the added value and continuous innovation enabled by having a dedicated team from Cosmic Development. This synergy between Rumble and Cosmic Development is a testament to the power of outsourcing when executed with precision and aligned vision​​.

Cosmic Development’s involvement with Rumble extends beyond technical expertise. The comprehensive IT development, sales support, and robust staff augmentation strategy have been pivotal. The management practices put in place, such as daily communication and regular in-person meetings, have fostered a cohesive work environment across continents, propelling Rumble’s growth and stability even in the face of global economic challenges like the Coronavirus pandemic​​.

In conclusion, the alliance between Rumble and Cosmic Development illustrates the transformative potential of a well-executed dedicated team model. By providing Rumble with the technological horsepower and collaborative framework necessary for their ambitious vision, Cosmic Development has played a crucial role in Rumble’s success story. The Rumble case is a blueprint for how dedicated teams can drive innovation, scalability, and competitive advantage in the fast-paced digital landscape.

Fostering Excellence: The Cosmic Development Employee Experience

On the other side of the equation is our commitment to our employees — our greatest asset. At Cosmic Development, we go beyond mere employment; we strive to create unique employee experiences. We provide competitive working conditions and benefits packages, ensuring that our team members are satisfied and motivated to provide the best service possible. We understand that the quality of our services is directly linked to the well-being of our employees, and as such, we invest in their professional growth and personal satisfaction.

Our dual focus on client and employee experiences stands at the forefront of our business strategy as we continue to evolve and adapt in the dynamic field of remote talent solutions. Cosmic Development is dedicated to building partnerships that endure and teams that excel, driving forward with innovation, commitment, and unparalleled service.

Embark on a Journey of Success with Cosmic Development

As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of remote talent solutions, we invite you to explore the possibilities with Cosmic Development. Whether you’re seeking a dedicated team like the ones that propelled Factinate and Rumble to new heights or tailored outstaffing solutions to streamline your operations, we’re here to assist. Join us in this journey towards innovation and excellence. Let’s collaborate to create solutions that not only meet your current needs but also anticipate future challenges. Contact us to discover how our commitment to quality and our unique approach can contribute to the success and growth of your business.

The post Navigating Remote Talent Solutions: Choosing Between Dedicated Teams and Traditional Outsourcing appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Two weeks ago we decided to address an ongoing issue in the IT community. The issue is with the remote agile teams. Many experts on the subject would say that the term “remote agile teams” is a bit contradictory, as the Agile Methodology was created for teams that share the same physical space. Therefore, can we make Agile work in the new normal? Yes, we can. By providing dedicated teams for our clients, commonly known as staff augmentation. We have more than ten years of experience in shaping remote agile teams. Furthermore, we asked our colleague Maja Dimitrovska, who is an important part of the Bookmark team, how she succeeds on a daily basis with the aforementioned issue. 

As mentioned, these are strange and challenging times to lead agile teams. Can you tell us your secret? How do you manage to keep track of everybody’s tasks on Bookmark?

We are often told to confront unexpected changes, that we need to be agile and resilient. This is most accurate, as we try to respond to the changes brought by the coronavirus pandemic. As our world turns upside down, most companies are reacting rather than responding. In times like these, business agility provides stability, a way to manage change and respond productively. 

Agile is a framework that approves professionals and companies through developing high performing teams. In an Agile environment, changes are welcome; the client is the epicenter of the work and development is aligned with business needs. Company owners need to work on “enabling the best in their employees, rather than commanding it from them”. Leaders should empower employees to be self-organized.  

Remote working entails many challenges, one of which is knowing how to always be connected with other colleagues on your team, how to maintain an overall team culture, morale and motivation, how to run engaging meetings, how to track and communicate progress within the team, how to exchange ideas and share experiences (good and bad) and, last but not least, how to help the team focus on priorities. By communicating a clear vision, encouraging frequent communication and providing clear boundaries, team members feel better connected and remain focused and productive.

No one said that leading remote agile teams was going to be easy, and just like many other leaders faced with the sudden change to virtual team environments, we are also reorganizing our activities and the way we work. Some of our activities during these challenging times are:

• Following the team’s principles
• Clear team delegation and prioritization of tasks
• Communication, communication, communication
• Daily standups with the team via collaboration tools, such as Slack or Zoom
• Random chats (one-on-one) and co-working tools (Trello, Jira)
• Short-term goals
• Ensuring qualitative results

Even though the working environment has changed, the quality and quantity of our deliverables have not. Frequently sharing our achievements with the team and further improving are our regular activities.

During this crisis, leaders need to learn new ways to care for their people. Connect with them to detect unforeseen issues, respect and value team skills, personal needs and differences, encourage them to do their work remotely with less supervision. This is the beginning of a new way of leading.

According to you, what are the benefits of using Trello for project management in an agile environment?

Task management is the core and soul of every project. First, we divide the project into smaller pieces, then decide what needs to get done and which team member to do it. Trello excels at task management and it is considered as one of the platforms that employees can learn the quickest. Tasks and projects are systematized by using a three-part hierarchy: Boards, Lists, and Cards. You can create and organize these elements in any way you want. By assigning cards to specific users, due dates and files. Trello is a fantastic Scrum and Agile solution. It’s easy to use and it works like a traditional whiteboard, in digital form. 

Boards: The flexibility of Trello boards is perfectly aligned with the Scrum framework; it gives you full visibility into project stages, roles, deadlines and assignments. After you sign up on Trello, you can create multiple boards within your personal or team workspace.

Lists: Boards contain lists, which are grouped tasks. You can choose to rename or reorder any of the lists to match your team’s current needs for the project you are working on.

Cards: The same goes for cards. You can also move the cards from one list to another with just one click. Each card may contain a description, a checklist with subtasks, additional attachments, assignees, due dates and labels. Furthermore, team members can discuss aspects of the task by commenting. Every new person added to one of the cards gets access to previous discussions.

Power-ups: You can use Trello’s power-ups to connect to the card applications like Slack, Github, Jira, Google Drive, and many more. There are many items on the list of power-ups, and this only guarantees that Trello is a tool that easily integrates into one’s workflow.

Notifications: You will never miss important developments from the tasks that you are included in; you will be updated regularly by receiving a notification.

These capabilities make Trello great in terms of flexibility and how intuitive it is to use. Trello is distinct from other tools, thanks to its simplicity. Trello project management makes a great tool, whether you need to organize a whole team’s work or just your activities.

What other project management software do you prefer?

Project management software tools have become widely popular in recent years; there are plenty of options to choose from. Some of those tools are free to use with limited features, while others with advanced copy have more functions. Some require payment after a few days of the trial period. Choosing which tool to use can be quite challenging and also engaging.

Whether you want to find a simple way to organize tasks or need a powerful, enterprise-grade system, there is a PM tool for everyone. The project management software helps project managers and teams to collaborate and meet goals on time while managing resources and costs. Functions may include task distribution, time tracking, budgeting, resource planning, team collaboration, and many more.

Choosing the right approach for managing a project is crucial for successful project delivery. The way that managers manage work is defined by techniques that you use, tools that they use, and project scope activities on which they are working.

The process of leading Agile teams can be challenging at times because there are countless moving parts and evolving processes to manage. However, it is especially difficult if you do not have the right software behind you. Project managers should choose a project management tool that best suits their management style. Choosing the right tool for managing the Agile development team has not always been an easy decision. Certain factors must be evaluated as you’re assessing/shopping for different tools:

• Agile Framework Preferences
• Collaboration Features
• Team Size
• Project Type
• Reporting
• Usability

Some of the best agile project management tools available on the market are Trello, Jira, Asana, Monday, ClickUp, Smart sheet, etc. I have worked with different project tools during the past years and I can say that when choosing the right tool, you need to make sure that the options that the toll provides are the best fit for your team and future project plans.

Currently, we are using Trello, but we are open and exploring possible solutions on the market. To organize and achieve better integration, alignment with other company teams, and cover future planned project activities, we are also considering starting using Jira. Jira is a platform that allows teams to handle issues throughout the life cycle of the problem. Jira can be tailored to fit different organizational structures and is highly customizable. Jira also works great for smaller teams, as well as larger ones. The reasons why we are considering to switch to Jira are the following main features:

• Transparency 
• Flexibility
• User Experience
• Commenting
• Cost management
• Categorization
• Custom Workflow
• Knowledge management
• Integrations

In the end, no matter which project management solution you are going for, agile tools are sure to improve the way you streamline your workflow and team productivity.

In the end, quick question (that provokes a long answer): Kanban or Scrum? Or maybe Scrumban?

Agile is an enormous umbrella term that covers several different approaches, two of which are Scrum and Kanban. Scrum and Kanban apply agile principles in their own way to empower effective delivery cycles. Scrumban is a term for a hybrid approach making use of both Scrum and Kanban principles.

Agile is all about experimentation. Scrum, Kanban or Scrumban are not competitors; they can be experiments every team should run to find their best fit. The goal of using an agile approach is to deliver more value for the business in the quickest way possible. I think it is always a good thing to experiment and implement new processes that will enhance the way the team works and how project activities are organized.

From my experience with managing teams, I would say that Scrum is great for any team that can work on incremental delivery: a product, reporting, hardware, etc. Out of the three methodologies, Scrum is probably the hardest to adopt and the most complex and strict methodology. Scrum sprints can set clear goals and deadlines, thus giving full-control to the project manager. The Scrum framework is appropriate for experienced teams working on a product or a project which is longer than a year.

Kanban gives more freedom at the start. It is the most simple and most comfortable to adopt the method. It uses a Kanban board on which it visualizes the work and the work process, ensuring that everyone in the team is on the same page. It also reveals who are the bottlenecks in the workflow without losing its flexibility in production. Kanban is a good fit for supporting and maintaining teams. I love Kanban’s way of thinking to stop starting and start finishing.

Our team is using Scrumban. It combines the benefits of both Scrum and Kanban methodologies by using Kanban’s visualization and Scrum’s systematization while not introducing extra complexity. Scrumban is flexible in production and functions pretty good in large projects. It allows teams to have the agility of Scrum and the simplicity of Kanban while requiring no role updates.

Scrumban is a good fit for smaller teams, startups and loyal teams bringing more efficiency and freedom, teams who manage projects and work alongside keeping the business operational. Like in the process of choosing the right tool to manage the project team activities, the same approach should be used for adopting new agile methods or implementing changes in current that are used. Research each agile method, rescan the processes and bottlenecks in the team activities and then decide what you will implement as a new process for the Team. Strategies need to be revised and will be a matter of change until the best fit for the team is defined.

Discover why many Canadian and USA companies prefer hiring remote teams from Serbia and Macedonia. Tell us your needs and we will help you build an agile remote team. Arrange a free consultation today and we will get you started.

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