Pursuing an IT career is quite common nowadays, but carving out a successful IT career journey at the same company for a decade is something you don’t see every day. The Managing Director of our company, Antony Naumoff, has built his career at the same IT company and is a rare example of loyalty and dedication. He has been there from the very beginning, throughout the years, up until today, when the company is growing rapidly and has recently celebrated a ten-year jubilee.

Read and find out how it all started and the challenges and achievements along the way of the success story that Cosmic Development is today.

The original article in Macedonian is available here.

Anthony Naumoff is the Managing Director of Cosmic Development. He was born and raised in Chicago, USA, attended Kansas State University, and graduated from University American College Skopje.

His life story is extraordinary. He is one of the rare people who returned to his parents’ homeland and graduated college and started working for a local company. That company started from a small office in Skopje eleven years ago and has spread across four locations with nearly 150 employees today. One of its most loyal clients is a unicorn startup that has recently become a publicly traded company, trading on NASDAQ, and is valued at more than $2 billion. A few people from the Cosmic Development team had the honor of attending the NASDAQ bell-ringing ceremony in New York City, an experience that they will probably never forget.

Cosmic Development is a Canadian IT solutions and staff augmentation services provider with over a decade-long tenure. They provide custom-made, dedicated talent solutions to companies of all sizes. Thanks to their unique approach, they select highly-experienced developers and other professionals from different business areas and create flexible and customizable dedicated teams for clients and business partners worldwide. Their outstanding services are supported by a wide net of teams spread across different locations. They have offices in Toronto, Skopje, Bitola, and Belgrade. A company set in this way is a new deal for the IT industry.

You are in charge of one of the leading IT consulting and development companies that have put Macedonia on the global map. Tell us how it started eleven years ago and where the company is today.

Sure! We started eleven years ago as a company with only one employee, working on a trial period with only one potential client. Luckily, one of Cosmic Development’s founders, a very famous and successful businessman from Canada, is of Macedonian origin and his heart and thoughts are always with Macedonia. His respect for the country where his ancestors were born went beyond words, and he tried to help Macedonia in the best possible way. The idea for this success story and opening of this company was born when he visited Macedonia. 

After the initial trial period had proven to be more successful than we expected, we started growing slowly but steadily, and we started promoting our business to clients outside of the country and within the country in front of potential employees. 

We first opened and started growing the Skopje office. Things went well, resulting in the opening of offices in Belgrade and Bitola. The Belgrade office gave us direct access to a large talent pool from the IT field, which was a clever step in cases when we couldn’t find employees with specific skills in Macedonia. At the same time, the office in Bitola helped us grow as a company in providing BPO (business process outsourcing) services.

Today, with more than 150 employees, it is truly amazing to see the progress we’ve made. Soon we are opening a modern and state-of-the-art office in Bitola. I am really happy about that, and I can freely say that the company is experiencing stable growth and intensive development as never before. But our growth is effective and allows us to create and maintain a positive working environment which is absolutely essential for us.

For years, Cosmic Development has been on the list of the most wanted companies to work for, according to employees. How do you stay ahead of the competition in a country with many IT companies, especially considering the Balkans’ shortage of high-quality workers suitable for the global market?

There are several factors at play. Above all, we practice a relaxed and positive working environment. We strive to introduce play-and-relax zones, flexible working hours, location flexibility, and good employee benefits packages that are regularly enhanced. Additionally, our employees are free from administrative micromanagement, which is key to preventing fatigue and killing their creativity. 

We also strive for openness and transparency toward our employees. Our honest relationship is incredibly important, and we recently put a lot of attention and focus on it. Our employees are always informed about our goals, achievements, and plans. We are always realistic – we never promise what we can’t deliver, and most importantly, we are always fair and honest with the whole team, without exceptions.

We are not perfect, and no business is, but the thing that helped us achieve success is that we are always learning from our mistakes and trying to improve for our employees and clients.

Cosmic Development is oriented towards outsourcing a wide range of IT services. In your client’s testimonials, mainly from the USA and Canada, one can read their impressions about your company. They say that the relationship you establish with your clients is of relational rather than transactional character, and your services are produced through interaction between the clients and the teams.

Yes, that’s right. Our motto is: We build teams for brands! But that doesn’t mean we only hire people who will work for a particular client and will be told what to do. Our way of working is characterized by a high level of trust between the company and the clients and cooperation and mutual respect between the clients and employees. Our clients want employees that will cooperate and give ideas and improvement suggestions that can have a significant impact. They want a team that can work jointly and effectively, not just anonymous workers from some corner of the world working on the given task.

This combined effort is very serious, but it helps establish an effective collaboration where both parties are satisfied with their work. And a job that is completed successfully is crucial for clients and their businesses. 

Your growth and development allowed you to expand your services in the area of non-technical services (BPO). What types of services are most requested?

Besides IT, we also offer non-technical services or BPO. We are currently oriented towards this type of service because it provides greater flexibility than IT services. The IT part is always slower but with steadier growth because the market is very saturated and competitive. On the other hand, the BPO part allows us to grow and hire more people faster. Additionally, the current client base needs workers from this sector, which explains our continuous growth.

What is your company’s potential, and what can Macedonia do to support the IT industry? How do other countries succeed in maintaining and developing this vital branch?

Macedonia has an exceptional and competitive IT industry. Getting a developer job, whether junior or senior, is much easier than before. This results from the growing number of tech businesses and their rising demand for tech talent, and we expect it to grow in the coming years.

The pandemic has normalized remote work; now, many developers prefer remote work or freelancing. Our company has successfully adapted to the new reality, and we let our IT professionals choose their way of working.

Regarding the non-technical services we offer, I think Macedonia has unlimited potential in that area because the country has a young, talented, and educated workforce willing to work. That’s why our institutions must recognize the best companies and try to keep them. It is also essential to ensure that companies that take advantage of favorable business conditions and pay their workers low salaries, like those in India, are not supported. The BPO services are an excellent possibility for the country’s economic growth and can improve further if the workers are treated equally everywhere. 

And in terms of how other countries maintain and develop their IT sector, I wouldn’t comment because it’s not my area of expertise. However, investing in young people and their education and creating a favorable business climate for IT companies is never a mistake.  

Your job is keeping you in Macedonia. So what are your impressions, what do you like, and have you adopted any local habits? What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in this part of the world?

Over the years, things changed, and now it is not only the job that keeps me here. I got married and have a child, so my family life is in Macedonia. And although I was born in the USA, I love Macedonia and life here. Like any place in the world, there are good and bad sides. It is not perfect, but nowhere is. I love the way of life here. Macedonia has relaxed and friendly people, and they can be excellent hosts. If I could, I would spend my days in a kafana, talking with people.

Another thing I like is its natural beauty. Macedonia has many incredible mountains, lakes, historical cities, and undoubtedly the most beautiful women, as you can see by my wife! As I’ve already mentioned, the downsides are only natural, but I never focus on them; I only see the good things.

Under the right conditions, Macedonia has a vast potential to be a great place to live because it has a small territory and can quickly thrive, much easier than other countries.

What are Cosmic Development’s plans for the future, and what management strategies push companies forward? Please give us a little glimpse into the future.

Cosmic Development’s next plan is to continue growing and create a positive and stimulating work environment where our teams can develop professionally. The future is unpredictable, but we are sure that we will continue to aspire to improve, collaborate, and treat our employees in the best possible way. We will continue building a strong company culture that will drive business success.

The opening of the new office in Bitola is something that we are looking forward to and is a motivating factor for all of us. I believe that we are setting an example that will stimulate positive change in the life of this beautiful city which is a mecca for IT companies.

With this expansion, which is an investment in excellent working conditions, we will provide our employees with an exciting career journey, just like we always do, because we remain a company that is entirely committed to its people.

The post Our Mission is to Provide Our Employees With a Memorable Career Journey appeared first on Cosmic Development.

If you are looking for some work-from-home productivity tips, you are at the right place. At Cosmic Development, we have practiced remote work in various formats for years and our employees are sharing their experiences and tips on staying productive.

In the past two and a half years, the way we work and live has dramatically transformed. The pandemic has normalized remote and flexible work. Cloud technology and advanced communication and collaboration tools have allowed companies to embrace remote work and reap the benefits it can bring. Instead of being a temporary pandemic measure, work from home has become a lasting feature of the modern workplace.

Despite the apparent benefits of remote work, like freedom and flexibility, no commute, a higher quality of life, and better work-life balance, working remotely is more complex than it seems and can bring many unexpected challenges. This perk can turn into a missed opportunity if not handled carefully, and you can become your own worst enemy,

Productivity is one of the biggest challenges, especially if you are new to remote work. Having that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some essential remote working productivity tips from our employees. We also asked a few to share their personal experience in working remotely and explain how they navigate the pitfalls and ensure they stay focused, productive, and happy.

Set up a home office space that limits distraction

Whether a corner in your living room or a separate room turned into an office, it is crucial to designate an official home workspace where you can comfortably work without noise and distractions.

Create a healthy, stimulating environment that best suits your personal ergonomic and productivity needs. Keep it clutter-free and organized. Add houseplants to boost your mood, and if possible, put your desk by the window to have access to natural light because it will improve your mental alertness and focus. Invest in equipment that will enhance your performance – adjustable desks, ergonomic desk chairs, spacious monitors or laptop stands, and noise-cancelling headphones. A dedicated workspace will give a sense of legitimacy to your work environment and help you maintain boundaries between home and work life.

Define boundaries

Besides having a separate workspace where you can concentrate and minimize disruptions, it is equally important to put clear boundaries between work time and family. It can be hard to separate your work from your personal life, especially if you have children.

However, everything is possible with a little more pre-planning and communication.

Work out a schedule with your household members and inform them of your working schedule and that you are unavailable during this time. Ensure that your home office is off-limits when working and that your work does not intrude into other people’s lives. Learn to say no, because you can easily become stressed and overwhelmed by others’ demands, which will definitely affect your productivity.

The opposite is also true, setting healthy work boundaries to avoid overworking. Stick to your work schedule, do your work as best as possible, and once your work day is over, switch off, put away your work tools and enjoy your free time.

And remember – setting your boundaries is in your own hands. If you don’t respect them, no one else will either. It is a battle you’ll need to fight for yourself, but with time you’ll become a master of juggling work and family.

Set up a work schedule and maintain a daily routine

The best thing when working from home is the flexibility to establish a routine that’s ideal for you. Creating and following a work schedule will save your sanity and boost your productivity. 

Here are some steps you can follow:

• Maintain consistent working hours. Decide the time when you will start and finish working each day and commit to it. Plan for virtual meetings with others in your schedule, childcare, or any other responsibilities you may have throughout the day. Be aware that you’ll need to be flexible from time to time and that there will be exceptions to your rules. Sometimes you’ll have to give extra time to your work and sometimes to your personal life. 

• Discover your most productive time of the day. Some people peak in the morning, others in the afternoon or night. By aligning your schedule with your peak energy times, you make it easier to focus on work when you feel the most energized and motivated, thus being more productive, focused, and quicker.

• Track your time. Time tracking can help you be more aware of how you spend your time during the day and how much time you spend on each assigned task. This practice will give you valuable insights into your productivity and help you find ways to improve and optimize your workflow. If you’re unsure how to do that, Forest, RescueTime, and Toggl are just some of the many time-tracking apps you can use. They will tell you how you spend your time, analyze your work trends and help you make smart decisions. 

Set priorities

Taking a proactive approach will give you a sense of accomplishment and put you in control of your day. 

One of the biggest productivity mistakes you can make is focusing on getting as many tasks as possible instead of doing the most important ones. So start by identifying your main to-do’s for the day, and qualify them by their urgency. Try the Rule of Three – a simple but effective productivity hack that requires you to focus on accomplishing only three essential goals every day. You can apply this rule not only for your day but also for your week, month, and year. Our brains are not evolved to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, so by engaging in fewer tasks, you increase your focus and are more efficient. Similar productivity methods you can also try are the Pomodoro Technique or the Zen to Done Rule. 

Take regular breaks and practice self-care

Working remotely and sitting all day can harm your body and mind. Don’t hesitate to take a break and recharge. Regular micro-break breaks throughout your working day will lower the risk of burnout, reduce stress levels, and increase overall productivity. They are good for both your physical and mental well-being. A play with your kids or pet, a short conversation, listening to music, stretching, breathing, whatever you like, as long as it is a break from screen time and gets you moving.

Incorporate self-care into your daily routine, whether that is walking in the park, regular exercise, spending time in nature, contacting loved ones, watching a good movie, reading a book, cooking a fun meal, or spending virtual social time with colleagues. These activities will lower your stress, help you relax, and clear your mind.

Stay engaged in company life

Working from home can get boring and lonely. If you feel isolated, you will not be happy or productive. Fortunately, with the technologies today, you can easily stay engaged with the team and be involved in daily company life. Stay in touch with your colleagues via Slack or similar cloud-based collaboration tools. Try video chats, participate in different events and activities and stay connected.

The Bottom Line

Working from home has many great advantages, but when it comes to productivity, it certainly has its drawbacks. It’s challenging to maintain an excellent work-life balance and stay productive. But with proper planning and the right tools and techniques, you can create space and time to be effective without letting work interfere with your personal life. 

Staying productive while working from home is different for everyone. What works for you might not work for somebody else. Find what works best for you, stay productive, and keep your head up no matter what.

Come work with us and join our team of great people!

We offer a hybrid work culture flexibility that combines the benefits of both remote and office work. Check out our current openings and learn why Cosmic Development is the right fit. 

The post Productivity Tips: How to Stay Productive While Working from Home appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Get to know our Web Designer Marko Pavlovich in the latest Cosmic Development Employee Spotlight.

Undoubtedly a well-designed website is a powerful digital marketing tool that can help businesses increase their online presence and credibility and make them stand out among competitors. An exceptional website not only looks good, but it is easy to navigate, user-friendly, and provides the visitors with the best user experience with the brand.

Successful companies know how to identify and meet users’ expectations and do that by hiring competent professionals with the necessary skills to achieve the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Web developers and web designers, be it UX (user experience or UI (user interface), are the bridge between a brand vision and the website. They study the company’s goals and design and create unique and well-functioning websites. One such professional at Cosmic Development is Marko Pavlovich. 

Who is Marko? 

Marko is a web designer with  15 years of experience in the IT industry. Marko is enthusiastic and passionate about designing websites and apps and has successfully delivered unique design solutions for many of our clients since he joined Cosmic in 2017. He specializes in User Experience (UX) Design and focuses on building effective and easy-to-use websites. He is responsible for understanding the users and investigates and understands their habits, needs, behaviors, motivations, and emotions. 

Here’s some more information about Marko we learned during our recent chat:

It is your fifth year at Cosmic Development. Any aspects of the company culture and the working environment would you like to point out? 

For the last five years, my main focus has been UX design on exciting projects in finance, games, etc. During that time, I had the opportunity to work on new technologies and improve my knowledge. Much of my success is thanks to Cosmic and the excellent working environment that offers countless learning opportunities. The culture of our team is built upon a shared understanding, trust, and respect. 

What makes a good design?

Everything around us is designed, from the services we are used to to the houses we live in, and everything is designed to solve a problem. A good design uses the information available to simplify the users’ lives.  It shines in both form and function and has a clear purpose. It is visually pleasing and easy to navigate, and technically stable and secure and the same time. 

What’s your working style? Any preferences you have in your design style? 

My working style is a mix of independence and collaboration with the other team members. When I start a new project, I first get well informed about the product, customers, and the possible solutions that the competition has. In the initial stages, I prefer to work independently. Then I consult with my team to ensure we’re all on the same track. We must work together and learn from each other’s perspectives if we want to build a great product. In terms of preferences, I always try to keep the audience in mind and provide the best user experience possible.

How do you communicate your designs with web developers?

As I mentioned, great websites require a joint effort between designers and other team members, especially web developers. Communication is the key here. In my 15 years of experience, I’ve learned how to clearly and effectively communicate my designs through words or collaboration software. I also do regular check-ins and design reviews to ensure everything is going according to plan.

Where do you go for inspiration? 

Each of us should find inspiration within ourselves and answer the question of what pushes us to the limits and beyond them. For me, hanging out with friends can be a fantastic way to expand my design horizons. People, places, music, films, nature; there are no limits. I can find inspiration anywhere. In addition, I follow several blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, and Instagram pages. Some of my recommendations are ukplanet.org, smashingmagazine.com, usabilitigeek.com, The Futur, AJ&Smart, Flux, etc.

What do you believe is the most exciting new big thing in UX design? 

One thing that excites me most about working in web design, especially in UX, is that our industry is constantly changing and evolving. Many new technologies are emerging every day, and it is crucial to stay up to date. 

 Surely, the Metaverse will drive UX design, and UX designers should prepare for this new era. Designs led by virtual and augmented reality, and AI, are definitely the future of UX.

What tools or programs do you use for design?

I prefer to use Adobe applications, such as XD, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, but I am familiar with other tools created for UX/UI designers. Figma is one of them that I like to use.

What advice would you give to younger colleagues?

My advice to younger designers is not to be afraid and not to stop believing in themselves and their talents because of others’ criticism of their work. This is a long race. Start with jogging until you run a marathon.

Come work with Cosmic Development.

Cosmic Development is the perfect place to be a part of a team of innovative problem solvers and creative thinkers and grow professionally every day. Explore our current job openings and see If you would be a good addition to the Comic team. We always want to connect with talented people who share our mission and vision. 

The post Creating Successful Websites Through People-Focused Design: Meet Marko Pavlovich, a Passionate Web Designer appeared first on Cosmic Development.

You’ve probably heard about the newest trend among remote employees and companies – workation. For those unfamiliar with the term, workation (work + vacation) describes the practice of combining working remotely and vacation. This is not a completely new notion. However, it became increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic when remote work became ‘a new normal’. The pandemic changed how we work for the better, and now it’s changing how we vacation. Now, with the advancement in remote work tools and technologies, it is easier for employees to work on projects from remote locations while enjoying a break from the regular daily routine.

The possibility of working and vacationing at the same time may sound unbelievable, but we can assure you it’s reality. We are one of the few companies that adopted this hybrid work model that allowed working remotely even before the pandemic. Our people are free to create a work schedule that suits them best. They are able work from wherever they want, as long as that doesn’t interfere with their tasks and duties. The well-being of our people is vital to our company culture. For that reason, along with the flexible work schedules and relaxed working atmosphere, we introduced remote work options long before it became a trend.  

In this article, we’ll share with you how our Cosmic citizens enjoyed their summer while working from various locations and why embracing a remote work policy and flexible working hours is the way to go. 

The Benefits of Summer Workations 

Why work from one place when you can take your work anywhere? Why not?

Workations come with huge benefits that are difficult to ignore. When you are not tied to your working desks all day and don’t waste time commuting, you have more freedom and flexibility to explore other options while performing your professional responsibilities and earning money. And, if you are working from home most of the time, you know that it can become quite tedious and leave you feeling stuck after a while.

Workations are an excellent opportunity to enjoy a much-needed change in scenery while you work. And you can use your spare time to relax and explore new places,. This is a great motivator and it promotes well-being. It can also enhance your productivity and creativity, give you a different perspective and encourage new ideas.

Waking up by the sea or in the mountains, drinking your coffee with a panoramic view of nature, and working online with your work desk pointing towards your favorite mountains or beaches, is definitely far better than spending eight hours in the office staring at a blank wall or working in a busy, stressful environment. However, workations shouldn’t be regarded as a substitute for actual holidays because you still need time to shut off from work completely.

How Cosmic Citizens Enjoyed Remote Work Perks This Summer

The Cosmic team took full advantage of their freedom and flexibility this summer and combined work and lovely summer sceneries. Besides working from the comfort of their gardens and balconies, our employees enjoyed the benefit of working from their hometowns and different distant getaway locations in nature while still getting the work done. 

Here’s how some of our employees spend the summer and the beautiful sights they visit.

Are Summer Workations Good for Companies?

Yes! It’s not only the employees that reap the benefits from the workations; it’s the company too. Business success, job performance, and employee well-being are closely connected. 

When companies invest in their people’s mental and physical well-being and trust them to work from anywhere, they have happier employees. And happy employees work harder and better than those who aren’t. 

The benefits of flexible work schedules and workations include better productivity and creativity. It also boosts employee satisfaction, motivation, and morale. Moreover, it is a great way to build employee loyalty and retention because the new generation of workers puts great value on flexibility. 

However, companies should establish a clear remote work policy and outline expectations that everyone in the company can rely on. With a solid work-from-home policy, teams are more likely to achieve their goals, keep productivity, and be satisfied with their work. This includes performance expectations, availability expectations, working hours, expected response time for each communication channel, client confidentiality, cybersecurity, and equipment requirements. 

In our company, summer benefits are a way to reward hard work and give people a break they need. But, remote work and summer workations come with a responsibility to deliver high-quality work to benefit our clients. Our employees have the flexibility to work from home. However, we still sometimes require that they are available during certain core hours that overlap with their team members. That way, we ensure that everyone is available for team meetings or clients in certain time zones. 

Join Cosmic Development and enjoy the freedom of choosing your workspace.

Freedom and flexibility are perks at the core of our company culture, and we are really proud of having them.

We at Cosmic believe that personal well-being is essential for top job performance. Which is why we have the option to let our employees choose their work locations. However, we are still keeping our offices open for those that want to work from an office setting.

Your work setting is irrelevant as long as you are an engaged and productive team member. You’ll have the freedom and tools to get the job done regardless of your position or location.

Cosmic Development may be the answer if you are looking for a place where you can take advantage of countless benefits like combining work and travel. You can check our current job offers here.

The post The Perks of Remote Work: Summer Workations at Cosmic Development appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Here you can read the original article in Macedonian as published by 24HR.mk.  

Cosmic Development – one of the first companies in the Macedonian IT market that gives complete freedom and flexibility to its employees

Our employees have a full right to plan their workday as it suits them most, depending on their productivity. And they can work from wherever they want. We do not practice fixed working hours with a strictly defined beginning and end of work; we do not practice exhausting daily reports and similar practices. Instead, we give complete flexibility to our employees to work when they consider themselves the most concentrated, most productive, and most energetic.

Cosmic Development is an IT company founded in 2011 with headquarters in Canada. What’s quite important is that it is one of the first companies of its kind in Macedonia that has prosperously completed the first decade of its existence and continues with its success story. Cosmic Development currently has three more offices; two in Macedonia – in Skopje and Bitola, and one in Serbia – in Belgrade. We talk about the success story in Skopje with Andriana Popovska, Human Resources Manager at Cosmic Development.

Tell us something more about Cosmic Development?

The company provides outsourcing of all kinds of IT services. The clients we work with and deliver our services to are from different countries. Still, our primary focus is on working with clients from the United States and Canada. Besides our main scope – outsourcing of IT services, to a lesser extent, our company also outsources non-technical services and functions: such as digital marketing, customer support, writing articles for clients’ needs (content writing), photo-editing, photo-processing, etc.

Freedom and flexibility are the two essential things that define you as a company. What does this mean for your employees?

That’s right, the two most recognizable features of Cosmic Development are the complete freedom and flexibility that are given to all employees from their first day of employment, regardless of their position and location. We are happy that we are distinguished and stand out for these two things in a way. Freedom and flexibility in our work exist and have been enjoyed for many years, and we didn’t introduce them because of the pandemic with Covid-19.

What does that mean?

That means that employees have a full right to plan their workday as it suits them most, according to their productivity, and they can work from wherever they want. We do not practice fixed working hours with a strictly defined beginning and end of work; we do not practice exhausting daily reports and similar practices. Instead, we give complete flexibility to our employees to work when they consider themselves the most concentrated, most productive, and most energetic.

I will mention again that our company was one of the first on the Macedonian market which, in addition to flexible working hours, had introduced the benefit of remote work, for employees to enjoy the opportunity to work where they want.

Reliable and high-quality execution of the work assignments is most important to us as a company and freeing our employees from unnecessary norms. As long as the working hours are full, the results of the delivered work are of top quality, and our clients are satisfied, it does not matter what part of the day the employee worked and whether he does it from the office, beach, cafe, park, even from another country.

Of course, there are exceptions, like in a situation when the project’s goal requires specific meetings, teamwork, etc. But even in these cases, we practice and strive for them to be announced to our employees ahead so that they can plan their workday and time accordingly.

The freedom and flexibility provided to this extent also entail great confidence that the employer should have in its employees. As a company, we believe in every employee, their work, and their dedication. So far, we have realized that not only are these benefits not abused but they are also appreciated and respected.

Has Covid-19 changed how you work in your company and how did you adapt to the new normal?

Since teleworking and flexible working hours existed before the pandemic, we didn’t notice any significant changes and didn’t have to take any special adaptation measures. We would rather say that, like everyone else, we faced uncertainty in the whole situation rather than changes in the way we worked. And, of course, we stayed connected through a range of activities and challenges that we organized for our employees, especially during the mandatory isolation period. You can read more about our creative way to spend quality time together and outside of work here.

The benefit of distance working and flexibility made it possible not to notice a single day of downtime. There were no negative consequences for the employees or the company. At the same time, we provided our employees with maximum protection from the virus without disturbing the typical workflow.

We still work from home, but our offices are open for our employees (e.g., if one of our employees wants to work from the office, if someone has technical problems, for meetings, etc.) by following all measures and protocols for protection of course.

Did it affect the recruitment and employment process?

In terms of a negative outcome – not at all.

It turned out that the company was ahead of its time and introduced measures/options before they became mandatory. Thanks to the flexibility and remote work, the transition from office work to 100% work from home in a pandemic occurred naturally, without problems and side effects. On the contrary, I would say that the recruitment exploded during the last and this year. We constantly have new vacancies for which we actively recruit highly qualified staff.

What are the plans of Cosmic Development for the future?

There are many plans ; we have to admit that some of them depend on the whole situation with Covid-19. We strive to achieve them, but the health and safety of our employees always come first. Our priority is to continue on the upward line, both in the number of clients and projects, as well as in the number of new colleagues and of course retention and cooperation with existing ones.

We encourage all interested people who meet the criteria to apply and become part of Cosmic Development. 

On our careers page, you can see all our current vacancies.

The post Flexibility at Work: Cosmic Development’s HR Manager Shares Best Practices with 24HR.mk appeared first on Cosmic Development.

1. You recently celebrated your 5th work anniversary in Cosmic Development. So first of all, congratulations, and let us say we are thrilled to have you on the team! In that spirit, could you tell us the story of how you joined the Cosmic family?

First, let me thank you for your congratulations and especially for the fantastic gift you sent me for my fifth anniversary. I wasn’t expecting that at all. I am so happy to have such helpful and thoughtful coworkers and managers.

My career path in Cosmic Development started at the beginning of 2016. At first, I was mentored by the more experienced colleagues who unselfishly shared their knowledge with me. I am thankful beyond words for the advice and support they gave me and how they assisted me in going outside of my comfort zone and being the best version of myself every day.

I love working at Cosmic Development, which fosters a positive work environment where everyone feels safe, engaged, motivated, and productive. An environment where employees are valued and recognized for their excellent work and where they can unleash their full potential.

2. What is the most challenging part of your job? Can you describe how you approach the challenges you face as a web developer?

The challenges I come across daily are approximately the same challenges you face in almost every profession in this industry – task prioritizing, time management, staying on top of the new technologies.

However, if you ask me about the technical challenges I have faced so far, I can mention a few, but the most important one would be not having a standardized development process. This happens when more people work on a project, and everybody delivers a product that meets the requirements but uses a different approach. That results in a far more complex and time-consuming process than it should be. The solution, of course, would be identifying the issue and standardizing the processes.

3. In your opinion, what are the top technical skills needed to be a successful web developer?

This is obvious; you must be familiar with HTML and CSS. JavaScript is also at the top of the list of necessary web developer skills and qualifications. A web developer can use a source control system to track, regulate, and revise code changes. Git is an excellent example of an open-source version control system that allows you to identify and rectify errors quickly.

Another crucial skill for a web developer is Testing and Debugging. It might be considered a time-consuming and complicated process, but for me, it’s like solving a puzzle, and slight alterations can make everything work. Of course, besides object-oriented programming (OOP), I’d add Libraries and Frameworks, which are critical elements for developing a more organized project. As a crucial factor, I would also mention Web Optimization and Teamwork and Time Management (or Project Management), which are vital.

4. Tell us more about your expertise and how do you hone your skills?

As I mentioned earlier, thanks to the mentorship of my senior colleagues, I can advance my skills and knowledge. The short courses we often organize, the informal discussions we have during break time, or the online meetings we now have during the COVID-19 pandemic helped me develop my skills over time. Teamwork is an invaluable learning experience for me. When we work on big projects, we learn a lot from each other- professionally and personally.

Another rewarding way to learn, teach, share, and build experience is through open-source projects. I often find some open-source projects and create my version. As we turned to remote working and online learning, I also found inspiration watching YouTube videos by interesting tech content creators. One example is Povilas Korop, an experienced developer and YouTuber who shares invaluable Laravel tips and tricks, tutorials, and demo projects with the Laravel framework. In the end, I would add WPBeginner as a great source of inspiration and learning.

5. What are you working on right now?

In all these years at Cosmic Development, I’ve had the chance to work on different projects that required the use of various technologies and services. I started with building WordPress themes, development plugins, restful API services, then on to implementation, optimization, and maintenance of the implemented services. Later I started working with specific PHP frameworks like Laravel, Codeigniter, Yii…. This basically means that my day-to-day work is based on PHP, Javascript, CSS, and HTML. Throughout the projects, I’ve encountered many challenges that helped me grow as a developer. Currently, I am working on a lengthy project in which we develop a product for a distinguished company. However, I can’t give you more details because of the product development non-disclosure agreement.

We are also preparing for DIGIT (Design and Interactive Graphics in IT), which is an educational workshop for students in the field of design and programming. There, we will share our expertise and hands-on experience with the teams taking part.

6. Why events like DIGIT are important, and who is it for? 

Digit is a workshop that is of great importance to all participants, i.e., students, mentors, and organizers. It is a great event where people can exchange knowledge and experiences and network with like-minded individuals from the IT community.

As a company that has outsourced top-notch professionals worldwide for over ten years, we are honored to participate in this year’s DIGIT Web – Angular Edition. Through mentorship and presentation, my colleague Bojan and I will do our best to share our knowledge and personal experience with students and junior developers. All to assist them in gaining the skills they need for successful career development.

Bojan, who is a Senior Developer and Angular professional, will guide and assist the participants in building a website in Angular. Whereas, I will share details about my career path at Cosmic Development.

Last, I would like to invite all fellow developers interested in becoming a part of our international company to send their CVs to careers@cosmicdevelopment.com. For the latest job positions, you can get more details here.

The post Employee Spotlight: Web Developer Career Path appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Hiring software development talent has proven to be quite challenging in 2021. With the rise of technology and rapid digital transformation across businesses spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising customer expectations, and transition to remote work, the need and competition for skilled tech experts are proliferating. Whether back-end, front-end, or full-stack, software developers are the fundamental building blocks of any organization whose business operations rely on software. Today thousands of companies compete to recruit and retain from the limited pool of high-quality software developers. It is no wonder it is a costly and time-consuming process. This high demand is projected to continue in the coming years and grow 21% by 2028, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In this article, we’ll give you some insights on what makes a great software developer and how you can make the whole hiring process much more manageable. Lastly, we’ll offer our valuable experience to help you find the right for your business needs. Read on.

What Does a Software Developer Do?

First, let’s clarify what a software developer does and why this profession is essential and sought-after.

In simple terms, a software developer, also known as a programmer or coder, uses programming languages to create computer software programs. An excellent software developer should be creative, have a passion for learning and development, and have excellent communication skills. Above all, it must have exceptional technical skills.

Although their duties and responsibilities may range depending on the type of organization and industry they work for, as well as their experience level, they are engaged in all stages of the software development life cycle and generally include tasks and responsibilities like:

• Gathering and evaluating user requirements
• Creating efficient and clean code based on consumers’ and clients’ needs
• Testing code
• Fixing, maintaining, and improving existing software
• Communication and collaboration with management and tech support colleagues
• Compiling and assessing user feedback to improve software performance
• Developing technical documentation for reference and reporting

What Makes a Great Software Developer?

The best software developers of today have a good mix of technical proficiency and soft skills. They are able to figure out solutions to problems at any stage of the application development at any time. Beyond knowing programming languages and being excellent at writing code, there are other significant skills and qualities outstanding software developers have in common. Here are the traits that can differentiate a great software developer from a good one and that can help you identify one that would make a great addition to your programming team:

1. Strong communication skills 

The capability to communicate complicated ideas clearly and precisely is essential in the development process. The developers should be capable of interacting with people and explaining themselves to non-technical stakeholders and other developers. They should convey and understand problems clearly, break down complicated ideas into simple concepts and propose solutions.

2. Quick learning and curiosity 

Acquiring new skills is essential for developers. Being a great software developer requires constant practice and dedication. Technology is the innovative branch that is constantly evolving, so developers must be curious, learn quickly and adapt; otherwise, they will be left behind. The best programmers have the ability to learn new languages and technologies quickly, process information, and above all are amazing self-learners. Successful programmers are willing to admit they don’t know and are not afraid of new technology trends.

3. Broad technical experience

Technical expertise is fundamental for software development. Technology is a broad field, and there are numerous tools, platforms, and languages a developer must master and integrate in order to make a good product or software. Professional software developers need a combination of technical skills to succeed. Here are some of the skills software developers are expected to have in 2021:

• Cloud platforms
• Programing languages like Python, C++, Java, and CSS
• Data Structure and Algorithms
• Database and SQL
• Computer networks
• Software testing
• Operating System
• SDLC (Software development life cycle)

Keep in mind that this is no complete list, and you shouldn’t expect that a good software developer has experience in working with all these technologies; however, it provides a good starting point.

4. Team player

The ability to help teammates when there are stuck and teach them new skills is a quality of top software developers. Teamwork is crucial for software development, especially in cases when the project has time and budget constraints. When developers on your team lean on each other, the success of the project is inevitable.

5. Time management

Time management is a valuable skill that every aspiring software developer should develop. The ability to use time effectively and efficiently increases focus and productivity. Plus, it reduces distractions and procrastination and lowers stress. A great software developer has a strong work ethic and organizational skills and respect deadlines. Time management is a significant factor in software development because it can influence the outcome of the whole project.

6. Business sense

When combined with technical expertise, business acumen can be a great advantage. Business-savvy developers understand how the business works. They are able to analyze business problems and make quick, precise, and profitable decisions, and deliver technology-focused on customers’ needs.

The characteristics we mentioned above are just a few the most wanted and are practical guidelines that can help you hire the best software developers.

How to Hire the Best Software Developers?

Most businesses today depend on software development and the people behind it. Hiring the best software developers is one of the biggest technical challenges for today’s recruiters. Software development is a complex and fast-paced field, and the people you hire determine the success of your project. The selection process can be a laborious, slow, and expensive process.

If you are a company that needs fast access to talented developers that will fit your team, drive your success, and provide you with a competitive advantage, you need to look beyond traditional hiring practices. Outsourcing software development is a cost-effective and flexible solution that can save the headache of talent shortage and bad hires. The right outsourcing partner can help you find highly skilled candidates fast. It will support growth without the need for significant investments in new hires, technologies, and IT infrastructure.

Hiring Skilled Software Developers with Cosmic Development

Building a solid team of experts is imperative for business success, regardless if you are a startup or a well-established enterprise.

Cosmic Development is an IT outsourcing and software development company with more than ten years of experience. We can help you build software development teams quickly and affordably, and we will ensure their skills and commitment to work. With Cosmic Development, you are just a click away from finding the right talent. Contact us today to learn more about our development services.

The post Hiring Developers in 2021: Key Things to Consider appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Should I hire a developer in-house or outsource my web and software development? What about Staff Augmentation?Where to find experienced professionals and how to organize a development team? How to turn my idea into reality?

These are the crucial questions you will undoubtedly face at the start of every software development journey. And whether you’re a startup with an innovative product idea or a company looking for digital transformation, sooner or later you’ll have to make a decision.

Development is a core part of every IT project and asking the right questions can set you up for success. Every software project has its requirements and factors to be considered, and it is hard to recommend one approach. This article will outline the key advantages and disadvantages of each approach and help you make an informed decision.

In-House Software Development 

First, let’s clear things out. What is in-house software development?
In simple words, it is when the team of developers works in your company’s offices and builds the software to support the business operations and the specific needs of the company.

That means you are responsible for recruiting and hiring full-time developers and provide them with a regular salary and other employment benefits. Furthermore, you are also responsible for providing the resources and infrastructure to support the software development.

 Pros of In-House Development

• Control. With an in-house team, you can have complete control of the development process from beginning to end. Additionally, you can manage teamwork and quickly resolve any issues that may come up. That means you have the opportunity to know the abilities of every team member and can assign them tasks accordingly.
  
• Cultural Fit. Since you control the recruiting process, you will certainly choose people that share your values and organizational culture. That helps employees to integrate with the company efficiently and eases communication.
  
• On-Site Availability. Being in the same office and within the same time zone makes the process faster and more effective. If you have a question, you can always ask your colleague and get an immediate answer. Although this point is slowly losing value as more and more people work from home.
  
• Response Time. Having an in-house team increases the speed of implementing unexpected changes. If there is an urgent need to change a project’s features and make certain modifications, a team under your control can make the changes faster.

Cons of In-House Development

• High Cost. In-house software development is time-consuming and way more expensive than outsourcing. Maintaining a team takes time and money. It is costly because it includes recruitment and onboarding and training costs, salaries, and other employee benefits. Plus, infrastructure, taxes, rent, and much more.
  
• Narrow Talent Pool. Lack of talent is a serious problem for in-house business models. And with the fast development of the IT industry, the competition to hire the best developers is higher. The local talent pool available might not be adequate for your business plans and technical needs or fit into the planned budget. When there is a talent shortage with a specific skill set, your only option is to pay a significantly higher amount to bring in the required talent or consider the global outsourcing market.
  
• Staff Turnover. The technology industry has the highest turnover rate for any industry. One of the most significant in-house software development risks is poor employee retention. Developers are in high demand and frequently switch jobs in search of better opportunities. There is always a risk that a lead developer will leave during crucial stages of the project, which in turn harms software development productivity and product quality and can even bring a project to a standstill.

Outsourced Software Development

Outsourcing software development is a business strategy of hiring an external company to fulfill your software requirements. In this case, your software development team will work remotely, usually from another country.

These teams have experience and skills gained while working on development projects for clients across various industries. Businesses from startups to enterprises turn to outsourcing specific business functions such as IT, marketing, or human resources. This helps them grow and get quality services at lower rates. Outsourcing has become an essential part of business management worldwide.

Recently, Opinium and LiveArea provided research that explores the impact the pandemic has on businesses and operations. According to it, 10% of companies already outsource their marketing department, and 32% consider outsourcing. To develop greater business agility and resilience, companies are looking to reduce risk through outsourcing, and it is expected that the outsourcing market will grow significantly in the coming years.

Pros of Outsourcing Software Development

• Significant Cost Reduction. Software outsourcing allows companies to hire top-notch talent at a reasonable price. You’ll be paying local market rates for skilled labor. Since you are paying for the service, not for the work, you will reduce the cost of hiring, training, and housing staff. Plus, you’ll save much money on administrative expenses like equipment, rent, and software licenses. This allows a company to develop its product at a lower price.

• Access to Top Talent. Software development outsourcing solves the problem of a lack of local tech talent. Outsourcing gives you immediate access to highly skilled experts from all over the world without any difficulties or increased costs.

• Increased Efficiency. Delegating the recruitment and training process to an outsourcing partner will allow you to allocate your time and energy to focus on core business activities and future strategies. Having access to quality tech talent means that you can begin building your software almost immediately and launch your product faster, thus gaining a substantial competitive advantage.

• Shared Risk. A quality outsourced IT service provider will take the time to study your project specifications and identify any potential issues. That will help mitigate any risks associated with your project.

Cons of Outsourcing Software Development

• Less control. Although you will be working closely with the IT company, you won’t be able to control your IT functions as well as you could with an in-house team. You can’t monitor the development team and see how tasks are performed. However, this should not be an issue if you find a trusting outsourcing partner. Plus, you can always track your team’s progress using modern software and management approaches that will help keep them accountable and help you maintain visibility.

• Communication Issues. Language barriers, cultural differences, and contrasts in time zones can significantly impact the whole project. Software Development is an industry that requires intensive communication, especially during the requirements phase. If your outsourced team doesn’t have a good grasp of English, that can be a valid concern. Moreover, if you partner with an offshore company located in an entirely different time zone, that will require an additional level of planning and management. When you don’t have face-to-face communication with your development team very often, you may not receive responses as quickly as you’d like, and it may slow down the project. However, experienced providers know how to deliver optimal services regardless of their location and offer you software developers who speak excellent English.

• Risk of Exposing Confidential Data. When you outsource important IT functions, the outsourcing agency gains access to all of the information that passes through the organization’s computer system and there is a risk that confidentiality and security may be compromised. You can mitigate these drawbacks by teaming up with an experienced, reliable, and trustworthy outsourcing company.

Our Hybrid Approach 

If you still can’t decide which approach is better, you may consider a third option, a hybrid approach, or as we call it, staff augmentation. In some cases, the combination of in-house and offshore software development will deliver the most benefits. The blended workforce model will let you develop an agile, cost-efficient workforce that will match your business needs long term.

For example, your in-house employees can be a better choice at the start of the project, but as you progress to the next stages, it is best to hire a remote, dedicated development team. Using the hybrid model, you will get better quality, more timely production, and the ability to scale operations at a lower cost. Plus, if you are concerned about security risks, the hybrid approach is probably the most fitting for your business.

How do we do that?

By providing dedicated talent solutions for our clients, also known as staff augmentation. When you partner with us, you will usually get more than team augmentation. We can also cover various software-related services, such as analysis and design, quality assurance, project management, or support and maintenance. Our top-tier developers will become a part of your in-house team and will work closely with them for as long as you need them. The exchange of knowledge and ideas between in-house and outsourced developers can be highly beneficial and will help you overcome the challenges that come in the way. 

We have more than ten years of experience in shaping remote agile teams, and we have learned how to tackle the disadvantages of the above-mentioned models.

Pros of Our Hybrid Model

• Control. Our clients have more control over every step of project development and implementation. We have client managers assigned to every team, and every office has its HR Manager. 

• Cultural Fit. With close communication with our clients, we make sure every candidate we hire fits their company culture and unique requirements.

• Response Time. Our dedicated client managers are there to help you if there’s any delay or issue. We will handle your needs in a personalized way, and the team will dig deep into your business and get to know your actual needs.

• Communication Issues. We have team managers who are responsible for the availability and performance of their team members daily. Each member of the team is composed of highly experienced software engineers with the required talent and expertise. 

• No Risk of Exposing Confidential Information. We sign NDA’s and follow procedures that protect every client’s data. 

Cons of Our Hybrid Model

• Recruitment may take longer than anticipated. In exceptional cases, when the set of skills is not standard, the recruitment process can take longer than usual. Thus, we keep the client updated on the process at all points, and we are fully transparent.

All this and a combination of typical outsourcing benefits make Cosmic Development a close and trusted partner, not just a temporary service provider. Reaching a maximum level of productivity with our staff augmentation hybrid model is a very realistic goal. You can immediately benefit from reduced talent costs and increased development capacity to achieve your goals.

How We Can Help

Outsourcing is an excellent way to boost your business’s digital transformation and support growth through innovative solutions. By choosing this approach, you will not only save time and money, but you will build a team of dedicated developers without adding the expense of full-time employees and additional office space and equipment. Outsourcing will help you gain a competitive advantage and help your business work smarter.

Cosmic Development is a Canadian IT company specializing in providing IT solutions and staff augmentation to business owners who want to get outsourcing services for lower prices but excellent quality. With a decade-long experience and a range of successful software projects, we can provide the best software development services for your business. 

We are committed to building digital talent solutions that create rewarding results. 100 % of clients’ satisfaction is our priority and we always keep an eye on quality assurance, ask questions, and encourage strong client cooperation to ensure that.

We at Cosmic strongly believe that staff augmentation is not a purchasing project but a partnership, and we maintain a trusting relationship with our clients. We offer access to unique talent and expertise and will help you with any project regardless of its needs, size, and budget.

Let us know your needs, and we will help you build an agile remote team. Arrange a free consultation today, and we will get you started.

The post In-House vs. Outsourced Software Development. How to Get the Best of Both Worlds? appeared first on Cosmic Development.

What a year, right? It’s been over ten months since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic. We lived through lockdowns; we learned how to function with social isolation; we disinfected almost anything that could be disinfected; and most important of all, we made the abrupt shift to working from home. We did all that we can to embrace the ‘new normal.’ However, leading an IT outsourcing company through one of the most challenging years in the 21 century was anything but ‘normal.’ This year brought economies worldwide to their knees. Millions of people lost their jobs. And for so many industries, the future still looks uncertain.

So, what did this mean for the successful functioning of Cosmic Development? What did we, as an IT outsourcing provider, achieve despite the new reality? What were the main things that marked 2020 for us? 

Overcoming the challenges imposed by the new reality:

Introducing work from home policy

Since we are an IT outsourcing company with an employees-first policy and offices in three countries across four different locations, we took the prevention measures recommended by the WHO very seriously. After the first cases appeared in Canada, Serbia, and North Macedonia, we immediately shifted to working from home for the foreseeable future. 

As the situation with the virus escalated and it was clear that remote work was here to say, we made sure all our colleagues are safe and have all the essentials to do their work at their best. And having in mind that working from home was available for us even before the pandemic, we adopted this new way of functioning with ease. You can read more about introducing remote work and the useful tools we used here.

However, a huge role in the successful implementation of remote work as a permanent way of functioning had the HR department with representatives in each office location.

Keeping employees engaged during a worldwide pandemic

As we have all witnessed, this whole crisis happened overnight, and it majorly struck our social life. Within a short time-span, the entire world adopted a “new normal” where people practiced social distancing and avoided public gatherings. The bars were shut-down, the restaurants became take-outs, schools and day-care centers were closed, and we forgot what theaters look like. And, to top it all out, there is the global economic crisis and recession.

This harsh reality affected us all. Employers had little time to adapt and provide all the required conditions for successful operation. Whereas employees had to make sure they stay proficient and effective in a whole new scenario. And with the kids staying at home, caring for family members, and psychological pressure from the lockdowns, it became very stressful. 

Being the link between employers and employees, HR teams worldwide had to rethink their role as they had to adjust whole companies to social distancing practices and a new work environment. More than ever, they played a crucial role in keeping their teams productive, motivated, engaged, and connected.

Cosmic Development’s HR manager spoke thoroughly about measures that need to be taken in order to ensure employees’ wellbeing during these, well, let’s say, unprecedented times. She pointed out holistic and agile people management as best practices because every individual is different and unique in their own way. “To do so, our department has been in touch with all employees on a regular basis. Personal coaching in the form of one-on-one sessions were introduced for the most affected employees. While for the outgoing, we organized online contests and events where people could spend time with each other.”

The name we gave to these activities was “Cosmic Beats Isolation”, and we gotta say, it was fun being part of them.

Cosmic Development’s small wins during disruptive 2020:

1. High-quality work has never been at stake

From leadership to newbies, our offices (including the ‘virtual’ ones) have been a place where a bunch of skilled and dedicated professionals work together and achieve tangible results. Having these like-minded people gathered together and adding the nurturing company culture that Cosmic promotes resulted in one compact and very productive team.  

We talked with our team members on their experiences on several subjects, including: how our content editor keeps up with the ever-changing viral video market, overcoming stressful situations from a PHP Developer’s point of view, the technical challenges that video editors face, and how do they overcome them, and how to manage an agile team in these remote times.

Do you want to join our growing Cosmic family? We are hiring! Check out the most recent vacancies here! 

2. Events worth mentioning

In early March, two Rumblers, Marija and Natasha, attended the Digiday Publishing Summit for a good reason. As Business Development representatives and one of the first people to join the Rumble team at Cosmic, they had an excellent opportunity to mingle with the most prominent names in the publishing industry. An event where media leaders talked about the latest trends and useful tools. There were interactive workshops, speed networking sessions, and cocktail hours.   

Another event of no less importance was the Virtual HR Transformation Summit. Cosmic Development’s HR Manager Biljana took the stage and shared her valuable insights on contemporary HR practices and retention strategies. She joined a distinguished list of HR professionals to discuss Human Resources management’s most critical aspects of the new reality.

3. Constant growth has been maintained 

Thanks to our diligent Cosmic crew, we continued to grow even when the whole world stopped. Looking back, we can see incredible growth of some of our loyal clients and on-going scale-up of those who have joined us recently.

This year we have been working with clients worldwide and kept our presence in North America, Western Europe, Western Asia, and Australia. As more and more companies had no other choice but to go remote, our dedicated-team talent solution became an attractive option globally. 

Now let’s get back to our loyal clients. Rumble is winning the battle against Youtube, and here is why it became the obvious choice for video creators. If eager to learn more about Rumble, read how video content brought success to the platform. 

Another platform that saw incredible success this year was the AI-powered website builder Bookmark. What lies behind Bookmark’s success its combination of outstanding leadership and dedicated-team talent solution. Bookmark’s success story is now available, and you can become a part of it, especially if you are a full-stack developer.  

Let us help you scale up with the best IT outsourcing solution. We build dedicated teams for brands! Schedule a free consultation today! 

Watch Video: Cosmic Development 2020 Rewind – A Year in Pictures

With the vaccines rolling out slowly, we can say that we are looking to a brighter future in 2021. Our team is generally thankful for making it to 2021 with all employees being well and sound, bigger in size and experience, and ready for new challenges. What can be more valuable than walking out as a winner from one of the most challenging years in modern times?

The post Cosmic Development, an International IT Outsourcing Provider, is Looking Back at 2020 appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Websites and online forums thrive with numerous opinions on when is the perfect timing for a company to begin outsourcing IT services. If you are considering this option, you probably started an online search for the pros and cons of outsourcing. If that’s what brought you here, you are in the right place. Get ready to get inside information from a company offering outsourcing services for more than 10 years. Read our hands-on experience in addition to an ebook that will guide you on how to get started.

We are a Canadian IT company specializing in providing IT solutions and staff augmentation to other brands, and we discovered the numerous advantages of outsourcing IT services a long time ago. In this article, we’d like to share our practices to help you decide if outsourcing is the right choice for your organization.

First, let’s elaborate on the questions that probably started spinning around in your head from the moment when you began thinking about outsourcing. “Is it safe?”, “Why do companies use outsourcing?” or “Will outsourcing make you more good or harm?”. To help you clarify your ideas and thoughts on outsourcing, we decided to provide you with answers to the questions most often asked. Here we cover some of the fundamental questions that many ask before outsourcing IT services.

Basic Benefits of Outsourcing IT services

There are numerous reasons why you should begin outsourcing IT services today. Companies use outsourcing to cut costs, save on resources, operations, and increase the company revenue without hiring more employees. We have already covered the basic benefits of outsourcing in this blog post. As there are numerous reasons why you should begin outsourcing tech today, here is a summary of what is discussed in our ebook:

• Obtaining a high-quality product for a lower price
• Saving time by avoiding to figure everything out by yourself
• Finding employees that are valuable, trustworthy, and dedicated to growing your business

Outsourcing will not only help you save money and time, but it will also aid you with cutting down the exact amount of expenses on the needed resources. Alongside the overall cost-saving process, companies may also save on salaries, employee benefits, and training costs. Furthermore, outsourcing may prove helpful in terms of company rearrangements by adjusting the business model. Hiring different talents and experts from various industries on a global level might help you bring freshness to the current team and provide new perspectives for the company itself.

Hire a Dedicated Team for Your Brand

When hiring a remote team, note that the process may vary from one software house to another. Therefore, we offer you our simplified approach in five easy-to-use steps:  

1. State your preference in terms of needs, timespan, and budget  
2. Search along with initial selection (pre-vetting) 
3. Decide who will be invited for a final evaluation
4. Pick the right fit 
5. Sign one simple agreement and get started

Discover the three stages for finding a reliable software house and our five simple steps for hiring a dedicated team for your brand by downloading our ebook.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Outsourcing IT Services and Hiring a Dedicated Team for Your Business appeared first on Cosmic Development.