Even though working with remote talent has been a growing trend in recent years, there are still certain myths lingering around.
We navigate, hire, and negotiate in a constantly evolving work world, yet many of us continue to grapple with misconceptions that cloud the perception of the effectiveness and viability of hiring remote teams.
There’s no single culprit.
Much misinformation has been spread, and many bad experiences have been had.
Some believe that remote work is less effective, that on-site talent is necessary for “more control” over tasks, or that remote experts can’t integrate well with a company’s culture.
In this article, we’ll use information, data, and results to debunk some of these beliefs.
7 Myths About Hiring Remote Talent
Are you ready to understand the reality about global teams and what they can do for your company?
Let’s get started!
Myth 1: Remote talent is “less productive” than on-site talent
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that employees not physically in the office are less productive.
But the reality is that productivity is not linked to location but to motivation and work structure.
Remote work allows for more focus and fewer distractions than office work, which definitely increases productivity.
In fact, a survey by FlexJobs and Global Workplace Analytics found that 51% of professionals feel more productive working remotely.
Another study, this time by Owl Labs, revealed that 75% of respondents feel less distracted and more focused when working from home.
Additionally, remote talent works on and develops skills like commitment and self-discipline daily.
This undoubtedly results in even greater productivity, thanks to the flexibility and comfort remote work offers.
Myth 2: Communication is more difficult with remote talent
With today’s communication tools, distance is no longer a barrier to effective collaboration!
- Instant messaging platforms
- video calls
- project management tools
All these tools facilitate constant communication.
>> The key is to establish clear communication channels and provide guidance on how and when to communicate.
Myth 3: Hiring remote talent is “cheap” and of lower quality
While it’s true that hiring remote talent can be more cost-effective in terms of operating costs, it’s not true that this implies lower quality work.
Many remote professionals have a high level of experience, performance, and specialized skills.
They’ve simply grown up and live in countries distant from yours.
What we call nearshore talent.
In Colombia, for example, there is a large group of bilingual professionals with exceptional competency whose hourly rate is lower than that of a professional living in the United States, Canada, or Europe.
Colombian workers have the potential to significantly enrich your team, at a lower cost, without sacrificing the quality of results.
Remember this: it’s not cheap talent; it’s cost-effective talent.
Myth 4: Performance management is more complicated with remote teams
Effective performance management may be different in remote environments, but not necessarily more complicated.
Setting clear objectives, maintaining open communication, and regularly tracking progress are essential for efficient project management.
While it may seem more challenging to monitor remote professionals, there are tools and methods that allow for precise performance evaluation and constructive feedback, which helps maintain performance at optimal levels.
Moreover, the remote talent you hire will be managed by you (at least that’s how it works at Shark Helpers).
You assign tasks and delivery times.
As support, our staffing team conducts periodic follow-ups to ensure both the dedicated professional and you, along with the rest of your team, are satisfied.
Myth 5: Remote talent doesn’t integrate well with a company’s culture
Organizational culture is not limited to physical presence.
Building a strong work culture involves open and constant communication from the start, whether remote or on-site.
This means clearly sharing the company’s mission, vision, and objectives and ensuring that every team member has a deep understanding of what the company wants to achieve.
With these goals in mind, it is entirely possible to integrate remote professionals into the company’s culture.
Myth 6: Remote talent works more and has no fixed hours
While flexibility is one of the advantages of remote work, it doesn’t mean that professionals are available 24 hours a day.
It’s important to establish clear working hours and respect the balance between work and personal life.
The same study mentioned earlier revealed that 95% of respondents believe that the flexibility of remote work benefits their personal lives.
At Shark Helpers, for example, we strive to promote productivity and efficiency rather than the quantity of work measured in hours.
It’s part of our company culture.
By prioritizing the work-life balance, burnout is avoided, and overall well-being is promoted.
Myth 7: Hiring remote talent is suitable for all job functions
While remote work offers a valuable set of advantages, not all roles are suitable for remote work.
For some specific positions, you’ll need on-site talent because tasks require constant physical presence in the office or access to specific equipment and resources that can only be provided in a physical environment.
Consulting with a strategic partner to help you precisely define the job description will give you complete clarity to find the right profile for a remote vacancy.
The sectors primarily seeking remote talent include marketing roles, office roles, recruitment, developers, and other tech roles, virtual assistants (for all types of professionals and startups), and more.
Advantages of Hiring Remote Talent
Now that we’ve debunked some beliefs, let’s see what you gain by incorporating remote talent:
- Access to a wide range of highly skilled professionals.
- Greater flexibility in team and project management.
- Reduction in operating and infrastructure costs.
- Increased diversity and perspectives within the team.
- Increased productivity due to greater job satisfaction.
- Higher talent retention.
Hire Remote Talent with Shark Helpers
Who are we at Shark Helpers?
A staffing agency that has perfected the process of hiring remote talent, connecting companies with highly skilled Colombian professionals.
Our approach is based on providing the right profile for your specific needs, ensuring seamless integration into your team and sustainable productivity.
We prioritize your satisfaction and, at the same time, the well-being of our team.
This means that we are interested in:
- Professionals being able to adapt to your company’s culture.
- The results you receive being of quality and in line with your goals.
- Talent balancing their work, personal, and family life by working remotely.
Do you want us to be your ally in hiring Colombian talent?
Click the button and schedule a meeting with our team.
