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Team Extension

Supercharge your business with team extension! Learn how to access global talent, boost efficiency & scale your team for growth.

David Horvath

• 8 min read
Team Extension
Team Extension

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, companies are constantly seeking ways to optimize their operations, increase agility, and gain a competitive edge. One powerful strategy that has emerged as a game-changer is team extension. This approach allows businesses to seamlessly expand their in-house teams with skilled professionals from around the globe, unlocking a wealth of benefits and driving growth.

What is team extension?

Team extension is a strategic approach to outsourcing where companies partner with external service providers to supplement their existing teams with specialized expertise and skills. This involves hiring remote developers, designers, engineers, or other professionals who become an integral part of the company's workforce, working closely with the in-house team to achieve shared goals.

Benefits of team extension

Team extension offers a myriad of benefits, including:

  • Access to a global talent pool
  • Cost efficiency
  • Increased flexibility
  • Improved time to market
  • Focus on core business

Understanding the Team Extension Model

The team extension model involves several key steps:

  • Identify project requirements: Determine the specific skills and expertise needed for the project.
  • Partner with a reputable service provider: Choose a service provider like Lexunit with a proven track record and expertise in the required areas.
  • Onboard and integrate the extended team: Provide the extended team with the necessary training, tools, and access to the necessary company systems.
  • Manage the project collaboratively: Foster effective communication and collaboration between the in-house and extended teams.
  • Monitor performance and results: Regularly assess the performance of the extended team to ensure they are meeting expectations and contributing to project success.

Key Differences from Dedicated Teams

While team extension and dedicated teams both involve outsourcing, there are key differences:

Feature
Team Extension
Dedicated Team
Focus
Augmenting existing teams
Building complete remote teams
Contract Type
Time and materials
Fixed-price or project-based
Management
Client manages the project
Vendor manages the team
Integration
Seamless integration with in-house teams
Independent team working on specific projects

Team Extension vs. Dedicated Teams

Typical Uses

Team extension is commonly used for:

Point
Description
Scaling up development teams
Meeting increased demand for software development, app development, or web development
Filling skill gaps
Accessing specialized skills not available in-house, such as Data Science, AI or Cloud
Supporting specific projects
Providing temporary expertise for short-term projects or initiatives
Expanding into new markets
Gaining local market knowledge and expertise

Advantages of Team Extension

Access to a global talent pool
Team extension opens doors to a vast pool of talented professionals worldwide, allowing you to find the best fit for your specific needs, regardless of geographical location. Hungary has became one of the target location of finding good talents. This diversity ensures a wider range of skills, perspectives, and experience, enriching your team and enhancing project outcomes.
Cost efficiency
Hiring remote team members can significantly reduce costs compared to traditional in-house recruitment. You can leverage lower labor costs in certain countries like in Hungary without compromising on quality. This allows you to allocate resources more strategically and optimize your budget.
Increased flexibility
Team extension provides the flexibility to scale your team up or down as needed, responding to fluctuating project demands. You can easily add or remove team members based on project requirements, ensuring optimal resource allocation and cost control.
Improved time to market
By leveraging external expertise, you can accelerate the development process and bring your products or services to market faster. Team extension allows you to quickly assemble the necessary skills and resources, reducing time-consuming recruitment processes and streamlining project timelines.
Focus on core business
By outsourcing non-core functions, you can free up your internal resources to focus on your company's core competencies and strategic initiatives. This allows you to allocate your time and energy to activities that drive innovation, growth, and competitive advantage.

Challenges of Team Extension

 

Communication barriers
Language differences, cultural nuances, and time zone variations can create communication hurdles. Effective communication strategies, clear expectations, and robust communication tools are essential to overcome these challenges. Hungarian engineers speak good English, so apart from the timezone difference, you are not likely to experience much of a communication barrier.
Cultural differences
Different cultures have varying work styles, communication norms, and approaches to problem-solving. Understanding and respecting these differences is crucial for building a cohesive and productive team. Hungary's culture is very similar to that of the western world.
Integration and team dynamics
Integrating remote team members into the existing team dynamics can be challenging. Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, fostering communication, and promoting collaboration are essential to ensure seamless integration.
Maintaining quality standards
Ensuring that the extended team adheres to the company's quality standards and processes is vital. Clear guidelines, robust quality assurance processes, and regular performance reviews are essential for maintaining consistency and delivering high-quality results.

How to Choose a Team Extension Partner

Key factors to consider

When choosing a team extension partner, consider the following factors:

  • Expertise and experience: Look for partners with a proven track record in your industry or domain.
  • Talent pool: Ensure they have access to a diverse and skilled talent pool that meets your specific requirements.
  • Communication and collaboration: Assess their communication capabilities, including language fluency and cultural sensitivity.
  • Project management and processes: Evaluate their project management methodology, quality assurance processes, and reporting mechanisms.
  • Client testimonials and references: Check their client testimonials and references to gauge their reputation and track record.
  • Pricing and transparency: Understand their pricing model, contract terms, and payment schedules.

Due diligence steps

To ensure you choose the right partner, conduct thorough due diligence, including:

  • Request a proposal: Obtain a detailed proposal outlining their services, pricing, and project methodology.
  • Conduct interviews: Meet with potential partners to discuss your project requirements and assess their expertise and communication skills.
  • Review their portfolio: Examine their previous projects and client testimonials to evaluate their capabilities and track record.
  • Check their references: Contact their previous clients to get independent feedback on their performance and reliability.
  • Negotiate contract terms: Clarify all contractual terms, including payment terms, intellectual property rights, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Successful Team Extension: Best Practices

Define clear project requirements and scope
Clearly define the project objectives, scope, deliverables, timelines, and expected outcomes. This ensures that both the in-house team and the extended team are aligned on the project goals and expectations.
Establish effective communication channels
Implement robust communication channels that facilitate seamless information sharing, collaboration, and feedback. Use a combination of tools like video conferencing, instant messaging, project management software, and regular team meetings.
Build trust and rapport
Cultivate a culture of trust and mutual respect between the in-house and extended teams. Encourage open communication, regular interactions, and foster a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
Implement robust quality assurance processes
Establish clear quality standards, implement rigorous testing procedures, and conduct regular code reviews to ensure that the extended team delivers high-quality work that aligns with company expectations.
Invest in continuous learning and development
Provide opportunities for the extended team to enhance their skills and knowledge through training programs, workshops, and access to industry resources. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement and ensures that the team stays up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry best practices.

Conclusion

Team extension offers a powerful way to boost your business by unlocking access to a global talent pool, improving cost efficiency, enhancing flexibility, accelerating time to market, and allowing you to focus on your core business.

Success with team extension requires a strategic approach. Carefully choose your team extension partner, define clear project requirements, establish effective communication, and invest in building a strong and collaborative team.

Ready to unlock the power of team extension? Take the next step by exploring your project requirements, and embracing this innovative approach to accelerate your business growth.

In case of question please feel free to reach out our team!