2009.12.01 15:24:56

Susan Jackman

There are many cons to outsourcing work to India, and similar countries, as I'm sure my readers are well aware but I thought I'd take a moment to share with you my experience.  I don't like to blog about negative experiences but each and everyday I am bombarded by emails from companies located in India asking me to outsource work to them and it's time to take a public stance on this issue. The following is why I will never willingly use an over-seas outsourcing company if I have a choice.

This is a very touchy subject and while I may potentially scare away some of my readers or clients with this topic, I’m okay with that because I am standing up for what I believe in and I only wish to further foster relationships built on mutual understanding and shared values.

My last post entitled the biggest challenges a virtual team must face is a good place to start when discussing the negative impacts of outsourcing.  I will start with that and then share my own personal experience.  It is important for you to realize that my opinion on this topic is not just based on research but actual experiences as well.

What we are about | Susan Jackman | Improving Our Service | Case Study | Methodology | Web Development | Collaboration | Web-based Communication | Buyer beware | Outsourcing | Controversy

2009.12.01 14:26:27

Susan Jackman

About 6 months ago I wrote a post on the biggest challenges that a design team must face.  I do not feel that I gave this subject matter enough attention and would like to expand on this issue more.

I wrote that there are two big challenges faced by all teams. In-effective utilization or organization of timelines and poor communication.  These two issues work hand in hand against each other.  These issues are based on my experiences working on an international level and online with virtual teams, but are also relevant for a design team that works in different rooms, floors, offices, and if any members are offsite completely. I’d also like to include a third issue into the mix, which is teamwork, or more accurately individuality.

Ultimately everyone will agree that time is money, and these issues will drain both.
Communication (both positive and negative) is the foundation for a virtual teams success.

Web-based Communication | Collaboration | Methodology | Design Process | Improving Our Service | Susan Jackman | What we are about

2009.03.05 20:02:10

Lee Dixon

Sometimes I wonder about me. Today I purchased some new items for my personal Library which consists of some of the most boring books known to man, and that includes my tech books.

 I love to use CSS and to be honest I can never find enough books on the subject. If you are like me you know that it keeps evolving and that as soon as you master one thing you are behind on the next. Too bad browsers don't evolve in the same fashion, that's kind of odd isn't it?

 Well today I ordered a new CSS pocket reference guide, as I am about 2yrs behind on that and then I ordered a few other books to make the one worth the shipping. :)

LeeDixon | Usability | Collaboration | Education | CSS

2009.02.16 02:16:12

Susan Jackman

The biggest challenges that a design team must face

I think there are two big challenges faced by all teams. In-effective utilization or organization of timelines and poor communication.  These two issues work hand in hand against each other.  These issues are based on my experiences working online with virtual teams, but are also relevant for a design team that works in different rooms, floors, offices, and if any members are offsite completely.

Collaboration | Web-based Communication | Web Development | Design Process | Susan Jackman