How to Leverage Indian Remote Workers to Expand Your Business
The pandemic in 2020 completely transformed how we work, pushing remote work into the spotlight almost overnight. Before this shift, only about 7% of employees worked remotely, but now it's expected that by 2025, this number will climb to 70%. This change has touched everyone, from entry-level employees to CEOs.
Companies like Zapier, Adobe, Microsoft, Spotify, and TCS have embraced remote and hybrid work options, making it clear that work-from-anywhere is here to stay. A study by Harvard Business Review even showed that productivity jumped by 13% to 22% in just nine months of working from home. Many employees moved back to their hometowns, saved on living expenses, and enjoyed more time with family.
On the business side, companies found new opportunities to expand globally, with India becoming a go-to spot for outsourcing. With its skilled, cost-effective workforce, strong English proficiency, and successful track record, India presents a solid choice for businesses looking to grow internationally.
Spotlight on India: A Powerhouse of Remote Talent
India, with its vast talent pool, vibrant startup ecosystem, and presence of global companies, has become a top destination for hiring remote workers.
Microsoft's Annual Work Trend Index reveals that 74% of India’s workforce prefers remote work, reinforcing the idea that flexibility and hybrid models will shape the future of work.
Global software companies choose India for several reasons:
- A rich and diverse talent pool
- Ease of communication, with India being home to the world’s second-largest English-speaking population
- Strong infrastructure, including 5G, digital payments, and more
- A deep understanding of Western culture and business practices
By 2030, India is projected to have an 11 million surplus of tech workers, positioning the country as a leader in the global tech job market. This surplus will offer companies access to a wide range of skills that may be hard to find elsewhere.
Successful Companies Leveraging Indian Remote Workers
State of the Global Hiring Report highlights global companies' growing trend of remote hiring, with a 227% rise in Asia Pacific, 286% in Latin America and Europe, and 250% in the Middle East and Africa.
India has the highest employer-of-record adoption at 70.5% across the globe today.
Multinational companies like Adobe Inc., Airbnb, Buffer, Gitlab, Zapier, Google, LinkedIn, Squarespace, Dell, Oracle, and hundreds of others have adopted the Indian remote-first, hybrid work model. The companies offer flexible work schedules, paid parental leaves, equity, vacations, and other exciting benefits to maintain the morale and motivation of their remote employees.
Airbnb and Uber’s well-thought strategic ‘partnerships with people, organisations, and government’ have led to their sustained growth in the country.
Benefits of Hiring Indian Remote Workers
India is quickly becoming a go-to hub for innovation and IT, offering global companies top talent at a fraction of the cost. With living expenses in India significantly lower than in the US, businesses can save 60-80% by hiring remotely, making it an appealing option for many.
As the US faces a shortage of 6 million tech workers, India’s skilled workforce is stepping in to fill the gap, helping companies stay competitive and manage economic challenges. With unmatched talent and diversity, India offers global companies both quality and value.
Key benefits of hiring Indian talent include:
- Cost savings: Companies save 60-80% compared to hiring locally.
- Access to a vast talent pool: India’s tech expertise is unrivalled, helping fill global skill shortages.
- Workforce diversity: India’s rich mix of cultures, religions, and backgrounds aligns with corporate goals for a diverse team.
- Extended business hours: Different time zones allow for continuous operations, maximizing productivity and profits.
India remains an attractive choice for companies seeking both talent and cost efficiency.
How to Effectively Leverage Indian Remote Workers
While hiring talent from India offers significant benefits, global corporations sometimes struggle to fully tap into this skilled workforce. The hiring process can feel daunting, as the Indian market is still maturing in terms of recruitment practices.
However, the advantages far outweigh the challenges, and with the right approach, hiring remote workers from India can be seamless. Here's how:
- Craft clear job descriptions outlining objectives, responsibilities, and company culture.
- Implement standardized screening processes with online assessments and interviews to ensure fair and efficient candidate selection.
- Use effective communication and collaboration tools to build rapport, keep candidates informed, and maintain engagement until onboarding.
- Foster an inclusive company culture to attract top talent and reduce turnover.
With these strategies, companies can successfully navigate the Indian hiring landscape and unlock the full potential of its workforce.
The Future of Remote Work in India and Its Global Impact
The potential trends and implications of the rise of remote work in India would work in its favour. Providing livelihood to millions and global opportunities to upscale careers. The future of work is a hybrid remote work model, with India leading the front.
The remote working option would bring greater flexibility, better work-life balance and access to global opportunities for remote workers in India. It would be a huge opportunity for global corporations to tap the rich talent pool and skill set to their advantage in India.
As we inch nearer to a world powered by virtual reality and AI, greater connectivity, improved security, and better flexibility, conventional office spaces will dissipate to give way to online borderless, streamlined remote workspaces.
What cost benefits do companies gain from hiring remote workers in India?
Hiring remote workers from India can lead to substantial cost savings, ranging from 60-80% compared to hiring in certain Western countries. The lower cost of living and high-quality talent contribute to this cost-effectiveness.
How can companies effectively manage and leverage remote workers based in India?
What is the future outlook for remote work in India and its potential global impact?
In the context of hiring remote workers, what challenges might global corporations face in India?
