In today’s digital era, remote work has revolutionized the way businesses operate. Hiring remote developers offers numerous advantages, such as accessing a global talent pool and fostering flexibility. However, despite the evident benefits, there are lingering myths that cast doubt on the capabilities and effectiveness of remote developers. At ZydeSoft, we have shattered these myths through our extensive experience of over 9 years. In this article, we will explore the most common misconceptions surrounding remote developers and provide insights into how ZydeSoft has proven them wrong. So, let’s dive in and discover the truth behind remote development teams.
One of the biggest misconceptions about remote developers is that they are less productive because there’s no one physically present to monitor their work. However, the reality is quite the opposite. Working remotely requires practice and the adoption of various techniques to maintain focus and productivity. Once remote developers learn these techniques, their productivity skyrockets compared to those working in traditional office environments. Recent studies have shown that office workers are interrupted approximately every 3 minutes, and it takes them around 8 to 20 minutes to regain their focus. In contrast, a remote developer can eliminate distractions by muting email clients, Slack, and other potential disturbances, allowing them to concentrate solely on their code editor. This focused approach results in developers who are more dedicated and focused than ever before.
To further enhance productivity, several tools have emerged to support remote developers. Tools like Noisli 2.0 drown out annoying noises, helping developers concentrate and boost productivity. Brainfm offers functional music that improves focus in just 15 minutes. Proud assists developers in breaking tasks down, setting timers based on the Pomodoro technique, and providing a de-stress function to calm down during stressful moments. FocusMate enables distraction-free productivity through virtual co-working, while Veamly centralizes work and conversations in one place. Additionally, RescueTime helps developers understand how they spend their time each day, optimizing energy and enabling better control over their workdays.
Language and cultural barriers are often perceived as obstacles when working with remote developers. However, these barriers can be easily overcome. While English may not be the first language for many remote developers, it doesn’t imply a lack of proficiency. In fact, you might be surprised to find that some remote developers have better English skills than native speakers. When recruiting remote developers, companies like ZydeSoft ensure that all hired developers possess strong English communication skills through a rigorous vetting process.
Similarly, cultural differences can be addressed by remote developers who have experience working with North American clients. They gain insights into the expectations, set realistic estimates, timelines, and deliverables, bridging any cultural gaps. At ZydeSoft, cultural differences are taken seriously, and their screening tests mimic real project scenarios, assessing a developer’s adaptability to changing requirements and the ability to avoid over-promising and under-delivering.
There’s a common misconception that remote work equates to low-quality and unreliable results. However, the truth is that the location of a developer does not impact the quality of their code. Many remote developers are self-taught and possess the skills necessary to communicate effectively, write high-quality code, lead teams, mentor others, and build exceptional products. While location might offer networking opportunities, it doesn’t guarantee any advantage over remote developers in terms of their abilities.
Another myth surrounding remote developers is their presumed unavailability. However, remote developers, especially those at ZydeSoft, prioritize availability and responsiveness. If they have agreed to a fixed schedule, they are expected to be reachable and quick to respond during those agreed-upon work hours. Even for developers with flexible
schedules, they remain flexible with their availability. Additionally, if a developer is responsible for critical processes or the product’s uptime, they are expected to be on call during critical hours. This level of awareness and vocal communication ensures that team members are informed and that important messages are received promptly.
Various channels of communication are employed to maintain accessibility. Email serves as an excellent option for non-urgent communication, while platforms like Skype, Zoom, and Google Hangouts facilitate quick video calls. For instant messaging, Slack is widely used, and for off-hours questions, developers can be reached via WhatsApp or Telegram. In urgent situations, a mobile or landline number can be used to make contact.
In summary, remote developers:
If you hire freelance developers who juggle multiple clients simultaneously, there may be concerns about communication gaps or your requests being deprioritized. At ZydeSoft, they have addressed this by offering dedicated, full-time remote developers who are committed solely to your team. This dedicated approach ensures effective communication and enables regular daily stand-up calls, easy sharing of project updates, bug reports, and other useful information through platforms like Slack.
By debunking these popular myths about remote developers, we can see the immense value they bring to businesses. Remote developers have proven their productivity, overcome language and cultural barriers, delivered high-quality work, ensured availability, and excelled in communication. Embracing remote development teams opens up a world of possibilities and allows companies to tap into a global talent pool, resulting in greater efficiency and innovation. So, it’s time to bust these myths and unlock the true potential of remote developers for your organization.
