Derek Gallimore Interviewed on EO Fire with John Lee Dumas

We’ve had a blast presenting the Inside Outsourcing audiobook for everyone for the past few months, and we’re excited to bring some exciting interviews soon! Not just concerning outsourcing per se, but also talks about technology and trends that could disrupt the industry. 

We’re back to the regular podcast this week, and starting off with a throwback. 

For now, we flash back to when Derek was interviewed by “JLD” John Lee Dumas on the Entrepreneurs on Fire Podcast. They talk about how work is increasingly becoming remote and digital, how business owners can make it through challenges like the Great Resignation, and why outsourcing is the solution that more people should discover.

A digital and global world

Derek explains why he believes the future of work is digital, remote, and global.

“We’re seeing that everything is being done online. We’ve gone from an Industrial Revolution to the Fourth Revolution.

It’s more about thoughts instead of manufacturing, more about services instead of products.”

He thinks that this direction aligns well with the increasing adoption of technology.

“We are seeing this trajectory, and if you just extend that along, the future of work is digital. Everything is moving to remote, and the extension of that is also global.”

He points to the COVID-19 Pandemic as a turning point.

“The concept of work drastically changed… These things have taught us that the technology is available for remote and digital work interfaces.”

The Great Resignation and how entrepreneurs can maneuver through 

Derek and JLD bring up the Great Resignation, which also came at a time of labor and skill shortages and soaring employment costs. 

However, Derek brings up a bright spot. 

“There is a huge release valve. There are 8 billion people on the planet and they are all increasingly connected digitally, and about 4 billion [of them] are highly qualified, highly capable, and sitting around the world. 

[And] not just basic roles. You can find PhDs, architects, accountants, rocket scientists. Whatever you need for your business, they are available globally.” 

Outsourcing as a powerful business tool

Derek describes outsourcing as a “sleeping giant” due to it having been done for over 30 years by now, employing about 10 million people worldwide and generating around $250 billion in revenue. 

Until recently, it had only been accessible to major corporations, but Derek says that’s changing. 

“You had to set up all the infrastructure. But now everything technological is in the cloud, [and it’s] cheap and accessible. That has had a huge impact on the offshore industry, [as] now the most powerful business tool is accessible to small and medium-sized businesses across the globe. 

He acknowledges that it may seem ubiquitous, but that the promise of hiring the best staff regardless of location may be too good for anyone to pass up. 

“As a small and medium-sized business, you can find a staffing partner that can help you build processes and sophistication into your business, and help you access the global talent pool.”

He recalls a client who lamented only being to hire from a “talent puddle,” but through outsourcing was able to find already skilled workers and quickly expand. 

He says outsourcing is not as intimidating as others may have you believe. 

“What you need to understand about outsourcing is that it’s a fancy word for traditional employment. Just think about standard employment except someone is sitting in a different location to you. 

Just treat your offshore staff like a normal employee. Onboard them, train them, manage their day-to-day activities and operations. Then you’ve got the concept of outsourcing and how to build out an operations team.” 

Of course, Derek isn’t blind to the conversation of the industry’s ethics, particularly around the supposed pay gap. 

He clarifies why this isn’t a big issue. 

“Talking to a US audience, the reality is the vast majority of the world has lower salaries [and lower cost of living] than the US. A salary of 500 to a thousand US dollars per month, that’s their base salary and is a very good salary for most administrative, digital, marketing, and entry-level accounting jobs.

The skilled professionals working for that money, that is a great opportunity for them.”  

He affirms that businesses are nothing without their people, and that the entire world should be available for hiring. 

“People are the most critical aspect of any business. And if you can access an abundant pool of talent and at a significant discount to your competitors, then it is the single most powerful tool in business.” 

Derek’s book, Inside Outsourcing, can now be listened to as an audiobook on the Outsource Accelerator Podcast. Get all the links here. You can also purchase the book on Amazon. 

If you’d like to reach out to us, send us an email at ask@outsourceaccelerator.com.