We've all heard the arguments before. Offshore outsourcing works as long as you can tap into a foreign location that has good internet and telephone links, decent universities, a large labour pool, some sort of synergy in terms of language and common cultural reference points, and – most crucially of all – a weaker economy than ours to ensure good arbitrage in the gap between the pound and the local dinero.
I think I've identified a region that's ripe for more offshore outsourcing. The weak-kneed economy that can benefit from an influx of your pounds sterling is the US of A.
With the dollar worth 50p or less, and no sign that the money markets are going to dramatically change their tune any time soon, there has never been a better time to send surplus IT work across the Pond. Just make sure you price your contract in dollars and the same strong sterling that is killing exports can help you slash cash from your IT budget.
