Podcast powered by RingStone

In this episode of the RingStone Podcast, Hazem Abolrous (CEO of Ringstone) and Iain Bishop (CEO of Damilah) discuss the realities of distributed software development—from building trust across borders to the game-changing role of AI. What emerges is a refreshingly honest conversation on what’s working, what’s not, and why a new approach to nearshoring—partner-shoring—is proving to be the way forward.

Key Insights from the Episode

1. Partner-shoring: A better way to nearshore

Partner-shoring is reshaping how companies think about nearshore development. Rather than operating as a supplier at arm’s length, the external team becomes a fully integrated extension of the client’s business—sharing the same vision, ownership, and commitment to outcomes.

“My team feels like they own the product. They’re aligned behind the vision. That’s what makes it work.” – Iain Bishop

It’s not just a resourcing solution—it’s a mindset shift, building mutual accountability and a seamless working relationship across borders.

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2. Getting distributed teams right starts with people

Access to global talent and flexibility are undeniable advantages—but distributed development only works when teams are structured intentionally. Cross-functional, autonomous teams that are set up to own outcomes perform best.

Blending new distributed hires with existing team members helps transfer knowledge and build rapport. And in-person time—even casually over food or drinks—remains a powerful enabler of team cohesion.

“That’s when they stop being just colleagues and start being a team.” – Iain Bishop

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3. It’s not just tools—it’s the process around them

Success in remote environments isn’t about choosing the perfect tool—it’s about creating clarity, structure, and seamless workflows across time zones. Poor processes that might be manageable onshore quickly become blockers in a distributed setup.

“You can’t just copy-paste the same setup you had onshore. You need to rethink it entirely.” – Hazem Abolrous

Rationalising tooling, aligning data flows, and automating routine steps are all part of creating a distributed model that actually works.

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4. Leadership & loyalty are still human

No matter where a team sits, leadership remains the key to performance and retention. Respect, psychological safety, shared purpose, and team-based recognition go further than any perks or systems.

“Treat people like adults. Respect their input. Create a culture where people want to stay.” – Iain Bishop

Leaders who lead by example, stay close to their teams, and invest in growth and recognition help foster long-term loyalty.

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5. Scaling smartly means managing risk

Scaling distributed teams isn’t just about hiring—it’s about risk management. That means starting with blended teams, understanding cultural dynamics, and ensuring proper onboarding and ownership from day one.

“Don’t make big bets blind. Blend teams. Learn the culture. Then scale.” – Iain Bishop

Scaling should be measured and deliberate, not rushed or spreadsheet-driven. When done right, it unlocks speed and resilience.

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6. AI is here—and it’s changing the game

AI is already helping development teams get things done faster and better. From writing unit tests to untangling legacy code, the tools are taking care of the repetitive stuff—so engineers can focus on real problem-solving. In internal tests, developers using AI completed tasks up to five times faster, often with higher quality.

“Some people with experience of the AI tools were producing the same applications five times faster and to better quality.” – Iain Bishop

It’s not about replacing developers—it’s about accelerating them. As Hazem put it, the time saved should be reinvested in collaboration because building great software still comes down to people working well together.

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7. AI + autonomy = A powerful mix

Autonomous teams supported by the right AI tools are more agile, more efficient, and better positioned to innovate. AI becomes an enabler, not a replacement, helping teams prototype, analyse, and solve problems faster—without removing the human oversight that ensures quality.

“Good teams are agile. Add AI to the mix, and you have a very powerful recipe. But it takes planning.” – Hazem Abolrous

When AI is paired with team ownership and clarity of purpose, the results compound.

Ready to Listen?

This episode is a must-hear for CTOs, product leaders, and decision-makers navigating the realities of distributed development in an AI-driven world. It’s packed with practical insight—and a refreshing focus on the human side of technology.

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