1. What goes up, may come down again
Scaling down a team is one of the toughest tasks a CTO may face, as the process is not just about numbers, it involves people whose skills, careers and personal lives are impacted. Losing valued colleagues creates uncertainty and can strain workplace relationships, undermining team morale and trust.
When the opportunity comes to scale up your core team, it’s a good idea to remember that things may cause this to reverse in the future and so taking a more blended approach to resourcing should be considered, rather than hiring to maximum capacity in your core team.
2. Damilah’s Three-Pronged Strategy
Iain Bishop outlined a proven approach for managing scalability through three interconnected team structures:
- Onshore Core Team: The bedrock of your operations, with deep industry expertise and long-term commitment.
- Partner Nearshore Team: A scalable, third-party resource that provides flexibility without the burden of hiring or layoffs.
- Your Own Nearshore Team: A directly managed team, offering greater control and access to diverse skill sets while being adaptable to shifting demands.
This strategy enables you to adjust resources efficiently, supporting both growth and contraction without disrupting core functions.
3. Cultivating a Unified Culture
Maintaining a consistent company culture across both onshore and nearshore teams is critical. A culture built on transparency and collaboration ensures that even as your team evolves, everyone stays aligned with your organisation’s values and objectives. This alignment is key to sustaining high productivity and morale through transitions.
4. Balancing Autonomy with Alignment
Empowering teams to work autonomously can drive innovation, but alignment with the company’s overall goals is essential. Effective communication, regular interactions, and shared goals help keep all teams, regardless of their location, moving in the same direction. This balance ensures that autonomy doesn’t come at the cost of cohesion.
5. Cost Optimisation Without Compromise
Reducing costs while maintaining the quality of your workforce is one of the biggest challenges during downsizing. The three-pronged approach allows you to trim expenses through flexible resources, such as partner-shoring, while safeguarding your core team’s expertise. This method helps you manage financial pressures without sacrificing the talent that drives your business.
Additional Resources