Can we compare a business partnership with a romantic relationship?

Yes. There are funny similarities. What's the first criteria you check when searching for a life partner? Maybe you are curious to know what are they good at, or if you like the same things. There is a discovery phase in a relationship, as well as ups and downs and it's important to find out fast and easy if you are a match. But finding a business partner it's not too different and we'll talk about that in the paragraphs below.

So you've made the decision to explore nearshoring?

Congratulations! There are several advantages to working with a nearshoring partner, serving as a middle ground between going offshore or hiring an in-house team.

However, just like in romantic relationships, you may not always know what to look for in a potential partner. We've put together this short list to offer you some tips on what to look for when deciding who to team up with.

Whether you're still debating whether you should take this step, have decided to do so, or have already found a potential match, here are six things to think about when looking for that match made in heaven.

1. Experience (What are they good at?)

When looking for a nearshoring partner, the first thing you should consider is their experience. It may not matter if your partner can cook or change a light bulb, but in nearshoring, know-how is essential. To analyse this, look at the people that work in the company, but don't simply look at titles; you might be astonished at what some individuals can do after only a few years. Look at their educational history, projects, and personal and professional aspirations instead. Taking the time to talk with a few of them might bring light to the matter.

SHE Informationstechnologie AG has been in business for 35 years, with a decade of experience in Cluj-Napoca. In barely a decade, we've expanded to over 250 employees and worked on over 60 projects. Now, don't take our word for it; There are others who can speak more authoritatively about our experience.

What kind of clients do we have?

Meet two of them right here.

2. Testimonials (Don’t forget the ex)

You might not want to bring the ex into the conversation when talking to a romantic partner. However, in nearshoring, it’s crucial to see what reputation your potential partner has cultivated over the years. The projects completed and results obtained are a great indication of the magnitude of business the company is able to take on. Testimonials are a terrific place to start when looking over past activities and you can always reach out to past clients to get direct feedback. We're proud of what our customers have to say about us, and we invite you to read more testimonials here

3. Similar Cultures (You like the same things)

When it comes to finding a (nearshoring) partner, it's ideal if you can find someone that shares your values. Culture will have an impact on every level of communication and may greatly influence how information is shared. Make sure you pick a partner with a similar enough culture so you won't have to worry about miscommunication.  On that note, search for someone that speaks an international language that you do as well. Just to let you know, we are fluent in both German and English.

Culture isn't something you can quantify with numbers, so we recommend talking with as many individuals as possible within the firm to determine the level of compatibility.

4. Accessibility to travel (You can see each other)

The whole point of nearshoring is to have a partner “away from home”. However, just as in a long-distance relationship, you must take into account how simple it is to see your “significant other”. Choosing a nearshoring partner with similar time zones and airline connectivity ensures that business trips may be done more frequently and with greater ease.[E1]  Cluj-Napoca appears to be the ideal location for this. It's practically a stone's throw away from every major European city, thanks to its expanding infrastructure, strategic location in western Europe, and bustling airport.

5. Laws and Regulations (Till Government do us apart)

Having a stack of papers between you and your partner is not ideal. Even if you sign the “marriage license”, certain regulations and procedures might grow complicated over time and may require a lot of upkeep. We recommend finding a partner with similar regulations or an open legal framework to ensure that you surpass this possible issue. Countries in the EU, for example, share similar laws, making co-working considerably easier to maintain. 

We've had the pleasure of working with clients from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands and US, which means we've encountered legislation and laws from a wide range of European nations. It isn't always simple, but it’s a task we’re prepared to take on at any time.

6. Future Development (Can you grow old together?)

Your (nearshoring) partner should be someone you can envision yourself with for the long term. Growing old together may seem like a long way off, yet working alongside someone for years on end could prove beneficial. Growing together means creating products that both firms believe in, as well as cultivating strong partnerships. Discuss goals and long-term efforts with a potential partner to see if they are a good fit. What are the goals of the employers and employees, and how do they interact with one another? Are they looking for “a fling” or are they cultivating long-lasting relationships? 

We recognize the importance of long-term partnerships since one of our goals is to establish them with our business partners. Clients have been with us for more than two decades, and we're always looking for new opportunities.

All in all, your nearshoring partner is not a choice to be made lightly. If you're looking to try this method of doing business, we hope our list has provided you with some helpful tips on what to look for. Remember that the ultimate goal is to choose a partner with whom you can establish a solid, long-lasting relationship that helps in accomplishing the outcomes you desire.

If you'd like to learn more about Nearshoring, visit our LinkedIn page, where we discuss the issue in depth and provide pertinent information so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not to take this step and how to do so.