You can't keep your product completely safe. Keep in mind, though, that people that are in the business of outsourcing are NOT in the business you're in. They have enough to worry about doing what they do that they don't want the additional hassle of trying to compete with you in something they're not as familiar with as you are.
I build custom software for people. The last thing I want to do is try to copy my clients' software out in the market. First, I don't want to be sued. Second, I want to be able to sleep at night. Third, I want a good reputation so I get referrals from people. Fourth, building a business around an app is hard. I'm doing that with my own app right now, and it is a TON of work. And, its in an area that I know pretty well. My clients are experts in their domains. I have no experience running a distributorship, a law firm, a psychology practice, an oil and gas exploration company, a cable installation company, a manufacturing facility, etc etc etc.
I've hired a fair number of people overseas. My experience is that 98% of people out there are not worth your time. Literally. You'll spend more time fussing with them, explaining things to them, correcting their mistakes, etc than you'll save. And then you'll have to pay them on top of that. Some people that I've hired I would gladly go back in time and pay them NOT to work for me. They were that bad.
So...you have to be picky. Interviewing is difficult, and unless someone is obviously really good, its hard to know. So, hire them for a trial run. Give them a task to do and be ruthless about how you evaluate their performance. Don't give them room to fudge. And, don't be too nice about stuff. Be friendly and firm.
What people mentioned above is also important - if a fourth grader would understand your instructions, they're probably still not detailed enough. Write your instructions so that a pubescent 8th grade love-sick boy with a tooth infection could follow along. (no idea how I came up with that description, but there you go.) Ideally, you'd talk with the person after they've digested your instructions and review what they think you want along with how they propose that they're going to accomplish the task.
I build custom software for people. The last thing I want to do is try to copy my clients' software out in the market. First, I don't want to be sued. Second, I want to be able to sleep at night. Third, I want a good reputation so I get referrals from people. Fourth, building a business around an app is hard. I'm doing that with my own app right now, and it is a TON of work. And, its in an area that I know pretty well. My clients are experts in their domains. I have no experience running a distributorship, a law firm, a psychology practice, an oil and gas exploration company, a cable installation company, a manufacturing facility, etc etc etc.
I've hired a fair number of people overseas. My experience is that 98% of people out there are not worth your time. Literally. You'll spend more time fussing with them, explaining things to them, correcting their mistakes, etc than you'll save. And then you'll have to pay them on top of that. Some people that I've hired I would gladly go back in time and pay them NOT to work for me. They were that bad.
So...you have to be picky. Interviewing is difficult, and unless someone is obviously really good, its hard to know. So, hire them for a trial run. Give them a task to do and be ruthless about how you evaluate their performance. Don't give them room to fudge. And, don't be too nice about stuff. Be friendly and firm.
What people mentioned above is also important - if a fourth grader would understand your instructions, they're probably still not detailed enough. Write your instructions so that a pubescent 8th grade love-sick boy with a tooth infection could follow along. (no idea how I came up with that description, but there you go.) Ideally, you'd talk with the person after they've digested your instructions and review what they think you want along with how they propose that they're going to accomplish the task.
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum:
Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.