“Let’s get to work!”
Imagine the above is a caption to an Instagram photo of a table, a laptop, a cup of coffee by the pool. Wouldn’t it instantly change the scenario of how you imagine work is like?
“Work” typically triggers mental images of men and women in office suit and briefcase. But increasingly the new breed of dot-com entrepreneurs and startup companies is changing the definition of work — from dress code to employee perks to a shift in office design thinking and hiring talents.
While the Internet enables businesses to reach far wider audiences than before, it is also creating businesses access to new talent pool. Fuelled by worldwide broadband adoption and better collaboration tools, telecommuting is on the rise. When it comes to hiring talent, companies now have access to a talent pool of basically the entire Internet population.
I have heard of instances where startups hire developers who work remotely from other continents or time zones.
During my TV production trip to California last September, I met an entrepreneur who does just that - he hires and manages developers working from Southeast Asia.
Last Friday, I had a chance to meet him, the CEO of Agility, Chok Leang, also known as Chok. A Malaysian, he has spent more than a decade in the United States, with experiences encompass job roles in the financial district of Wall Street and thereafter startups in Silicon Valley before ventured out on his own.
Headquartered in New York, Chok’s company Agility offers web, mobile and cloud development as well as big data gathering, management, and analysis. He leads a team of 140 UX (user experience) designers and developers across New York and Da Nang, Vietnam. Chok has advised and implemented strategies for over 50 startups in Silicon Valley, New York, Boston, Singapore, Beijing, Paris, and Zurich.
Over dinner, he introduced me to the concept of "Startups without Borders”, and expressed that he wish that more startups would adopt this concept in the quest to hire the best talents and to gain competitive advantage.
According to Chok, more entrepreneurs should explore establishing a borderless team.
“Your multinational team will be able to offer you insights about their home market and community.”
As he further explained about ‘borderless talent’, Chok said that it is not unusual to have people across 5 different time zones or more when he schedules for conference calls.
“Our company culture goes beyond just working remotely, because we ‘cloudsource’ - leveraging all the available cloud computing resources, and taking advantage of distributed geography, instead of seeing it as a drawback.” Chok added.
In an ideal world, a startup founding team would consist of highly experienced full stack engineer, a product visionary and someone with brilliant in business growth hacking.
One of the biggest plus point to building a borderless team is the potential to reduce labour costs. If you can find an equally talented developer working remotely but at a fraction of the price of hiring an in house developer, you can allocate more funds towards building a better product.
Building a borderless team does not lack its own challenges, but when all pieces come together, it gives one’s company with a vision to go international an added advantage.
Cherish Leow
Mon Jun 30 2014
Choks company Agility offers web, mobile and cloud development as well as big data gathering, management, and analysis.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.