Author: Gabriela Quintela

According to a report by ManpowerGroup, 75% of employers report difficulty filling roles, with the Information Technology industry facing an even greater shortage at 76% despite recent tech layoffs. Additionally, IT and data skill sets are also reported as the hardest technical skills to find in the market. In such a fiercely competitive hiring landscape, it is crucial for employers to accurately evaluate the skills of an IT professional. Amid the talent shortage, you don’t want to buy a pig in a poke and hope for the best. Recruiters must strike a balance between a speedy hiring process to avoid…

The rise of remote and freelance work in the IT sector has provided employers with greater flexibility, access to a global talent pool, and enhanced cost efficiency. However, every rose has its thorn, and managing a remote freelance tech team — or a hybrid team of freelancers and in-house members — poses significant challenges. Managers often find it difficult to ensure effective communication, maintain productivity, and foster engagement and team cohesion. None of these challenges is insurmountable, though. Let’s take a closer look at the most common ones, along with some actionable strategies to tackle them. 1. Communication barriers, including…

Before announcing a job opening for an in-house software developer, it is crucial to explore options other than traditional employment models. Leveraging freelance talent can be a strategic move to enhance your company’s operational efficiency. Here are the ten main reasons why you should consider contracting freelance software developers: Some of the world’s best developers work freelance Many highly skilled software developers opt to work as freelancers to have the flexibility to choose clients and projects that genuinely interest them. Add diverse perspectives to your project By hiring freelance software developers, you will be granted access to the knowledge they…

Marius Silenskis and Tomáš Halász share expert insights on hiring, communication, and well-being for effective remote team management

Remote work can feel like the eighth wonder, offering comfort, flexibility, and cost savings while empowering workers to manage themselves and their time. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and staying focused when working from home poses a challenge for many. Some have kids, some have dogs, some have both; and then there are the delivery people needing your signature, and personal calls that demand attention… Or maybe you simply can’t fight the temptation to browse random stuff or check your social media, knowing no co-worker can look over your shoulder and see your computer screen. As a manager,…

Technology is the one thing that makes remote teams possible. Effective remote team management hinges on using the right technology to streamline communication, facilitate productive meetings, support asynchronous collaboration across different time zones, and even foster bonding through off-work conversations. The tools listed below provide diverse features to help unleash the full potential of your remote team. Gather Gather enables video chat in a fully customizable, 2D interactive space. It stands out for replicating the office environment in a lively, game-like way: you can stop by someone’s desk, meet them in the hallway, and bring back the good old water…

Engaged employees translate to increased profits, higher retention rates, and improved customer service, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2024 Report. The document reveals that within a typical organization, the top-quartile teams or business units on engagement have 78% less absenteeism and 23% higher profitability than the bottom-quartile. Low employee engagement is not just a concern for individual companies, but it also has a severe impact on the global economy: according to the survey, it costs a whopping USD 8.9 trillion, which is equivalent to 9% of the global GDP. The facts and data above are compelling, and…

What comes to your mind when you hear “Sweden”? According to the platform Sharingsweden.se (managed by the Swedish Institute, a public agency), the essence of the Swedish brand is “sustainability, innovation, and democracy.” Sweden is often regarded as an oasis of stability, welfare, quality of life, equality, moderation, and trust. Indeed, amid the world’s many turmoils, you can almost count on the Swedes to be there, peacefully celebrating Midsommar with floral headpieces, savoring juicy strawberries and delectable gravlax, living in functional homes of minimalist design, spending time outdoors and enjoying nature, balancing work and life, awarding Nobel Prizes, and listening…

Maybe you’ve already walked into an office at 10 a.m. and seen employees briefly grabbing coffee before they mysteriously vanish for the rest of the day. Or maybe you’ve noticed that some remote workers keep their messaging app’s green, active status no matter what, even after finishing their workday. These behaviors are not isolated and are two ongoing work trends, referred to as “coffee badging” and the “green status effect,” respectively. They reveal how in-office, hybrid, and remote employees resort to performative displays when the work environment values appearances over actual productivity. According to a recent report from HR software…

As top IT professionals with in-demand skills often juggle multiple offers, a company’s reputation is an increasingly important factor in their decision-making process. To secure tech talent, it has become essential to establish a strong employer brand, which means having a solid reputation as an employer among former, current, and potential employees. Of course, these days, much of the conversation about an employer happens on the internet. There are several websites and platforms where employees and, at times, interviewees can leave reviews or engage in discussions about a company. Glassdoor is arguably the most well-known among them. Other notable platforms…