As more U.S. companies turn to nearshoring to streamline operations, reduce costs, and access skilled talent across Latin America, one thing becomes clear:
Hiring a nearshore team is easy. Building one that thrives? That’s a whole different story.
After helping multiple U.S. companies and growing businesses set up remote teams through Arvenda, we’ve identified the five most common mistakes companies make when implementing nearshore talent—and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Treating Nearshore Talent Like Freelancers
“70% of nearshore professionals leave in their first 6 months when they feel disconnected from the team culture.” — Harvard Business Review
Fix it: Onboard them just like you would a full-time U.S. employee. Include them in team meetings, set clear expectations, and ensure they understand how their work contributes to company goals.
Mistake #2: Failing to Align Time Zones
Working with someone just one hour ahead (like in Colombia or Mexico) sounds simple—until you schedule daily standups at 5 a.m.
Fix it: Establish overlapping work hours and agree on core collaboration windows. Tools like Clockwise or Google Calendar’s time zone overlays can help coordinate effectively.
Mistake #3: Overlooking Soft Skills in the Hiring Process
Technical skills are essential—but cultural adaptability, communication style, and a sense of ownership are what truly make nearshore talent succeed.
Fix it: Use behavioral interviews and scenario-based questions. At Arvenda, we screen every candidate for both performance and personality alignment.
Mistake #4: Not Investing in Onboarding & Training
According to Gallup, only 12% of employees say their company does a great job with onboarding.
Fix it: Create structured onboarding checklists, assign onboarding buddies, and provide clear SOPs. Your nearshore team can’t read your mind—they need your systems.
Mistake #5: Micromanaging or Being Completely Hands-Off
Finding the balance is key. Too much control stifles initiative. Too little leads to misalignment.
Fix it: Set KPIs, give regular feedback, and use asynchronous updates (like Loom videos or Monday boards). You don’t need to hover—just stay in sync.
Final Takeaway
Nearshore teams aren’t just cost-effective—they’re business accelerators. But only if you build them the right way.
If you’re thinking about building a nearshore team—or you’re already managing one and facing challenges—we can help.
🔗 Let’s connect: www.arvenda.com 📩 Or message me directly to discover vetted, pre-screened LATAM talent ready to start from just $8/hr.
