Everything You Need to Know About Working With Clients in the U.S.
According to Payoneer data of the Pakistani market, around 80% of the clients that Pakistani freelancers and small businesses work with are based in the United States – where 84% of the international outsourcing originates from.
We recently hosted a webinar covering key learnings for working with international clients, especially those who are based in the United States. Guests include our VIP customer from Pakistan Hamaad Fazal, Founder of Mr. BackOffice with most of his clients based out of the United States and Ian Hubbard, Payoneer Customer Success Manager who works with small American businesses.
Business Landscape in the U.S.
Businesses based in the United States are more inclined to hire an international workforce to outsource various internal business processes. This reduces overheads and upsurges growth. With an outsourced resource, businesses in the U.S. establish and maintain their competitive edge in the global marketplace. It not only helps businesses solve capacity issues; it also enables them to affirm greater focus on their core business and enhances the quality of service.
Today, outsourcing has completely disrupted the way many companies function. It’s a new norm to sustain businesses that create jobs while providing proprietary services and offerings.
Facts about Small Businesses in the U.S.
- 2% of global outsourcing originates from the U.S. alone
- 41% of based SMBs based in the U.S. are willing to outsource jobs overseas
- 44% of the overall GDP in the U.S. is generated by small businesses
In 2019, the total profits generated by small businesses amounted to $9.5 trillion. This translates the market opportunity in the United States to $3.9 trillion! That’s a huge opportunity and there is still room for growth! With only $62 billion spent on BPO outsourcing and only $23.6 billion spent on IT outsourcing in 2019, there is scope for more work.
How Can You Help Businesses in the U.S.?
Over the past few years the demand for outsourcing services has been on the rise and it will only continue to rise. In fact, the United States outsources about 300,000 jobs each year including IT jobs, however, they outsource a lot of other functions including, but not limited to; tax, HR and procurement.
Here are a few things you can do to help and exceed expectations of your clients based in the U.S.
1. Devote Yourself
When you get hired/picked for a job – devote yourself to it! 50% of employers hesitate while hiring outsourced talent is compromised quality of work. Producing quality work and delivering on mutually agreed deadlines will not only help you keep current employer happy, but they will be more likely to recommend you to others.
2. Structure Your Work Schedule
While dealing with American clients, the most significant aspect of working with them is the difference in time zones. You will need to be available during business hours observed in the United States – which means staying up all night/become a night owl, to meet the needs of the business you are helping. Be flexible so you’re not left behind.
3. Collaborate Using Technology
In today’s connected world, where technology is evolving the way we work together, it is important to stay updated with the latest apps and features. Familiarize yourself with business messaging apps like: Slack, Google Hangouts, MS Teams; project management apps: Asana, JIRA, Monday.com, Trello; video conferencing apps: Zoom, BlueJeans to be able to work efficiently with clients abroad.
Things to Avoid When Working with Clients in the U.S.
As with all cases of running profitable businesses, there is are things/acts that you should avoid, to be able to maintain your edge while working with clients in the United States.
1. Silence is Better Than the Wrong Suggestion
Knowing when not to speak is as important as knowing when to speak. If you are unsure about a question or a suggestion, it is best to stay quiet or ask for time to research/build your response instead of giving a response that adversely affects your business or worse – your client’s!
2. Never Lose Trust
Trust in the quality of your work, is possibly the most important aspect of your current client working with you and the reason for you to acquire more. Make the most of this confidence they have in you and don’t mislead them as it might invoke suspicion or mistrust.
3. Overcommitment
Always accept jobs that complement your operational capabilities. When you overcommit, you might be wasting precious time figuring out how to do something new, as opposed to honing your skills and expertise.
4. We all Lose Business… Handle it Nicely
Hamaad could not have stressed on this point enough. When running a business, it is only natural that you are going to win some and learn some, and it is during that time of learning that you would be required to keep your head high to handle it nicely.
Go-To Strategy
1. Be Prepared
Being prepared and staying ahead of the curve is not only beneficial for your business but can prove to be quite a valuable life lesson. In today’s day and age, when running a business is as dynamic as ever, it is important to be prepared for that last-minute request from your client, their impending feedback, pushing deadlines and even to the current coronavirus pandemic we’re facing.
2. Pick Your Selling Points
Recognizing your niche is very important to determine the direction your business will take. You will need to identify your own unique selling proposition and position your business and its operations to deliver on your selling promise.
3. Show Energy
Being energetic will not only keep you in great spirits, but also your client. They will be looking forward to speaking to you instead of the other way around. Maintaining an enthusiastic approach towards your business makes it seem less like a job and more like a profitable hobby.
4. Meet Your Client’s Needs
Pre-empting the needs of your client’s business will not only help grow their business but also yours. It’s good to provide the services that your client specifically asked for, however, imagine the delight on your client’s end when you provide them with some solution and then some.
Key Learnings
Hamaad Fazal shed light on some of his key learnings for working with clients based in the United States. He highlighted that while Americans are indeed friendly people, there are a few do’s and don’ts which should be taken into consideration.
- Choose wisely – whether you would like to work with client in the Unites States via a marketplace, directly or a combination of both.
- Market research – identify the market demand; what are the current prospects? What does the current competitive landscape look like?
- Set yourself apart – learn to differentiate yourself
- Don’t gamble – it’s good to maintain transparency in your business deals as to not put your reputation and your business at stake
- Don’t overpromise – tell/see it as it is, don’t overshoot or overcommit
- ALWAYS have Plan B!
- Never discuss politics!
How Payoneer can Help
Payoneer offers a simple and cost-effective global payments solution – designed specifically for businesses like yours that need to receive international payments.
When you sign up to Payoneer, you’ll get a local receiving account in USD which is automatically created and activated. Easily receive bank transfers from companies and marketplaces in the United States. Simply share the details of your USD receiving account with them and once they pay you, funds are transferred directly to your Payoneer account.
With Payoneer empowering your business, you can extend help to clients in the Unites States while saving your time and money.
To watch the webinar recording and to learn more about working with U.S. based clients, click below!