Are you working in IT and frustrated by work being sent offshore to low cost markets like India? Sorry you’re gonna hate my story about Elance – the eBay of international service freelancing.
Day 0
Chatting to another Dad at school sport. Discussing how to solve an admin problem with the sports club. Epiphany…. “A simple bit of software would solve it – can’t you get someone in India to do it for you?”. Pulled iPad out of bag. Created an Elance account. “Other Dad” and I wrote a paragraph describing our needs. Set budget of $0-500. Posted requirements.
Got home an hour later. Had already received 4 offers, from Pakistan, India and Australia. Prices ranged from a fraction of the budget to more than double it. Wow. After dinner worked late to write a proper 5-page “user requirement specification” and uploaded it.
Day 6
Over the last few days have shortlisted, reviewed portfolios and asked questions. Today I agreed a milestone and stage payment schedule with my preferred supplier and appointed him.
Day 11 (today)
First deliverable arrived. Wow. Need to give feedback and answer questions.
Lessons learned so far
- Glad I ignored the perfectionist concerns and just got on with it
- It’s a risk, and my budget is the maximum I will lose
- I wonder how many other opportunities I am missing through a fear of failure?
Check back here soon to watch the story unfold!