Although globalization has been shaping the global workforce for decades, many kinds of technical outsourcing services remain remarkably concentrated in places like India and the Philippines. This creates more competition for talent and leaves these industries more vulnerable to sudden political, environmental, or economic shifts in single locations while depriving millions of people in other regions of similar economic opportunities.
That’s why the process of greenfielding is so important. It spreads risk, creates opportunity, and unlocks tremendous value for third-party providers like Tek Experts. Below, we’ll explain what greenfielding is and how Tek Experts is using it to provide unrivaled technical support outsourcing to some of the world’s leading tech companies.
What Is greenfielding?
Greenfielding is the process of utilizing unsaturated areas for development. So, instead of opening a support center in a popular destination like Mumbai which already has many similar sites, you open a center in a location that hasn’t seen one before.
Obviously, this brings some challenges. Often you will need to provide more training to ensure you have access to enough local talent. In some cases, the business infrastructure may be less developed, requiring augmentation such as redundant energy supplies. However, the benefits can far outweigh these challenges.
Why is greenfielding so important today?
One of the many lessons of the recent Covid pandemic was that overinvestment in a single location brings risks. If events in that country lead to businesses being shut down or supply chain issues arising, developing your own service capabilities in varied and unsaturated locations puts you in a better situation to adapt and react to a fast-changing world.
Additionally, similar to impact outsourcing, greenfielding can lead to cost optimization and greater employee loyalty without the need to sacrifice quality. Companies can harness the greater untapped talent resources of greenfield locations to develop their own economies of scale when it comes to building an effective workforce.
Greenfielding also offers a chance to develop the kind of industry presence you want instead of being at the whim of the “way things are done” in more established locations. For example, people in a long-established outsourcing location might have specific expectations regarding work pace, style, or structure. These may not match your organization, creating potential conflict.
Considering the ever-greater importance that technical services and support customers place on consistent experiences today, that kind of control is increasingly important.
How Tek Experts uses greenfielding
Here at Tek Experts, we’ve built and continue to expand our entire business around robust service centers in unsaturated regions. Our offices in Rwanda, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Vietnam, and Bulgaria have all been built on these principles.
Accessing and developing diverse talent pools
One of the keys to our greenfielding success has been our partnership with our sister company elev8. Their deep expertise in developing critical skillsets is what has enabled us to create new offices in areas without a history of providing the kind of high-level technical services and support we offer.
This kind of local upskilling also unlocks the impact outsourcing benefits mentioned previously. Locals who receive this kind of training gain access to greater incomes and have dramatically lower attrition rates. In our experience, recruiting local tech talent and training non-traditional talent in these communities has resulted in fantastic teams, great performance, and an expanded pipeline that helps companies scale their business.
Better scalability
When we invest in a pipeline of talent through digital skilling programs in greenfielding locations, it puts us in control of scalability. This enables us to scale up operations in these locations far more than we would in a more developed market. The result is far greater operational flexibility.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between greenfielding and brownfielding?
Greenfielding is the process of utilizing new or untouched areas for development, while Brownfielding involves repurposing or redeveloping areas that have been previously used or abandoned.
What are the best practices for greenfielding a project?
The best practices for greenfielding a project are:
- Conduct thorough research and set a goal
- Develop a clear plan
- Engage stakeholders
- Adopt sustainable practices
- Build flexibility into your plan to account for potential change
- Consistently monitor progress
What are some examples of successful greenfield projects in the tech industry?
Amazon
Around the world, Amazon has constructed a large number of greenfield fulfilment centres, including in locations like Indiana, Colorado, and the UK. To enable quicker and more effective order fulfilment for Amazon customers, these facilities make use of cutting-edge technology, automation, and robotics.
Google Fibre is another example of a greenfield project and includes installing fast fiber-optic internet networks in a few American communities. The initiative has the potential to drastically alter how people access and utilise the internet, while also fostering innovation and new business opportunities.
What are the challenges of greenfielding and how can they be overcome?
Uncertainty
Greenfield projects in tech often involve developing new technologies or entering untested markets, which can make it difficult to predict the success or failure of the project.
Conducting thorough research and developing a clear plan can help mitigate uncertainty. This includes market research, feasibility studies, and risk assessments to help identify potential obstacles and opportunities.
Resource allocation
Greenfield projects can be costly and resource-intensive, and it can be challenging to allocate the necessary resources and funds to ensure the project’s success. Prioritizing key areas of investment and establishing clear goals and milestones can also help optimize resource allocation
Infrastructure limitations
Building a greenfield project may require the development of new infrastructure, such as roads, utilities, and transportation systems. This can be time-consuming and expensive. Collaborating with local authorities and developing partnerships with existing providers in the area can help overcome infrastructure limitations.
How do you decide whether to pursue greenfield development or brownfield development?
When it comes to deciding between greenfield and brownfield development, there are a wide range of factors to consider, such as goals, resources and the timeframe you have available.
To make the decision easier, these factors have been summarised below:
Project goals, requirements and resources:
Greenfield development might be more appropriate if the project requires a new location with specific features or infrastructure that does not currently exist. If the project requires existing infrastructure or facilities, you may want to consider Brownfield development.
Environmental considerations:
Greenfield development may have a greater impact on the environment due to habitat loss and the consumption of new resources, however it can also promote sustainable design and renewable resources.
Brownfield development can be more environmentally friendly by promoting the reuse of existing infrastructure and the rehabilitation of previously contaminated land, but it may require assessment and remediation of any contamination.
Timeframe:
Greenfield development may take longer to complete due to the need for land acquisition, infrastructure development, and new construction. Brownfield development may have a shorter timeframe, as the existing infrastructure or facilities can be repurposed or renovated more quickly.
Experience what Tek Experts’ greenfielding strategy can offer
We’re proud to say that we’ve been able to step into new regions and create offices capable of offering the highest level of mission-critical technical services and support out there. We know that the thousands of people we’ve trained in our greenfield locations feel that pride too. Get in touch and see how we’re shaping the future of global tech talent.
