Due to COVID-19, the business world as we know it has been forever altered. While employees were initially forced to work from home, businesses quickly saw the financial benefits of a remote workforce. 

While more people are working from home, it’s also getting more expensive to hire full-time employees in the U.S. and Canada. As such, small businesses like consumer brands, eCommerce companies, and startups are having difficulty affording top talent. 

Expanding your recruiting reach to include remote employees gives you many more options. In this article, CommerceSquad explains the top 4 benefits of hiring remote talent. 

The current hiring landscape 

Due to new technological innovations, there is unparalleled connectivity with the global workforce. With an endless array of cloud-based remote work tools like Zoom, Asana, and Google Workspace at your disposal, it's easier than ever to hire overseas talent. 

While the pandemic is over, remote work is here to stay. As HR solutions provider Gusto explains, “More [small and mid-sized businesses] SMBs are building global workforces. Three-quarters (75%) of SMBs said they plan to increase their international employee headcount.” 

1. Larger talent pool  

Tapping into the international workforce allows you to expand your available talent pool exponentially. Instead of only looking at candidates within driving distance of your business, it's possible to recruit from any location on Earth. 

When your talent pool is limited, the tendency is to settle on a candidate that is “good enough.” In turn, many retailers and startups are forced to hire people with poor work durations and questionable credentials. This leads to systemic issues with poor employee retention - with constant hiring and training only hurting your bottom line more. 

2. Access to diverse skill sets  

Especially for small businesses like brands and startups, you need diverse skill sets to push your organization forward. Yet, the fact you aren’t blessed with the talents of a large team puts your organization at a disadvantage in the marketplace. 

Hiring internationally gives you access to talented candidates to fill critical skill gaps. Especially for tech-focused jobs related to digital marketing and eCommerce, tapping into the international talent pool with bring new innovative ideas to the forefront. Even better, you don’t have to overwhelm your executive team with so many specialized tasks. 

3. Control over labor costs  

While workers must compensate for increased living costs with higher wages, this dynamic puts small business owners in a tough spot. Simply put, most startups and small retailers simply can’t afford to pay people what they need to live - especially in high-cost regions like major cities. 

As Gusto explains, “The majority (86%) of companies cited cost management as a factor in their decision to hire international workers.” In fact, hiring talent from the Philippines through CommerceSquad saves you an average of 75% on traditional employees in the U.S. and Canada. 

4. Expansion of international reach   

Another often overlooked benefit is the fact that international remote employees can help extend your business’s reach into new countries. Especially for online service providers like eCommerce companies, getting exposure to new markets can be a game changer. 

International expansion not only facilitates forging new connections and delving into fresh markets but also enhances your product or service through feedback from a global customer base.