Tech CEOs embrace borderless talent as future of work
NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES — The tech industry is witnessing a shift in hiring practices, with borderless talent acquisition rapidly overtaking the remote work conversation.
As companies increasingly recognize the benefits of tapping into a global talent pool, CEOs and industry experts are hailing this trend as the future of tech employment.
“Remote is like the gateway drug to borderless,” Jeremy Johnson, CEO of AI-enabled tech talent marketplace Andela, told CNBC. Andela’s customers include Goldman Sachs, Github and Coursera.
“Once you realize that you don’t have to all be in the same office five days a week in order to build a compelling culture and feel connected to the mission and solve complex problems, you then start thinking there are great people all over the world.”
From remote to borderless: A natural progression
According to Gartner’s 2023 CEO Survey, borderless tech hiring has doubled in the last three years. This surge is driven by the dual focus on innovation and cost-efficiency.
Cities like Beijing, China and Delhi, India now boast larger tech talent workforces compared to traditional U.S. tech hubs such as San Francisco and New York.
Emerging markets in locations like Bucharest, Romania; Cape Town, South Africa; Cebu City, Philippines; Nairobi, Kenya, and more are also gaining traction as vital sources of tech talent.
The trend is not limited to large corporations. Adam Jackson, CEO of decentralized tech talent platform Braintrust, notes, “We don’t have a physical office. Everyone works remotely. Every engineer but one who works on Braintrust is outside of the U.S.”
This approach allows companies to access diverse skill sets and operate round-the-clock, with Jackson describing it as creating a company “where the sun never sets.”
“It was the case maybe 20 years ago when I moved to San Francisco that the best tech, best developers, best product managers and designers all lived here in Silicon Valley,” Jackson added.
“That’s just not true anymore. There are still many here, but there are pockets all over the world.”
Challenges and solutions in borderless hiring
Companies must navigate local labor laws, compliance issues, and payroll complexities. However, these obstacles are not insurmountable, and many organizations are finding innovative solutions.
“The rhetoric about the globalized opportunity is powerful, but it doesn’t make any difference to the business you’re doing unless you actually have the utilities and tools to do it,” said Payoneer CEO John Caplan.
Looking ahead, the landscape of borderless hiring is likely to be influenced by AI innovation and regulation.
Johnson predicts that Europe’s strict regulatory framework may push data innovation to other regions, creating opportunities for Africa and Latin America.
Despite the complexities, quality remains paramount in global hiring.
“The old adage is when you’re building software, do you want to be fast, good quality, or cheap? Pick two. Now, I reject that. You can have all three, but quality still matters, no matter where you are,” Jackson asserted.
As the tech industry continues to evolve, borderless hiring is poised to play a crucial role in shaping its future. By expanding talent pools and potentially reducing costs, this approach offers a competitive edge to companies willing to embrace it.
As Johnson puts it, “If you could make your single biggest expense, which is talent, 10% more efficient, you have a dramatic advantage.”
