Are Your Expectations Clear Enough for Your OffshoreTeam to Succeed?

When working with an offshoreteam, especially with talented professionals in the Philippines, one thing must always stay top of mind: your team members cannot read your mind.

Even the most dedicated and skilled employees thrive best when their leaders set clear, specific, and measurable objectives. Without them, even the hardest-working offshoreprofessionals may feel lost, unsure if their efforts are truly hitting the mark.

Filipino professionals are well known for their work ethic, adaptability, and eagerness to please. They often go above and beyond to deliver what they believe the client wants. But here’s the challenge: if expectations are vague, they might spend valuable time working in the wrong direction.

This isn’t just a cultural insight, it’s a universal truth for any offshore team, no matter where they’re based. Clarity builds alignment, and alignment builds results.

The Power of Setting Clear Objectives

Think of objectives and goals as the roadmap. Without them, your team may keep moving but not necessarily toward the destination you have in mind. By defining expectations upfront, you give your offshore professionals the structure they need to excel.

Here’s how you can set clear, actionable goals for your offshore team, ensuring success both in the short term and long term.

10 Tips to Successful Outsourcing: How to Set Clear Goals for Your Remote Team

1. Define Success Clearly

Ambiguous goals are like a fog that obscures the path forward. When your team doesn’t know exactly what success looks like, they’re left to guess. Instead of saying, “I need a report,” specify the details of what’s needed. For example:

  • Instead of: “I need a report.”
  • Say: “I need a 3-page performance summary by Friday, including data on sales, customer engagement, and recommendations for improvement.”

The more specific you can be with what’s expected, the easier it is for your team to meet and exceed your expectations.

 

2. Break Down Larger Goals Into Actionable Tasks

Big projects feel less overwhelming when broken down into smaller, trackable milestones. This approach gives your offshore team manageable steps and allows for better focus on each task’s specifics. Instead of giving them one giant goal, break it down:

  • Instead of: “Complete the website redesign.”
  • Say:

    • Milestone 1: “Complete wireframe design by Tuesday.”
    • Milestone 2: “Begin implementing homepage layout by Friday.”
    • Milestone 3: “Launch the new website by the end of the month.”

By setting small, actionable steps, you ensure that everyone knows exactly what to prioritize and when to complete it.

 

3. Communicate Early and Often

Regular communication ensures that any potential issues or uncertainties are addressed before they become roadblocks. Instead of waiting until the end of a project to check in, incorporate frequent touchpoints to align with your team and address concerns in real time.

  • Example of regular check-ins: Weekly 15-minute updates, daily check-in messages, or even task management systems like Basecamp where you can leave feedback on individual progress.
  • Example of Early feedback: If a first draft is not as expected, COMMUNICATE! Be very clear about what you want. Never assume that your fellow team member can read your mind. This is like asking someone to write music for you, but not specifying that you want a Jazz song and then being upset when you get country western music.
  • Example of specific clarity: If you request a website to be designed in a certain style, it is best to find some examples of styles that you like and want to emulate to show. Then clearly state what you like and don’t like about those examples.

The goal here is not to micromanage, but to stay engaged and aware of what your team is working on so that any challenges are identified and addressed early on.

 

4. Encourage Open Dialogue and Questions

Offshorework can often lead to isolation or feelings of uncertainty, especially for those who are far from the main office. Filipino team members, in particular, may hesitate to ask questions or raise concerns because they want to be respectful and do things “right.”
 As a leader, it’s crucial that you create an environment where team members feel safe to speak up, ask for clarification, and give feedback. This openness will prevent errors and ensure that the final deliverables meet your expectations.

  • You can say: “If anything about this project or my expectations is unclear, please reach out. I want to make sure we’re aligned every step of the way.”

The more approachable you are, the more likely your team will feel comfortable coming to you with issues that can be resolved before they escalate.

5. Use SMART Goals to Drive Performance

One highly effective method for setting goals is using the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Here’s how you can implement it:

  • Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve (e.g., “Launch the new marketing campaign by the end of the quarter”).
  • Measurable: Set metrics to track success (e.g., “Increase lead generation by 20% through this campaign”).
  • Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic and can be accomplished with available resources (e.g., “Given our current budget and team size, this goal is achievable”).
  • Relevant: Make sure the goal aligns with overall business objectives (e.g., “This campaign aligns with our growth strategy for the quarter”).
  • Time-bound: Set a clear deadline (e.g., “This needs to be done by September 30”).

By following the SMART method, you ensure that every goal is concrete, actionable, and measurable, making it easier for your offshore team to stay on track.

6. Make Full Use of the Project Management Tools Provided

At Pentwater Connect, we ensure that every team member has access to the right tools and resources needed to succeed. However, the key to staying aligned and productive is actively using the project management tools we provide. These tools are designed to streamline communication, track progress, and ensure everyone is on the same page.

If at any point you feel that the tools we provide are not meeting your needs or hindering your team’s workflow, it’s important to bring this up. Addressing these concerns early can help us find more effective solutions for managing projects. Whether it’s optimizing current systems or integrating new ones, staying open to feedback and adjustments ensures that your offshore team stays on track and efficiently.

  • Bonus Tip: Regularly check if your team is satisfied with the tools provided. Are they efficient? Are there roadblocks that need to be addressed?

When your team feels empowered with the right resources, they can work more effectively toward the goals you’ve set.

7. Reinforce Accountability and Responsibility

Accountability doesn’t mean micromanaging; it means setting clear expectations for what each team member is responsible for and creating an environment where everyone knows that their contributions matter.

  • Instead of: “Can you work on this task soon?”
  • Say: “I need this task completed by Friday at noon. Have I given you any other priorities that may cause a conflict achieving this goal? If so, I will need to reprioritize those tasks I had given you previously..”

Giving each person ownership of their tasks makes them feel more invested in the work and committed to delivering high-quality results.

8. Celebrate Milestones and Achievements

Celebrate the small wins to keep the team motivated and remind them of how their work contributes to the bigger picture. This can range from acknowledging a well-executed milestone to sending a simple thank-you message for a job well done.

  • Example: “Great job on completing the wireframe on time, it looks amazing! Looking forward to the next steps.”

Recognition boosts morale, builds trust, and inspires continued excellence in your offshore team.

9. Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Always encourage your offshore team to give feedback and share their experiences. This approach not only promotes a sense of ownership but also helps your business grow. By making room for continuous learning, you set up a feedback loop where you can refine your processes and adjust to new challenges.

  • Tip: Regularly ask for input on how you can improve the workflow or communication channels, and be open to making changes.

10. Be Patient, But Stay Consistent

Managing an offshore team, especially in a different culture and time zone, can be challenging. But with patience and persistence, you will build a collaborative, high-performing team. Be consistent in setting expectations and providing feedback, but also remain understanding when issues arise.

What Could Your Team Achieve with Clear Goals and Strong Alignment?

When you provide your Pentwater Connect team with clear goals, you unlock their true potential. Instead of second-guessing, they can focus their skills, creativity, and dedication on delivering exactly what your business needs.

The formula is simple: Clarity + Communication = Consistency in Results.

At Pentwater Connect, we bridge not just the geographical gap but also the communication gap between you and your team. With structure, transparency, and clear expectations, your offshore professionals in the Philippines won’t just meet your goals, they’ll exceed them.