Outsourcing to India didn't work very well due to cultural differences. Communication was very hard, even when language wasn't a problem. People afraid to say

Outsourcing to India didn't work very well due to cultural differences. Communication was very hard, even when language wasn't a problem. People afraid to say they didn't understand something and trying to wing it with tragicomical results. People not raising issues until after something exploded not to offend you. I think outsourcing to Russia has some good potential but the level of English is still nowhere close, even in the new generations. Eastern Europe is more promising but English is a bit hit or miss. I see plenty of outsourcing to Eastern Europe from the UK. Similarly, I see more and more outsourcing to Latin America from the states. Europe is much closer to the States: if you outsource to the UK or Northern-mid Europe you get English speaking people who will act similarly to US employees. Sure you won't save 11/12 like in India but you will save a good half compared to SF, with the only hassle being the timezone. I think we haven't seen the last of outsourcing.