A Look At Outsourcing Through oDesk’s Eyes
Mark Hendrickson
9 comments »
oDesk has just released a new part of their site called the oConomy where anyone can view statistics about the outsourcing activity on oDesk.
As you can see above, features include the ability to view average working rates, among other data about providers, from around the world on a Google map. You can also view an up-to-the-second metric of how much money has been spent on outsourced projects, as well as graphs of how rates and quality vary over time and providers.
Sure, these stats publicize how well oDesk as a company is doing (you can check out the graphs reflecting its growth). But they also provide a unique, if narrow, look at how the character of outsourcing varies globally. And it doesn’t hurt to check out these figures before hiring someone through oDesk.
Good find Mark! Assuming that oDesk could be used as a rate base, it should provide some interesting stats and leverage points.
Yeh that is one cool feature they added. It certainly enables people to access the trends and risks involved especially and brings a clearer picture to the table for offshoring business !
oDesk provider rates are so high that it should be called NOconomy!
Well Mark. I think this oDesk is not very reliable. The average English ability in Pakistani Urban areas is better than 7. But the data shows 4.3, these small errors can lead to big confusions.
The average English ability in Pakistani Urban areas is better than 7. exelent
@ Ghaus - “Avg Feedback” and “Avg English Ability” scores are based on oDesk’s 1 to 5 scale. There is no error here.
there is no doubt there are few very interesting numbers .. I think it was a good move from odesk .. you ran read my own odesk review here.
Interesting info indeed!
The funny thing about the outsource/offshore experience is that you still need to interview and carefully select the talent you bring onto a project. The brainbench scores and reputation management that odesk provides are really handy at cutting out the noise in your search, but they’re no replacement for your own selection process.
oDesk is one of the most brainless services. You ‘interview’ developers > choose one > then nothing. No project management, everyone communicates over email and does direct deals (circumventing oDesk’s fees). You’d think they’d at least have a message board!