What is Agile? - In a nutshell

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Agile - methodology in project work. Agile is based on the fact that the created project allows the achievement of the expected results, with less effort from the team at the same time. It emphasizes self-organization in the project, adaptive planning, continuous change, rapid delivery of results, and flexible development. 

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Agile in practice

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Let's imagine the following situation: We have a great idea for a mobile application, everything seems to have been thought out, and a software house has been selected to do the project, nothing but to start. However, the application is your "baby" and you would like to be able to watch the progress of the work and make sure that for sure everything is done as it should be.

That's why, before starting work, it's worth considering which approach to project management will be most suitable.

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There are two most popular approaches to software development:

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• Classic, also known as Waterfall
• Agile

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Execution of projects in the classical approach has been known for years, and three phases can be separated here:

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• Planning
• Implementation
• Delivering

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In a nutshell, at the beginning we spend a great deal of time analyzing and planning the project - we think about all the functionalities of the project, the possible cases, what can go wrong, and what needs to happen at what point to complete the project on time. All possible scenarios will be thought through and planned. 

Depending on the complexity and length of the project, planning can take days, weeks, or months. Then we move to the execution phase, which takes a correspondingly long time, and at the end, we see the results of the work.

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Some time ago, in the case of the IT industry, it was noticed that this approach to software development was not working due to changing requirements, market needs or at least technology, and what was valid during planning, when the project was delivered was often no longer so. That's when the agile approach to product development based on transparency, inspection, and adaptation (today's pillars of Scrum) began to take hold, i.e., we deliver frequently, in small packages, at intervals and check that what we've done is actually what the market/customer needs.

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When to use Agile in IT projects?

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It is not that one approach is better and the other is worse. It all depends on many factors as to which way of software development will work better in our situation.

But how do we know which type of approach to a project will be appropriate? Stacey's Model comes with the answer.

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Ralph D. Stacey was a British professor of management at the University of Hertfordshire, best known for his theory of managing organizations. By putting together requirements and knowledge of technology, he created a model for classifying issues.

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When starting a project, it is important to know what needs to be done and how to do it. Depending on the level of uncertainty of both factors - requirements (what) and technology (how), Stacey grouped the issues into 4 different segments:

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• Simple - The scope is well described and we know how to make them(what technology to use). With an experienced team and a good plan, we can start right away. This is how all traditional waterfall approaches work (which is not to say that an agile approach won't work here)

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• Complicated - scope not so clear, it needs to be detailed, thought, and planned, but after these steps, you can act. Large and accurate planning is needed if we want to work with the classic approach. When we do not have months to plan the work - an agile approach to product development will be as suitable as possible

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• Complex - With a lot of unknowns: scope and technology(what to do and how to do it). In addition, changing requirements come into play and with that, the level of knowledge of how to perform particular tasks also changes. We learn what the requirements are and how to respond to them as they are performed. The agile approach is the best solution here.

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• Chaotic - The so-called YOLO development. We don't have information about the requirements and how to deal with them Additionally. We don't know what to expect completely, we wander (both us and the customer). Again, an agile approach will be the best solution here as an adaptive and innovative approach seems to be the only way to bite this problem(inspect + adapt)

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This provides a fairly obvious answer as to why the agile approach to software development has been so popular in software houses in recent years. 

Stacey's model directly suggests to be most effective one must be responsive to change.

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And in our Qarbon experience, even projects that can be described as "easy" according to the above breakdown, in a rapidly changing world, require changes and improvements, to which the agile approach is ideally suited.

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I hope this article has helped clear up a few doubts or helped you understand why an agile approach can be valuable for your product.

However, if you are still unsure what segment to assign your project to, get back to us - we can help.

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Why should you work with a dedicated developer? 

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There has never been a greater demand for software development in business. Increasingly, companies are turning to software solutions to empower workflows, meet business needs, and provide new customer experiences. 

Innovative mobile and web apps can transform the way your business works, while consumers are increasingly demanding a seamless, omnichannel user experience. 

To keep up with this demand for new software products, the largest enterprises have invested heavily in their in-house development teams. However, small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) don’t have the same level of resources to match the tech industry’s major players. 

That’s why hiring a dedicated developer is such a lucrative investment. A dedicated developer can help you create exceptional digital products without the upfront cost of an expanded in-house team or the risk of hiring freelancers. 

What are dedicated development teams? Why should you hire a dedicated developer? How can you ensure you get the best out of your dedicated development team? 

In this article, we’ll give you a complete rundown of dedicated development teams and why you need them in 2023. Let’s go! 

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What is a Dedicated Developer?

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A dedicated developer is a professional software developer who works exclusively for a specific client or company on a full-time basis. They are essentially the middle-ground between hiring freelancers and building a permanent in-house development team. 

A dedicated development team is put together and provided by a software development company - where the resources and expertise of many experienced developers are pooled together within one organization. 

These teams are usually hired for large projects that need more attention, planning and oversight. The dedicated developer model offers businesses a more efficient, reliable development team for a fraction of the cost of going in-house. We’ll discuss the key benefits of dedicated developers later on in this article. 

Hiring a dedicated team is essentially a form of outsourcing. This is an increasingly popular solution for businesses who don’t have the in-house expertise to build the digital products needed to keep up our the modern business landscape. 

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What is the difference between dedicated developers and freelancers?

In contrast, freelance developers are part-time software developers that tend to work with multiple clients at a time. Like dedicated developers, they are usually hired on a project-by-project basis, but they are able to dedicate fewer resources to an individual client. 

Freelancers are typically hired on a short-term basis, whereas contracts with dedicated developers tend to be larger in scale. With dedicated developers, clients have direct access to the developer for communication and collaboration, while freelance developers may not be as available or responsive.

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What are the different models of a dedicated development team?

Dedicated developers can provide services to a business in a wide variety of ways and methods. Here are the main team models to choose from: 

• Full-time Dedicated Team: A team of developers is exclusively dedicated to working on your single project and will work on it until completion. This is the most common dedicated model for business software development. 
• Part-time Dedicated Team: This is a similar model to full-time, but this team will also take on other projects and won’t dedicate their entire working time on your project. 

• This still differs from freelancing as you’ll have access to the team and its project manager throughout your project period. 

• Outstaffing: If your in-house or freelance team is experiencing some capacity issues, a dedicated developer could join it to help complete work on a project-by-project basis. This model is designed to plug gaps in your existing teams - and you won’t experience the same productivity benefits of a full-time dedicated team. 

What are the two main pricing models of dedicated teams? 

• Time and Material: A team of developers works on a project on an hourly basis, with the client paying for the actual hours worked.
• Fixed-price: A team of developers works on a project for a fixed price, with the scope of work and deliverables clearly defined upfront.

Software companies may employ a hybrid combination of any of the above models - and you can often tailor your contracts to the specific needs of the project and client.

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What are the benefits of hiring a dedicated developer? 

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Why should you hire a dedicated development team? Here are the top benefits to consider when choosing the type of team you create your digital products with:

Faster product completion

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A dedicated development team will help you ship your digital product faster. A dedicated developer is hired on a full-time basis to work solely on your project. This means they can focus all their time, energy and attention on building your product.  

By opting for a dedicated team, you can ensure your developers fully understand your project and its requirements - and don’t have to waste time onboarding new developers and waiting for them to get to grips with your project. 

How is this model faster than building your own team? It can take months - or even years - to scout, hire and train an in-house team to match the effectiveness of an experienced dedicated team. 

Dedicated developers from a software company like Qarbon IT means you unlock the tools and expertise of that organization. These companies will have the right technologies to speed up development, and will also know neat solutions and best practices needed to develop products in your industry.

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Improved cost-effectiveness

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The dedicated development model suits businesses that want to bring down the cost of developing their digital product. Hiring the right dedicated developer can help improve the cost-effectiveness of your products in the long term. 

This is the primary reason why businesses choose to outsource projects to dedicated teams. In fact, Deloitte found that 70% of businesses cited saving money as their main reason for outsourcing software development. 

It is safer and cheaper to hire a team of dedicated experts from a single software company than build a team yourself or hire many freelancers.

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• Hiring freelancers leads to low initial costs, but can often lead to delays and revisions: It takes longer to complete projects with freelancers, and you’ll likely have to cycle through multiple developers throughout your project. 

• Freelancers are billed hourly, and this time adds up. In the long run, you’ll probably spend more working with freelancers. 

• Building your own development team is expensive: Recruiting and interviewing developers take time and money, while training costs also mount up quickly. There are also the logistical costs of housing a team to consider. You’ll need to pay for office space if you work on location. You’ll also have to set up the usual infrastructure for hiring employees - including payroll, IT services, etc. 

• Dedicated developers are contractors who are ready to start building your product immediately. You can skip the sunk costs of in-house teams! 

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Improved flexibility of resources and manpower

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Working with a dedicated development team from a software company can help you scale up and down your resources to meet the needs of your project. 

Software development projects are complex - and how many development resources you’ll need will likely change over time. 

With an in-house team, it’s unfeasible to hire and fire developers during points in the project when less help is needed. This often leads to wasted capacity and can quickly cause you to go over budget. 

The ability to scale down your development resources as well as up is a key benefit of working with a development team. If you know what stages of your product development cycle will need more or fewer developers, you can build this into your initial contract. 

If your project requirements dramatically change during the development cycle, you won’t have to pause development to hire more developers. A software development company can pull resources from other dedicated teams and manage any changing needs. 

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Delegate management to experienced project managers

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A dedicated team will be led by a project manager or development lead. This model provides you with a single point of contact to get in touch with your dedicated development team. 

This allows you to take a hands-off approach to building your digital product, where you can trust in the expertise of proven project managers. This team leader will manage the developers on their team and will ensure updates and communication in an effective manner. 

Poor management is a common pitfall of in-house teams, while the responsibility of managing a freelance team often falls onto a non-developer (or you!). Dedicated teams allow decision-makers to focus on running their business, and not waste time wrestling a freelance team of developers. 

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Improved access and communication 

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As dedicated developers are committed to your project on a full-time basis, you’ll have direct access to your team to solve any issues and provide updates.

Poor communication is one of the most significant drawbacks of working with freelance developers. A freelancer has to handle communication with multiple clients, and will often have irregular work hours. With a freelance developer, it’s difficult to establish a working relationship tailored to your business and how you work. 

This level of consistent communication can help to ensure that the project stays on track and that any issues are addressed in a timely manner. Clear and consistent communication is crucial in software development. It helps to ensure that everyone involved in the project is on the same page. 

We’ve discussed how dedicated teams tend to have a central point of contact - a project manager or lead developer. A leader of a tight-knit team can provide effective, actionable communications to clients in a way that isn’t possible for freelancers. 

It’s also important not to understate the benefits of building a long-term relationship with your development team. This simplifies communications, helps avoid misunderstanding and ensures you’re all on the same page. 

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No need for software, hardware and development infrastructure

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A dedicated team will already have the necessary tools to complete your software projects. Kitting out an in-house development team with the systems and development tools they need can be expensive. 

The infrastructure costs of an in-house team include:

• Hardware: Development systems need plenty of power, and purchasing multiple workstations is a significant expense - especially for small businesses. 
• Software: You’ll need to pay for the licenses for software kits, development tools and key technologies. 
• Networking: Web development requires a fast, reliable networking solution - and enterprise-grade networks are very expensive. 

The cost of this infrastructure is factored into the price of a dedicated developer contract. Software companies are able to spread these expenses across their clients over time. You’ll only pay for what you use!

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Bring specialized expertise to a project

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Another key benefit of hiring a dedicated developer is that they can bring specialized expertise to a project. Dedicated developers often have experience and expertise in a specific area or technology, which can be extremely valuable for a business. 

This specialized expertise can help to ensure that the project is completed to the highest standards and that the final product meets the client's specific requirements.

For example, Polish crypto startup Algory needed a custom scanner to monitor trade opportunities in the cryptocurrency market. In working with a dedicated development team, this client benefitted from our expertise and previous experience building finance and trading applications. 

Dedicated teams bring so much more experience to the table. They’ve worked with plenty of clients in a wide array of industries. They will understand how to create the best digital experiences for your business needs. 

We highly recommend examining the case studies and portfolios of any dedicated software developer you consider hiring. It’ll reveal what industries they’ve built apps for in the past and what technologies they are familiar with. 

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Provide cohesive end-to-end development services

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A dedicated team will be able to follow your project from its initial planning phase until its completion. By sticking with the same team of developers, you help guarantee a full, cohesive development experience. 

To ensure this, you should look for a software development company that offers end-to-end services, and  provides: 

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• Product discovery: Our dedicated teams will explore your product idea and get to grips with the key requirements of the project. This stage is important for identifying user pain points and demonstrating product-market fit. The desired user flow identified during this stage should stay consistent throughout the development process. 
• Workshops to identify technology and project requirements: Once you’ve discovered the business needs, it’s time to figure out how we’ll bring your project to life. It’s this step that really boosts the productivity and effectiveness of a dedicated team - as we can refer to the software strategy during development. 
• Development: Then, it’s time to make the project. We use the same developers throughout this process. This tends to result in cleaner code, reduces lead times and helps avoid feature and scope creep. 
• Launch: Your development team will plan and execute your product launch. We’ll also monitor the performance and health of your application and watch out for launch bugs and glitches. 

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Best Practices for Hiring The Right Dedicated Developers

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As with any hiring decision, it can be difficult to find the right dedicated development team for your project. 

Here are some of our top tips for discovering the ideal developer: 

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Look for developers with relevant experience and expertise

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A dedicated team offers you a breadth of experience to help guide your project and find success in your field. That’s why we highly recommend finding developers who have a proven track record in the product area/industry you’re looking to target. 

How can a development team demonstrate this? 

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• Past clients: Do the past clients match up with your expectations for that software company? Does it show they have experience solving similar problems to your planned product? 
• Testimonials: Here, you can find the specific set of skills that other clients appreciate. 
• Case studies and portfolios: Deeper dives into how a dedicated team approached a similar project to yours can reveal the specialist expertise that matters to you. 

That’s exactly why we post our case studies from past clients - demonstrating our wide portfolio of projects. Check the collection out here! 

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Clearly Define the Project Scope

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Before hiring a dedicated developer, it is important to clearly define the scope of the project, including the deliverables, deadlines, and required skills and expertise.

These requirements should be strongly linked to your business goals and needs. That’s why a product discovery process is so important. It's also important to establish a clear timeline for the project, including specific milestones and deadlines for completion. This helps align expectations and will avoid miscommunication and delays to your project. 

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Establish a strong relationship with a project manager

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As your primary point of contact, your project manager is an essential part of your development team. Having regular contact and comprehensively discussing your project with this team leader is crucial to keeping the entire dedicated team on the same page. 

When you work with Qarbon IT, we will assign you a project manager with experience in your industry from the very start of the discovery phase. They will guide you through the development process toward project completion. 

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Hire an outstanding dedicated development team

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A dedicated development team offers a flexible and efficient method for building digital products. The industry is growing fast, with the growth of software development outsourcing expected to reach 70% by the end of 2023. Working with a software development company that has plenty of experience and expertise is vital. 

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The Software as a Service (SaaS) industry is in full swing today, with a growth potential of $147.44 billion from 2022 to 2026. In fact, BetterCloud reports that SaaS will comprise 85% of software used by organizations by 2025. However, the SaaS market is getting saturated at a rapid pace, as most of the new SaaS firms have to compete aggressively with established brands. 

Undoubtedly, the SaaS market has a huge potential and offers great opportunities if you are offering some unique services better than other market players. On top of that, there are plenty of other ways to maximize subscriptions. In this blog, we will focus on SaaS software developers and discuss how they can assist in maximizing subscriptions. So, let's begin our discussion.

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Customer expectations from SaaS companies

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Before we jump to how SaaS companies can maximize subscriptions with the skills of software developers, it's important to have a quick glimpse of what are the main customer expectations from SaaS companies.

Today, every company is somehow using SaaS services and actively looking to increase dependence on such services owing to a wide range of benefits. But they do have some major expectations from SaaS companies. Some of the key ones are as follows:

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1. Transparency

Considering the growing buzz around data breaches and privacy concerns, customers often have a feeling of distrust of SaaS companies. Since they are collecting and processing substantial sensitive data of customers, it makes customers fear data privacy and security. Therefore, it is becoming more important for SaaS companies to act very transparently on how they work, how they process data, how they handle sensitive data, changes in policies, and similar other aspects that can make customers feel comfortable.

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2. Continuous evolving features

Customers have plenty of choices to choose from, so it's not easy for SaaS companies to retain customers for a long duration without introducing new features. New pain paints keep emerging as customers change or upgrade their processes. Similarly, the desire to try some new features also urges customers to expect more from SaaS companies. Therefore, it is important for SaaS companies to continuously evolve their features to meet new emerging customers' needs and keep them engaged.

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3. Communication

Customers of today's digitalized era want instant and direct conservation with SaaS companies. They want their queries to be addressed in real-time. Moreover, they want their opinions and feedback to be acknowledged. Therefore, SaaS companies should have a top-notch communication bridge for customers so that they can easily and freely share their queries and thoughts.

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4. Personalization and flexibility

It does not matter if a SaaS company is providing a unique solution, it should also incorporate personalization and flexibility aspects to attract more customers. Customers no longer like paying for features they don't use or resources that are extra for them. Similarly, they don't like the SaaS company's branding to interfere with their user experience. That's why SaaS companies need to give a touch of personalization in their services and flexibility in their plans.

Other than the above four major customer expectations from SaaS companies, there can be a lot more depending on the specific niche and the market competition. Thus, it takes a lot of market intelligence and state-of-the-art services to attract, engage, and retain customers in the current competitive SaaS industry. However, SaaS software developers can play a key role here. Let's now dig into this point in detail. 

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How SaaS software developers help maximize subscriptions?

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SaaS solutions available today are of different natures. Some solutions are related to specific business problems, like invoicing software, customer relationship management, and similar others, while others are full-stack software that is meant to serve as a one-stop solution to fulfill the business needs of a specific industry. Behind every SaaS solution, there is a team of software developers that can turn an idea into an actionable product. 

Since SaaS software developers are the key to bringing SaaS ideas to life, they are often considered just the professionals who will assist in the development. However, software developers have another critical role to play, i.e., to maximize subscriptions. So, it is not just the job of the marketing team to run marketing campaigns, but the SaaS software developers can be of great assistance here. Based on customers' demands and competitors' services, developers can elevate the overall user experience with additional features or other enhancements. Below we are presenting the three use cases of SaaS software developers that can help maximize subscriptions: 

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1. SaaS software developers help create a website

In the current digitally advanced era, most businesses need a website to attract customers and succeed. Talking specifically about SaaS, clear and attractive websites are essential to make customers get interested in the products/services. Websites provide a direct reflection of the solutions you are offering and urge the customers to at least request a demo. 

Most SaaS companies do have a basic level website, but often it is outdated or just follows a common layout that fails to impress the audience. According to Stanford's web credibility research, 75% of users acknowledge that they make judgments about the credibility of a company based on its website's design. So, what makes a website credible? Some of the attributes of a best-in-class website include:

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• It provides a touch of the product in the website design, matching the interface, colors, styles, etc.
• It provides a strong, easy-to-understand overview of the product.
• It provides attractive pages of features/solutions.
• It provides clear reasoning on what makes the business unique with a prominent value proposition.
• It provides convincing call-to-action prompts, such as “watch a demo”, “request a demo”, “talk to sales”, “sign up now”, etc. 
• It provides access to premium content like case studies, e-books, videos, and similar others that users can access by sharing their contact details.
• It clearly explains the product's security. 
• It provides an easy way to get in touch with customer support for existing customers.

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Overall, the website plays an effective role in impressing and making customers go for more details. 

SaaS software developers holding expertise in web development can play a game-changing role here. They have more in-depth knowledge of the key customers' pain points and the key offerings of the company. Based on this information and collaborating with the design team, they can design an engaging website that not just elaborate the service offerings through demos or strong product overviews but also provide a whole-new web experience to the customers. This experience will give customers confidence in the quality of service they will receive. Eventually, you can have the best website in place that can increase engagement and help increase subscriptions.

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2. SaaS software developers help create an app

It is seen that SaaS companies put all their efforts into developing the best desktop versions and remain hesitant to transform the offerings into mobile apps. Their preference is often to create a mobile-friendly design. But the growing day-to-day use of smartphones is asking more from SaaS companies. 85% of smartphone users prefer mobile apps over mobile websites.

It is optional for SaaS companies to provide full desktop capabilities in the mobile app. They can add those functionalities of their service that best fits with the mobile experience. Below are some key points that highlight the importance of mobile apps for SaaS companies:

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• A mobile app makes a SaaS company an anywhere service that provides its users an "on the go" mobile experience. For example, users might be able to quickly look at dashboards or take other actions while waiting in a coffee line. 
• A mobile app gives a significant competitive edge. If your app addresses the shortcomings of your competitors' mobile apps and offers more responsiveness, then you are leading the race here. A survey even shows that 96% of users prefer app responsiveness and speed over everything. 
• A mobile app increases the retention rate significantly, as users are getting around-the-clock access to services. 
• A mobile app gives a sense of convenience that attracts new users, thereby increasing subscriptions. 

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Overall, a mobile app helps SaaS companies achieve more with less effort. Therefore, SaaS software developers serve as a great helping hand here. They can look through what key offerings can be integrated into the mobile app and can then work on developing a minimal viable product (MVP). 

Once an MVP version of the app is created, you can get responses from users and gradually add/enhance capabilities to make a full-fledged app. Even if the SaaS company doesn't have the resources or skill sets to develop an app in-house, it can take the assistance of a software development company to develop custom-made mobile apps. Once you have a responsive and feature-rich app in place, all now left is marketing to grab the attention of the potential audience and maximize subscriptions.

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3. SaaS software developers help develop additional features

Just like other industries, the SaaS industry is also competitive. The new SaaS companies not only have to offer all the services their competitors are offering but also include some unique functionalities at attractive prices.

If a SaaS company is fulfilling the users' needs in only one specific area and making users shift to other platforms for other needs, then it cannot retain them for the long run. The Vendasta study shows that selling just one product to small and midsize businesses (SMBs) results in just a 30% retention rate after two years, while the retention rate jumps to 80% if the company is selling four products. So, it's an all-in-one solution structure that users need today to commit to long-term retention and invite others by word-of-mouth. 

Here it is worth knowing that a SaaS company delivering an all-in-one solution still needs to add new features regularly to engage users with the platform and increase the average customer value (ACV) over time. AppFolio, a well-known property management SaaS company, is the best example here. During its IPO, AppFolio was charging an average of $5,000/year per account. But the gradual additions of new capabilities let the average per year per account spending go up to $13,000, along with a significant new number of subscriptions.

The above discussion summarizes that a SaaS company must keep increasing its capabilities with additional features and services to increase retention rate and maximize subscription. The best way to do it is by working with SaaS software developers that can keep researching new functionalities they can add to the platform. They can look into competitors' offerings, gather feedback from users, address new emerging pain points, and dig more to find new capabilities that look appealing to users.

Even if the in-house SaaS software developers are incapable of finding and developing new capabilities for the platform, then a SaaS company can even use Teams on Demand, which includes experienced personnel who can collaborate with in-house software developers to brainstorm, design, and deploy new functionalities. In short, SaaS software developers play the leading role in developing additional features, eventually increasing retention rates and maximizing subscriptions.

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Wrapping up – find your companion to maximize subscriptions

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It is the dream of every emerging SaaS company to have continuous inflows of new subscriptions with maximized retention rate. However, it takes a lot of effort to keep the interest of users intact. As discussed in this blog, SaaS software developers are the key to maximizing subscriptions. They first bring the idea into a full-fledged product and then can uplift the service quality with a top-notch website, feature-rich app, and regular addition of new features. But not every company has SaaS software developers with such skill levels. So, that's why you should choose wisely. 

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The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the recruitment process has been growing rapidly in recent years, and the IT industry has been one of the first to embrace this technology. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way companies find and hire talented IT professionals, making the process faster, more efficient, and more objective.

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AI in IT recruitment - advantages

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1. Automating many manual tasks

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One of the main advantages of AI in IT recruitment is the ability to automate many manual tasks. For example, AI can be used to screen resumes, schedule interviews, and conduct candidate assessments. This not only saves time and resources but also ensures that all candidates are treated fairly and objectively. AI can also analyze large amounts of data, such as candidate resumes and job descriptions, to identify the most relevant and qualified candidates.

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2. Enhancing the candidate experience

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Another benefit of AI in IT recruitment is the ability to enhance the candidate experience. AI-powered chatbots, for example, can provide candidates with instant answers to common questions, reducing the need for manual intervention by recruiters. This helps to create a more efficient and positive experience for candidates, making it more likely that they will apply for future positions or recommend the company to others.

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3. Chat GPT - uncountable solutions

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The year 2023 came with a game-changer when it comes to AI thanks to Chat GPT. The possibilities of the usage of this tool in everyday tasks for recruiters are uncountable - from help in writing attractive job offers on job boards to generating questions to be able to review technical knowledge without involving technically skilled persons to process.

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AI in IT recruitment - disadvantages

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However, despite the many benefits of AI in IT recruitment, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. 

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1. Biased decision-making

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One of the main concerns is the risk of biased decision-making. AI algorithms can only be as unbiased as the data they are trained on, and if the training data contains biases, this could lead to discriminatory results. To mitigate this risk, companies need to ensure that their AI systems are trained on diverse and representative data sets.

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2. Lack of human oversight

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Another challenge is the need for human oversight. While AI can automate many tasks, it is still important for recruiters to review the results and make final decisions. This helps to ensure that the best candidates are selected and that the recruitment process remains fair and ethical.

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AI in IT recruitment - a summary

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In conclusion, the use of AI in the IT recruitment process offers many benefits, but also requires careful consideration and management. Companies need to balance the potential advantages of AI with the potential risks and ensure that they have the right processes and systems in place to maximize the benefits while minimizing the drawbacks. With the right approach, AI has the potential to revolutionize the way IT professionals are hired, making the process faster, more efficient, and more objective. 

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How to get started in IT - this question troubles many of us today. There is no denying it, in recent years the IT industry has been growing at a dizzying pace, and the job of a software developer is one of the more desirable on the market. There is no shortage of candidates for this position.

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According to an Evolution survey, as many as 24% of Poles want to rebrand themselves and apply for jobs in the IT industry. 

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Source: https://evolution.biuroprasowe.pl/195384/juz-blisko-%C2%BC-polakow-mysli-o-zmianie-branzy-na-it-raport-firmy-evolution

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So how do you get started in IT?

I come to you with an answer to this question. Over the past 8 years, I have met a lot of people on my path who are eager to start a career in IT, watched how juniors develop and supported them in this journey. Now I want to help you at the start, answer your questions and concerns, and pass on the knowledge I have acquired over the years.

If you prefer video content, below is a link to our webinar, in which we discuss the topic of IT startup in detail. The blog entry is a collection of key findings and advice but also includes additional information. We encourage you to check out both formats.

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You can watch the full webinar (PL) here:

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What do bootcamps not teach?

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Bootcamp is certainly an option that many novice developers choose as a start in the IT world. No wonder, after all, bootcamps advertise themselves as an intensive course that allows you to learn in a short period the knowledge you need to get started as a software developer. That is, in short, IT knowledge in a nutshell. But only theoretically.

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Certainly following this path has many advantages, such as:

• mentorship,
• quality, helpful materials,
• homework
• unlimited access.

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However, it's worth bearing in mind that this is not the only ideal option that will provide you with all your programming knowledge after one course. And this, unfortunately, is often the belief, and this is how most bootcamps advertise themselves.

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It's easy to get into an average bootcamp

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1. A bootcamp will teach you the basics of programming, but these days their quality varies. You may come across a great bootcamp, but the course you choose will offer something other than real knowledge.
2. Bootcamp will NOT give you a guarantee of finding a job.
3. Bootcamps often fail to teach the right skills.
4. Knowledge in the IT industry is changing rapidly, a lot of news is coming out, and unfortunately, not all bootcamps keep their materials up to date. Bootcamps simply can't keep up with what is expected in the market.
5. Resumes and portfolios that bootcamp helps you prepare are often more damaging than helpful at a job interview. Why? Because they are repetitive. It's better to show off your solution, or project and not necessarily take shortcuts.

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If you're already deciding on a bootcamp, sign up for the one most often chosen by others, after which most participants find a job or internship. A good bootcamp can give you valuable knowledge and even make it easier to find your first job - but you need to choose carefully. Do some decent research before you decide to spend your time and budget on it.

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Earnings in IT, and the reality

Unfortunately, but as with bootcamps - the reality in earnings is different from how advertisements and a job offer portray it. Unfortunately, at the beginning of your career, your earnings will not come close to those advertised. Why? Because there is an oversupply in the market - there are a lot of juniors and interns applying for their first jobs. The employer overstates the requirements. It is required to have a basic knowledge of a particular programming language, to know what Scrum is, how to apply agile programming methodology, and what are the differences between QA, DevOps, and so on. Realistic earnings of juniors are in the order of 2.5, thousand to 3.5 thousand zlotys, and the ranges are much higher - unfortunately, these are marketing tricks of bootcamps and recruitment agencies.

It's worth keeping this in mind at the interview and, when asked about expected salary, don't immediately offer huge amounts for regulars or seniors.

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The most common mistakes at job interviews

• Doomed fate in bootcamps - as discussed earlier
• IT is all about hard skills - Such a belief is wrong. Recruiters do not only expect technical knowledge, but also soft skills, which you will need - in working in a team, with a client, and in good communication.
• I can program, and now I'm making money - Unfortunately, Rome wasn't built in a day, and you won't shoot into the Senior Developer role at the beginning of your career. It's worth gaining some humility here and the belief that everything will come with time - including promotions. To begin with, focus on gaining knowledge and experience.
• I am running for a role to which I am not necessarily predisposed - The IT industry is a myriad of different positions! You don't necessarily have to be a front-end developer just because it's the most popular one. QA Engineer, Project Manager, and many other positions may be a better choice for you. Check all your options carefully.

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Is this even the job for me?

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If you want to start a career in IT, it's worth considering whether it's definitely for you. Answer these 3 questions for yourself:

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1. Do I have the right amount of knowledge?- Gained at bootcamp and in my free time.
2. Do I have interpersonal skills? - Respect for people, hardworking, and willing to develop.
3. Do I have a passion for programming, reading every IT news with blazing eyes?

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If you answered yes to all the questions - this job is for you :)

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Roles in IT, or if you were a character from James Bond

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If I were to describe to you most simply the roles that occur in IT, I think the reference to characters from the iconic Agent 007 movies would be apt.

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1. Software Developer - The most popular profession in IT. Q is the man, producing gadgets for Bond.
2. QA (Quality Assurance Engineer) - An agent for special tasks, he likes to spoil what Q has produced.
3. DevOps - Bond girl, a bit inaccessible, but turns out to be a computer magician.
4. Project Manager - M - disposes of tasks for the team and makes sure that everything works like a well-oiled machine.
5. Business Analyst - MI6 interviews, takes photos analyzes, and forwards to M.

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Freelancing as a gateway - or if not through the door, then through the chimney

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If you have tried to find a job through various methods - through recruiters, referrals, and internship programs - to no avail, there is another option, which is freelancing.

Being a freelance developer has its pros and cons. By advertising our services on portals such as Fiverr or Useme, we have a chance to catch our first assignments, build a portfolio and earn money from it at the same time. Freelance rates are often higher than those offered on a full-time basis, but maintaining the continuity of assignments and earnings is much more difficult in this case. However, don't give up - by building a portfolio, collecting client feedback, and documenting your work, you gain initial experience and become a better developer. This can be a gateway to later work in a software house or a system for working independently and earning money.

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Why IT is different from other industries

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• Dynamics of change - Frequent changes in trends, languages, and approaches
• High entry threshold - The knowledge you gained yesterday may not be relevant today
• Low entry threshold - Freelance, no educational requirements

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Important aspects

The character

The times when a developer sat in the basement are a thing of the past, and interpersonal skills can be learned. 

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Knowledge

Target one technology, don't grab a few pigs by the tail. The rest will come later. 

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Goal

Don't be shy about what you would like to achieve in IT, ambitious people are valued. 

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In addition to these 3 most important aspects, I can also give you some valuable advice that I wish I had heard myself in the past. Be authentic. This may seem like a cliche, but it's true. Technical knowledge can be made up quickly, it's the character work that is the hardest. Remember that your success is not the finish line. If you get to your dream job, don't rest on your laurels. An internship is just the beginning. Well, and don't give up too quickly! One failed interview is not the end of the world.

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Hopefully, this collection of key information and tips will help you start your career in the IT world soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and wishing you good luck!

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Lessons Learned from the Best Fintech Websites

Web design is an evolving process that is undergoing constant refinement as designers as clients and designers seek to design their websites for optimal performance. FinTech companies have the unique challenge of staying up-to-date with the latest web design trends while ensuring that their website is secure and compliant with regulations. To help make this process easier, we've gathered key lessons from some of the best fintech websites.

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What makes fintech websites different?

Fintech websites face a number of unique challenges that require careful consideration. The most crucial factor is the need for a secure website. Fintech companies must ensure that their customers' financial data remains safe and secure, so it's essential to use the latest security measures.

A critical factor in designing a fintech website is ensuring that users can easily navigate the site and access vital information quickly. It's essential to build trust through a satisfying User Experience (UX), which begins with an excellent User Interface (UI). The UI and UX must be designed to appeal to the target audience while providing users easy access to the information they need. If you're interested in learning more about UX/UI, check our article on Figma vs. Developers, where we cover this in more detail.

Let's look at some examples of great fintech websites that demonstrate how to successfully take on the challenges of creating a secure, compliant, and user-friendly website.

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8 of the best fintech websites to learn from

1. Wise

Wise is a UK-based fintech company that offers money transfer and foreign exchange services. The website features a sleek, modern design with clear navigation and easy access to the core features of its service. The site also complies with all the relevant regulations, making it secure and trustworthy.

Wise allows users to make global payments in multiple currencies easily and cost-effectively. On their homepage, the online calculator shows you not just how much money you would send or receive in a transfer but how they arrive at that calculation step by step. This openness helps to demystify the process and build trust with users.

The site is built around a predominantly white and blue color palette, which helps to keep the design minimal and modern. The simple visuals also help make complex information easier to digest.

Wise follows a trend popular in the best fintech websites and has a single landing page, with only a few additional pages to allow users to delve into features and pricing a little more deeply. The landing page provides a breakdown of all essential elements, such as security, and multiple variants of the same call-to-action, such as "Open an account" and "Order your card."

There is social proof on the site, with a link to Wise's Trustpilot page and videos of users discussing their experience with Wise, helping to boost trust. Overall, the design is straightforward and effective - proving that simplicity and openness are key in fintech website design.\

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2. Stripe

Stripe is a global fintech company providing a platform for businesses to accept payments. They offer an array of services, from fraud protection and recurring billing to analytics tools and marketplaces.

The Stripe website has a modern yet elegant design that perfectly reflects the company's brand identity. The hero section is dominated by an animated splash of color that ebbs and flows against a dark-blue and white backdrop.

Stripe uses animation throughout its landing page, switching between examples of the app payments. These scroll slowly, unlike some sites that seek to rush as many examples past your eyes as possible.

Unlike Wise, Stripe's landing page links to a large library of products, which can be accessed through the menu bar or the page's footer. There are also many menu items for case studies, developer resources, etc., that highlight Stripe's target audiences; businesses, not individuals. The list of companies shown above the fold further reinforces that Stripe works with well-known brands.

The Stripe website offers a great example of how to design a fintech site that appeals to businesses successfully. The animated visuals, detailed product library, and list of existing corporate users demonstrate the company's trustworthiness and expertise in the field.

3. Monzo

Monzo is a UK-based digital bank offering various services, from savings accounts to overdrafts and insurance.

The Monzo site follows a trend set by many other fintech companies, using vivid colors and attractive visuals to draw attention. The mix of bright pink, cyan, and mint green helps users recognize the brand and remember its products. It also clearly suggests that Monzo is different from traditional banks.

Monzo's website is easy to navigate and provides a wealth of helpful information about its services, such as opening an account or applying for a loan. It also has detailed product descriptions, with static visuals demonstrating the features.

The landing page provides an overview of all the key features with simple but effective visuals and concise wording. The user journey is also thoughtfully crafted; when you click on a product link, you're taken to another page that explains more about the feature and how it can be used.

Unlike Wise and Stripe, Monzo offers customer feedback on their homepage, which helps to boost consumer confidence. While, naturally, the statistics they share about their user satisfaction rates paint them in a good light, they do acknowledge that some competitors come close or fractionally exceed them - a move that adds to their credibility.

Monzo provides an excellent example of how a fintech website should be built around the customer experience. The colors and visuals draw attention to the products, while the helpful information gives users all the necessary details. Its customer feedback further showcases Monzo's commitment to offering excellent service.

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4. Betterment

Betterment is an online financial services company that helps users save and invest their money with the help of technology. Founded in 2008, Betterment has become one of the largest independent robo-advisors in the United States. It was one of the first companies to bring automated investment advice to retail clients, offering low-fee index fund investing with no minimum balance requirement.

The hero section contains the corporate logo of several publications that have reviewed Betterment and each logo links directly to the review. This reinforces Betterment's credibility and helps to draw attention to the product. As expected, a menu bar in this section allows interested users to explore other products and learn more about the company.

As with all the best fintech websites, the Betterment website features a relatively simple design. The site is dominated by white and yellow spaces and contrasting blue tones, which helps to draw attention to the services on offer. Clear illustrations demonstrate the app's appearance and purpose, while the concise text offers users a quick explanation of the products.

Each section of the landing page contains a simple call to arms, each a variant of "Get started." Betterment does this well, keeping each section brief and to the point, with an accompanying graphic and a simple button to direct users to the next step.

The Betterment website is an excellent model for fintech companies. Its clean design makes it easy to understand, and its clear call-to-action drives users to the appropriate product page. The presence of external reviews also helps build consumer trust and confidence in the company's services.

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5. Robinhood

Another great fintech website, Robinhood, targets millennials and offers a free stock trading platform. Founded in 2013, Robinhood's mission is to democratize finance for all. The company has grown rapidly and boasts more than 10 million users. Robinhood gained popularity after introducing a free trading option, which has helped make stock investing accessible to more people.

Visuals of the app in use on mobile phones dominate the homepage. This illuminates the product's primary use case and gives customers a clear image of what they will engage with.

Unlike other sites, Robinhood's landing page features only one call to action - "Learn more," There is little else to the page other than links to the latest articles from their blog. This keeps the page simple and uncluttered.

The only thing that lets Robinhood down is the menu bar, or more specifically, the array of different-looking pages that it sends you too. The menu offers Invest, Crypto, Retirement, and Cash Card, among others, and each has a different design, which is unusual for a fintech website design. However, each is liable to attract a specific audience.

Most visitors to Robinhood already know about the app through social media streams, such as Reddit's infamous WallStreetBets subreddit. It is unlikely that the site's visuals, rather than its content, are the primary attraction for new users. For the landing page and Invest tab, the visuals communicate a sense of excitement and promise about what Robinhood offers - with a green and white color pallet that symbolizes profitable trades.

Overall, Robinhood's website does an excellent job of communicating the key features and benefits of the product. It also uses visuals to draw attention and motivate users to take action while keeping the page uncluttered by limiting content. This is an effective example for fintech companies looking to present their services simply but engagingly.

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6. Cash App

Cash App is a fintech service from Square, Inc., which allows users to transfer money quickly and securely. The hero section of the homepage is bright and animated with fast-moving elements that suggest a youthfulness that aligns with its target audience.

A QR code on the screen allows visitors to scan it with their phones and download the app quickly. This is the primary call to action, with each following section simply offering to allow visitors to "learn more."

The QR code reappears in the bottom right of the screen when you scroll down for easy access and to remind visitors throughout their journey that they need to download the app.

The key driver of Cash App is to show how easy it is to use, and with that in mind, the site does not initially show you a menu bar, although instructions to various aspects of the app can be accessed through the button hovering in the top right corner of the page, beside a login button.

The simplicity of Cash App's website is its main strength. With everything you need to know front and center, visitors can access the product quickly and learn more if they choose.

Cash App's website is an excellent example for fintech companies looking to simplify their online presence, by keeping content minimal and placing emphasis on visuals.

7. Rocket

From the moment you land on the page, Rocket makes it clear that their app is for controlling and managing your finances. The site features a pallet of white, black, and red, giving simplicity and elegance to the design.

The hero section of the page is an animation of a phone bearing the app. At a glance, it is possible to see that the app seems simple to use and is meant for the everyday person.

The page then moves into a section that provides social proof from the 3.4 million members, the average rating, and logos of new sites that have reviewed the app.

Perhaps most important is the care given to copywriting on the site. Headers have been crafted to highlight pain points users may be having, such as "Get control over your subscriptions" and "stay on top of spending." This is exactly the kind of messaging that resonates with the audience Rocket is targeting and encourages them to download the app.

Below the features list is more social proof, in this case, a scrolling list of comments

The imagery and visual design on the site are simple but effective, allowing visitors to visualize how they can use the app.

Rocket is an excellent example of a fintech company looking to present its services simply and effectively. The visuals and copywriting combine to tell a story about the product, highlighting its features and benefits while still keeping it accessible for non-technical users. This is a practical approach for any company looking to target a wider audience with their product.

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8. Venmo

Venmo is an online payment platform owned by PayPal and designed for friends to exchange money quickly and easily. The page's hero image shows two people using their phones, accompanied by the words "Pay friends," which immediately communicates the purpose of the product visually.

The landing page features several sections that showcase the app's features, such as making payments in both directions, sending reminders, and customizing payments with emojis. Each section includes visuals of how each feature works.

The call-to-action inviting users to download the app and use it for free is prominent at the top of the page and takes you to a sign-up process reminiscent, unsurprisingly, of the PayPal process.

As users scroll down the page, a tab will appear and sit in the bottom right, repeating the call-to-action "Get Venmo."

The concise copy accompanying the array of visuals on the Venmo site is also well-crafted and captures its users' attention. Venmo has seamlessly integrated visuals, copywriting, a sign-up process, and a prominent call-to-action to create an effective website for its product.

Venmo has created an engaging website that quickly communicates its purpose and encourages people to try the product. By focusing on visuals and highlighting the app's features, Venmo shows itself to be one of the best fintech websites, being both informative and visually appealing.

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Build your perfect fintech website today

If you're looking for a way to take your fintech business to the next level, contact us today at Qarbon IT and let us help you create the perfect website. We're here to provide you with the best possible service and ensure that your fintech product gets the attention it deserves.

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