According to a piece in Inc. Magazine titled "Cracks In The Melting Pot," reverse outsourcing isn't as far-fetched as it seems. Says author Stephanie Clifford: "Visa restrictions are keeping entrepreneurial immigrants away, and they're finding new opportunities overseas."

The initial focus of this particular article is on 31-year old Praveen Suthrum. Suthrum came immigrated to the U.S. from India in 1999 to work as a software consultant. While holding down that position, he earned an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, while doing freelance work and setting up NextServices, his own company in Ann Arbor. However, earlier this year, after returning to India for a short business-minded trip, he found himself in the midst of visa-related complications. Thus, he still remains in India, unable to communicate with his employees or clients in-person.

Ultimately, Clifford goes on to discuss how the U.S. has adjusted the cap on H-1B work visas over the years, also increasing the necessary standards to be granted such. Clifford also notes that "while the U.S. dithers, other nations are recruiting entrepreneurs." Government-supported programs in Canada and Australia have "changed their policies to favor immigrants with university degrees and business expertise" while the U.S. "continues to favor relatives over skilled workers." Following Canada and Australia are Singapore, Israel, and Ireland. Meanwhile, the Taiwan-based technology incubator Hsinchu Science Park is specifically recruiting "Taiwanese-born U.S. residents to come back home"; at least one-third of its staff is said to meet this criteria.

Author David Heenan sums up the international scenario, stating that "on a 10-point scale, in terms of national incentives," the U.S. is "at about a one." Agile Software CEO Bryan Stolle agrees, citing experience in having more than 100 of his employees move on to posts overseas: "And a lot of people who used to come here saying that this was the place to be, are stating to say, 'You know what? Home's not so bad.'"

Is the U.S. losing promising talent to other countries which are able to promise more? Yes, clearly. How does this apply to your company? Well, look around. How are you finding your talent? What sort of background is your average new recruit bringing to the table? What sort of path is your average new recruit to looking to follow? If your company is offering less than an overseas competitor is, with more government-related policy to consider, then maybe things should be done differently.

Labels: Human Resources, Outsourcing, Recruiting, Visas