Chris Dorsey is the VP of Information Technology at Brock. His primary responsibilities are focused on driving business value through advanced dashboarding and AI solutions, maintaining operational excellence, and fostering the growth and development of this team.

How did Brock get engaged with AmaliTech?

In November of last year, we experienced an unexpected critical gap in our data engineering capabilities that threatened our Fabric operations. Brock engaged AmaliTech, and within two weeks, they came in, learned our system, and corrected our issues. I’m unsure how Brock would have corrected these issues so quickly without AmaliTech resources engaging so quickly. It was AmaliTech jumping in feet first to help us identify and correct critical issues within a short timeframe.

Another project that AmaliTech has done a fantastic job with is our data and how we utilize our data into Fabric. They have assisted us with proper data structure and best practices.

How are the AmaliTech teams structured with Brock?

Especially with a new relationship with partners, everyone tries to stay a bit reserved as the partners get to know one another. Brock never worked with AmaliTech; however they came highly recommended, but we needed to verify from experience how the relationship would evolve. So typically, we set up a Brock resource to be the front person for a new partner to work with directly and guide, focus, and give the proper direction. After AmaliTech demonstrated their capabilities during our initial critical need, we very quickly determined that maintaining barriers wasn't necessary. We felt AmaliTech was a trusted partner quickly due to their success in helping Brock navigate the urgent operational challenge. Brock views AmaliTech as an extension of their team. The collaboration is extremely open. Our technical team engages the AmaliTech team just like any other teammates. We trust AmaliTech, hands down.

How would you describe AmaliTech as an offshore partner especially when compared to other traditional offshore companies?

Brock doesn’t look at AmaliTech or feel like they are working with an offshore partner. The AmaliTech team engages very well with our Brock team and vice versa. Our goals are aligned, and that's to do the best for Brock. This is what makes AmaliTech not just a vendor but a true partner to Brock. Brock believes that the AmaliTech leadership has the same values as Brock. I've had many onshore partnerships that never felt as close as the AmaliTech team.

What factors make Africa,particularly Ghana and Rwanda appealing offshore locations?

It feels like a better culture fit. The time zone differences are much better than the traditional offshore locations like India. I have worked with other offshore partners in the past where it was obvious that they were offshore: they were not available as much especially during the morning and evening times. Aside from an accent here or there, you would not be able to tell whether they are Brock employees or AmaliTech. They have a great education system where they can grow the talent that the businesses need in the US. And what really surprised me was the depth and knowledge of that talent and how senior it was. I think it is good for us to start investing in countries like this and AmaliTech is a perfect example.

What advice would you give to companies looking to source IT talent globally?

Even though AmaliTech has fantastic rates and they're as competitive as you're going to get, I would say number one is: don't use rates as a justification when you’re offshoring. There is no shortage of companies that can give a low rate that end up coming in higher in the long run. My suggestion is to meet the company, meet the leadership of the company, and ensure they share the same values as the company you're hiring for.

Make sure that you can have a trusted relationship with them and do your homework. When reviewing a company like AmaliTech, they're driving profit to reinvest it into education and other social programs.

Make sure that the talent that a company has is a sustainable talent. It is critical that the partner can grow talent, not just recruit talent. This is not an issue with AmaliTech. In fact, when we went to turn up the project, we turned it up extremely quickly because they had talent that they could focus. I think a majority of outsourcing companies go out and recruit their talent whereas AmaliTech grows it.

How do you see Africa's role evolving in the global IT talent and delivery landscape?

I think that Africa’s role in the global IT talent and delivery landscape is going to continue to grow. Obviously, you can see the growth within AmaliTech over probably just the last year. It has been big. It is more about getting people aware that this talent is available. This is excellent IT talent that is being developed in Africa, and I don't know that that word has gotten out yet. I believe that there is a big opportunity for businesses to continue to invest and work with the talent being grown.