Offshore team members are often seen as “support staff”—out of sight, out of mind.
But the truth is, they’re showing up every day with energy, commitment, and a strong desire to do meaningful work. And when you understand how they operate, it’s easier to build trust, delegate well, and get the most from the relationship.
So, what does a typical day actually look like?
Here’s a peek behind the curtain.
8:00 AM (local time): Daily prep and inbox check
Your offshore hire starts their day by checking Slack, reviewing the day’s to-dos, and prepping deliverables.
They’re not waiting for instructions—they’re looking for momentum.
If they’re handling support, they’ll start replying to tickets and clearing the backlog from overnight. If they’re in creative or operations, they’ll open up Trello or Notion and prioritise what needs to ship today.
9:30 AM: Asynchronous updates
They drop you a quick update:
- What they’re working on
- What’s done
- Any blockers or quick questions
This gives you visibility without a daily Zoom call.
Founders often think offshore = disconnected. But most remote team members are more proactive than in-house hires—they just need a clear channel to communicate.
11:00 AM–2:00 PM: Deep work time
This is when things get built.
Your ecommerce coordinator is updating product listings or reviewing orders. Your creative assistant is editing reels. Your VA is reconciling inboxes, fixing broken links, or drafting your next newsletter.
They’re working independently—but within your systems.
3:00 PM: Feedback or handover
Depending on time zone overlap, this might be when you respond to questions, approve deliverables, or flag what’s needed tomorrow.
A good offshore team member isn’t waiting for you to chase them—they’re handing over, tagging tasks, and asking for clarification when needed.
4:30 PM: Wrap-up and planning
They finish with a short check-in, update your task board, and log out with clear priorities for the next day.
Some will take initiative to suggest improvements, flag recurring issues, or pre-empt next steps. With the right support, they’re not just following instructions—they’re thinking like owners.
What founders often get wrong:
- Assuming they’ll need constant hand-holding
- Underestimating how much initiative offshore hires can bring
- Forgetting they’re part of the team, not just a resource
Behind every task ticked off is a real person trying to help your business grow.
The better you understand how they work—the better you can support, scale, and succeed together.
