New York, NY (1888PressRelease)
August 02, 2008 - New Delhi: LimeExchange, the first socially-networked online services marketplace for on demand global talent, today announced the launch of a new suite of features coinciding with the launch of LimeExchange in the United States. LimeExchange launched earlier this year in India and now opens the social marketplace to the rest of the world.
Increasingly, entrepreneurs and SMBs are challenged to show quick results. Adding to this pressure is a “devastating skills shortage” in the U.S. that Gartner says is threatening business growth. Project outsourcing helps companies adjust their go-to-market and delivery plans to meet increasing business needs for this new reality of constrained resources.
“Now small businesses and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and around the world have new options,” says George Searle, LimeExchange CEO. “LimeExchange makes it easy for businesses of every size to build tight, productive relationships with talented service providers anywhere on earth. The benefits of outsourcing are no longer exclusive to the Fortune 1000.”
Continuing further on LimeExchange new features launch and benefits for India, Mr. Pawan Agarwal, Head India Operations, Lime Spot said “LimeExchange provides the gateway for SMBs and entrepreneurs to achieve agility and cost effectiveness via outsourcing to the right talent, and this is not exclusive to any sector or country. Even Indian businesses, during this economic turmoil, now realize that productivity and predictability are more important business factors than just cost LimeExchange provides all SMBs and entrepreneurs’ tools to tap into global resources, manage risks, deliver repeat business and increase quality, which ensures faster time to market” says Agarwal.
“LimeExchange provides skilled professionals, freelancers and Small Medium Businesses from India and other emerging economies like China & Russia increased business opportunities through an online platform helping them in expanding global reach, integrated networking features allows all users to foster a business network and build a trusted relationship with global customers across the world”, says Mr. Abhishek M Gupta, VP Technology Lime Spot India. “Some of our latest features have kept interests of Buyers and Service providers alike. For e.g. ‘proof of concept’ not only provides benefits to buyers but also ensures that service providers get an equal opportunity platform to showcase their skills and expertise.”, adds Gupta.
LimeExchange breaks the mold of first-generation online services marketplaces, going beyond mere matching of buyers and sellers or providing simple “feedback” rating systems. Instead, LimeExchange delivers practical service provider evaluation, integrated delivery management, focused knowledge networking, and contemporary social networking tools, which SMB’s and entrepreneurs need in order to establish and sustain profitable business relationships.
Coupled with the standard Project Escrow Services, Secure Payment modes and multiple communication tools, LimeExchange has endeavored to differentiate itself by providing new innovative features such as:
• Proof of Concept: The industry’s first Proof of Concept/ Pilot project feature enables Service Providers (SMB/ Freelancer) to earn money for all pre-sales effort put in during bidding. This ensures the buyer’s commitment to the project and a level playing field for all competitors under same scope and cost to ascertain that the best quality project wins. Buyers now have an opportunity of enhanced vendor selection wherein they can assess the work of providers through a small “pre-contract” demonstration of ability while granting service providers an opportunity to showcase their talent.
• Delivery Management Suite: A suite of intelligent management and collaboration tools where scope of work, payments associated, project progress and tasks/issues are clearly managed with the help of ‘Message Boards’, ‘IM’ and ‘Terms of Engagement’ to define ‘Milestone Based Payments’, ‘Kick Off Checklists’ and ‘Issue Tracker’.
• Knowledge Network: A platform to build online reputation by showcasing skills, knowledge and expertise. An integrated ‘Questions & Answers’ feature now provides SMBs and Technology Enthusiasts with a dedicated medium to share knowledge, ideas by simply asking questions and unleashing the power of the expert community to get the best professional advice from around the globe. This further helps in establishing credibility in the community and opens newer avenues to earn more.
• Connect: A first to online outsourcing, ‘Connect’ provides an opportunity to foster long term relationships online, build business network, use community to build online credibility and get references.
For service providers, LimeExchange provides increased business opportunities through expanded global reach, knowledge and business networking and reputation management. Sign-up, bidding, and membership are free. Providers pay only a flat eight percent commission to LimeExchange upon the successful completion of a project.
LimeExchange currently facilitates the exchange of services in the areas of web design and development, graphics design, programming, audio/video, corporate blogging, blog theme and plugin development, networking, IT consulting, writing & translation, legal consulting, finance & accounting, data entry, administrative support, market research and business plan development.
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