A talent hack for SMBs and startups? Read our staff augmentation playbook

In today's newsletter:

• We fill you in on the latest tech, cryptocurrency, and blockchain buzz
• Plus, how to get the right talent (fast) with IT staff augmentation

The latest tech news you should know:

• ?? Apple's big software upgrade - AI-driven improvements in iOS 18 should make Siri and Messages more intuitive and user-friendly.
• ?? Blockchain's impact on humanitarian aid - Tori Samples from the Stellar Development Foundation demonstrates how blockchain can deliver cost-effective, instant, and transparent emergency relief at scale.?
• ?? Investment banks bet on blockchain - 高盛 and 法国巴黎银行 lead a hefty $95 million investment in blockchain payment company Fnality. The goal? To start a global digital financial network, pending the Bank of England’s approval.

• ?? JPMorgan unveils blockchain-powered programmable payments – In an unprecedented move, the financial giant now allows JPM Coin institutional clients to automate payments based on preset conditions.
• ?? Google clamps down on Bard-related scams - Google is ramping up its fight against Bard fraudsters. The company is suing a Vietnamese group accused of tricking users into downloading a malware-infested counterfeit version of the AI chatbot.
• ? Delete Threads but stay on Instagram - Meta now allows users to erase their Threads accounts without losing their linked Instagram.

• ???? Drex to shake up crypto - Combining Ethereum's smart contract capabilities with cutting-edge ledger tech, Brazilian CBDC Drex is set to make waves when it launches next year.
• ?? Crypto venture capital scene bounces back - With $1.8 billion invested in 309 deals in Q3, there’s renewed interest in crypto, particularly blockchain and web3 projects.

Your guide to IT staff augmentation

Finding the right tech talent is tough, to put it mildly. No wonder 77% of employers struggle to fill staffing gaps. It’s even harder for SMBs and startups to compete with bigger employers.

But don’t worry. There’s a hack for that. Staff augmentation might be the answer to your tech talent crunch. It offers the adaptability, efficiency, and control essential for tackling complex projects — especially in app development, AI, and blockchain. Need a developer or a team of developers, stat? It’s a practical way to bring in specialized skills right away.

And with its market set to hit $81.87 billion by 2025, staff augmentation is clearly working. Firms of all sizes — from 谷歌 to early-stage ventures — use it to keep their operations agile.?

Here’s why it's so effective:

1. ? Access to a global talent pool - Scout and hire skilled professionals worldwide to meet short-term needs.
2. ? Cost efficiency - Reduce costs associated with full-time hires (such as training and benefits).
3. ? Speed and flexibility - Quickly hire professionals ready to contribute and adjust your team’s size as projects evolve.
4. ? Complete control - Keep all decision-making and work in-house for complete oversight.
5. ? Team morale - Alleviate job security concerns to keep your existing team focused and satisfied.

That said, staff augmentation success requires effective management and team integration.?

Here’s how to make everything click:

• Define the roles and objectives - Know what skills you need and what you want to achieve.
• Keep communication clear - Use platforms like Slack and Zoom to stay connected and coordinated.
• Collaborate - Include augmented staff in team decisions and meetings.
• Share your processes - Document and share your team's practices and tools to get everyone on the same page.
• Secure your data and privacy - Set up strong security protocols and confidentiality agreements

More importantly, you need to pick the right staff augmentation partner — one with a solid hiring process, a strong reputation, and a pool of talent ready to go.

At Cheesecake Labs, we can help you with all these aspects of staff augmentation and more. Need to expand your team quickly and efficiently? Let’s chat.?

Want to dive deeper? Read our staff augmentation handbook to get all the info.

Share the knowledge

Find anything in today’s newsletter interesting? Pass it on to a friend!