Offshore Success Playbook: Practical Strategies for Building & Leading Global Offshore Teams with Dave Stonesifer, CEO, Herbein + Company

Offshoring is no longer just a strategy - it’s a leadership challenge. Establishing a team overseas takes more than logistics and cost calculations; it demands cultural awareness, intentional leadership, and a long-term vision. This episode explores the journey of building an offshore team in the Philippines, why the move was made, the growing pains along the way, and how deep integration became the difference-maker. 

You’ll hear hard-earned insights on managing remote teams with purpose and ensuring offshore employees feel like full members of the organization, not just extensions of it. 

Key Takeaways

• Herbein CPAs has grown from $30 million to $60 million in five years. 

• The offshore team in the Philippines supports all service lines of the firm. 

• AI is not currently shifting the strategy for the offshore team. 

• Cultural understanding is crucial for successful integration. 

• Regular visits to the offshore team help break down barriers. 

• The offshore team works US hours during tax season to stay integrated. 

• Legal registration in the Philippines was a lengthy process. 

• Clients generally respond positively to the offshore team concept. 

• Cultural differences must be acknowledged and respected. 

• Leasing employees to smaller firms is a growing opportunity. 

Chapters 

00:03 Introduction to Offshore Teams 

01:49 The Journey of Herbein CPAs 

02:26 Building the Offshore Team 

04:39 AI and Its Impact on Strategy 

06:12 Challenges of Setting Up an Offshore Team 

09:42 Cultural Integration and Team Alignment 

12:30 Choosing the Philippines for Offshore Operations 

14:10 Common Pitfalls in Offshore Team Setup 

16:01 Future of Offshore Teams in the Firm