contacto@valce.com.mx
With over 20 years immersed in the world of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and nearshoring, I’ve witnessed firsthand the industry’s evolution and the strategic shift toward nearshoring as a vital approach for global businesses. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with GCC teams in diverse regions, including Mexico, the U.S., the U.K., Scotland, Poland, Spain, Malaysia, China, and across Latin America, including Brazil. These experiences have shown me how nearshoring, whether driven by cost savings, access to skilled talent, or enhanced project delivery efficiency, can unlock transformative benefits for companies navigating today’s global market landscape.
Starting Valce: Building a Business Around People
As co-founder and senior partner at Valce Talent Solutions, I’ve dedicated the past few years to helping businesses find the right talent and implement effective solutions through nearshore staffing. Building this company has been both a rewarding and challenging journey, allowing me to collaborate with clients across various industries—from healthcare to tech—to enhance their operations. I’ve also been deeply involved in multiple Intelligent Automation projects, contributing to the development of IA programs from the ground up.
The cornerstone of our success has always been a strong emphasis on sourcing top talent and fostering collaborative, high-performing teams. Nearshoring isn’t simply about cost efficiency; it’s about building partnerships with people who deliver quality work and help businesses achieve their goals faster and more effectively. My guiding philosophy is to “remove fears through gentle relentlessness.” For me, success lies in creating an environment where client relationships and teams can flourish.
Mexico’s Role in Nearshoring: Why It Works
Mexico has been at the heart of my nearshoring journey. Its close proximity, shared time zone, and cultural alignment have made it an ideal choice for U.S.-based companies seeking operational efficiency and integration. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of setting up global delivery centers in major cities like Guadalajara, Mexico City, Querétaro, and Monterrey. I’ve also worked with clients to explore opportunities in promising second-tier cities such as Aguascalientes, Saltillo, and San Luis Potosí, where Mexico’s infrastructure, skilled talent pool, and cost advantages shine brightly. Across IT services, software development, and business process outsourcing, nearshoring in Mexico has empowered companies to elevate their delivery capabilities without compromising quality.
One memorable project involved collaborating with a U.S.-based technology firm to establish a nearshore team in Mexico. This strategic move enabled us to accelerate development timelines by 30% while fostering better team collaboration and communication. This experience reinforced my belief that nearshoring is not just a cost-saving tactic—it’s a way to help organizations operate more cohesively and effectively.
Underlying this approach is the philosophy that has guided me throughout my career: to create an environment where clients feel secure and confident, achieved through consistent, unwavering support. It’s not about pushing forcefully, but rather about building trust and progress steadily, ensuring that every step forward strengthens the client’s comfort and confidence in the nearshoring journey.
Looking Beyond Mexico: Colombia and Costa Rica
As nearshoring has become more widely adopted, I’ve also seen the rise of Colombia and Costa Rica as attractive options for businesses looking to expand.
Colombia has made significant strides in developing a skilled workforce, particularly in IT and software development. The country’s software development market is projected to reach $1.57 billion in 2024, reflecting its commitment to digital transformation. Over the past decade, the Colombian IT market has experienced an 18% growth, with the software industry growing by 19.1% and IT services by 15.4%. This growth is supported by a talent pool of over 62,000 developers and more than 11,100 tech companies. Having collaborated with clients establishing teams in cities like Medellín and Bogotá, I’ve observed firsthand how Colombia’s emphasis on education and innovation has positioned it as a strong contender in the nearshoring space.
Costa Rica stands out as a nearshoring destination due to its strong emphasis on sustainability, a highly educated workforce, and a stable political environment. The country boasts a literacy rate of over 97%, and nearly 44% of its workforce is bilingual, making it an attractive choice for companies looking for long-term partners. I’ve seen businesses successfully relocate operations to Costa Rica, benefiting from the high level of talent and cultural alignment that allows them to scale quickly and efficiently. With its commitment to corporate responsibility and its reputation as an innovation hub, Costa Rica is particularly well-suited for companies focusing on sustainability and tech-driven projects. Notably, the country’s tech exports exceed $3.3 billion annually, reinforcing its position as a key player in the global tech market.
“Transforming Operations Through Nearshoring and Automation
Shared Services and Intelligent Automation are two areas where I’ve seen nearshoring deliver remarkable results. During my time at Herbalife, Lenovo, and IBM, nearshoring was instrumental in setting up more efficient shared services operations, leveraging Mexico as a strategic hub. Mexico’s proximity to the U.S. and a highly skilled workforce—particularly in finance, IT, and customer support—allowed us to achieve cost savings of up to 30% compared to onshore models, while also improving service delivery.
In Intelligent Automation initiatives, nearshore teams have been pivotal in implementing low-code platforms and other transformative technologies. With Mexico producing over 120,000 IT and engineering graduates annually, the talent pool enabled us to deliver these solutions faster, more cost-effectively, and with superior results.
These experiences reinforced for me that nearshoring isn’t just about reducing costs—it’s about building high-performing teams that drive innovation and enable businesses to thrive in the digital age.
Partnering is KEY
In 2021, we partnered with a U.S.-based capital firm to establish nearshore operations in Mexico. Guided by my philosophy of “removing fears through gentle relentlessness,” we approached the project with a focus on creating an environment where the client’s goals and our collective efforts could flourish.
At the outset, the company lacked local infrastructure, presenting both challenges and opportunities. My team and I developed and executed a comprehensive Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model to turn their vision into reality. However, this was far from a solo effort. Behind the scenes, we worked closely with trusted partnerships, vendors, and—most importantly—the client, ensuring every step was collaborative and aligned with their goals.
Our first priority was to establish the legal and regulatory foundation for their entity in Mexico, navigating the complexities of compliance with all regional and industry-specific requirements. Simultaneously, we initiated the staffing process, collaborating with recruitment partners to attract top talent and align hires with the company’s operational and cultural standards.
As the project unfolded, we identified and addressed key infrastructure needs, including securing a scalable office environment and implementing security measures to support sustainable growth. Each milestone was achieved through close coordination with local vendors, service providers, and the client’s own leadership team. By the end of the first quarter, we had successfully onboarded the first ten professionals, carefully selected to meet the partner’s immediate needs. Through two additional recruitment waves, we built a foundational team of 30 highly skilled individuals, ensuring operational efficiency and cultural alignment.
A year later, the nearshore entity had transformed into a robust organization of 45 employees with streamlined processes, seamless system integrations, and clear communication channels with the partner’s clients. This success was the result of a collaborative effort that relied on the strengths and expertise of everyone involved—partners, vendors, and the client alike. Together, we created a scalable structure that not only fulfilled the client’s operational expansion goals but also positioned the Mexico-based operation as a self-sufficient branch capable of sustained growth and deeper integration within their broader business strategy.
By working in close partnership and staying relentless yet thoughtful throughout the process, we removed uncertainties, fostered collaboration, and built a foundation for long-term success.
The Future of Nearshoring: A Key Part of Global Strategy
Looking to the future, I believe nearshoring will continue to be a strategic priority for businesses around the world. The need for talented teams, operational flexibility, and cost-effective solutions isn’t going away anytime soon. Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica are all well-positioned to remain leaders in this space, offering companies access to skilled workers, strong cultural compatibility, and the operational benefits of being geographically close.
What I’ve learned over the years—and what ties deeply to my philosophy of “removing fears through gentle relentlessness”—is that nearshoring isn’t just a goal; it’s a journey. It’s about building meaningful partnerships that foster growth, innovation, and long-term success. It’s about finding the right talent, wherever that talent might be, and creating teams that work seamlessly across borders.
In the end, nearshoring is a business strategy that has evolved into a key driver of success. For companies looking to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global market, nearshoring is more than just a smart move—it’s a pathway to a more agile, innovative, and sustainable future.
