The 3 Key Roles for an Offshore Team

Maker, Manager, & Architect

In the world of business, there’s a trend towards flat structures and ditching hierarchies. While this can work for small, nimble teams, as businesses grow, they need more structure to succeed.

At first, flat teams with no defined titles can be great for a startup with just a few self-motivated people. But as things scale, chaos can easily follow without clear roles and frameworks in place.

The truth is, structure creates freedom. Without it, things can quickly fall apart.

Many small businesses rely on autonomy and flexibility out of necessity, not because they’ve found a better way. But structure isn’t something that just happens—it needs to be built.

One of the most important frameworks to establish is the separation between three core roles: the **maker**, the **manager**, and the **architect**. These roles are distinct and often require different people to fulfill them effectively.

Why these roles matter:

When companies start working with offshore teams, they might expect people to juggle multiple functions. For example, “Find an admin who can handle marketing, sales, and accounting.” Unfortunately, that rarely works out—especially in places like the Philippines, where job roles tend to be more specialized.

The Ideal Team Framework:

- People typically work best within a hierarchy.

- Employees aren’t entrepreneurs—and don’t usually want to be.

- You need a balance of makers, managers, and architects. Each role is essential, but they’re different.

Entrepreneurs thrive on chaos, creativity, and the hustle of wearing multiple hats. But employees generally do better in stable, predictable environments, where they can specialize in their area and focus on specific tasks.

Trying to turn employees into entrepreneurs is often unrealistic. The goal is to build a strong team with the right mix of people who can focus on their individual roles. And for that, you need three key players: the maker, the manager, and the architect.

What Each Role Does:

Architect

The architect is the visionary. They look at the big picture, thinking ahead about all possible outcomes and their consequences. They have to consider everything—the details, the context, the implications, and even the long-term impact of decisions.

Manager

The manager is the one who takes action. They’re detail-oriented, methodical, and focused on implementation. They’re not the boss—they’re the facilitator who helps the team get things done, supporting the makers in their tasks. Managers should have technical know-how, but also understand the broader context in which they’re working.

Maker

The maker is the doer. They get the work done. Their job is to produce, and while they don’t need to know everything about the broader picture, their work should be straightforward and intuitive—especially if the architect and manager have done their jobs well.

How These Roles Work Together:

Each role overlaps to some extent, and it’s important that each person understands and appreciates the others’ functions. The roles need to work in harmony to be effective.

Architects think broadly and creatively, with a focus on design and vision.

Managers dive deeper into the details of implementation and day-to-day operations.

Makers specialize in getting the job done, focusing on their specific tasks.

If you expect one person to design, implement, and execute everything, you’ll likely be disappointed. But with the right people in the right roles, your team will thrive.