We’re breaking down the seven tested and tried steps geographically dispersed teams can implement to strengthen formal and informal communication and build more trust and better collaboration across all teams. Pinterest Coach Laura Rike works with a team of remote employees across time zones and has done so even before the pandemic started. Rike believes one benefit is that the structure in and of itself lends itself well to employees setting and keeping their own boundaries around their schedule, which improves job satisfaction. When working across multiple time zones, it’s easy for team members to feel like they are in their own world sometimes. Make sure you are utilizing the best tools available, and work with your teams to determine the most efficient methods to continue moving forward as a cohesive team.
- “What’s more, I have a feeling of intimacy with co-workers on the other side of the country that is almost fun,” Manjoo says.
- Working in a global team spread across time zones means embracing a remote-first, not a remote-friendly, culture.
- There are more time zone tools at TimeandDate.com, too, so be sure to check it out if you want to find local times around the world for your event, convert times for any location, and more.
- He arrived in Anadyr, the local capital, earlier today for talks with local officials.
- Of course, there’s the argument that the vast majority of meetings may not be necessary, and flexibility is pretty much a part of the remote job description.
Naturally, organizations jumped at the opportunity to select from a global pool of talent which is, essentially, the key factor that led to the formation of teams that span across different time zones. Still, as much as it might be pretty seamless for a tech company to adjust their operations to working across time zones, for some industries and teams, this practice is simply not viable. Let’s get a more detailed look at what types of teams are leading the way in working across time zones. Let’s get a closer look at what working across time zones entails and how you can adopt better strategies to accommodate the demands of a globally distributed team. It’s tough to keep the collaboration and team spirit high with one team leaving the virtual office just as another is starting their workday.
What’s your team up to?
Any team looking to boost remote cooperation while working should invest in one. By being able to see who is working, people can save time not reaching out to those who aren’t available and adding more to inboxes. working remotely in a different time zone There are lots of color options, so you can assign each employee or team a certain color on the calendar. During the pandemic, Zoom became one of the most popular tools for companies almost overnight.
- These moments will strengthen your team’s bond, making working remotely more productive.
- One of the first mistakes you may make when working remotely from home is to allow all of your favorite (or least favorite) items in the house to distract you.
- To help your distributed workforce connect, consider facilitating live meetups when possible.
- We’re breaking down the seven tested and tried steps geographically dispersed teams can implement to strengthen formal and informal communication and build more trust and better collaboration across all teams.
- Find the perfect JavaScript developer for your team with our comprehensive job description template.
Companies employing diverse teams spanning multiple time zones enjoy complete time zone coverage. Having all shifts and time zones covered is especially convenient for support and customer service as people don’t need to work past the conventional work hours in their countries, in the case of an emergency. However, other departments and industries can benefit from the approach as well. Teams are expanding not only in size and demand, but also across geographic areas. Depending on how far apart team members are located, there could be several different time zones to consider when scheduling, planning, and meeting together.
What types of teams are likely to work across time zones?
Otherwise, you can always verify the location of the attendees before you send out the planner. Apps like Doodle, allow you to offer multiple times and let people select all that will work for them. Giving people the chance to select times that will work will help give them a little control and improve the meeting’s overall engagement and attendance.
Whenever possible, it’s important to develop the ability to communicate asynchronously when working remotely. No matter where your whole team is located and what time zone or geography separates you, effective async communication allows you to stay connected effectively. Being part of a global team comes with a host of advantages—from learning from each other’s culture to numerous cross-learning opportunities.
Inconsistent collaboration and communication
Meetings can be set up according to each manager’s personal time zone, leaving everyone scrambling to come up with their own time zone. Having an official time zone means everyone will set and communicate deadlines and meetings using the same time zone, regardless of their location. By doing this, employees can quickly determine the time difference between their location and their office.
- Requiring that your teammates are always available does not create a good company culture and might hurt morale.
- Teams working remotely and across time zones lack the spontaneous chats in-office coworkers are accustomed to.
- This question originally appeared on Quora – the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
- In addition to following those best practices, it’s good to take inventory of the tools, apps, and software programs available to the team.
- Read to know more to find out the best practices and working remotely tips and tools.
- Virtual teams have increased in popularity in the past few years because of their capability to offer variety, specialization, and better production.
When you just need a quick answer on what the current time is in a different location, World Time Buddy is a great resource. You can get a quick snapshot around the world and can see the full world clock. You will know what the local time is if you’re trying to video chat with your coworker in Bali or Paris. Once companies open the options for flexible work locations, it’s important to set clear expectations. Are you expecting team members are able to travel to the office multiple times each year? By setting clear expectations, you won’t be faced with unwelcome surprises in the future.