That’s particularly true when your input is essential to the progress of a project. With a suite of collaboration tools, you can use time zone differences to your advantage. With the right information, they can jump in and solve problems once you’ve clocked out. This way, your team operates in a relay, which working remotely in a different time zone can accelerate your output and ability to solve problems. If only part of your team works from a different time zone, it can still be useful to have every individual attend meetings via video calls. Nobody said that working in different time zones is effortless, painless, and does not need sacrifices.
- Efficient document sharing and version control are the cornerstones of seamless collaboration in a remote work setting.
- While it can be challenging to manage a distributed team, fully remote companies have many benefits.
- An automated program will work 24 hours, allowing workers in all time zones to benefit from its data processing power while focusing on tasks that require a human touch.
- Or in overlapping time zones, and copy and paste it onto a truly distributed team.
- Developers and teams should choose a version control system based on their specific needs, project requirements, and collaboration preferences.
- This way, colleagues in different time zones can contact you at the time closest to their working hours.
Or, this could mean that you develop a virtual team meeting schedule that fits within everyone’s active work hours — rather than making some teammates call in late at night or in the early morning. For one, organizations should consider setting and respecting their team’s time zone boundaries. For example, teams can create shared calendars showing their availability across different hours in a day to ensure no time zone boundaries are crossed.
Mastering Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Communication
In fact, one prediction by Gartner shows that 75% of companies employing diverse decision-making teams can expect to outperform their business objectives in 2022. Moreover, one McKinsey study found that the more ethnically and racially diverse companies outperform their less diverse peers by 36% when it comes to financial targets. If a meeting is necessary, make attendance optional so you’re not asking teammates to stay up late to get up early.
We have put a lit of our best pointers and practices to help you get through your intercontinental workday by working remotely in different time zones. I know personally, I sometimes like to get stuck in at various points in my day for focused work without too many distractions. Scheduled synchronous communication like planned video calls/syncups allow me to better mentally prepare. Sometimes, scheduling a meeting at a time that works for all timezones is easier said than done. For example, if you’re based in the U.S. and have teams in Asia and California, finding a time that fits into everyone’s schedules and usual work hours can be tricky. Expecting your teammates to be “always-on” doesn’t create the best culture and might make them feel disrespected.
Managing a Team Across 5 Time Zones
You should also be flexible and understanding when dealing with delays, changes, or issues that may arise due to the time differences. With these systems in place, teams can effectively communicate both asynchronously and synchronously, allowing for efficient collaboration and productivity across multiple time zones. Additionally, having a shared understanding of these processes can help build trust and transparency within the team, creating a stronger remote working culture.
This wouldn’t need to be a daily task, but maybe just pick one day and everyone enter it so there is a visual the whole team can use until they get the hang of it. When working within different time zones, it is very important to be mindful of your teammates’ time zone. You should avoid scheduling meetings during the times that you know everyone will not be awake, but this isn’t always possible if you work with people across multiple continents. If you do need to schedule something during off-hours, check first to make sure it is okay. To learn more about key aspects of working with international or remote teams, check out these blog posts on hosting virtual meetings, working with global teammates, and international communication tips.
Improved operations and documentation
“There’s a give and take. So long as you check with the person on their preferences, it’s fine to ask. Some might even prefer to work a non-standard shift anyway,” Kelly explains. If you’re based in your office headquarters, Kelly says you should “remember that your counterparts in most international offices are accustomed to working odd shifts all the time.” We’re Himalayas, a remote job board, that is focused on providing the best experience for remote job seekers and employers. Start by culling synchronous communication like daily stand-ups and instead move toward written status updates.
- Abi is one of the co-founders of Himalayas where he focuses on product and growth.
- Finally, a successful asynchronous collaboration calls for a set of functional tools to seamlessly tie all autonomous teams and operations together.
- With over 400 remote employees spread across 30 countries, Zapier is one of the largest fully remote companies.
- Moreover, you can utilize task management software like Asana and Trello to monitor progress and hold one another responsible for tasks that should be done.
- One of the best things about Help Scout is that they publish how they work and their post on how to build a globally remote team that really works is a great example.
