The pros and cons of working across time zones
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Teams operating across time zones require a unique set of functionalities specifically customized to meet the needs of the asynchronous workforce. When assessing team chat and collaboration apps for your distributed team, look for features that allow flexibility, autonomy, seamless collaboration, and transparent availability status options. To successfully utilize key principles of asynchronous communication to their working remotely in a different time zone advantage, distributed teams need to prioritize efficient, written communication. When working on a report, for example, globally distributed teammates won’t necessarily have the opportunity to ping a coworker and get the missing info right away. This is why it’s paramount to keep detailed written records of all the processes and projects. Make sure to always assess each document, guide, or message for clarity.
- While it may seem strange to let people work at all times of the day, you’re already going to be doing that indirectly by working across time zones.
- Communication norms, how decisions are made, and the significance of certain tasks may vary from one culture to the next.
- Of course, there are also share points like Box and Dropbox that can help, too.
- Some key elements of a successful collaboration plan include setting up regular communication channels, establishing a common working vocabulary, and establishing ground rules for communication.
- Knowing their preferred methods of contact, work schedules, and punctuality policies is essential.
- I lived through my birthday and the U.S. presidential election in the German capital.
- Here at Anywhere and Anytime Careers, we use the comment section to provide feedback, ask questions, or add more information we want to add to a document in progress.
Gartner research indicates that organizations will continue to protect efficiency-driven digital investments in their IT spending. 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.
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Yes, there are challenges but the benefits ultimately outweigh the hassle. PEOs are available to assist with every aspect of acquiring and managing a remote workforce. The cornerstone of remote work is technology and it can do a lot more than just enable employees to log in and jump on video calls. The best way to work remotely is by trying to replicate most of the things you’d do in an office job. For example, you should always reserve a place separate from your bedroom, try to maintain a routine, take breaks, etc. With the remote first work culture spreading across the globe, many companies have employees scattered all over the world.
- One of the reasons a remote company like Turing’s culture is robust and our team members are so united is due to the clear nature of our principles.
- If you have a large distributed team, you might not need to try so hard to stay connected.
- Often called split shifts, this involves working part of the day during your time zone, then working part of the day during the time zone of another team.
- No matter how independently you can work, and how hard you try to stay connected, you won’t be in the flow of what everyone’s doing unless you have a team chat tool.
- The number of people working remotely has increased exponentially in recent years.
- Fortunately, there’s been an explosion in apps that make working across time zones easier.
No one should feel compelled to be alert when working remotely constantly. Employees who do not establish clear work boundaries risk burning out, which negatively impacts the entire team’s productivity, creativity, and collaboration. The process of synchronized communication (“sync”) allows colleagues to respond and provide feedback in real-time. You can do this via phone calls, video chats, or even using an instant messaging platform like Slack or Microsoft Teams. Suffice it to say, when working with teammates in different time zones, finding a good time for a meeting is a constant battle full of compromises.
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For teams that work remotely, it’s a great idea to schedule one or two annual meetings where everyone relocates and meets in person. Many remote teams schedule their annual get together around a conference. Each year I spend a few months overseas, traveling and living the backpack lifestyle.
