A critical yet commonly overlooked challenge that remote workers face is efficiently working in different time zones.
Virtual companies often hire worldwide.
Although collaborating with global professionals promotes career growth, it also requires you to follow hectic schedules.
You likely cant work the typical 9-to-5 shift.
Coordinating with individuals in different time zones is tough.
To help you manage your workday, well share eight tips for seamless collaboration with overseas partners.
Inform Third Parties About Your Location Right From the Get-Go
Immediately disclose your time zone.
Mention your schedule and preferred communication channels while introducing yourself so that your coworkers know how to reach you.
Also, take this chance to set boundaries.
Explain the rare instances wherein it would be acceptable to message even after your shift has ended.
To communicate your schedule more effectively, indicate it on your online profiles.
Not everyone will remember it, after all.
Just confirm to update them whenever necessary.
Whether youre working different shifts or clocking out early, sharing changes with your schedule is your responsibility.
Download an Accurate Time Zone Converter
Setting appointments with remote teams is tricky.
Not only do they follow uncoordinated work schedules, but some forget to compute time zone differences.
Meeting hosts cant just provide the same schedule in 24 time zones.
To ensure that everyone follows the same schedule, your team should usetime zone converters.
There are several options available.
You could even integrate them with team-wide work tools like project management systems and calendar apps.
Leave no room for guesswork.
You could even include a reminder telling recipients to convert the indicated time to their local time zones.
That way, no one overlooks the time zone abbreviations.
To avoid confusion, follow the most commonly used time zone across your team.
Lets say youre from New York.
As for freelancers, follow time zones that benefit your clients.
Time zone differences make it challenging to get real-time responses.
Even a few back-and-forth emails could take a week.
To streamline the process, use areliable appointment scheduling tool.
Widely used options like Google Calendar and Calendly automatically display available dates for all parties involved.
Users simply select their preferred slots.
Free up your time for more complex projects.
Automated systems can handle tedious matters like appointment scheduling, time recording, email sorting, and project tracking.
For tasks that AI cant automate, hire freelancers.
Look for skilled, trusted professionals who can take your place during your off-hours.
But once your teams workload increases, ask your HR department or supervisor to get a permanent employee.
Use an Organized Project Management Platform for Your Team
While crucial, approval processes impede task completion.
Even reviewing sales pitches or business proposals could waste several days if the parties take hours to reply.
To speed up the process, simplify task tracking.
Here, remote workers can complete tasks without communicating away from the platform.
Review the features of your prospective project management tool.
Religions and cultures have differing beliefs.
Its disrespectful to downplay another countrys major holiday just because you dont follow it.
Lets say you work with Indians.
It would be inconsiderate to assign critical assignments during this period.
Also, keep track of countries that observe daylight saving time (DST).
People who use DST turn their clocks ahead by an hour during summertime to save electricity.
Its not a holiday.
However, it could cause confusion when setting appointments.
Remote teams must find time slots that work for everyone.
Keep an open mind to different schedules.
If youve been working the same shift throughout your career, take this chance to overhaul your routine.
For instance, you could do your chores and workouts earlier in the day.
You might discover that youre more efficient and productive when working outside standard office hours.
Work Efficiently in Different Time Zones
Efficiently working with overseas partners requires careful planning.
Likewise, manage your workload accordingly.
Offload time-consuming, critical tasks like setting meetings, sorting emails, and making announcements to AI systems.
If your daily tasks involve managing a remote team, consider creating a team-wide schedule to follow.
Yes, people have differing shift preferences.
