For critical discussions, always share meeting notes afterward to keep absent team members in the loop. At Pigeon Studio, we’ve developed strategies that turn these obstacles into stepping stones for success. Nowadays, the working process across several time zones is not an inevitable reality. The current work mode is hybrid, remote, full-fledged in the office regardless of the workflow form.
How to Quickly Adjust and Work in a Different Time Zone
As the saying goes in the United States, « Spring forward. Fall back. » You can use an online tool like TimeAndDate.com to determine the time zone your colleague is in. You can also try asking them what times they are available during, and when their day starts/ends so you know how much overlap there will be with yours. Asynchronous communication (« async ») is when information is sent at separate times living and working in different time zones with a delay in between. For example, writing an email, sending a Loom video, or leaving a voice message for someone so they can respond to it whenever works best with their schedule (and yours). When you are looking for employees or business partners, it can be tough to find the right person in an industry where ‘who you know’ is just as important as what you know.
Effective Communication Practices
In this case, you have more runway in choosing from a wider range of timezone options. It is great if you need to organize all your tasks in one place. You can add your friends or employees to your setlists and keep track of everything you do. Todoist is a work time tracking software which makes it possible to systematize your work.
- As a journalist, working “overnight” also allowed me to prepare completely up-to-date articles for publication as soon as my Australian readers woke up in the morning.
- Don’t forget to check the proximity to amenities like grocery stores, gyms, and cafes.
- Plan ahead by informing your team of your travel dates and any potential schedule changes.
- However, it becomes more complicated when working with a global workforce (people who work on opposite sides of the world).
- Don’t be shy to ask for clarity if you’re unsure about something.
- The lack of physical presence makes it easier for remote workers to lose connection with their team.
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You’ll need to account for different time zones, work styles, and cultural norms in your management style. This is easy for teams that work with people across two or three time zones that are all next to each other. However, it becomes more complicated when working with a global workforce (people who work on opposite sides of the world). Working remotely in a different time zone from your peers requires thoughtful planning.
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By embracing asynchronous communication, setting boundaries, and keeping time zones in mind, you can thrive in a global workspace. The key to success is being adaptable, patient, and proactive—skills that are valuable in any work setting. Working with people in other time zones can lead to extended workdays if you’re not careful. Set clear boundaries for when you’re available, and communicate these to your team. Use tools like Google Calendar to show your working hours and respect others’ boundaries in return. Working across time zones requires a certain level of flexibility and compromise.
When scheduling meetings, tools like SimplyBook.me or Calendly can help you find a time that works for everyone. Remember to also take advantage of video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet for face-to-face communication, which can help build rapport and trust among team members. Keenly fostering team cohesion is crucial in combating the feelings of isolation that may arise from working in different time zones. Schedule regular check-ins and virtual team-building exercises that accommodate various schedules to maintain a sense of community and belonging among team members.
Try to plan your routine so there is at least a couple of hours of overlap between business hours in your home country, and your own working hours. The transition will become difficult if you are accustomed to completing tasks one at a time. However, it is necessary to maintain the overall workflow in the asynchronous form of the business organization. Now you might be like, “Isaac isn’t that exhausting to work that late at night after a full day? You’ll also want each team member working from a private space with minimal distractions (a quiet office or home office).
- Although irregular office hours and time zone differences can be a disadvantage for digital nomads, businesses can also take advantage of having staff situated in different locations.
- Managing different time zones, language barriers, and cultural differences can be frustrating.
- Thanks to modern technology, companies can utilize online sharing features to maximize productivity and extend the work day.
If you want to work remotely in sync with the North American economy, and you want to avoid time zone obstacles, we recommend Latin America. Elon Musk said that entrepreneurs spend too much time in meetings and too little time on making their service or product exponentially better. The Southeast Asian time zone is perfect for getting in that quiet, creative time in the morning. Choosing time zones is somewhat dependent on the type of remote work you do. Twitter is one of the most popular apps for exchanging information or posting whatever you want. It helps your employees to stay in touch, even when they’re on vacation, lying in the sun under the palm with a drink in one, and phone in the other hand.
In today’s world, working with teams in different time zones has become common, especially with the outbreak of Covid-19. The situation has changed, and companies are now looking to hire people from different parts of the world, manage them online, and get the work done. This has also made it mandatory to manage the employees working in different time zones. So it is of utmost importance to get the team working across time zones. This is especially true if you’re working in completely opposite time zones, which is a challenge in itself. By implementing these tips, businesses can create workflows that are efficient, inclusive, and respectful of everyone’s time zone differences.
Trust your instincts and be cautious when dealing with strangers or unfamiliar situations. Try using messaging apps for quick chats and video calls for face-to-face talks. Don’t be shy to ask for clarity if you’re unsure about something. I have worked remotely for the last 3 years but have usually planned time off when I’m travelling so I don’t have to work. Freaking Nomads is the online publication and community for all things digital nomad.
Trello allows you to assign tasks to a specific person or group. Open up Every Time Zone in your web browser for an at-a-glance guide to your time zone as compared to multiple cities, including Tokyo, Berlin, and Dubai. If you are sending unscheduled messages, be careful to send them at a time when the other team members are ready. We need to replace the other team members and always try to send unscheduled messages conveniently to the recipient. This can make the understanding between the team members great.
Open up a free account at Timezone.io and you’ll be able to see your entire team on a grid showing who’s in which time zone and what time it is there. You can also easily adjust the time slider at the top of the screen to go back or forward in time, which is helpful when planning meetings and projects. Communication is one of the most important aspects of working with remote employees. The manager needs to make sure that everyone is properly informed about the meetings and no one is burdened with odd hours. The manager needs to clearly communicate with the employees about the working time for each and the meeting times. The study observed an increase in the volume of communication taking place outside of standard working hours.
These apps let you see your work at a glance and update progress easily. My fiance has to get up for work at 5 am and sometimes I wake up with him just to get some work done before other people will be awake. Don’t worry though – with a bit of planning and the right mindset, you can make it work. As a remote worker, you have the freedom to choose your location. All these async communications tactics reduce pressure and help create a more relaxed work environment, making it easier for everyone to balance their professional and personal lives.