Today’s organizations are growing to become a global community by spreading its wings to different continents and time-zones, languages, dialects and cultures. As the telecommunication is becoming popular, managers need to know the how-about and supervise the teams which are spreading around the globe.
With 50% of employees working in telecommuting roles and 80% to 90% of all the workforce like to work remotely, opportunities are attracting and gaining productive workers. With all these, having businesses overseas seems to be challenging, but once the right people are on board then the problem will be solved.
As businesses are expanding globally and having competition, technology is making it easier to work from anywhere and at any time. However, that is not an easy task though. This takes a lot of tolls, hiring new employees, providing them Work visa and then keep running the things across oceans is not a small task. This is particularly daunting for small and mid-size businesses who are trying to put their shoes globally for the first time. Here are basic tactics for organizations which are of any size to work effectively and globally.
Think about the location
Picking a place to establish the business is a step one and sometimes it can be a massive task. Always start small and choose to operate wisely. Decide whether it would be for a leasing in a big city, where expert and talented workers will be in huge supply.
On the other side, would it be located in a small city drawing a more stable workforce and the talent pool of resources? From wherever the choice is employees are more committed for a long-term and other overheads costs can keep the investments in check. However, Doing the homework will be the primary key.
Even some of the countries provide commercial documents and suitable economic conditions for exporting the investments, trading the regulations and other opportunities and challenges. On the whole, Operating globally and overseas requires organizations to be more flexible.
Cultural insight and time
By setting up the office globally, it helps to understand the culture of different countries and the expectations of the employers. For instance, in few countries, the employers are open to communication while in others they need a more systematic strategy. Timing is also a significant constraint, where it takes a long duration to find a location. It is also a time factor in learning about the employee regulations, there working environments and hiring process. This even needs employers to visit other country and it is crucial to allow enough time for completing the process. Instead of visiting, companies are giving work visas for their employees to visit the respective country and work.
Common Software Platform
Use a collaborative management software where everyone on the team can access the systems on their timeframe. Then the work can be tracked and followed by the comments of other team members. As the team is scattered globally, cloud-based technologies are useful. Even get updated with other communications networks as well, like instant messaging platforms or chat software. If shared white-boarding is accessible, choose a universal collaboration app. A shared calendar application is also useful where it makes the scheduling of meetings easily.
Socialise Together
It is a healthy atmosphere where the team plays together, works and stays together. So, when it is time for face to face meetings, ensure to consider the time and have social events as a part of the itinerary. However, try building the team spirit by recognizing the national holidays and holding the parties remotely to celebrate the occasion. During the dinner time or conducting team events, have a conversation about the traditions. This, in turn, helps to break down the barriers and builds rapport with each other. When on a work visa try to socialize and make a conscious effort of celebrating each other’s national holidays. For instance, when the offices are in different regions like Dublin, Sydney, Boston, and Portsmouth encourage the teamwork and support each other practices, which fosters a healthy teamwork.
Keep everyone accountable
With companies spreading around the globe, keeping each employee responsible is a daunting task. Ensure that the employee has a training program or handbook to get the company’s goals, vision and culture intact. Regularly communicate those things whether on an online network or team-building programs. There should be a newsletter to share the company’s news and ideas. Clarifying the type of medium for regular communication also matters a lot. It can be an email, intranet, chat, phone or video conference. It goes a long way of building an efficient team. There should also be the ground rules which leverage time allocated for group discussion.
Don’t generalize, or make assumptions
Never stereotype the employees, especially when the team is globally located, or with the persons whom there is no chance to meet. Seek advice and be inclusive from a colleague who is familiar with the local cultures and customs, when there is an issue arises. There might be cultural biases but don’t let them get into the way of communication. if there is a better communication flow, there are something insights to learn along the way. Always note that the project assigned is always about the outcomes and not winning over the style points.
Conclusion
As the world is continuing to emerge globally, virtual teams are rising and becoming more prevalent. According to the recent survey, 78% of the employees are working in a global team. Global teams can evolve from multiple cultures, countries time zones and languages which create new opportunities and challenges. So, these tips help in gaining the advantages and make the team work more effectively.
Having said that, even empathizing and appreciating the life of different employees and sharing the commonalities will help to grow the team. On the management side, there should be frequent use of checks on collaborating the tools, spreadsheets and shared docs. Show the supportiveness of the success.
