For companies with offices in different countries, coordinating events, meetings, and team-building events is more complicated than if everyone was in the same location. Instead of calling everyone into the conference room or scheduling everyone to come into the office on Fridays, you have to handle video calls for people living in different time zones.
Each business and team has unique needs and situations, but there are some tools, tips, and technologies you can implement to keep groups in different cities connected and thriving.
Get some ideas in this guide, from useful technologies to appreciation days.
Try To Make Things Fair
Harvard Business Review measures the importance of keeping things somewhat fair. It’s a good idea to rotate which offices need to be more accommodating of time. For example, if all of your meetings are more convenient for North American offices, this could make people in other countries feel less important. It’s better to let everyone have a turn being a bit inconvenienced.
Utilize Technology As Much As Possible For Equal Benefits
While technology isn’t everything, programs and systems that work effectively and reliably will cut down on stress for everyone, regardless of where they live. Luckily, there are specific technologies that connect global offices and make hiring and working together much easier. You can use platforms to meet country-specific regulations and stay compliant on an international scale.
It’s also vital to be clear about which technologies should be used and how to use them. If you are meeting on a video call, ensure that everyone is trained on how to get these programs up and running and where to go for troubleshooting help.
Be Conscious Of Cultural Differences
Expectations in professionalism and business vary from place to place. Even in one country, certain areas might do things a bit differently. The culture of an office in Los Angeles could feel very different from an office in Oklahoma City.
Then, there are the other variations from country to country. Be careful to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and that everyone feels their input is considered. If there are issues with people being insensitive, they should feel they can express themselves. Keep equality in mind when conducting business internationally.
There are a few good ideas to be more aware of cultural differences at work:
- Set up calendars to account for holidays and religious days for various countries. Don’t just prioritize one country’s days off.
- Make sure that managers take the time to learn about the culture of every office. Host events that encourage employees to share multicultural appreciation.
- Set up educational meetings and guidebooks to increase cultural awareness.
Inclusivity is a worthy and necessary goal for all businesses, but it can be harder to achieve if you have offices around the world. It is sometimes common for companies to default to the norms of the United States or western Europe, but this should be avoided as much as possible.
Find A Fun Way For People To Talk
Because every business is unique, what works for your company might not work for another. But, generally, it’s important to encourage communication that isn’t just centered around projects. Some offices stay connected through messaging throughout the workday, so people can check-in even if they are in different time zones.
Here are some ideas to engage the team:
- Ask prompts in Slack channels, such as “share a photo of your pet.”
- Host a roundtable where people from different offices talk about the office events they’ve done. They can share get together such as holiday parties or birthday traditions to inspire one another.
- Hold a weekly happy hour. People won’t mind participating if they are being compensated.
Other companies provide happy hours over video calls or other team-building exercises. Frequent discussions are crucial, according to the Indeed Editorial Team.
Adapt To The Needs Of Your Teams
While general advice is helpful for all managers and executives looking to lead a global team, the specifics are just as vital. You will have to adapt your strategy as you go. It’s important not to be attached to one way of doing things. Your employees are all individuals, and each workplace has its own strengths and challenges. If you listen to feedback and make adjustments as you go, everyone at your job will be happier and feel more connected. Always ask for input from everyone you work with, even if they aren’t managers.
