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Managing a global team presents its own unique set of challenges. Motivating and communicating with employees in different locations around the world requires a slightly different management approach. While many of the core management tasks and responsibilities will be the same as working with an in-house team, how you execute these tasks will be very different when you are working with a remote team.
Working with a team of employees in different time zones and staying on track with multiple projects can be challenging and it’s crucial that you stay organised. Nowadays there is a wide range of tools available to business owners to help your business to operate more efficiently, regardless of where you and your employees are located. Cloud-based business software applications make it easier than ever for you and your team to collaborate, communicate and work seamlessly together on projects, even when you are worlds apart. Take some time to find the best solutions for the needs of your operations and put an infrastructure in place that will help you to manage your business, and your team, more efficiently moving forward.
Let’s take a closer look at some useful tips and strategies that will allow you to manage your global workforce with ease.
Financial Management
Tracking employee hours and processing payroll for team members located in different locations can be difficult. With the use of advanced online payroll software systems, however, you can ensure that you take full control of your financial obligations to your employees. When you are keeping on top of your payroll, your team will be paid on time ensuring they feel valued in your business, further motivating them to perform at their best.
Effective Communication
Having an effective communication platform in place will allow you to stay up-to-date with each team member’s progress and ensure everyone stays up-to-date with the latest project developments. Whether you choose to email, instant messaging, Whatsapp, video-conferencing or a dedicated employee communication platform, having an effective means of communication in place is key to effective management of any global team.
Set Clear Expectations
When you are not in the same physical location as your employees, you need to have clear expectations in place so that everyone knows what they are meant to be doing. These expectations should not only be applied to project work but also to communications with management and other team members. For example, you might request that all communications are answered within twenty-four hours, Monday to Friday so your team knows that their questions will be answered and that projects will not be held up due to late replies.
Create A Company Culture
Managing a team of people, in different locations and time zones, it can be difficult to build a cohesive company culture. However, with a little effort and creativity, you can ensure that your staff develops a working relationship that will allow your business to thrive. Host a weekly get together in Zoom, have a non-work chat board for your team to get to know each other through or simply celebrate your team’s achievements publicly. Creating a positive work environment and company culture, even when your team are working remotely can help to boost morale and productivity.
Get The Most Of Your Global Team Moving Forward
While managing a team located in different parts of the world is certainly not without its challenges, with the right approach, it is possible to motivate and inspire your team to work towards the goals of your business. Put the right systems in place to manage your business with ease, unify your staff and set clear expectations from the outset. Paying attention to these key areas will help you to manage your staff with ease going forward and ensure you get the very most from your global team moving forward.
