Geographic distance and different time zones. On paper, cooperation that spans different parts of the world seems complicated and ineffective. Menvi argues that it is the other way around. If you do it right, that is. Working in different time zones can maximize efficiency throughout the business.
Placing parts of the borders of the company’s territory entails a number of consequences. It may also be that the work takes place in different time zones, which makes for unique optimization that would otherwise not have been possible. By setting clear strategies for everything from which country the development team is allowed to work future digital routines, taking into account the different time zones, you lay the foundation for a successful offshore operation.
Nearshoring, with outsourcing to a nearby country, can of course have its advantages. When questions need to be dealt with in real time. But with the ability to contact each other at any time during the day, the risk of interrupting and taking up time for others unnecessarily increases. Working in different time zones allows employees to work undisturbed.
The time difference can also have other benefits for the business as a whole:
Benefits of working in different time zones
- Reduced stress
It is the security of being able to hand over the day’s questions or started tasks to someone else when it is time to go home. Minimizing work-related stress benefits the work environment and gives better results in the long run. - More effective problem solving
Problems tend to appear at the end of the workday, making it difficult for product owners to find someone to take care of them. Having a team in a different time zone means you can safely hand over problems at the end of the day. - The day gets multiple work hours
When the development team has reported for the day, work begins for the staff on the other side of the world. As you know, the sun goes up and down at different times around the globe, which can be taken advantage of.
To think of
- Create advance communication
Daily direct communication to be able to deal with both urgent and longer-term issues is important. Overlap of at least a couple of hours in the different time zones is ideal. - Daily digital contact
Add scheduled virtual meetings every day, suitable for both time zones. Here the aim is to address both big and small, instead of interrupting each other scattered throughout the day. - Meet up IRL now and then!
Do not underestimate the importance of the personal meeting. See each other physically at least once a year.