How to Manage People Across Time Zones

With employees in more than 20 countries and critical hubs as far-flung as India, Serbia, Germany, the U.K., how exactly does a tech company whose main headquarters are in Texas, U.S.A. coordinate all of its teams and team members? That’s the question Exela’s CEO, Ron Cogburn asks in his latest thought leadership piece for Forbes.

“Tech staff in California are just waking up as team members in the Philippines are turning in for the night,” Ron writes. I can personally attest to the challenges of coordinating corporate marketing efforts across oceans, although I’m pleased that I’m now well-versed in translating Central European Time to Pacific Standard Time and Eastern Standard Time so that I won’t turn up for a “GoToMeeting” either three hours early or one hour late (don’t ask).

As always, Ron has an answer for these leadership conundrums and generously offers three best practices for coordinating teammates around the globe without losing patience...or sleep. And as always, he ends on a positive note, concluding that despite the logistical challenges inherent in running an international tech team, it’s worth it. Find out the how and the why in How to Coordinate a Global Tech Team.

Ron Cogburn has been a member of the Forbes Technology Council for the past year and has also written prolifically for Forbes. You can learn more about Ron here and you can learn more about the amazing things Exela’s international tech teams are producing here.