Let’s face it. Distributed teams are becoming the new “default” for businesses and organizations around the world. According to Upwork’s 2019 “Future Workforce Report”, by 2028, 73% of all teams are predicted to become partially or fully remote.
But when teams go remote and collaborate across time zones, maintaining productivity becomes a challenge.
Want to get more done when working remotely? Here are 3 productivity tips that’ll help you and your team thrive, regardless of the time zone you’re in.
Have a Unified Project-Management Workspace
Project management can get messy even in the best-aligned local teams. Diluted goals, unrealistic deadlines and scope creep are only some of the daily PM staples.
So, what happens when you add time-zone differences to the equation?
Unlike in-office project management which tasks can be visually represented using a simple tool like a whiteboard, working remotely can compound and escalate garden-variety office problems as there isn’t an obvious focal point for tasks to be viewed by everyone.
The chain of command for distributed teams is dispersed so projects are more likely to get exposed to delays and communication problems.
That’s why it’s important that you and your team use a unified project-management workspace.
Taskade lets distributed teams organize projects, assign tasks, track progress or share files, all in one app. You can also communicate with the rest of the team in synchronous (conference call, video) or asynchronous (chat) way.
Thanks to a clean interface and essential functionality, Taskade is a perfect solution for teams who need maximum productivity without over-the-top features.
Think Outside the Box Your Time Zone
Let’s say you’re a writer based in Oakland, CA (PST) and your boss wants you to draft a press release for a company based in Japan. The piece is scheduled to go live on Wednesday, 10 am (JST) but it first has to hit your editor’s desk in Munich (CET) before the marketing people in Tokyo can prep it for publication.
Before the press release is even published, it has to scramble through three different time zones and skip a day on its way from Munich to Japan.
You get the picture.
Distributed teams need to plan for such fluctuations and learn how to “think” beyond local time. The good news is that thanks to tools like Every Time Zone or World Time Buddy, it’s much easier to understand time-zone differences and plan work accordingly.
Master Digital Security for Distributed Teams
Enforcing a data-security policy is never an easy task. But when you manage or work as part of a distributed team, keeping data safely under the lid becomes a major challenge.
Remember that when sensitive information and files cross borders, they are no longer subject to standardized security measures or local laws.
So, how to make sure your team’s data stays safe?
Start with the basics.
Use a password manager like LastPass or Dashlane to store, manage and share login credentials with your remote coworkers.
Since digital nomads often use public WiFi to connect to the Internet, it’s also a good idea to encourage your remote team to use a VPN (a virtual private network) for additional protection.
Keep Distractions out of the Way
We get it. Working at a regular office has its fair share of productivity killers.
There’s the distinctive background noise of photocopiers, office chatter and, yeah…work buddies hanging around your desk for an occasional chit-chat.
But while these things aren’t a problem when you work remotely, there are other productivity obstacles that can break your workflow. Epic Office Furniture advises that when working remotely you need to create a workspace separate from the rest of the house. This not only creates an environment inducive of work, it keeps noise and other common distractions at bay.
According to Buffer’s 2019 “State of Remote Work” report, keeping distractions at bay is the 4th most common obstacle for remote workers and distributed teams.
Tools like Taskade help remove interference and focus on the work that really matters. Your tasks, notes, and comms are all in one place, without extra add-ons or plugins that get in the way.
No steep learning curves. No complex interface. No maze of functionality. You can sign up and take Taskade for a free spin here.
