How to Develop Consistent Communication Across Global Teams

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Developing strong communication on a global team isn't easy. Different cultures, time zones, and languages can make it challenging to stay on the same page. However, staying focused and connected is essential to success. In this article, we'll discuss how administration teams can train their global employees to develop consistent and intentional communication with each other in support of the business's long-term goals.

Define Clear Goals and Objectives

One of the biggest reasons communication can break down is the lack of clearly outlined business objectives. When working with global teams, it's essential to be as specific as possible when communicating the expectations of the organization and how employees should interact with one another to achieve them. Start by defining the end goal first, and then break down each task into smaller pieces.

Knowing precisely what will result in success is essential so that everyone stays on track with their duties. Next, use straightforward language to outline goals and objectives so that people from other cultures can clearly understand what you mean. When employees can realize the benefits of effective communication, they'll have greater respect for the process. This will inevitably lead to them better understanding of their roles and responsibilities as well as how to accomplish them.

Invest in the Right Collaboration Tools

One of the first things that remote working teams need to prioritize is investing in the right collaboration tools. Whether it's providing a centralized hub for remote employees to share documents or manage communication, or setting up video conferencing tools, these tools can make a big difference in building a solid team. Investing in the “right” tools for your business, however, means taking a harder look at how your business actually operates and which technologies will best contribute to its growth.

For example, while virtual tools like Zoom and Aspyr can be great tools for remote collaboration, they don't always meet the needs of a larger organization. Other tools that help companies manage projects, including Basecamp, Asana, or Wrike, may be better suited for smaller or mid-sized organizations growing quickly. Regardless of the collaboration tools you choose to use, it's essential to institute best practices around their use. If everyone uses these tools differently, it can create a fragmented experience that doesn't help the team accomplish their goals.

Set Up Regular Meetings

Another important way to stay connected with your global team is to set up regular meetings. These meetings can be with individual team members on a one-on-one basis or formatted for a larger audience with a regular cadence schedule. Either way, team meetings can be an excellent way for your remote employees to connect and build relationships with each other. It's also essential to ensure that remote employees feel included in in-person meetings. For example, you could consist of project-related information in some of the team's meetings or make it a point to ensure that some team members are included in specific team meetings.

Meetings are an important way to create a cohesive remote team. You can plan these meetings around goals and objectives or topics specific to the project. The key is to be clear about the meeting ahead of time. Ensure everyone participates when appropriate and always concludes with the following steps so you know where and how your team is heading next. Creating agendas and documenting action items (what people are supposed to do after the meeting) will help you stay organized and ensure all participants are getting maximum value from every discussion.

Find Ways to Show Appreciation for Remote Working Employees

While you should be setting up regular meetings and using collaboration tools to stay connected with your global team, you should also be showing appreciation for the work that they're doing. This could be as simple as sending employees a thank you note or flowers once in a while or offering them some time off work for some R&R. A small and simple gesture can significantly affect productivity and morale.

Employees engaged with their jobs are more likely to show up for work every day, stay late at the office, or even come into the office on weekends when necessary. Help build loyalty by offering incentives for high performance or thanking employees for all of the hard work they're doing on behalf of your company. Doing this can help your team build consistent and positive communication regardless of location.

Conclusion

Fostering communication across your remote team is essential for creating a cohesive and productive work environment. Without proper communication and collaboration, your team won't be able to function as efficiently or productively as in a traditional office setting. Therefore, when planning your virtual communication strategy, it's vital to lay out your team's most effective communication protocols. This can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and always working toward one goal — success.

About the Author: Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned blogger. Since finishing college he is trying his hand at being a freelance writer. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but technology and business topics are his favorite. When he isn't writing you can find him traveling, hiking, or gaming.