Managing teams located in different parts of the world can prove to be a difficult task for managers of multinational companies. Some issues include difficulties in communication, lower levels of trust, and an the inability to relate to one another. These problems can arise as a result of language barriers, cultural differences, and more. With employees spread across the world, conflict may be more common among teams who have not had the opportunity to build relationships with one another. Another major challenge is when teams are working in different time zones; it can be hard for teammates to collaborate when they are working on different time schedules. In contrast, when workers are in the same time zone, it is easier for employees to build relationships and communicate regularly.
Despite these challenges, managing teams that are dispersed across the world can have some major advantages. For instance, research and development (R&D) efforts are most effective when they are spread across the globe; international operations have proven to be beneficial for large firms such as IBM, General Electric, and SAP. Specifically, SAP is headquartered in Germany and has seen huge success with the R&D centers they have established in the United States, India, and China. This allows talent from across the world to come together while specializing on their strongest areas in order to achieve the organization's mission. It also allows for less expensive methods of researching and it cultivates the strengths of different teams and locations by spreading R&D where it makes the most sense.
One example of a firm that demonstrates the positive and negative aspects of global staffing is the American company, Time Warner Cable, which has a call center in the Philippines. Workers in the United States and the Philippines may never communicate with one another because the time difference means the employees rarely work at the same time. Although this makes business more effective for the organization since they are able to provide 24/7/365 phone support, it can be difficult to foster a sense of trust or camaraderie among teammates. However, HRM managers and the various business managers with Time Warner Cable must travel to the call center locations across the world in order to foster a sense of community. This will promote increased retention of employees in the long-term as well.
Despite these challenges, managing teams that are dispersed across the world can have some major advantages. For instance, research and development (R&D) efforts are most effective when they are spread across the globe; international operations have proven to be beneficial for large firms such as IBM, General Electric, and SAP. Specifically, SAP is headquartered in Germany and has seen huge success with the R&D centers they have established in the United States, India, and China. This allows talent from across the world to come together while specializing on their strongest areas in order to achieve the organization's mission. It also allows for less expensive methods of researching and it cultivates the strengths of different teams and locations by spreading R&D where it makes the most sense.
One example of a firm that demonstrates the positive and negative aspects of global staffing is the American company, Time Warner Cable, which has a call center in the Philippines. Workers in the United States and the Philippines may never communicate with one another because the time difference means the employees rarely work at the same time. Although this makes business more effective for the organization since they are able to provide 24/7/365 phone support, it can be difficult to foster a sense of trust or camaraderie among teammates. However, HRM managers and the various business managers with Time Warner Cable must travel to the call center locations across the world in order to foster a sense of community. This will promote increased retention of employees in the long-term as well.
Keep the following tips in mind when managing international teams, and you will have a happy and productive team across the world: