The world is a smaller place now than ever before. Indeed, it’s incredibly simple to speak with people living on the other side of the world. Thanks to the rise of telecommunications, social media, and the internet in general, professionals now regularly collaborate with colleagues operating in other countries.
However, just because you can work with others in very remote locations, it doesn’t mean that doing so is exactly easy. Despite the myriad of tech advancements of the past 20 years, working with international partners can still be challenging. That’s why we’re going to share three tips that will help you work with your international cohorts effectively. Check them out here:
Get the Timing Right
This should go without saying, but it’s imperative that international co-workers understand the time differences between their two locations. It’s more than a little annoying to receive an email notification –– or worse, a phone call –– at 3 a.m. local time. Always be mindful of which time’s work best for your international colleagues and strive to restrict communications to “normal” business hours. Note, setting up a home office can help you take international calls at strange hours in the case of an emergency.
Cross the Language Barrier
English is a very common language. Around 1.5 billion people speak English –– or 20% of Earth’s population. Yet, it’s important to remember that over 300 million people who speak Engish aren’t native speakers. So even if someone speaks very good English, they may not have a grasp of obscure terms or local idioms. As such, always make it a point to avoid unnecessarily arcane or obtuse language. Doing so is a common courtesy.
Also, if you really want to go the extra mile, consider trying to learn another language to advance your career in business. Even gaining a basic understanding of another language can help win you the instant respect of international coworkers.
Don’t Make Assumptions
Any time you’re working with an international partner, it’s important that you do your homework about them. Don’t make assumptions about their branch’s needs, problems, or strengths. Different markets deal with different consumer bases, and it’s imperative that you make the effort to understand their issues before you connect with them. This might seem like an obvious step, but taking it could make all the difference.
Final Words
As globalization increases, odds are more and more businesses will begin to introduce international divisions. Fortunately, whether you’re working to develop a new type of coag tube, or you’re planning a new marketing campaign, these three tips will help you coordinate with international employees effectively. Keep this blog handy moving forward –– you’ll be glad you did.