Thanks to globalization, companies worldwide are striving to become multi-national entities backed by a strong international workforce. So naturally, many companies form ties with the global employment outsourcing service providers to build teams specializing in niches. Organizations operating worldwide must be well-versed in the local laws and regulations of multiple countries.

Creating a global workforce brings various challenges; keeping the international employees engaged tops the list of challenges. Managing and engaging teams offline in offices is more accessible because the people can feel the touch and feel of the corporate environment. However, in a remote model where team members are scattered across the world, team engagement becomes challenging.

Global employment service providers help companies build global teams without setting up physical offices in different countries. Through virtual team-building activities, team managers can boost employee engagement. Here are a few time-tested tips that can help team leads and HR managers engage their global teams:

●  Overlapping work hours

Cooperation, coordination, collaboration, and communication are essential for any organization’s success. However, it is difficult to collaborate with team members working in different time zones. Ensuring that the entire team works together for a minimum of three hours (if not more) can help better coordination and communication among the team members.

Overlapping the working hours ensures that employees do not feel disoriented or disconnected from their team or team leads. It helps the global team better connect and communicate, thereby encouraging healthy work relationships. Such a seamless collaboration eventually enhances the business’ overall functioning and productivity.

●  Virtual team building activities

Team bonding and team spirit are vital to your global workforce’s productivity. Establishing team bonding in multicultural and multinational organizations helps create a positive work environment, improving employee productivity and company growth. Moreover, it boosts team morale, making them feel like an integral part of the organization.

Team building activities help strengthen collaboration, encourage creativity, and reinforce positive work behavior amongst the employees. As employees interact, they open up to new perspectives and cultures. Engaging in fun activities helps the team members take some time off their daily grind and connect with their colleagues.

●  Make optimal use of  video calls

When your teams work across borders and in different time zones, face-to-face interactions aren’t always possible. Also, it becomes difficult to communicate with global teams via messages, e-mails, and phone calls. People might misinterpret messages, which may hamper the team bond.

The best way to overcome this communication gap is through video calls. You can bring a pool of employees working across different locations in a video meeting – when people see each other virtually, it creates a more humane touch than any other method of communication. Plus, it’s much easier to read and assess people’s reactions in real-time on video calls and accordingly set the tone of the conversation.

●  Build connections with regular meetings

Varied time zones and work locations make it challenging to establish concrete work relations. When you meet people physically, you automatically connect with them, which is usually absent when working remotely. Employees often find it difficult to form trusting bonds with people they’ve never met. This may cause a gap in the team, hampering collaboration and coherence. Ultimately, it shows in the team’s performance and failures in meeting deadlines.

Thus, building connections through regular e-meets can open the lines of communication among team members, encouraging collaboration in cross-cultural teams. In addition, strong work relationships between colleagues push them to work towards a single goal and instill a sense of responsibility in them. Thus, scheduling regular meetings (at least once a week) to share project updates, discuss strategies, etc., will help virtual teams stay connected on the same page.

●  Share resources with the entire team

Every company should provide equal growth opportunities to all employees, irrespective of their location – whether they work in an office or remotely across different areas. If your remote employees feel undervalued, they’ll not be invested in the team or company. However, if you provide them with the same resources as in-office employees, they can fulfill their responsibilities seamlessly. Also, sharing resources between in-office and virtual teams increases collaboration while optimizing the use of company resources.

Furthermore, establishing a transparent reward and recognition system for all employees can encourage positive work culture. Recognizing the efforts of your global team members pushes them to do better since they feel like a part of the team.

●  Take initiatives to support diversity

Companies functioning globally employ a geographically diverse workforce to compete in the international market. This workforce comprises people from different locations and cultures, bringing diverse perspectives on business operation and strategies. Thus, employers must create ample space for their global team members to voice their opinions – the aim is to build an inclusive workspace that welcomes everyone’s ideas.

However, employers should try to understand the cultures of the countries they operate in and accordingly connect with employees. It is crucial to understand the effect of cultural differences on people and their work. Regular and clear communication can help overcome cultural barriers, promoting a healthy understanding within the team. For instance, you could schedule weekly cross-cultural training sessions to establish respect and value across your global team. Also, maintaining a calendar of important country-specific festivals and public holidays would show employees that you care for them and value their sentiments.

Overall, such efforts can enhance job satisfaction, employee retention, and engagement among cross-functional teams.

●  Leverage the right technological tools

Managing global teams is now much easier, thanks to numerous tech tools and platforms at our disposal. Today, teams across various locations can connect and interact in real-time using tools like Zoom, Google Meet, etc. Video conferencing is a glitch-free affair when coupled with a 4G/5G Internet connection. Also, cross-border teams can share documents and collaborate on a single platform simultaneously.

Hence, companies should invest in the latest technologies and tools for better work coordination and employee engagement. Additionally, employers must ensure that different teams can access the necessary tools and frameworks to fulfill their daily duties. This allows virtual teams to stay in league with their in-office colleagues.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that companies looking to expand their operations overseas must make solid efforts to manage and empower their virtual global workforce. Since human resources form the backbone of all organizations, it is crucial to invest in their well-being and growth. Only then can you earn their loyalty in the long haul.

Implementing these six strategies in your global workforce structure will go a long way in creating a cohesive and coordinated team. Over time, your global workforce will help your organization accomplish its long-term goals, guaranteeing maximum engagement and increased revenues.