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Created November 18, 2016 10:16
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CSP 116 notes

Tips for working with multiple timezones

Podcast: http://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/116-10-tips-for-working-with-multiple-time-zones/

1. Make it fair

Enevitably someone will be getting up early or working late. Don't let it just be one team all the time. Share the pain around.

2. Organize well

Instead of going from East to West, try organizing from North to South. Even though there's great distance, timezones are close.

If you can, don't overlap remote teams. Have the teams work on separate problems, with overlap when convenient.

3. Prioritize overlap time

When you have 1 or 2 hours of overlap, prioritize the time together. That's the time for meetings, and make it video for bonding.

4. Talk in one timezone

This is an item from the Team Agreement episode (42).

Pick a timezone, and everyone is reponsible for converting themselves. This minimizes confusion.

5. Use a shared calendar

This also helps minimize mistakes with scheduling.

6. Record meetings.

Not everyone can make every meeting. Record them.

Useful to see and hear the conversation, and feel like part of the team even though you're not there.

7. Standup tools

If you can't overlap, use tools to stand up asynchronously. E.g.,

8. Double check your times

You get timezones wrong. Get in the habit of double checking. Use:

9. Think in multiple timezones

Be aware with your team timezones. You're starting your day, but that might be dinner for others.

10. Meet face to face

Every once in a while, go and meet up. Rebuild the human connection.

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