Research suggests that 50% of the US workforce will telecommute by 2020.

But it can be argued that workplace mobility is already much more prevalent in many parts of world. With the emergence of Cloud services and the Internet of Things, employees and businesses expect a greater degree of freedom and flexibility in working habits.

Companies are actively encouraged to support global teams.

Primarily, for the freedom this affords them when it comes to acquiring new talent. And, also to support their business by inviting cultural and informational exchange across borders and continents.

But, along with the benefits, remote teams can create new challenges for management.

Orchestrating various teams across continents and time zones is no mean organisational feat. This means that businesses must employ the best techniques to help remote teams be efficient in their delivery of the expected results.

So, here are five ways that we can help you to do just that:

1.     Move data to the Cloud

The first step your organisation should take is to move your data to the Cloud. If you are keeping all of your data on an in-house server then it can cause difficulties for your remote teams’ access. Alternatives, such as VPN servers, exist. But these connections are often very slow and can hinder your teams’ efficiency. With Cloud data, anyone, anywhere can be given access to the information that they need.

2.     Identify stakeholders

Identifying the correct point of contact for specific information will help your teams to make more effective use of the time that they spend at work. It also helps to define team member roles and responsibilities so that workflows function as smoothly as possible.

3.     Bring transparency into the work culture

It’s fairly commonplace for remote teams to begin to feel siloed. So, make sure to keep those lines of communication open and frequented. Sharing regular updates from coworking teams can help organizations to put a transparent work culture in place. And it enables teams to know the challenges and successes that their coordinating teams are experiencing.

4.     Improve collaboration between teams

Emailing, instant messaging, audio-video conferencing and  screen-sharing are all  essential tools for remote teams to put to work in their collaborative efforts. But your teams have to get to know these tools before they can begin to use them effectively. When you’re implementing a new conferencing or workspace tool, allow some training time for your teams to get to grips with its full functionality.

5.     Keep track of allocated tasks

Managers need an intuitive dashboard that presents complete, real time information across different time zones so that they are easily able to stay abreast of progress. In the right hands, this can highlight possible bottlenecks well in advance and assist with effective action to steer the project on course.

Final thoughts…

Invest in the best -suited project management software

When companies open up to the idea of employing globally the benefits can be astounding. But, in the outset, this venture can prove to be a challenge. We encourage you to stick by your decision by providing the best work environment possible for your remote teams.

Product Lifecycle Management tools can help organisations to build a culture of innovation through collaboration as global teams begin to share their unique knowledge and experience.

Contact TECHNIA today to discover how the 3DEXPERIENCE platform can open up a world of borderless possibilities for your remote teams.

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At TECHNIA, we pave the way for your innovation, creativity and profitability.

We combine industry-leading Product Lifecycle Management tools with specialist knowledge, so you can enjoy the journey from product concept to implementation. Our experience makes it possible to keep things simple, personal and accessible so that together we transform your vision into value.

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