By: Katie Kabat
Due to the ease of access there are numerous advantages of doing international business. This advantages include a crucial benefit of working with clients in different time zones. Working with people in different time zones changes how you think as well as how you work. You learn to work in terms of time zones, cultures, and non standard work hours. Here are 6 tips to guide you to work this way.
1. Establish Time Zone Rules
When you start working with a new client, have The Time Zone Talk with the client. Establish when a good time for meetings are and decide on whose time zone will be used for setting times. To make things as easy as you can for the client, you should always offer to use their time zone. This will omit any future confusion on both sides.
2. Time Considerate
While working with customers in a time zone within a few hours, it will be easy to schedule meetings easy for both teams. Like if you have a client in LA while you are in New York, try to schedule meetings in during the afternoon or evening. however, with clients in further time zones, like London, you will want to schedule them early in the morning as they are much farther ahead. Also, be mindful about when you send texts, and expect responses.
3. Keep in constant communication
In this day an age we are able to put in work from home or places other than the physical workplace. But, naturally, we are still more comfortable talking to people face to face rather than through computers and smartphones. Communicate with your clients as much as you can to keep their confidence in you. Schedule video or voice calls as much as is appropriate to discuss progress and goals. Don’t be annoyingly present, but also be available to your clients during normal business hours and after business hours as much as possible.
4. 24-Hour Work Day
If you are a business that sells worldwide, specifically an online business, your reach is worldwide. Customer service should be available 24 hours. There are a few ways to go about this. You could have a team of employees on a schedule. Lots of companies outsource to call centers. Or you can set up a work from home option and have customer service reps around the world.
5. Outsource to Where the Customers Are
A common fix to time zone issues is outsourcing to areas where there are a lot of clients. Outsourcing has many advantages. Call centers, manufacturing, software development, etc. can happen anywhere with the communication technology. For small business owners foreign outsourcing can feel uneasy. How will you know if they’re working and doing a good job? How do you find the right workers?
With a small investment of your time, this will help grow your business and customer base as it is more efficient. You are also helping people around the world by providing them a job and a source of income. Along with time zone issues, come cultural considerations. Workers from that part of the world will know the customs and culture there and can improve the customer service.
6. Have Boundaries
Breakfast in one time zone is dinner in another. Monday where you work is Sunday somewhere else. Businesses with an international reach could literally work all day. It is important to put you and your life, whoever or whatever is in it, first and respect that your clients will be doing the same sometimes. Quality over quantity.
The most important part to take away from this is to keep a customer-first mindset. That means sometimes sacrificing your comfort and convenience for theirs. Remember to be intentional about calming and attending their needs.
