Upwork works with talent all over the world in a variety of ways — from graphic design projects and article writing to expert help building website features. This makes the folks at Upwork HQ experts at leveraging distributed teams. This company is proof that you do not have to share a physical location to make awesome things happen efficiently, effectively, and with great team spirit.
We asked around the (virtual) office for tips on working with distributed teams. Clear communication, respect, and fostering a sense of working toward a common goal were common themes. Read on for more info on how to you can leverage remote workers in your business.
“Communicate, congratulate, correct: Over-communication is key for working with any distributed team. If you are thinking it, say it. If it is wonderful, call it out; if it needs improvement, say that too. The way to build trust when you have never met someone in person is to be transparent and supportive at the same time.”
– Erin Hicks, Director, Talent Operations
“Nurture your working relationships by making frequent, casual communication a habit. Proactively learn about cultural nuances—which, by the way, does not have to mean cross-border differences. For example, without a distributed team, I wouldn’t know much about how folks in New Orleans really celebrate Mardi Gras! Learning and recognizing these…creates a familiar space for the distributed folks and makes them feel less like outsiders looking in. Keep in mind that your work—and your relationship—is likely just one aspect of the freelancers’ business. Respect their time and other responsibilities.”
– Katy German, Project Manager, Creative
“Talent is not limited to a specific geography. It is abundantly available around the globe and can be tapped to help solve problems at hand. To be effective and successful, staying connected with distributed team members is important. Use technology to help bridge the geographical distance. Keep open lines of communication across the team and use them.”
– Dilip Ratnam, Vice President, Customer Experience
“1) Include team members in planning and goal setting.
2) Communicate using written and visual aids.
3) Take lots of notes and make action items clear.”
– Hung Kien Luu, Senior Product Manager, Mobile Apps
Learn more about Hung’s experience with a distributed development team >>
“Respect their personal lives and schedules. If you’re working with a remote team member in a time zone completely opposite to you, find a common ground when setting up deadlines or scheduling meetings. Get to know when their holidays are, what days are their weekends, ask if it’s okay to schedule a call at 10 p.m. Friday their time. Chances are they’d be happy to do it but still, look out for their convenience.
Make it easier for them. When sending info for a new project…include all the details and clearly outline what you’d like to see in the end. It saves time in the long run and also helps the freelancers start and finish the task swiftly. Otherwise, a team member may have to stop their work and wait hours before the other person gets online to answer a quick question that should have been explained in the beginning.”
– Saidur Mamun Khan, Market Research, Enterprise
Want to learn more? Check out these other tips from Upwork Insiders >>
The post How Upwork Gets Things Done with a Distributed Team appeared first on Upwork Blog.
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