How To Better Manage Time Zone Differences | 12 Ways To Stand Out Virtually | 5 Tips For Better Remote Networking

Plus: Moms spend more telecommuting time on housework than dads

There’s no doubt just how important technology has been throughout the transition to telecommuting, but try as it might, no amount of software can overcome the obstacles posed by time zones. No, I’m not just talking about the mental math needed to determine whether or not it’s reasonable to invite your Pacific-Time colleagues to a morning meeting on the East Coast, but rather the challenges that arise when working with coworkers on the other side of the world. When they’re sitting down for dinner just as you’re starting your day, scheduling calls that don’t impose on their (and your) free time can be difficult, to say the least. But by asking yourself these five questions before so much as sending a calendar invite, you’ll be better equipped to minimize time-zone inconveniences.

For starters, what is the purpose of the meeting? If it’s a regularly scheduled team meeting, take notes throughout and send a follow-up email after the fact. The same goes for presentations, which can be recorded and shared at a later date. If, on the other hand, the agenda involves brainstorming a new initiative or making an important decision, you’ll want to discuss that in real time.

And here’s more on everything you need to know about working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.

For more on working and leading from home, check out our guide, updated daily.

The Telecommuter's Toolkit

While much of networking has moved online in recent years, professionals have continued to rely on in-person interactions to strengthen their connections. When coffee meetings and happy hours are no longer an option, here are five ways to maintain your relationships.

The swift shift to telecommuting didn’t just accelerate the future of work—it changed it. As such, managers would do well to reconsider how they approach these seven practices.

When disengaged employees cost American companies an estimated $300 billion annually, can you really afford to leave your culture to chance? Enhance your employee experience, even from afar, by heeding this advice.

The Break Room

Does working from home have you wanting to renovate it? We tapped Bobby Berk, an award-winning interior designer and member of the Fab 5 from Netflix’s Queer Eye, for his top tips for creating a more calming space.

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