5 Tips for Leading a Transnational Team
Javon Frazier is the Founder and CEO of Maestro Media.
In today's globalized business environment, the eligible workforce is not bound by borders. Businesses are able to employ the best person for the role, regardless of where they reside, allowing us to capitalize on talent. My entire team resides in different area and zip codes, and it has had a profound impact on the success of my business, Maestro Media. However, employing a transnational team necessitates a different approach. Here are 5 tips I use in employing my transnational team:
Customized Benefits for Remote Teams
When employing a transnational team, one size does not fit all, and that is also applicable in terms of the benefits you offer. For example, only providing US health insurance would not be beneficial for international employees. Instead, a health insurance stipend can be offered, ensuring that the benefit is made accessible to everyone on the team.
Flexible Work Schedules
The age of 9 to 5 is coming to an end with flexible work schedules quickly becoming the new status quo. Not only is it appealing for employees, but it also opens up the workforce to those living in different time zones and other countries. This approach allows employees to work during their most productive hours, while still providing overlapping hours for team collaboration.
Prioritizing Efficient and Effective Asynchronous Communication
In an office setting, forgotten information can be quickly transmitted by stepping into someone’s cubicle; however, communication becomes key when your team isn’t there to receive the information sporadically. The need for clear and concise communication could not be more imperative, as the consequence could be a work delay or a task completed incorrectly. Typically, the communication is asynchronous, allowing team members in different time zones and countries to contribute without the need for real-time interaction.
I regularly host check-ins with my team every Monday, in order to ensure that we are all on the same page with our weekly and long-term goals. This also fosters a sense of community and provides a space for open discussion, should anything have arisen during the prior week.
Performance Management Systems
Having a transnational team working autonomously necessitates a new way of measuring performance. To gauge the performance of my team, I’ve implemented a results-oriented performance management system that focuses on outcomes rather than hours worked. This approach encourages productivity and allows team members to work in a way that suits their personal and professional lives. It also frees me from stepping into a role of micromanaging and boosts trust in my team.
Dynamic Team Building
Team building with a transnational team is more nuanced than the traditional, in-person games and visits to the ropes course. It poses its challenges but also opens us up to more possibilities.
At Maestro Media, we host an annual media summit, where the team gathers digitally for a time of growth, encouragement, and development. We discuss the successes and challenges of the previous year, while vision casting for the upcoming year. A motivational speaker also joins us for a segment to bolster spirits and ignite passions.
When we are on the brink of launching a big Kickstarter campaign, we convene pre-midnight the night before in our pajamas for a digital sleepover. This is a time for us to share our excitement and hopes with each other, facilitating community and building stronger relationships.
As businesses, it is paramount that we remain flexible to meet the changes of the professional landscape. Today’s environment is entirely globalized, so it is our responsibility to take advantage of it and capitalize on the opportunity to develop our teams utilizing the best talent around the world. Searching transnationally when growing my team has allowed me to employ incredible individuals, who are experts in their field, and have contributed to the success of Maestro Media. When employing transnational teams, one must remain cognizant of the nuances by offering individualized benefits, flexible work schedules, asynchronous communication, relevant performance management systems, and dynamic team building.
