Our organization has recently grown to include multi-national teams. What are some best practices for scheduling leadership development or training sessions to accommodate a global audience? The goal is to have options that meet the needs of each time zone, language, and cultural expectations (major holidays, cultural customs, day-to-day work expectations, etc.). In your experience, what times work best globally? What resources exist to help reveal cultural norms?
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Director of HR6 months ago
That is a very helpful tool. Thank you, Peter! Do you have typical times you schedule that hit most regions? We've done repeat sessions at 9 am/2 pm/9 pm EST, but we still miss certain regions.
Interim HR Director6 months ago
normally its a bit earlier on the am session (9am EST is end of the day in Dubai and India)
Have you thought about 7am or 8am EST that covers every where from UK ( 11/12am) east to India (New Delhi 4.30 /5.30 pm) including the gulf states (dont forget Friday / Saturday is the weekend for the Middle East)
2pm can cover EST / PDT
9pm est to cover APAC
I would think about the numbers ie go with what works for the most people
CHRO in Energy and Utilities6 months ago
In the past we have conducted cross cultural awareness training that is specific to the regions in which we work. Differences in business etiquette, perspectives on leadership (hierarchical or not etc.) and experiences so that people can better understand leadership style. We found there were a number of "ah ha" moments There are companies that do that as well as individual consultants, but its very important that they have first hand experience operating in these spaces.
To do the clustering I find that Time Zone Converter – Time Difference Calculator (timeanddate.com) is really handy you put the cities in and it then colour codes whats in working hours , general non working hours and normal sleeping hours