Message #73290

[gee4]

Great topic and one I have dealt with for most of my working life.  As I said before you develop a different kind of relationship with those who travel and live abroad, then you do with those who are in the office.

Which is the best method of reaching them?
- usually by phone, however on occasion when I am sending travel details, it's via email

Do you have a set time each day you make contact or is it as and when required?
- as and when required although I usually know their whereabouts

Getting documents to them securely - best way?
- email or fax if email is not accessible

Dealing with major time differences
- this is one of the most important aspects you have to bear in mind especially when deadlines occur.  Note time differences on a chart or in your Outlook calendar of the countries your people travel to on a regular basis.

Communiation
- I communicate regularly with my "out-of-towners" and as mentioned above, usually a mixture of phone and email

Personally I think you develop a working relationship more quickly with this group because you have limited time to communicate and in some instances, it could be weeks/months before you meet f2f, if ever.

Only this morning a couple of my guys who travel regularly have called into the office.  It's a friendly exchange like they've always been around and I think it's important that they have strong, solid admin support back in the office when needed.  They know I'm at the other end of a phone and likewise I keep them informed of my whereabouts too.

Hope that helps and look forward to hearing others' experiences.