What are the best ways to manage deadlines with a global sales team?

1 Set clear and realistic expectations

One of the first steps to managing deadlines with a global sales team is to set clear and realistic expectations for each project. You need to define the scope, deliverables, milestones, and roles of each team member, as well as the communication channels and frequency. You also need to consider the availability, workload, and skills of your team members, and avoid overloading them with unrealistic deadlines. Make sure that everyone understands and agrees on the expectations, and document them in a project plan or a contract.

2 Use a project management tool

A project management tool can help you keep track of your deadlines, tasks, progress, and issues with your global sales team. You can use a tool that allows you to create, assign, and monitor tasks, set deadlines and reminders, share files and feedback, and generate reports. Some examples of project management tools are Asana, Trello, and Basecamp. You can also use a tool that integrates with your calendar, email, and chat applications, such as Slack or Microsoft Teams.

3 Communicate regularly and effectively

Communication is key to managing deadlines with a global sales team. You need to communicate regularly and effectively with your team members, clients, and stakeholders, and update them on the status of your projects. You also need to communicate in a way that respects the cultural and linguistic differences of your team members, and use clear and simple language. You can use a variety of communication methods, such as video calls, emails, chats, and voice messages, depending on the urgency and purpose of your message.

5 Be flexible and adaptable

Finally, you need to be flexible and adaptable when managing deadlines with a global sales team. You need to anticipate and prepare for potential challenges, such as delays, changes, errors, or conflicts, and have contingency plans in place. You also need to be open to feedback, suggestions, and new ideas from your team members, clients, and stakeholders, and adjust your project plan accordingly. By being flexible and adaptable, you can cope with uncertainty and complexity, and deliver your projects successfully.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?