Setting up your Distributed
(Global) Community Team
for Success
Jennifer Sable Lopez
Director of Community
@jennita

Remote?
Distributed?
Global?

Communication
is already hard
Let’s work on making it just a
little bit easier for everyone

#CMXSummit @jennita4
#CMXSummit @jennita
Language &
Culture
Assume good intent
& understand
everyone works
differently

#CMXSummit @jennita5
#CMXSummit @jennita
Time zones
Timezone.io
WorldChatClock

#CMXSummit @jennita6
#CMXSummit @jennita
Treat
everyone as
remote
Make an
agenda, take
notes, record
meetings

#CMXSummit @jennita7
#CMXSummit @jennita
Go beyond
email &
messaging
Create videos
to explain
detailed
information

#CMXSummit @jennita8
#CMXSummit @jennita
Update often
You simply
can’t over-
Communicate
Keep topics
top-of-mind

#CMXSummit @jennita
Share the
data
Monthly
(weekly?) email
with metrics

Distributed
Learning
How do you ensure everyone is trained
properly? Uses the same “voice” and
manages the community in the same way?

#CMXSummit @jennita
Follow the sun strategy

#CMXSummit @jennita
Pass the training

Team Spirit
Feeling like you’re a part of
the team, no matter where in
the world you are

#CMXSummit @jennita
Daily Hello

#CMXSummit @jennita
Fun at work

#CMXSummit @jennita
Ongoing games/memes
Find Jay!

#CMXSummit @jennita

#CMXSummit @jennita
Make it personal
Actually use video
Show your face!
Schedule “coffee talk”

#CMXSummit @jennita
Online group cards
KudoBoard

Expectations &
boundaries
Be empathetic to yourself and coworkers by
setting and adhering to boundaries and
knowing what’s expected of you

#CMXSummit @jennita
Set work
hours
2#CMXSummit @jennita
Everyone on the team
should have set
working hours.
Use tools to show
when you’re
available.
Native Gmail

#CMXSummit @jennita
Set work
hours
2#CMXSummit @jennita
Enhance with Clockwise

#CMXSummit @jennita
Calendar
etiquette
2#CMXSummit @jennita
Be good to yourself
and your team.
Send emails at a
reasonable hour.
Thank you Gmail! ⏱"

#CMXSummit @jennita
Calendar
etiquette
2#CMXSummit @jennita
Enhance with Boomerang

#CMXSummit @jennita
Messaging
manners
2#CMXSummit @jennita
Be good to yourself
and your team.
Sending emails at a
reasonable hour.
🌍Thank you Slack! 🌎

Accountability
& Trust
Having those expectations set,
it’s time to make sure everyone
is accountable and can trust the
work will get done.

#CMXSummit @jennita
Ownership
2#CMXSummit @jennita
Get everyone on
board with who’s in
charge of what.
More importantly,
who’s their backup.

#CMXSummit @jennita
“Local” go-to
resource
2#CMXSummit @jennita
Someone in the same
time zone
Approval, ideas,
advice, etc.

#CMXSummit @jennita
Team
Strengths
2#CMXSummit @jennita
Know everyone’s
strengths, and play to
them
High5 Test
Strengthfinder test

#CMXSummit @jennita
Cross-train
3#CMXSummit @jennita
Not everyone will be
an expert in all areas.
Create a T-Shaped
team
Technical BusinessPMComms.Design Community
EmpathyWriting Industry Task MgmtUX/UI Internal
HTML &
CSS
JavaScript
Back-end
Database
Architect
Creativity
Conflict Mgmt
Adaptability
Enablement
Public Relations
Customer Svc
Broad knowledge across multiple
disciplines
Deep, specialized knowledge in specific
areas

#CMXSummit @jennita
Tools to help
Grammarly

#CMXSummit @jennita
Tools to help
3
Figma

#CMXSummit @jennita
Tools to help
Toggl
RescueTime

● Communication is already hard, work on
making it easier
● Take a follow the sun strategy
● Get personal to create team spirit
● Set clear expectations & boundaries
● Set the team up for success with
accountability and trust

Resources
● https://usefyi.com/remote-work-resources/
● Timezone.io
● Worldchatclock.com
● KudoBoard
● Boomerang
● Clockwise
● Gallup StrengthFinder Test
● High5 Test - https://high5test.com/
● Grammarly
● Figma.com
● Toggl.com
● RescueTime
#CMXSummit @jennita

Thank You!
Jennifer Sable Lopez
Director of Community
@jennita