To bridge gaps on deadlines with international vendors: 1. Set Clear Deadlines - Define specific deadlines with time zones included. 2. Regular Communication- Schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress. 3. Time Zone Awareness- Use overlapping working hours for key meetings. 4. Cultural Sensitivity- Understand and respect cultural differences. 5. Add Buffer Time- Include buffer periods to account for potential delays. 6. Use Collaborative Tools- Leverage tools like Slack or Asana for seamless communication. 7. Build Relationships-Invest in strong, trust-based vendor relationships. 8. Joint Planning- Co-plan timelines and resources with the vendor. 9. Escalation Protocols- Establish clear escalation procedures for potential delays.

Global organisations respect time differences..Depending on the time zone, the time difference may work in our favour too. I have personally not faced any concern with an international vendor in the opposite time zone. Vendors also try to build global teams so that urgent matters can be handled with much prompt response.

Actions that I have found helpful 1. Contractual collaboration agreement signed between vendors clarifying the specifics of collaboration 2. Conversion of contractual Sow to clear set of deliverables with deadlines 3. Setting up a governance framework of meetings and tools to ensure client and vendors access to plan, progress status , issues and blocking points 4.Setting up a communication plan considering time zone &cultural differences and accessibility to tools to ensure regular open and transparent communication between vendors and clients 5. Defining common collaboration guidelines - tools and process to use for different purposes 6. Providing opportunity for relationship building between vendors like f2f meetings

Given our global economy, many of our vendors and subcontractors operate across various jurisdictions and time zones, each with their own unique operating styles. Bridging these gaps necessitates continuous communication, both verbal and written. To further enhance team spirit and communication, an in-person bi-annual meetup is recommended. While numerous project management tools, methodologies, and RAG report frameworks can assist in tracking communications and measuring milestones, time, budget, resources, and risks, they cannot replace the essential communication and team spirit needed for successful collaboration.