What is the best method to manage a team which is based in different time zones, physical locations and even languages?

1.Choose the Right Team Players-They should be self motivated, with very good communications skills , result driven & they must be open & honest.

2.Define Your Team Purpose-You can use a team charter to state your team's mission, clearly define everyone's roles and responsibilities, identify key resources, and decide how the team operates. Team charters often use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set goals and objectives. 

Team charters can also be useful when an established team is in trouble. For example, the difficulties of working across several continents may create stress for your team, and members may lose their focus or work toward conflicting goals. A team charter can help get everyone back on track. 

3.Develop Strong Team Dynamics-Whether you're creating a new team or integrating workers into an existing team, you need to be aware of team dynamics. Managing relationships between team members can be difficult enough within a shared office space, but it's even more challenging when workers are all over the country – or the world.

With remote workers, you don't have the advantage of watching body language for signs of trouble between team members. The same is true for managing the morale of individuals. How can you tell if remote workers are unhappy if you can't see them? Watch closely for warning signs such as these:

• Reduced output.
• Short and abrupt emails.
• Reluctance to engage in telephone calls or video conference calls.
• Shortage of new ideas.

Most teams follow a "forming, storming, norming, performing" path from the time they're first created. Identify which stage your team is in, and apply some of our suggested tools to move your workers toward the performing stage.

4.Give Feedback and Reward Performance- Stay in contact with everyone, make sure that the feedback is fair & consistent, Ensure that rewards are equal.

5.Promote Team Bonding- Set up an intranet  team page, Build a virtual team room, Use webcams & be sensitive to language & relegious barriers & beliefs.

I am sure with the above you will be able to manage a cross cultural & diversified team efficiently.

Rgds

Rajiv