I’ve found a couple of ‘free’ websites that have reduced markedly my time and effort in working across time zones. Each has far more capabilities than I’ve outlined below. I have simply covered the functions that have been invaluable for me.
TimeAndDate
This website lets me include a link in meeting invites giving the equivalent time and date for each time zone. I have also set up a Personal World Clock using the time zones that are relevant for me. It also has an Event Planner tool. I can determine best meeting times etc. The information is colour coded for ease of seeing usual ‘working’, ‘awake but may not be working’ and ‘sleeping’ hours.
Doodle
With Doodle I can check out the availability of essential personnel before establishing a meeting time. The beauty of it is I don’t need to convert my time into the equivalent time in each of the other participant’s time zones – it does it for us! Also, I get notified when people respond, I see graphically how many people ‘can’, ‘could if need necessary’, or ‘can’t’ make a certain time and also what is the most popular time.