~360 million.
According to some source, that’s how many businesses exist globally today.
Of those, only a tiny fraction — likely just tens of thousands — operate across multiple countries, including the elite listed in the Fortune Global 500.
But being global is one thing — staying global is another.
For multinational companies, crossing borders is only the beginning.
Sustaining a global presence means navigating regulations, cultural differences, time zones, and constant change — all while trying to maintain a cohesive identity and culture.
It takes more than scale; it takes effort, intention, and coordination.
Since college, I’ve worked at companies with cross-border operations. And from experience, I’ve learned that a global structure doesn’t guarantee a global mindset — that has to be earned and actively cultivated.
This article offers a glimpse into my day-to-day: the rhythms, the trade-offs, and the behind-the-scenes reality of working with teams across continents and time zones.
As a technical support engineer, I act as a bridge between our technology and the merchants who use it — helping them integrate and operate our products effectively, advising on best practices, and feeding their needs and issues back into the product roadmap.
My top priorities are:
- Supporting Japanese merchants
- Supporting merchants across the globe
But behind this straightforward description lies a far more complex reality: one that plays out across time zones, cultures, and teams — and shows just how much ongoing effort it takes for a company to stay truly global.
Here’s a glimpse into what a typical day looks like for me in our Tokyo office.
DAILY
9am–2pm: Focus Time
- 9:00–9:30am — Start the day by checking my support case queue and internal messages. I write down a few top priorities for the day on a sticky note — a small ritual that helps keep focus.
- 10:00am — The Singapore team (1 hour behind us) comes online. As our regional hub, they’re often my go-to for help or insights. Their experience is invaluable.
- 12:00–1:00pm — Lunchtime. I usually stay at my desk with a bagel or sandwich — not because I’m antisocial, but because this is when I’m usually in the zone.
- 1:00–2:00pm — Coffee refill. Push through outstanding support cases or jump on merchant calls if needed.
2pm–4pm: Collaboration Time
- 2:00–4:00pm — Meetings, 1-on-1s, training sessions. This is the window when internal collaboration happens — a mix of deep work and shared learning.
- 4:00pm — Europe comes online. I connect with colleagues there to resolve merchant issues involving products owned or supported out of Europe. Sometimes I hand over cases — passing the baton in our global relay.
4pm–5pm: Wrapping Up
- Final push: finish case replies, respond to internal messages, and attend late-day calls with the Europe team on complex cases or cross-regional projects.
WEEKLY
- Mon: Japan office check-ins
- Tue/Wed: Asia and Europe team syncs — a blend of case sharing and alignment
- Thu/Fri: Project time + casual 1-on-1 chats with teammates or visiting colleagues. These informal moments matter — they build the trust that makes cross-border collaboration work.
MONTHLY
- Asia regional office meeting — Cross-office alignment and knowledge sharing.
- Asia team sync — Project updates, team challenges, product releases, and peer support.
- Japan team catch-up — A space to bring up local topics or just reconnect as a team.
ANNUALLY
- In-person office visits — Singapore and Europe. These trips are short but meaningful. Face-to-face time builds stronger working relationships that carry us through the rest of the year.
Working across borders isn’t just a feature of my job — it is the job.
My schedule reflects the constant coordination, shifting contexts, and cultural awareness needed to make a global business run smoothly.
It’s easy to say a company is “global.”
Living it, every day, is another story.