Time zones are a system designed to bring order to the global rhythm of life. While the Earth rotates on its axis, different regions experience sunlight at various times. To organise time globally, the planet is divided into 24 time zones, each representing an hour’s difference from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). For instance, when it’s noon in London, it’s 7 am in New York, as New York operates in the GMT-5 time zone.
Pacific Standard Time (PST) is one such time zone. It is used in the western parts of the United States and Canada, including cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. This time zone is 8 hours behind GMT, represented as GMT-8. During winter, standard time is observed, while in summer, daylight saving time (PDT) is used, which is one hour ahead of PST.
1 Why is PST important for Indian professionals?
India operates in the GMT+5:30 time zone. This means there’s a time difference of 13 hours during winter and 12 hours during summer between India and PST. For example, when it’s noon in Mumbai, it’s midnight in Los Angeles. For Indian professionals working with international companies in the United States, understanding this time difference is crucial for scheduling meetings, meeting project deadlines, and managing daily communications.
Let’s explore how this information can be practically applied.
2 How the time difference impacts business
When working with clients or partners in the US, it’s essential to consider their working hours. For instance, American companies typically start their workday at 9 am PST. At that time, it’s already 10:30 pm in India. If you attempt to contact your California-based colleagues in the middle of your workday, they’ll likely be unavailable as it’s still night for them.
Here’s how to avoid such situations:
- Plan meetings in advance. Use online calendars that automatically display time in different zones. For example, Google Calendar lets you add multiple time zones, so you can always see the local time of your overseas colleagues.
- Leverage “golden hours.” These are overlapping hours when workdays in both countries partially coincide. For India and PST, the “golden hours” are early morning in India (6-8 am) and evening in California (5-7 pm). This is the best time for productive discussions and meetings.
- Divide tasks by urgency. Address urgent matters during the “golden hours” and send less critical tasks via email, allowing partners to review them at the start of their workday.
3 How to organise your workday effectively
Imagine you’re managing a project that requires daily interaction with US clients. Your standard work hours in India are 9 am to 6 pm, but clients in California begin their day only at 10:30 pm Indian time. What can you do?
- Adjust your schedule. Consider starting your workday later, say at 12 noon. This way, you can remain available for evening discussions with clients.
- Delegate tasks. If your team operates in shifts, assign someone to handle client communications at times more convenient for them.
4 Avoid common mistakes
One frequent mistake is confusion caused by daylight saving time. In summer, the US shifts to PDT (GMT-7), while India remains in the same time zone. If you overlook this, you might schedule meetings at incorrect times. Ensure your calendar updates automatically based on the season.
5 What to do in urgent situations
Sometimes, you may need to discuss something immediately, but the time difference is too great. In such cases:
- Send a message: Instead of calling, send a brief email or text. This allows your client to respond when they’re able to.
- Agree on emergency hours: If your project involves frequent urgent requests, establish agreed-upon hours for contacting each other outside of regular work times.
Understanding time zones is not just about geography; it’s a key skill for succeeding in international business. The time difference between India and PST requires careful planning, but with the right approach, it can be an asset rather than a hurdle. Use calendar tools, schedule during “golden hours,” and stay flexible — this will help you work efficiently and build strong business relationships with US partners.
