Do it right: Managing Regional Teams
Talk to them. Keep them up-to-date with what's happening across the business. Make sure they hear company info at the right time, through the right channels. Don't rely solely on the intranet - visit them regularly.
Be sensitive. They operate in different markets, and you can't fit a square peg in a round hole. Imposing centrally formulated rules may be unhelpful.
Listen. They're the local experts: where their market is concerned, they may know better than you. Would their know-how work in your other markets? Ask them to present to head office and counterparts in other regions.
Keep an eye on things. Make sure they don't confuse distance with the right to do as they please. It's not the Wild West out there.