Nomads, by definition, have a limited contact role from within a business group.  They provide a critical and timely service to a company, group, or team.  However, their integration into the team can be difficult without:

• Common expectations
  What are they supposed to contribute? A specific goal and known expecatations are critical to ensuring good rapport and results.  Goals can be established through email, video conferences, telephone conferences with common documentation, or any combination of the above.
• Clear timelines for Deliverables
  Because of their “remote” status, it is critical that nomads deliver to the team on time and under budget.  Business confidence in their capabilities, personal relationships formed through text and voice communications, and team-building are all tied to delivering “top-of-the-line” deliverables that meet specifications.
• Common communication channels
  Both old-style (message boards, email, newsgroups) and new-style (internet video, web meetings, common community boards such as whiteboards and writing environments) can be used to provide this commonality.  The key to success in this area is to define one for communications, one for deliverables, and a last one for just-in-time (JIT) communications.  Both parties, team and nomad, need to know what to use and how to use it.

Nomads are different from vendors in that they are inside the team, rather than an adjunct to the team.  With clear communications and an understanding of what should be delivered, they can greatly increase the productivity of a business group.