Other than the obvious (Internet?), two technologies I've started using recently have increased tremendously the efficiency with which I work with the Argentines:

First, there is Lingo, a VoIP service. For $80/month, I can make an unlimited number of calls to Argentina, using my normal telephone. This is a brilliant User Interface: instead of having to install or learn new software or connect a headset and microphone to the computer, I use the UI I know very well, the standard telephone. Furthermore, the all-you-can-eat model is great for this purpose: if I used a cheaper in which I only pay a few cents per minute (say, Skype?), then I will be counting the minutes and minizing the interaction. But now, my incentive structure is so that, on a moment's notice, I call Argentina constantly and work out every issue over the phone. Very quick, very efficient, and reinforces the truth we know but easily forget, the hierarchy of interactive technologies in terms of the efficiency they promote in terms of meetings and dealing with important issues, with face-to-face always on top, phone below that, and then online technologies only when the other two aren't feasible.

The second technology is the Blackberry, which my friends have been referring to as a Crackberry. I'm addicted. The havoc it has caused for my social life aside--yes, that's essential to the analysis of it but we'll do that later--it has helped me solve a critical hurdle in my outsourcing business. One of the key challenges of outsourcing is the increased time everything takes because of the increased communication between all parties. Therefore, with much back-and-forth between the clients, the American team, and the Argentine team, there would be a time lag if, say, I was in meetings all day long and only at night saw the relevant emails to forward or ask a question to someone as a result. This would happen a lot. The Blackberry has solved this entire class of problems. Now, I easily and quickly forward anything that comes in to the appropriate person. It is not a coincidence that everyone on all sides has been happier these last few weeks. Except for my friends.