> How could we show management how is it to use IRC, mailing lists or something like Github to collaborate?

I wish I knew the answer. My gut says to take someone experienced working with remote teams to run a trial, to show them the little tricks that can help make it a success. Quantifying success is often difficult even if we feel we know instinctively if it's working for us, or could be part time or with some changes.

However, I've only worked for companies who had a negative attitude towards working remotely even if they half-heartedly tried it occasionally, or companies who were setup as remote-first. Traversing the gap seems to be hard.

Wait twenty years for people who don't know to retire or die, and people who do to move up the ranks. Or find an organization that isn't so set in outdated ways.

Sorry. I'd love to have a better answer, but I've been around a while and I'm not seeing one yet.