I've realized something valuable after reading http://martinfowler.com/articles/itsNotJustStandingUp.html.  A pattern emerged on my present team where people show up to work around 10am, usually.  Sometimes they call in to the scrum and lately, often really, we end up with more then one caller.  Frankly, more times then not, the caller is me.

I have been curious as to why I have shifted my schedule unintentionally and why the whole team now works a later day.  We all have families so its unlikely that anyone is out partying late into the night.  The article pointed out that the daily stand-up either starts the day or it doesn't.  If your stand-up is in the morning, make it appropriately early so that it kicks of the core work hours.  If its not on by, say 9:30, move it to the afternoon.  Psychologically, the team will associate that meeting with the beginning of their day and they won't be motivated to begin any work until that commitment is behind them.  This is perfectly normal and makes sense in hindsight but it hadn't occurred to me until I read it.  I'm not advocating strict working hours or even suggesting that a later start is inherently bad, merely that one should be aware of scheduling impact.

I believe there is tremendous value to starting the day with the daily stand up or "scrum".  Don't wait until its is convenient for everyone to be present.  Rather, schedule it at a reasonable time that everyone can agree to be ready.  9:30 for example.  The team should plan to be at work around 9, log in, check their email, reboot Windows 6 times, and fill their coffee.  Then, at 9:30, come together and hit it like gangbusters. 

Granted, if the team is composed of a bunch of young punks who like to stay out late and prefer to start work at 10 am and work into the evening hours, there is nothing at all wrong with a 10:30 scrum.  Adjust accordingly but understand the impact of your kick off time.