Barrys Business Boosters: International Business Travel

Most business travelers head to places that are politically stable. Even so, preparing for an overseas trip involves much more than packing a bag, leaving an out-of-office message and e-mailing itineraries to family members.

As international business travel begins to rebound, more travelers are dealing with ever-lengthening to-do lists that include international cellphone coverage, credit card notifications, car rental insurance and security.

So travelers who do not do their homework may end up in a situation like Ewa Asmar, founder of Bion?e, a skin care company. After meeting a supplier in Paris for dinner, she pulled out her credit card to pay, but was told it had been suspended because of the foreign charges she had made earlier that day. She was chagrined when her colleague had to pay the bill.
?I?ve learned to let my credit card companies and bank know where I am going, so charges or A.T.M. withdrawals don?t look suspicious,? she said. Ms. Asmar also takes plenty of cash for taxi rides, incidentals and any unforeseen problems.
Dhiren Fonseca, president of the Expedia Partner Services Group, spends 50 to 60 percent of his time traveling all over the world. To stay connected on the road, he said travelers also needed to check in with their mobile phone providers before leaving the country. Otherwise, they may find their phones do not work abroad, or are racking up large charges.
Overseas travelers could temporarily switch to an international calling plan or rent a phone from their carrier in the United States that works internationally. Different countries may require different solutions.
Another option for international calling is to buy a local prepaid SIM card to plug into an existing mobile phone. Mr. Fonseca keeps about seven of these cards with him for different countries, so he can put a local one into his phone when he lands overseas. The calling rates for local SIM cards are generally less expensive than American plans, but any problems that crop up need to be solved locally with the provider there.
Also, the local SIM card ties the phone to a local phone number, so colleagues need to be notified. And SIM card users still need to tell their carriers about their plans, in case their phone needs to be unlocked.
Many hotels have Wi-Fi capabilities, and as an entrepreneur on a budget, Ms. Asmar has found using Skype from her personal computer to be a low-cost solution for international calls. Most laptop computers now come with a microphone, speakers and a camera built in for easy video chatting. Skype can also be downloaded onto some smartphones.
Travelers also need to check the texting and data charges associated with traveling abroad and to make sure those services are either included in their international plan or turned off when they?re out of the country. ?A co-worker surfed the Web, used his GPS to find his way around and didn?t turn off his sports team notifications while we were traveling,? Mr. Fonseca said. ?He got hit with a multithousand-dollar data bill when he got home.?
Minimizing risk is another important aspect of traveling, Mr. Fonseca said. His laptop and phone are password-protected, encrypted and, of course, backed up. Antitheft software is available to track the whereabouts of a stolen phone or monitor the online activities of a computer thief.
Other travelers recommend emptying wallets of all unnecessary identification cards and credit cards, in case of theft. In areas with political unrest, they eschew company logos on any of their luggage and do not spend time in places frequented by foreigners.
Frequent fliers say they photograph images of their passports, driver?s licenses and critical prescriptions and e-mail the images to themselves in case their wallet and laptop are stolen. Travelers with medical needs say they take extra prescription drugs in case of a snowstorm, a volcanic eruption or some other flight-delaying event.
International travelers often pack an electrical outlet adapter for the computer, a small flashlight and a first aid kit for stomach upsets and jet lag headaches. Many travelers speak to their doctors about carrying a wide-spectrum antibiotic when they go abroad, and even their own syringes if they are traveling in less developed countries. In many cases, learning a few crucial phrases in the local language, like ?Do you speak English?? and ?I need a doctor,? can come in quite handy.
And then there is the flight itself. Airlines have different carry-on size restrictions, so look on the carrier?s Web site or call beforehand. Web sites like SeatGuru.com can help in choosing a comfortable seat for the long haul.
Other items for the preflight checklist include applying for any visas to enter the country or receiving the recommended immunizations. Check on health insurance coverage for any medical needs abroad and whether the car insurance company or corporate credit card cover car rental insurance.
To avoid spending time in line at customs after a long flight home, sign up for the Department of Homeland Security?s Global Entry program, which is available at 20 airports in the United States. ?Low-risk travelers? can apply for the program, which lets them match their passport and fingerprints at an entry kiosk. The department can also issue Nexus cards to travelers who often go to Canada and Sentri cards to those who frequently travel to Mexico.
Source: The New York Times

Source: http://barrysbusinessbooster.blogspot.com/2013/01/international-business-travel.html

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