PrintWhether you’re sweet-talking faraway clients or brushing up on the ins and outs of your industry, traveling for business is a necessity in today’s global marketplace. And with new technology, minding the store from afar has become easier. But no matter how well equipped you are or how carefully you plan, you’re bound to run into the occasional travel nightmare that threatens to sabotage your composure and productivity. We offer three common travel-nightmare scenarios and tips on how to maintain your sanity and productivity in the process.
Problem: The Layover
The second leg of your red-eye to New York was cancelled and you now find yourself with three hours to kill in Minneapolis in the middle of the night.
The Solution
There’s no better proof of your dedication than that 1 a.m. e-mail to a client. And while many airport phone kiosks come equipped with an Internet data port, balancing a laptop on your knees may bring you a bit too close to the grungy airport carpet. Consider a wireless solution called Ricochet. Available in more than a dozen metropolitan areas, this small wireless modem attaches to your laptop. In addition to the cost of the product, there's a monthly access fee comparable to that of cable TV. Ricochet’s current connection speed is limited to 28.8Kbps in most areas, but speeds up to 128Kbps will be available soon.
Problem: The Seedy Hotel Room
The brochure lied: The luxury suite where you planned to fine-tune tomorrow’s PowerPoint presentation is looking a lot more like the Bates Motel than the Four Seasons.
The Solution
So you don’t relish the thought of preparing that presentation by a flickering neon light? A little advance research could have spared you. Most hotels now actively promote services for business travelers. If features such as in-room data ports and fax machines aren’t mentioned on the hotel’s Web site or in the brochure, ask for the concierge — and if they don't know a fax machine from a Filofax, go elsewhere.
International business travelers may want to consider service packages such as Sprint’s Business Traveler program. For about $100, Sprint will provide you with 12 telephone and power adapters, a teleconferencing service, software that facilitates online presentations and a phone card that lets you call the United States from more than 125 international locations.
Problem: The Endless Trade Show
Having gleaned every last bit of useful information during the first day of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Expo, you now find yourself fighting to stay awake during a seminar on dust control.
The Solution
Skip the lectures but absorb the material. In no other setting will you find so many peers and competitors giving away information. You’re sure to find more pamphlets, journals, reports and product samples than you know what to do with.
Break out of that seminar and start reading, gathering intelligence, and making an action plan. Then start networking: Add the five most interesting people you meet at the conference to your address book and consider how they might help you in the future.
