10 Business Travel Tips

1. Don't expect to get anywhere on time. Accept delays as the rule rather than the exception - you'll live longer.
2. Always print out and keep the confirmation of your seat booking just in case a computer goes down.
3. Whatever else you forget, don't forget your passport, cash/cards and medicine.
4. Always take your laptop as hand luggage, never check it into the hold.
5. If you're carrying or planning to buy anything which might break or leak, use a sealable bag. Take one with you anyway even if you have no plans to use it, you might make an unexpected purchase.
6. Take dark clothes, they'll look cleaner longer.
7. Tie something colourful around your bag or bag handle so it's easier to spot on the carousel.
8. Use Skype, and make sure your account has sufficient funds before you leave.
9. Take a network (Ethernet) cable with you, don't rely on the hotel having one.
10. If you have the opportunity to recharge your phone or laptop while waiting somewhere, do so.
    

Business in the nude

Christina Binkley's article at the WSJ reminded me of the time I met some work colleagues in the Netherlands for an invigorating game of squash. Afterwards we decided to relax in the sauna and I was shocked to find everyone else had neglected to wear a towel! I still get ribbed today for hiding my most valuable business assets.

Behind stories like this and those related by Christina, though, lie an important point. It pays to do your homework before travelling to another country on business. Get it right and you'll make a good impression, get it wrong and you risk having wasted your trip.

Do you have an interesting story to tell about a cross-cultural faux-pas in the business world? Leave a comment or drop us a line!

Health tips for business travelers abroad

Most business travelers face few serious health risks in their daily lives. For those traveling overseas to more exotic locations, however, the health risks may be more significant. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when traveling abroad.

It is important to investigate the standard and type of healthcare available in your chosen destination, especially if you suffer from a medical condition which requires ongoing treatment or medication. Most countries have at least adequate basic healthcare facilities, but more advanced treatments and procedures might not be available in some less-developed locations. In many countries you will have to pay for medical care, although emergency treatment in public hospitals may be free of charge (for short-term trips within the EU/EEA, there are reciprocal arrangements for free or low-cost healthcare on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)).

When taking out health insurance, be sure to check factors such as the annual and lifetime policy limits, whether there are any exclusions which are likely to affect you, whether you are limited to treatment from specific types of healthcare providers, and whether the policy covers emergency evacuation for medical treatment.

Before travelling to your destination, make sure you find out which inoculations or health certificates are needed for entry.

Enquire about any specific health risks in the country you are planning to move to. Diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, tuberculosis, Hepatitis A and B, various forms of encephalitis, typhoid and cholera are common in many countries, but the risk of being infected may vary considerably between different areas of the country, and between urban and rural areas.

Although it is important to be aware of the risks and take sensible precautions, try not to let exaggerated concerns about health risks worry you unnecessarily.

Do you have a useful business travel or mobile technology tip?

Do you have a useful tip for other business travellers? Would you like to review your latest mobile or wireless purchase? How about adding something to our travel and technology guides? Whatever it is, if it's of use or interest to other mobile professionals we want to hear about it!

Help make Business Mobile the most useful travel and tech site on the web and send us your tips, reviews or other information today. We'll be more than happy to link back to you when your submission is published at the site or in the newsletter so remember to include your full details if you wish.

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10 tips for business travel

1. Don't expect to get anywhere on time. Accept delays as the rule rather than the exception - you'll live longer.
2. Always print out and keep the confirmation of your seat booking just in case a computer goes down.
3. Whatever else you forget, don't forget your passport, cash/cards and medicine.
4. Always take your laptop as hand luggage, never check it into the hold.
5. If you're carrying or planning to buy anything which might break or leak, use a sealable bag. Take one with you anyway even if you have no plans to use it, you might make an unexpected purchase.
6. Take dark clothes, they'll look cleaner longer.
7. Tie something colourful around your bag or bag handle so it's easier to spot on the carousel.
8. Use Skype, and make sure your account has sufficient funds before you leave.
9. Take a network (Ethernet) cable with you, don't rely on the hotel having one.
10. If you have the opportunity to recharge your phone or laptop while waiting somewhere, do so.