Stay abreast of office developments using your portable tools - your laptop, Blackberry, cell phone, Skype headset
The frequent business traveler might be making deals in Timbuktu, but is still beholden to keep in touch.You need to be alert with developments at the home office and within the industry.
These days, Google Alerts and RSS Feeds are better than the USA Today for industry-specific information. Finding WIFI hot spots, getting great cellular service, and being able to access your bank account online, anytime, are crucial to this lifestyle.
Best ways to keep in touch with the office and your business affairs from the road:
- Laptop with WIFI - Email. IM. Chat. Business forums. The web is full of real-time communications media. Business travelers can find WIFI in free city hot spots, airports, hotels and via War Driving. Even Washington State Ferries have Wi-fi now for commuters. It's a wireless world.
- Blackberry. Some people live and die by this device.
- Skype. You need a compatible headset.
- Cell phone - lots of minutes, text messaging, excellent cell coverage for areas you travel in, car and wall chargers. My article on many, many travel uses for your cell phone, including checking stock prices by the minute.
- Google Alerts, RSS Feeds, Google Reader and the like (ie - Yahoo, AOL, MSN...all have Reader Home Pages you design by your interests).
- 24-hour online access to your bank account and instant online fund transfers within that bank
- Emergency phone card with at least a half hour of minutes left.
- Business office Fax machine. Use the hotel's fax to jot off a quick, handwritten note to the office. A bonus - this instant update won't steal your time like a phone call would, and it's easier than opening up your laptop and finding a connection if you are in the middle of other things. A good business office is one of the best, underused hotel amenities out there. If your hotel lacks an established Business Center, simply ask the hotel desk staff to fax, copy or look something up online for you.
- Use your Concierge. Nicer hotels have people on staff who's entire job is to make your life easier. You can ask them almost anything and they will try hard to look up the answers for you right away. Don't forget to tip for above-and-beyond service.
- A good travel agent can also be a big help. You don't have to stop while traveling to find and book the best fares and lodging if you have a travel agent you can trust. Cultivate a relationship with your agent when and where you can. Have this valuable person's number speed-dailed on your cell. When you are stuck in traffic, waiting in queues, or can't otherwise get online yourself, call your agent to make some calls for you.
The copyright of the article Keep in Touch with the Office in Business Travel Tips is owned by Dan Florio. Permission to republish Keep in Touch with the Office in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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