In today's ever evolving business market the need to manoeuvre business operations globally is now a must for organisations wishing to develop and grow into new and exciting emerging markets. Corporate travel is a critical aspect of business expansion, however it can generate cause for concern for both organisations and their travellers.
Here are some general travel awareness tips to think about…Plan and Research your destination
No matter if it’s your first or tenth overseas visit, conducting some much needed and relevant situational profiling of your destination will not only save critical business time but may save your life! Cultural & business etiquette may also gain you and your organisation bonus points, the slightest incorrect hand movement or mispronounced greeting could cause unnecessary embarrassment or even worse, cause offense. Analysing the current political situation and environmental conditions will ensure that you and your employees will not be caught up in a situation that may cause harm or inconvenience.
Leave valuables at home
It’s the morning before you depart for the airport, now is the time to establish what is actually needed for your trip! Consider leaving items such as watches, jewellery and other expensive items at home. There have been many global instances where business travellers have been subjected to targeted acts of robbery or thefts either directly or indirectly (including theft from hotel rooms). Analysing what is actually required for your trip, not only mitigates the potential threats but also reduces the risk of loss or theft.
Luggage Security
Theft from insecure luggage accounts for 61% of crimes against business travellers. Ensuring that your belongings are safe means securing it in any way possible, this deters opportunists from stealing or tampering with your luggage.
Always have an approved lock on every compartment of your luggage. Theft from baggage handling services is not uncommon throughout the world, having a lock not only deters but allows you to confirm that your belongings have not been tampered with.
IT Security
In 2015 approximately £115m of business data was lost or stolen which included sensitive and confidential corporate information. With the increased availability of IT equipment and ease of access to cloud storage platforms, business travellers must start to protect their systems even in the basic forms. As a traveller your business and personal information is your prized asset, therefore it’s worth securing your IT systemsÉ
Consider the type of bag you carry your equipment in! You may believe that a high end branded carry case might place you amongst high rolling entrepreneurs, however a laptop backpack is easier to secure and has less appeal for the opportunist thief.
Consider a laptop security lock for when you leave you equipment within your apartment or hotel room. Do not trust that your accommodation is a safe and secure environment.
Lastly evaluate whether you actually need to take your IT equipment with you, whilst out socially. We are amazed at the number of individuals who take their laptop to the beach and then go for a swim leaving their device covered by their beach towel.
Reduce your profile
Conducting a little local research before departing on your business trip goes a long way, ask friends and colleagues about their experiences and establish an environmental picture.
General giveaways of a corporate traveller:
Wearing expensive watches and jewellery in the hotel bar
Wearing expensive formal attire when socialising out of the business setting
Setting up a full mobile business desk in either the bar or reception
Multiple airline and hotel loyalty cards hanging from laptop bag
General Situational Awareness
We believe that awareness is a choice and the correct choice is to choose to pay attention. The idea of personal security and awareness is not necessarily to transform you into Jason Bourne, but to enable your inner sixth sense. So picture yourself walking along a well-known busy street and you notice that it’s unusually quiet “absence of the normal, presence of the abnormal” What do you do?
There is no right or wrong answer here as every situation is different, however you must immediately consider your options and evaluate your contingency plan, which may include:
Head straight to a public place (hotel, bar, restaurant)
Make your emergency contacts aware (SMS, Voice call or even activate a security travel application)
Once you make a decision stick to it and do not deviate from your gut instinct.
Today’s business executive is completely market industry smart, in closing contracts, manoeuvring projects and operations, however in order to be successful business travellers they must ensure that they are travel smart too.
