4 things not to do on an international business trip!

On a recent business trip to Hong Kong I made a number of critical travelling errors so I thought I would document them to acknowledge my foolishness and hopefully prevent them from happening to me again (public humiliation is good like that!).  And although with me, I’m usually all about focusing on the culture –these mistakes weren’t cultural based but they did impact on my effectiveness in the culture!

1.    Don’t purchase a fancy new piece of electronic equipment the day before and expect to be able to “get it running” without hitches while you are away.  (Unless you are a geek and this is your idea of holiday/ travelling fun)

2.    Don’t let your antivirus on your lap top expire just before you leave. (or you will receive continuous warnings while connected to the relatively insecure hotel wifi and the subsequent downloading of numerous strange messages may engender panic that you have become a trojan.)

3.    Don’t leave the research about wifi availability until you hit the ground because then you will need to use the expensive and relatively insecure hotel wifi to find the active spots around town.

4.    Don’t buy, and immediately WEAR, new shoes no matter how beautiful you think they look at the time.

 And yes as always, it’s better to frame our language from a positive perspective so here are the 10 things to do on an international business trip to keep effective and enjoy the culture!

 1.    Before you leave check your electronic equipment is all running correctly with current systems operating.

 2.    Before you leave download apps for your travel destination – including city apps with maps which operate off line, translation and language apps and other background information to enable you to build your cultural intelligence knowledge for the location.

 3.    Before you leave research the wi-fi availability of your destination and -if you need to- prepare your colleagues /clients for the possibility that you will be in touch less regularly while away.

 4.    Pack for different weather eventualities –a sudden cold or hot snap – so that last minute shopping and wearing of new shoes or clothes is a pleasure rather than an essential.

 5.    Make contact with the people you hope to meet with and arrange appointments in advance to avoid disappointments or last minute hassles.

 6.    Take photos and videos wherever you can – they may be helpful later in triggering memories or giving someone else a perspective of the location.

 7.    Balance that with mindfully enjoying the location, drinking in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes; observing and noticing the things around you.

 8.    Take every opportunity to meet and talk with the locals.  Read the local newspapers, watch the television and take note of the similarities as well as the differences to your home.

 9.    Journal as you go, noting the observations of the location and the people, record the things learnt from your meetings, and the follow up you intend to do.

 10.  Focus on enjoying and learning another location around the world increasing your cultural intelligence through your ongoing experiences.