Do These Things Before You Travel:
The opportunities available in doing business abroad are vast. Whether you are looking into emerging markets or one of America’s major trading partners, a successful foray into international business can be a major profit center for your company. Quite often, this means that someone from your company will eventually need to travel to the country in which you are now doing business. Whether that individual is you or someone else, there are some important tips every business traveler should follow to make sure their trip is both safe and successful:
1. Do Some Background Research
Before traveling to any country you are not familiar with, it is important to research the culture and customs that you will find when you arrive. In addition to this ensuring your safety, it will also prepare you for any cultural idiosyncrasies that may arise while there. If for nothing else, it is particularly important not to inadvertently offend your business partners by ignoring their cultural backdrop.
2. Register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
It is also important to register in this program at the State Department, available here. There are a number of benefits that come with letting the State Department know your whereabouts while abroad. In the event of an emergency in the country you’re visiting, being registered through the program will mean the Embassy will know how many Americans they are looking for when checking hospitals, refugee centers, etc. Registration can also expedite any communication you make with the local Embassy or Consulate while abroad.
3. Make A Copy Of Your Passport And Itinerary
Before leaving, make two copies of your passport and print out your itinerary. Bring one copy of the passport with you on your trip and leave the other copy along with your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member staying behind. The copy of your passport you keep with you can be very useful if your actual passport is stolen. In addition, there are places in many countries where a copy of your passport is sufficient documentation. The copies you leave behind are a prudent backup in case an emergency situation develops.
4. Check your Medical Insurance Coverage
Another step it is important to take before leaving is verifying your medical insurance coverage while traveling. Most major insurance providers include some level of overseas medical insurance, however not all of them do. In addition, sometimes the level of coverage will be less than you are comfortable with. You can and should supplement your coverage to a level you feel comfortable with before leaving. Keep in mind there is the potential for medical expenses unique to traveling that are not a concern when living in an urban part of the United States (such as evacuation to a major medical facility). If you take any prescription medications, it is recommended to get a signed physicians note before leaving. This can prevent any hassles that might arise in customs.
5. Make Time to Adjust
When traveling to a country in a different hemisphere, there are some logistical considerations that should be planned for. Jet lag is a very real phenomenon, and can create difficulties for the first day or two of your trip. If possible, try to get quality sleep for the two or three nights before your flight. This should help you make the adjustment to a new time zone and make up for any lack of sleep on your flight.
6. Don’t Forget Your Electrical Adapters
Make sure you get any electrical outlet adapters ahead of time, so you aren’t stuck trying to find one when your smartphone or laptop battery dies. It can also be useful to memorize the exchange rate ahead of time. It can irritating trying to calculate multiples and fractions at a sales terminal or in front of a vendor, so doing a few practice calculations ahead of time can save a great deal of frustration.
7. Make Sure Your Proposals and Materials are Properly Translated
Unless you are completely fluent in the native language, you should have any and all business documents translated by experts. It can appear deeply unprofessional if there are grammatical or syntax mistakes in a business proposal. The last thing you want is to create a negative first impression. Using a professional translation service like LanguageTran can prevent any possibility of a poorly translated document from reaching the hands of your foreign business partners. LanguageTran offers business-grade translation services at a price that makes sense and in the timeframe you demand. Our team of translators are capable of handling any document, regardless of how technical it needs to be.
For more information about the types of translation services LanguageTran offers, as well as a free quote, click here.
Before traveling to any country you are not familiar with, it is important to research the culture and customs that you will find when you arrive. In addition to this ensuring your safety, it will also prepare you for any cultural idiosyncrasies that may arise while there. If for nothing else, it is particularly important not to inadvertently offend your business partners by ignoring their cultural backdrop.
2. Register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
It is also important to register in this program at the State Department, available here. There are a number of benefits that come with letting the State Department know your whereabouts while abroad. In the event of an emergency in the country you’re visiting, being registered through the program will mean the Embassy will know how many Americans they are looking for when checking hospitals, refugee centers, etc. Registration can also expedite any communication you make with the local Embassy or Consulate while abroad.
3. Make A Copy Of Your Passport And Itinerary
Before leaving, make two copies of your passport and print out your itinerary. Bring one copy of the passport with you on your trip and leave the other copy along with your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member staying behind. The copy of your passport you keep with you can be very useful if your actual passport is stolen. In addition, there are places in many countries where a copy of your passport is sufficient documentation. The copies you leave behind are a prudent backup in case an emergency situation develops.
4. Check your Medical Insurance Coverage
Another step it is important to take before leaving is verifying your medical insurance coverage while traveling. Most major insurance providers include some level of overseas medical insurance, however not all of them do. In addition, sometimes the level of coverage will be less than you are comfortable with. You can and should supplement your coverage to a level you feel comfortable with before leaving. Keep in mind there is the potential for medical expenses unique to traveling that are not a concern when living in an urban part of the United States (such as evacuation to a major medical facility). If you take any prescription medications, it is recommended to get a signed physicians note before leaving. This can prevent any hassles that might arise in customs.
5. Make Time to Adjust
When traveling to a country in a different hemisphere, there are some logistical considerations that should be planned for. Jet lag is a very real phenomenon, and can create difficulties for the first day or two of your trip. If possible, try to get quality sleep for the two or three nights before your flight. This should help you make the adjustment to a new time zone and make up for any lack of sleep on your flight.
6. Don’t Forget Your Electrical Adapters
Make sure you get any electrical outlet adapters ahead of time, so you aren’t stuck trying to find one when your smartphone or laptop battery dies. It can also be useful to memorize the exchange rate ahead of time. It can irritating trying to calculate multiples and fractions at a sales terminal or in front of a vendor, so doing a few practice calculations ahead of time can save a great deal of frustration.
7. Make Sure Your Proposals and Materials are Properly Translated
Unless you are completely fluent in the native language, you should have any and all business documents translated by experts. It can appear deeply unprofessional if there are grammatical or syntax mistakes in a business proposal. The last thing you want is to create a negative first impression. Using a professional translation service like LanguageTran can prevent any possibility of a poorly translated document from reaching the hands of your foreign business partners. LanguageTran offers business-grade translation services at a price that makes sense and in the timeframe you demand. Our team of translators are capable of handling any document, regardless of how technical it needs to be.
For more information about the types of translation services LanguageTran offers, as well as a free quote, click here.
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