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On this Thanksgiving, we want to share our genuine appreciation for you. We wish you a safe and healthy holiday filled with laughter, love, and gratitude!

Country borders are opening around the globe, and the U.S. borders opened just a couple of days ago (hooray!).  As you may have seen in the news, travelers from all over the world are heading to the U.S.  This is great news for the relocation industry and for international business travel.  There has also been a considerable uptick in domestic business travel recently, and all signs point to increased global business travel into 2022 and beyond.

We are all familiar with common business practices in our home countries. But as we travel abroad again, it’s worth remembering that we are less accustomed to the way things are done abroad. Your globally mobile employees should keep in mind that when they travel for business they are representing your department, your company, and your country.  With so much on the line, every international business trip benefits from preparation.

Knowing even just a little about the cultures and customs in a destination goes a long way. Strategic scheduling of travel, meetings, and rest time can also make a substantial difference.

Before going abroad, every global business traveler should know the answers to these questions:

• Is my passport up to date, with at least six months before expiry?

• Do I need a visa?

• What vaccinations are required?

• What is the currency exchange rate?

• What is the time difference?

• How can I travel from place to place locally?

• What is the dress code?

• What are some of the important customs in my destination?

• How should I greet colleagues?

• What can I expect in restaurants and at meals?

• What electronic equipment and adapters are necessary?

• How should I tip for services?

• Will I need to take security precautions?

• Do I need insurance?

• Who are my contacts in case of an emergency?

Why ask your employees to do destination research when their time is better spent preparing to maximize new opportunities?  A subscription to Living Abroad’s Global Business Travel Center covers over 150 countries — and gives your globally mobile employees the headstart they need, when they need it the most!

If you’d like to learn more about the depth of our content and resources, request a demo!

Written by Cathy Heyne, GMS-T, President

It’s no secret that the global pandemic has caused great disruption to manufacturing and logistics — supply chains — throughout the world. Many merchants are urging online shoppers to plan ahead, especially with demand as high as ever. For example, Singles Day — the November 11th holiday which had already become the biggest shopping day in the world — still broke previous years’ sales records in 2020.

Here are five things you can do to make the most of your online shopping experiences:

1.  For your online purchases, use a globally accepted credit card that does not draw funds directly from your bank account. Review all credit card issuer documentation, as well as your invoices when they become available.

2.  When purchasing items via auction or marketplace websites, evaluate seller information and policies before bidding. Know what resources the service provides for buyers, and what recourse is available to you if needed.

3.  If shopping on a website in another country, familiarize yourself with importation laws and restrictions in the country where items will be received. Your purchases may be subject to inspection and tariffs, and the recipient may need to pick them up at the customs agent. Know that in many countries it is against the law to ship items abroad without an enclosed invoice.

4.  Be wary of email requests, even if the sender claims to be representing a legitimate business or service. You may want to contact the service directly to confirm the request, via telephone or on-site chat service, before clicking on any links or responding to it.

5.  Choose merchants who ship using trackable methods. When possible, use a shipping address that allows for indoor, monitored delivery. Some larger online retailers offer the option to pick up items from a local store or locker service.

Written by Erin Fitzgerald, GMS, Content Manager

The skills that make us successful in our jobs have changed due to continued remote work.  And remote working – in some form — is not going anyway any time soon.  A KPMG survey found that 80% of U.S. workers would turn down a job opportunity if it did not include flexible working option.  So how can we be successful and thrive?

Here are some skills you need to be a good remote worker:

1. Teamwork – Most workers continue to be part of a larger team, so even though you are remote, you are not working separately.  Finding a balance between video meetings, phone calls, and emailing is important so overwhelm doesn’t set in.  Shared documents and project management software are a good way to let teams share updates and documentation.
2. Clear communication – Working remotely means that almost all the communication between a team is through email or messaging apps.  Being able to communicate clearly and succinctly will go a long way in getting your ideas across.  Good communication skills are a foundation for team success.
3. Time management – Self-motivation and time management often go together. It’s easy to get sidetracked working remotely.  Many productivity coaches suggest carving out a period for intense work followed by a break.  If you’re used to working in an office, you would have been able to chat with co-workers during a break.  Now, plan you breaks in advance so you have something to look forward to.
4. Focus – Distractions are numerous working from home.  From outside noises of a garbage truck, construction, or lawn mowers to indoor sounds of children, pets, or other adults, the list of distractions is endless.  Learning how to remain focused is a skill to develop.  Setting up a quiet space, devoid of clutter, and some good noise cancelling headphones will go a long way to maintain your focus.
5. Adapt – Challenges will always come up and how you deal with them will affect the success of your team.  Maybe a big storm will knock a colleague’s internet out right before a big project is due.  Flexibility and creative problem solving will lead to a solution.  If you’re suddenly assigned to a new team, you will need to adapt to their way of working.
6. Trustworthy – Research has found that employees who are trusted are better at teamwork and more productive.  When working in a team, the most important aspect is to set clear goals and objectives, be transparent, and communicate often. Feedback during the process is very important.

The KMPG survey also found that employees believed that working remotely increased their focus and productivity. As we continue to hone our skills of teamwork, communication, time management, focus, adaptation, and trustworthiness, the future will be filled with much success for employees, their teams, and ultimately our companies.

The skills that make us successful in our jobs have changed due to continued remote work.  And remote working – in some form — is not going anyway any time soon.  A KPMG survey found that 80% of U.S. workers would turn down a job opportunity if it did not include flexible working option.  So how can we be successful and thrive?

Here are some skills you need to be a good remote worker:

1. Teamwork – Most workers continue to be part of a larger team, so even though you are remote, you are not working separately.  Finding a balance between video meetings, phone calls, and emailing is important so overwhelm doesn’t set in.  Shared documents and project management software are a good way to let teams share updates and documentation.
2. Clear communication – Working remotely means that almost all the communication between a team is through email or messaging apps.  Being able to communicate clearly and succinctly will go a long way in getting your ideas across.  Good communication skills are a foundation for team success.
3. Time management – Self-motivation and time management often go together. It’s easy to get sidetracked working remotely.  Many productivity coaches suggest carving out a period for intense work followed by a break.  If you’re used to working in an office, you would have been able to chat with co-workers during a break.  Now, plan you breaks in advance so you have something to look forward to.
4. Focus – Distractions are numerous working from home.  From outside noises of a garbage truck, construction, or lawn mowers to indoor sounds of children, pets, or other adults, the list of distractions is endless.  Learning how to remain focused is a skill to develop.  Setting up a quiet space, devoid of clutter, and some good noise cancelling headphones will go a long way to maintain your focus.
5. Adapt – Challenges will always come up and how you deal with them will affect the success of your team.  Maybe a big storm will knock a colleague’s internet out right before a big project is due.  Flexibility and creative problem solving will lead to a solution.  If you’re suddenly assigned to a new team, you will need to adapt to their way of working.
6. Trustworthy – Research has found that employees who are trusted are better at teamwork and more productive.  When working in a team, the most important aspect is to set clear goals and objectives, be transparent, and communicate often. Feedback during the process is very important.

The KMPG survey also found that employees believed that working remotely increased their focus and productivity. As we continue to hone our skills of teamwork, communication, time management, focus, adaptation, and trustworthiness, the future will be filled with much success for employees, their teams, and ultimately our companies.

Written by Cathy Heyne, GMS-T, President