9 TIPS FOR WORKING (VERY) REMOTELY

Let’s face it, working while on holiday has become a necessity in this always-in-touch life all business people now must lead. Even when you decide to get away from it all a successful business person still needs to be hands-on with his or her clients, no matter how many time zones they are away from their office. 

More often than not these days, remaining in contact during business or personal trips to major international destinations isn’t too difficult. Most big city international hotels are geared to business travelers and go out of their way to facilitate the remote working experience. But what happens when you decide to leave the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton behind and venture out for a more remote and authentic holiday, as we just did. Being avid international travelers we’ve learned a thing or two about staying connected with clients who are working on completely different timetables than you are. Having said all that, we are still finding out things the hard way. Therefore, we offer up our Top 9 Tips for Working (very) Remotely. 

1-While booking your vacation, check wifi/phone reception where you’re staying. Don’t settle for “yes, there’s wifi” on the hotel or Airbnb amenities list. Seriously, make a point of directly asking about the reliability of clear reception and emphasize that you’ll be working during the trip and you’ll need to be fully connected. Some Airbnb owners and smaller, boutique hotels may provide more detailed information on their wifi service because it is, shall we say, spotty. Staying in a cave in the Greek Islands is breathtaking but having to walk outside while holding up your cellphone to the sun in a Bikram yoga pose to send an email isn’t.

2-Always bring at least two power converters when traveling internationally. As was the case this time, these break easily when jammed into luggage while trying to fit everything into a carry-on. The prongs are not made for durability, just functionality. Also, do your homework on the exact type of converter you’ll need for the country you’ll be visiting as well, and here’s the important part, as any country that you’ll have a flight connection through. Delays happen and you’ll need your laptop and phone wherever you’ll be. 

3-Know your time zone. I know this seems like an easy one but you’ll need to adjust your work schedule to fit the time difference. Don’t be totally surprised if you have to stay up ridiculously late or arise God-awful early to take a call. Relax, you can grab a nap later under the Tuscan sun. 

4-Bring your mobile chargers and adapters everywhere you go. Especially if there’s a significant time difference, you may have to send emails or make work calls while out to dinner or on a tour bus. Also, while those 46 selfies you took on a scooter waving “Ciao” to passers-by in Sardinia was simply adorable and sent your Instagram followers into an envious tizzy, using the camera on your mobile significantly drains your battery. 

5-Alert both your cell carrier as well as your credit card companies that you’ll be out of the country. This is a no-brainer to most business travelers but I cannot overstate the importance so it’s mentioned here. Your phone carrier will undoubtedly need to provide you with a temporary international plan for a relatively small fee. That will avoid $64 two-minute calls to your client and letting your credit card company know you’re out of the country will avoid embarrassing “Your card was declined, senor” visits from your waiter at the conclusion of that important business dinner in Bilbao. 

6-Be ready to adjust your schedule if and when work gets in the way of your frolicking. Keep preplanned events to a minimum so you won’t have to cancel that sunset cruise that you prepaid six weeks ago when your client at Acme needs you to work on a Powerpoint presentation for them.

7-Everything moves slower the further you get from the major cities overseas. If you think Customs at Heathrow is abominable, though not as mind-numbing as Security there, don’t be surprised to find there is one customs officer for all 142 passengers from the flight you were just on when you step off the plane in Morocco. Also, your Rome taxi driver may get you to your destination in record time but if you’re heading to a land where a donkey is a preferred mode of transportation don’t figure on getting anywhere too rapidly. Leave enough time to get back to your hotel or to a quiet area to take that important conference call.

8-Needless to say it’ll be difficult to find tech help the more remote you are. Dropping a phone into a sink isn’t a huge deal when you’re staying at the Grosvenor in London but it becomes a huge headache when it falls into the toilet in the WC in Panarea. Before leaving check the location of tech service locations at your destination.

9-Know where the free wifi hangouts are close to your hotel/Airbnb. As mentioned above, internet going out at the Intercontinental in Paris is seldom un probleme but it may be at the 19th Century Uruguayan monastery you’re staying in for the week. Have the address of a connected coffee shop in Montevideo handy.

Hopefully some of these help and like I said, many of these have been learned the hard way.

Good luck and send a postcard.