In good times and bad, IROs need to be out there telling the company story to investors and analysts. Business travel can be frustrating, time consuming and exasperating. Here’s how to make the most of your time on the road.
1. Status matters Travel on the same airline to build up a healthy ‘miles’ status. You need to be in the shorter line for business and first class security screening, but you don’t have to pay business class prices to get there. The more miles you accumulate, the better your chance to score an upgrade. You get there more comfortably and it makes your CFO happy. And those accumulated miles don’t hurt when you finally get a chance to take that vacation.
2. Club it Uh-oh, there’s a long line at the ticket counter. Go through security and head straight to the lounge to check in. Or if your flight is delayed; the lounge can offer a little serenity. So relax. Go online. Send or receive faxes. Recharge your computer and phone. Even take a shower. Remember: carry-on only for lounge check-in.
3. Get a good seat Larger planes are more comfortable, especially up front. Avoid 737s on flights over three hours as they’re cramped. For intercontinental travel, avoid 757s and go for the 767s or, better yet, the new 777s. If you can’t get upgraded, make sure you’re in an emergency exit row. Experts say the air in the front of the plane is healthier.
4. Stay connected Drama always occurs when you’re away, so keep in touch. Keep your cell phone on until bedtime. Check your e-mails at least once a day. Check in with the office between meetings. Budget for a Blackberry, a global cell phone with the same number as your regular phone, and a light laptop (mine is a Transport LT from Micron). For longer flights, bring a plane charger and plug (Targus sells these). Don’t forget extra disks and plug adapters. Some rooms already have foreign outlets installed, but whatever you do don’t try to recharge your phone with the bathroom plug that says shavers only. I’ve destroyed two chargers that way.
5. Get sleep Getting at least six hours of sleep is vital. On long flights from Los Angeles to London, I nab sleep en route and arrive fresh for meetings. On the first night after arrival, I find Tylenol PM is a very helpful sleep aid and not too debilitating the next morning. And I always travel with earplugs, an eye-cover and good multivitamins. Be careful of drinking too much alcohol en route as it worsens the jet lag.
6. Do something fun All work and no play makes you damned dull. And who wants to travel with a bore? Certainly your CEO doesn’t. So if that meeting is canceled, visit a museum, art gallery or the new, chic restaurant in town. Trust me: this is the spice that will make your travel bearable.
7. Get a good travel agent My New York-based travel agent, Michael Chieco at MSR Travel, has actually gotten me on a flight while I was running from one side of an airport to another. Don’t use an agency that gives you a different person every time you call. Give one smart person all of your business. Get them to find flights that are not too crowded up front, giving you the best chance of getting an upgrade.
8. Stay organized Always get shoes shined for free and get your shirt pressed. Keep your papers organized, too. Don’t fly back with too much stuff; courier it back to the office instead.
Morgan Molthrop is vice president of investor relations for Infonet Services Corporation, a leading provider of network services for multinationals
Lagniappe*
– Bring a book to read. No matter how much work you have, you need to exercise the other side of your brain.
– Stay fit. Exercise fights jet lag and allows room for the cream sauce.
– Scope out the city before your meetings, so you don’t get lost with the CEO.
– Avoid red-eye flights like the plague. Airlines use older equipment on them. You can’t sleep and you arrive wrinkled and groggy.
*Lagniappe: A French Creole word that means ‘a little extra’
