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When Peak Performance Gets Risky: Mixing Business & Personal Travel

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A recent Security Magazine article entitled “Business Travel is Tough on Mental Health” shared some survey results about business travel and burnout. One surprise statistic from the survey? More than twenty percent of respondents would consider switching jobs if another company offered “bleisure” travel. Yes, corporations need to consider the importance of employee travel security. Companies would do well to build a culture that encourages mental and physical well-being for their associates.

Mix business and leisure travel while still ensuring employee travel securityA growing number of employees each year is adding leisure travel to business trips in an effort to reduce stress and burnout. It’s pretty clear that happy employees are more productive ones. As the Security Magazine article points out, a significant number of the surveyed employees struggled with varying aspects of business travel. It seems like a fairly benign solution to allow employees the freedom to add some self-care and entertainment into their business travel if it helps keep them happier…right?

According to Relocation Magazine, “bleisure” travel makes a great recruitment tool. It’s a benefit that can help companies attract and retain talent. Along with that, though, comes a duty of care, as in who owns the liability? What happens if your employee heads off to foreign lands, for example, and takes off some (permissible-bleisure) time for a tour? If the employee chooses a mountaintop hike and gets injured, is your company liable for the injury? Let’s say your employee prefers a tour that includes stops at a half-dozen wineries. If your employee gets drunk and harms someone else, could your company be held responsible?

Supporting the safety of your business travelers matters when it comes to duty of care. Business travel can be risky enough, but when you throw leisure travel into the mix? Any company that offers “bleisure” as a perk should be prepared for just about any emergency. That means clearly defined travel policies that address expectations surrounding the inclusion of leisure activities. It’s also a good idea to understand potential financial liability for injuries or accidents related to those activities. By far the most important element of “bleisure” preparedness should be employee travel security and safety. A robust travel security program and supportive technology can help employees have safer, more enjoyable travels while mixing pleasure into their business. It’s already considered a perk, so why not add safer “bleisure” travels as a greater benefit to your employees?

IMG GlobalSecur Employee Travel Security Services

IMG GlobalSecur has decades of experience in the security industry. Our team of safety experts stands ready to help you alleviate travel fears with our corporate travel security services including executive travel security expertise and employee medical assistance. In addition, our FoneTrac safety app backed with 24/7 on-call security professionals can assist you in staying safe while away from home or office. Contact us today!

Cybersecurity Worries? Our Exclusive Interview with Richard McKee

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Your personal safety is important when you travel, but how much do you think about your personal identifiers? Those need protection as much as you do, says Richard McKee, a cyber security professional with several decades of experience including law enforcement, national security, and the private sector. No matter what country you’re in, or even on domestic travel, you have to think beyond pickpockets and purse-snatching…because your phone can be a gold mine for thieves. IMG GlobalSecur, a leading provider of corporate travel security services, interviewed McKee about travel safety.

We hear all kinds of cybersecurity horror stories that occur when people are on the road.
What do we really need to know about mobile device security?
Cybersecurity Precautions and Corporate Travel Security Services for Safety: Our Exclusive Interview with Richard McKeeWell, we love our smart phones…which often contain a litany of personal data and for a lot of us, stored credentials. When we travel, that smart phone is often the only camera we take on our vacation. So for anyone who is reluctant to use a cheap “burner” phone, there are some things to consider. First, don’t plug your phone into any charging device you don’t own. Don’t use the stand at the airport, or the port in the base of the lamp in your hotel room. Use your own AC to USB charger. And if you have to use that USB port in the kiosk at the airport, make sure you use a USB data blocker. They are available online for about ten bucks…they attach to the end of your USB cable, and they block any attempts to read from or write to your device. You see that pop-up on your phone that says “Trust this computer?” Well, it’s because what you’ve plugged your phone into wants to exchange data with your phone. Do you really want all of your contact data downloaded into that rental car? You can prevent quite a bit by being careful about sharing…and that means guarding that connection carefully. In a worst-case scenario, if you’re traveling to any countries that are notorious for spying on visitors, I would say go ahead and get that cheap “burner” phone. The key is to understand the risk and take appropriate measures to safeguard your data.

So we’re in a foreign country, out seeing the sights, protecting our data, stopping for a beverage…are cyber cafes safe?
While in foreign countries it can be tempting to use cyber cafes to check your email, social media accounts, etc. Think about it – you’re typing in your username and password on a computer that you don’t own…one that dozens or even hundreds of people have used…they may have visited potentially malicious sites, or even installed malware. It’s a risk, so think carefully before you do it. If you absolutely have to use a shared computer like that for communications, I suggest creating a new, separate throwaway email account just for use while on travel…one that can’t connect anyone with the emails you got from your bank, your credit card company or anyone sending you any other sensitive information.

Why are cybersecurity experts wary of public WiFi? What do you know that we don’t?
Wherever you are, at home, in an airport or hotel, think about how you know what network you are really connected to. How do you know that is the coffee shop or hotel access point? Do you know if it’s encrypted? Most people don’t, which is why it’s a good idea to be cautious. Here’s what we know: there are a variety of attacks and exploits that hackers can use on WiFi. People who randomly connect to public networks can inadvertently make themselves vulnerable.

One of the best ways to make things more difficult for those bad guys is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). It can be used with your mobile device or with a laptop…The key is that let’s say you attach to your hotel’s WiFi. It builds an encrypted tunnel with the VPN that gets used before you go to your email, social media, or other sites. If you ever get the message “The name on the security certificate is invalid or does not match the name of the site” there is a possibility that your attempt to get at your email or other web site is being redirected through another server. That could be a proxy server, or it could be a somebody trying to perform a man-in-the-middle attack, and steal your credentials.

What else can we do to help protect our data from thieves?
If you have to use a public WiFi, be wary of the “always connect to” option. This will cause your device to remember name of that WiFi network. If it is not connected to any network, it will automatically attempt to call out to all of the stored network names in its memory. The bad guys can see that and then configure their malicious server to respond using that network name. Your device will automatically connect. When it does, all of your apps running in the background start trying to check in with the service.

Any tips for our travelers about safe social media usage?
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, take your pick. People tend to want to post everything for the world to see. I say wait until you get home to post all those pics of your travels to that exotic place. Also, your social media account should not be visible to anybody that you don’t specifically authorize. A common scam we’ve seen is that when you are abroad, posting online, the bad guys will contact your friends. They’ll say there’s been a terrible accident, or you are in jail in whatever country you’re in. Many people actually fall for it. Most of us are not celebrities with a million followers on any given social media site, so don’t make your information visible to people you don’t know. Make sure that you enable multi-factor authentication on all your online accounts – email, social media, etc. If your credentials get compromised, it will at least try to require a code sent as a text message to your phone. If you use a burner phone, make sure you print out a temporary list of access codes. Also I suggest you use a different password for each social media account. I know that can be a pain, but ask yourself this: If your username for everything is your email address and then you use the same password, how much of your life can the bad guys take control of just through access to one account?

IMG GlobalSecur Corporate Travel Security Services

IMG GlobalSecur has decades of experience in the security industry. Our team of safety experts stands ready to help you alleviate travel fears with our corporate travel security services including executive travel security expertise, employee travel security advice and employee medical assistance. In addition, our FoneTrac safety app backed with 24/7 on-call security professionals can assist you in staying safe while away from home or office. Contact us today!

An Interview with Craig Carter about Travel Security & Connecting with Travelers

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Employee travel security may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re planning a business trip, but it’s an important consideration that shouldn’t be overlooked. In our exclusive interview with Craig Carter, Vice-President of Strategic Development, K’Alma Spa Concepts & Management, we talk about safety while away from home. In addition to employee travel security apps like FoneTrac, there’s a lot each person can do – attitude, relationships with others etc – to promote a safe travel environment.

“What we think about and what we focus on is what we put out into the world.” Those words, strategically applied, can change everything, according to Craig Carter, the founder and developer of CIPHER Methodology. CIPHER, as Carter explains it, empowers clients to exceed limitations, and it can help travelers in any industry elevate their experience…particularly when it comes to travel safety.

A frequent traveler for his company, which manages international luxury hotel spas, Carter explains, “Wherever I go, I act like I belong. People don’t question me. If you apply that to your life, when you’re traveling, it changes everything.”

Tell us a little bit about CIPHER.
An Interview with Craig Carter about Employee Travel Security and Connecting with TravelersParticularly for clients in the Hospitality industry, the customer experience is significant. It’s what drives good reviews, repeat business and growth. The principle behind CIPHER is this: Connect. Interrupt patterns to influence Performance. Have an Experience that drives a Result.
That’s how I get my clients exceeding their limitations…changing the entire experience, the one that starts with each connection.

That sounds like a great idea for businesses. But how does that apply to travelers?
Going back to creating a connection…we have the ability to do that wherever we go. Those connections when you go to a foreign city, for example, can be the difference between you wandering around on the streets or behaving as if you belong there. You are in control of one thing, and that’s yourself. How you present yourself to the world creates positive experiences for others, and that’s how you can get anything you want.

So practically speaking, how do we do that?
Start by humanizing yourself to strangers if you want to create a positive experience. If you are traveling in a foreign country, go up to someone in your hotel, on the street, at a business…create a connection first. Shake hands, make eye contact, share an experience, try to speak their language…do that before you ask them for directions. Instead of focusing on the thing you need- directions to a hotel, a restaurant, a taxi…focus on the people in front of you in the moment and consider them as part of your experience.

An example: I was traveling in Rome a few years ago with my wife and one of my kids. I don’t speak Italian, but I learned a few basic phrases. Whenever we would go into our hotel or a restaurant I would try to speak those phrases, however poorly, with a lot of enthusiasm. I even learned how to say “I don’t speak Italian” in Italian, which made the whole thing even funnier. And you know what? Wherever I tried to interact with the people around me, my enthusiasm was obvious. People would laugh, shake my hand, hug me for trying…and we got treated really, really well everywhere we went. One connection led to another…that’s what takes you from tourist to traveler to guest.

So you’re saying that we have the ability to shape our own experiences…even down to the kind of service we receive?
Absolutely. What we think and what we focus on is what we put out into the world. If you’re focused on the negative, like “I hate airports, I hate standing in line, I am tired of staying in hotels,” that’s the energy you radiate and present to those around you. That shapes your whole experience. When you present yourself positively- in the same airport, same hotel- can change the entire nature of the experience. Even your body language and facial expressions when you’re in the wrong state of mind can have a strong impact on the reception you get. Think about the person in line in front of you who is complaining his way through the wait. He or she demonstrates impatience and irritability…which makes its way up to the reception desk and the people behind it. Wouldn’t you rather be known as the guest who is always nice and kind?

We do a lot of work around travel safety…how does that factor into the experience?
Most people see “us and them” when they travel, and particularly with hospitality staff, there is a mindset that they are there to serve us. You find the commonalities…notice them, remark on them…and there’s the connection you can make. THEY have the same issues and problems that we do globally, and people sometimes forget that. Did you forget your contact lens solution? Find someone who wears glasses who might related to you, ask for help with little things…and if you end up with a larger emergency, they already know and want to help you.

Those connections can also help you navigate cities with the benefit of “insider” viewpoint. Once I make some connections, I will ask for recommendations, places to go, even any places to avoid. So when I go somewhere, I’ve got a sense of where I am and I’m more confident in my movements. In Venice, for example, where there is a heavy tourist population, my approach made me less of a target. If you move with a sense of purpose, whatever space you are in, and stay mindful of what’s around, you give off the impression that you “own” whatever space you’re in. That commands respect, especially when you make eye contact, smile…make the effort to treat everyone with kindness and respect.

Is it possible to connect solo with people and still keep yourself safe?
Absolutely. For men traveling alone, it can be easier…but really, for any solo travelers, I recommend they start by dining in the hotel restaurant. You can establish some great rapport there, whether it’s with the host, bartender or your server. When you check into that hotel, don’t be someone who just walks from the front desk to your room with your suitcase and make that your hotel experience. And if you want to go outside and explore the city, let your hotel connections help you do that. Meet the staff, make friends with people you come into contact with. Learn their names and their backgrounds, then ask them for some great places to go. If you’re staying at a hotel with a concierge, tell the concierge you’re traveling alone…that can be especially helpful for women. Ask them to make that reservation for you and you’ll probably get treated better than if you walked in off the street.

A lot of concierges would say they have the keys to the city. It’s true. They can unlock those doors for you. They have established relationships and they choose their vendors carefully. They get paid, yes, but their vendors will take great care of their guests. That’s what keeps those referrals coming. So wherever you travel, and there’s a concierge…that connection can be invaluable. Tip them, thank them for taking care of you… and you’ll get remembered and taken care of again. If you’re worried about safety and not knowing what businesses to trust, leverage of the services available through your hotel.

What advice do you have for people who are business travelers, or stay at chain hotels that don’t have a concierge?
You don’t have to stay at a luxury hotel to have that kind of an experience. There is a difference between tourists and travelers, and particularly for business travelers. That’s where making connections and building relationships with hotel staff can be valuable. If you stay at the same hotel each time you’re in a city and you tell them you’re coming back into town, they remember you because you created that connection and you’re not just a guest…you become “their” guest.

Have you always had great experiences, or do you have any Ugly American stories to share with us?
OK…yes. So I was in Paris back in the ‘90s and had rented an apartment through a vacation rental site. There was no Airbnb or fancy GPS technology back then, and I didn’t speak any French. The cab driver couldn’t find the rental address I gave him. I also couldn’t call the owner because he didn’t have a calling card, anyone remember those? It was so bad, I couldn’t even figure out how to order a meal…needless to say, all of this really impressed my wife. We didn’t know anything about the culture, and I’ll leave it at, it was not a very good experience. Fast forward to a few years later. We were at a fundraiser in Chicago and won First-class trip for two to the Four Seasons…in Paris. We went back to try it again. First minutes there, after that extremely long flight, we were in the lobby of the Four Seasons finding out that it was too early for us to check in. The concierge was very sympathetic when I sought him out and explained that my wife was very unhappy. Right away he was helpful…I tipped him well but also thanked him profusely for saving me from the doghouse. That sympathetic concierge ended up ensuring we had a totally different and much improved experience than our first time in his city.

Any final thoughts or advice for our travelers?
Travel is all about the experience, whether you’re there for work or pleasure. If you look at life as one big journey and keep yourself open, it can be exciting, fun, an opportunity to meet someone new and try something different. Your state of mind going into that trip really matters.

Make your hotel your home while you travel. Treat the staff like family rather than staff, and they will not be on autopilot with you. Acknowledge them, comment on what both of you might observe…say things like “I really appreciate you,” or “I saw how those people treated you, and I want you to know not all guests are like that person.” Sincere, authentic compliments- because let’s face it, they have hard jobs- can make their day. When you see them over and over again they will be looking out for you…not just for your comfort, but your safety as well, because you’ve invested them in your travel experience.

IMG GlobalSecur Employee Travel Security Solutions

IMG GlobalSecur has decades of experience in the security industry. Our team of safety experts stands ready to help you alleviate travel fears with our executive travel security expertise, employee travel security advice, employee medical assistance and our FoneTrac safety app backed with 24/7 on-call security professionals ready to assist your needs. Contact us today!

Customizing Employee Travel Security Solutions for International Employee Travel

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Like Atlas from Greek mythology, you may feel like you carry “the weight of the skies” each day especially if you are in charge of international travel for employees. Running a business isn’t easy…you’re constantly juggling between multiple project deadlines, client communications, invoicing / billing tasks and employee relations. And, as an employer, you’re probably handling phone calls with employees to clarify project specifications and manage business-to-business and / or business-to-consumer relationships. When you’re a busy executive, it makes a huge difference if you have a team you can trust…especially for important matters like employee travel security. [Read more…] about Customizing Employee Travel Security Solutions for International Employee Travel

Overseas Medical Insurance: It’s Worth the Expense!

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Earlier this year, I got very sick towards the end of an exciting international vacation. We had gone to Alaska for a whirlwind trip with my family, including a cruise through the Inside Passage and a few days in Vancouver, British Columbia. My Dad was sick during a good part of the trip and suffered the difficulties of sleepless nights and tired daytime hours. It wasn’t easy for him…I know, because when we were heading home on an all-night flight / layover combination from Vancouver, I succumbed to the cold as well and dealt with a nasty fever and sleepless night. Would overseas medical assistance have helped my Dad and I recover more quickly? I think it definitely could have! [Read more…] about Overseas Medical Insurance: It’s Worth the Expense!