Travel Tips

How do you keep your rhythm flowing effectively during frequent global business trips? This is a regular question I receive, and one that requires more attention clearly. I even conducted an interview with the Switzerland based sleep expert Dr Els van der Helm who works with many professionals, diplomats, and celebrities on how they manage their sleep with global commitments. (By the way, if you have not yet subscribed to Dr. Els excellent newsletter I strongly recommend it.) Here are five tips I have found work well with global business travel: 1) “Bank” your sleep, meaning if you know you have demanding travel coming up, go into it as well rested as possible. Even block a whole day in your schedule just for sleep (phone off!) 2) Sleep on the plane- I frequently am known to be asleep even before takeoff (with seat belt properly fastened of course!) Window seats are best for this as no one will need to step over you or bump into you as they lug their enormous backpacks down the aisles on short haul. 3) Carefully manage the calls and appointments in your agenda to be sure to maximize sleep opportunities when flying globally- I look at where I plan to be, and then schedule calls that work for the time zones I am in on those days. 4) Naps are key- even 20 minutes of a deep nap will render you a completely different person on the other side! 5) Understand carefully your own energy flows, and for example I am much stronger now in early mornings than late evenings! I set my schedule accordingly. What do you find helps you best to perform during global business trips? Pictured: MAD international airport, selfie, non-schengen area, coming off a red eye international flight, arriving at 0412A. IBERIA- if you are going to operate flights with 24 hour schedules, why not follow the lead of Qatar Airways and Emirates on ensuring your lounges are open such hours as well? Strategy is Mastery. PS: If you really do need a coffee at 0412A at MAD, check out the McDonalds, which is the only outlet open 24/7 in this “international” airport hub. The McCafe is actually not bad at all (and relatively busy considering they are the only game in town airside!)

PREPARE TO PERFORM: THE BUSINESS ATHLETE’S MANIFESTO After traveling extensively around the world on work for more than 25 years and having coached thousands of corporate execs, professional athletes, performance artists, and elite performers across all genres, I have reflected on the questions and advice I am asked most. One of the questions I am asked most: "Enda, how do I stay healthy, fit, and bring my ‘A’ game with a very busy travel routine?" Whether you are a CEO flying to Tokyo for a merger, a performance artist on a global tour, or a professional athlete crossing time zones, you are a Business Athlete. To perform like one, you must manage your energy with the same precision as an Olympian. If you want to sustain high performance without burning out, here is your travel protocol: 1. Master Your Fuel Strategy Your immune system is under siege the moment you step into an airport. Plan to eat well before you travel, during the journey, and when you return home. Don't leave your nutrition to the mercy of airline snacks or "grab-and-go" terminal food. If you fail to plan your fuel, you are planning to crash. 2. The "Arrival Reset" Workout Pack your training gear and plan to train. Aim to exercise as soon as you arrive at your destination to signal to your body that it’s time to perform. Keep it an easy, high-quality session of no more than 45 minutes: * 5 Mins: Light cardio to get the blood flowing. * Preparation: Foam rolling, gentle stretching, and movement prep. * The Work: 3 sets of 5 fundamental exercises. Very low weight, slow, deliberate movement. * Cooldown: 5 minutes of gentle stretching to decompress the spine and nervous system. 3. The "No Excuses" Kit The gym may be closed, or your schedule may be tight. Always pack stretching bands and a massage ball. This ensures your hotel room can become a high-performance lab in seconds. There is no such thing as "no place to train." 4. Sharpen your edge Travel is an opportunity for growth. Always pack books that challenge your thinking. Use the transit time to sharpen your edge. . 5. The Protein Guarantee You can’t always guarantee access to a world-class kitchen, but you can guarantee your recovery. Pack protein powder. Making yourself a protein shake twice a day ensures your muscles and brain have the amino acids needed to repair and stay sharp amidst the chaos. 6. Fortify Your immune system Air travel and lack of sleep are the enemies of the immune system. Be proactive. Take a high-quality Multivitamin, Vitamin C, and Zinc. 7. Reset and Reflect Traveling provides a unique psychological "gap." Use this time to reset your goals, reflect on your mission, and work on your "Work Plan / Life Plan." The Bottom Line: High performance is not an accident. It is a result of disciplined rituals. If you want to bring your "A" game to the world stage, you must protect your your health. The picture is my actual gear here in NYC on a business trip. #mcnultyperformance

✈️𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟑-𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 Geopolitical shifts, civil unrest, and sudden global events are making business and leisure travel more unpredictable than ever. You can't eliminate risk, but you can build resilience. My advice for navigating uncertainty isn't about avoiding travel—it’s about being an informed, prepared traveler who can pivot when the unexpected hits. 1️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨-𝐁𝐚𝐠 (𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐆𝐨) 🛡️ You have a physical Go-Bag, but what about your digital one? 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Store digital copies of your passport, visa, insurance policy (especially the emergency medical evacuation number), and key contacts in a secure, offline folder (like Google Drive or a password manager). 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬: If there is an option, utilize a tool like ISOS or Global Rescue to ensure that you receive vital security alerts and are easily located in an emergency. 𝐕𝐏𝐍: Use a reliable VPN, especially when connecting to public Wi-Fi, to keep your business communications secure from potential monitoring. 2️⃣ 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 (𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩) 🧭 Your best tool is not technology—it’s your instincts. 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬: Don't just rely on global news. Follow local, trusted media (in-language, translated if necessary) and sign up for official travel alerts. 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬: In a high-risk area, avoid protests, political gatherings, and large crowds, no matter how peaceful they seem. If you find yourself near one, calmly and deliberately walk away in the opposite direction. During a recent trip to Istanbul, a group of men approached me when I was walking back to my hotel on a desolate street. After asking an initial harmless question, they started to get a bit pushy asking for local currency. I had to diplomatically get out of the situation and hastily walk back to my hotel before things escalated. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 "𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧": At your hotel, a meeting venue, or a restaurant, take 30 seconds to identify two distinct exit routes. Knowing your way out keeps you calm under pressure. 3️⃣ 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 & 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐬) ♟️ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐦, 𝐆𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐰-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞: Panic clouds judgment. Breathe, assess, and move with purpose. Wear neutral, conservative clothing and avoid displaying expensive jewelry or electronics that draw attention. 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦-𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤: Keep your phone fully charged and have a physical power bank. A dead battery is a communication failure when you need to contact your travel security provider or family. In today's travel environment, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥. Do you have any tips from your travels? Please share! #BusinessTravel #TravelSafety #RiskManagement #GlobalMobility #TravelTips

Navigating the Unexpected: My Playbook for the Current Caribbean Travel Disruptions ✈️📉 The last few days have reminded us all: in travel, "certainty" is a luxury, but "preparedness" is a requirement. With the current flight irregularities affecting the Caribbean, I’ve been on the front lines ensuring our clients stay moving, stay informed, and stay calm. Managing travel during "Irregular Operations" isn't just about rebooking a flight—it’s about proactive advocacy. Here is the leadership playbook I’m using right now to navigate these disruptions. If you are currently traveling or have a trip on the horizon, keep these 5 essentials in mind: 🔹 Communicate Early & Often: Don't wait for the "Canceled" notification.Set realistic expectations for fluid schedules. 🔹 Master the Waivers: Most carriers have issued travel waivers for this window. 🔹 Flexibility is Fuel: Sometimes the best way to get home isn't the original path. We are looking at alternate gateways and re-routing options rather than waiting on backlogged connections. 🔹 Document Everything: From airline timestamps to agent names—detailed records are the only way to protect refunds and insurance claims later. 🔹 The "Human" Element: Recovery takes time. While aircraft get back into position, we are working behind the scenes on hotel extensions and advocacy for those on the ground. The Takeaway: Moments like these are exactly why we do what we do. Technology is great for booking, but a professional advisor is essential for problem-solving. To our clients currently in transit: We are in your corner. To everyone else: this is your reminder that "flexible air" and "premium travel insurance" are never an "extra"—they are your safety net. Safe travels out there. 🌴⚓ #TravelAdvisory #CaribbeanTravel #CrisisManagement #TravelAdvisor #LeadershipInTravel #FlightDisruptions #TravelTips

Stop Letting Travel Drain Your Strategic Brainpower Ever found yourself juggling flight bookings, hotel check-ins, and last-minute Ubers only to realize you just lost an entire afternoon you could have spent driving your business forward? For founders, the mental cost of travel planning is too high. Multitasking on logistical details reduces both creative output and decision-making quality. The solution? Don’t do it yourself! Here’s how you can reclaim your strategic hours: - Treat Travel as a Project: Assign every detail (from itinerary builds to ground transport) to a skilled Virtual Assistant (VA) - Project-Manager Mindset: Let the VA coordinate every aspect just like a project manager. You only get looped in for key approvals (no more logistical rabbit holes!) - Actionable Playbook: Create a recurring “Travel Flow” doc unique to you. This ensures VAs know your preferred airlines, seat choices, Uber app setups, and travel quirks, making every trip frictionless. Outsource the busywork so you can focus on your highest-leverage work. How much time do you spend organizing travel vs. building your business? Share your strategies or pain points in the comments below, I’d love to learn what works (or what’s driving you crazy)!

Business travel isn’t glamorous. It’s logistics under pressure. If you’re traveling for work, your goal isn't sightseeing—it's efficiency. After clocking countless miles last year, I built a specific playbook to survive the grind. 5 hacks to maintain sanity on the road: 🧳 The "One Bag" Rule Never check a bag. If it doesn't fit in a carry-on, you don't need it. The 45 minutes saved at baggage claim = pure gold. 🧾 Scan Receipts Instantly Don't let paper pile up. Snap a photo the second you pay. Your future self (and your finance team) will thank you. 📵 Offline Everything Plane Wi-Fi is a lie. Download all docs, maps, and presentations before you board. 👟 The "Airport Uniform" Eliminate decision fatigue. Wear slip-on shoes. No belt. Breeze through security while others fumble. 📲 Centralize Your Itinerary Stop searching through 15 emails for a confirmation code while the check-in agent stares at you. That last one is the specific friction point that drove me crazy. Hacks help, but a better system is the real solution. That’s why we’re building Travelogue. An AI tool to centralize planning, execution, and analysis, so you never have to dig for a confirmation code again. #BusinessTravel #Productivity #TravelTech

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥. A few years ago, I met a startup founder from Eastern Europe at a tech event in Dubai. We exchanged ideas over coffee, stayed connected, and within months, his company became one of our most valuable international partners. That experience taught me something no classroom ever could: 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 — 𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. In today’s world, where 𝟲𝟱% 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝟮𝗕 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀, your next big client or investor may not be online — they might be sitting next to you on your next flight. For professionals and founders from developing markets, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆 — 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆. It’s how you turn exposure into expansion. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 You can read about markets and cultures, but when you travel, you feel them. You learn how people make decisions, what builds trust, and where your strengths can fit in. Technology connects us instantly — but travel connects us authentically. Face-to-face conversations build credibility faster than any digital campaign ever could. Every destination is a potential opportunity. Every handshake, a bridge to collaboration. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟭. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 Attend events, conferences, and meetups that align with your industry. Be intentional about who you meet and what you learn. 𝟮. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 Your best partnerships often begin as friendships. Share ideas, stay in touch, and build real trust — not transactions. 𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 When you travel, you carry your ecosystem with you. Share your country’s potential and your company’s story — diversity inspires collaboration. 𝟰. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗨𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 The trip may end, but the relationships shouldn’t. A short message, a shared post, or a quick virtual catch-up can turn a meeting into a partnership. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 For many of us in developing economies, business growth depends on global exposure. But that exposure doesn’t start with cold outreach — it starts with showing up. So the next time you travel, don’t see it as an expense — see it as an investment. Because the true ROI of travel isn’t just experiences; it’s relationships, trust, and opportunities that money can’t buy. Travel to build your network. Because in today’s world — 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆.

Coordinating travel as an executive assistant requires precision, foresight, and strong organizational skills. Here are a few guiding principles I rely on: 🧭 1. Understand the Executive's Preferences - Airlines & Seating: Preferred carriers, seating class (e.g., business, aisle/window). - Hotels: Loyalty programs, room type (suite, quiet room, etc.). - Transportation: Preferences for rental cars, chauffeured services, or ride-shares. - Food & Rest: Dietary restrictions, preferred mealtimes, and necessary downtime. 📅 2. Gather Key Travel Details Before booking anything, always confirm: - Destination(s) and the purpose of travel. - Dates & times, including flexibility. - Meetings or events scheduled during the trip. - International requirements: Check visa rules, passport validity, and vaccination requirements. Tip: I’m part of a Microsoft Teams channel with my EA peers where we share real-time updates on visa and travel policy changes. It’s been invaluable with all the recent shifts globally. 🧾 3. Book with Precision - Flights: Consider layovers, flight times, loyalty programs, and backup options. - Hotels: Choose locations close to meeting venues, with solid reviews and loyalty benefits. - Ground Transportation: Arrange rental cars, car services, or vetted ride-share solutions. - Itineraries: I send all travel-related calendar invites from my own calendar. It keeps everything centralized, and I can easily manage updates or changes. 📂 4. Prepare a Comprehensive Travel Pack Provide this digitally or printed: - Full itinerary (flights, hotels, meetings). - Confirmation numbers, addresses, and maps. - Emergency contacts and local office details. - Meeting materials or presentation backups. - Currency tips and local guidance (for international trips). Pro Tip: Check if your executive's spouse or family uses a shared calendar. I had an executive whose personal calendar was shared with her husband and children—adding her travel details there helped keep everyone in sync. ⚠️ 5. Anticipate and Troubleshoot - Monitor flights for delays, gate changes, or cancellations. - Set alerts for weather or local disruptions. - Always have a Plan B: alternate flights, hotel contacts, and car service options. 📲 6. Stay Connected Use tools that keep everyone in the loop based on preference. Text message, WhatsApp (great when traveling internationally) and others. 🧘 7. Post-Trip Tasks - Collect, categorize, and submit receipts for expense reports. - Cancel or reschedule unused bookings where applicable. - Schedule a quick debrief to gather feedback and improve future trips. To my fellow EAs - anything you would like to add? I would love to hear your suggestions.

I used to travel +50% of each month for work. Here's what I learned... I'm currently on my way to facilitate a full day off-site for one of my clients. After +15 years in training, speaking, and success enablement I have my travel routine down, and know how to make the most of each trip. ✨ Tip 1: Minimize time & maximize impact There was one week I was in 6 cities in 5 states in 3 days (!). Aside from the obvious scheduling to make the most out of time on the road, consider: - Working in flight to have downtime post-flight. - Batch meetings whenever possible. - Add on to the itinerary! ✨ Tip 2: Be prepared I've had countless travel disruptions, gotten sick while traveling, and forgotten my laptop charger on more than one occasion. While travel can be unpredictable, I always have a plan - Consider on time performance and weather when planning (for example, I avoid late afternoon flights due to frequent thunderstorms in the East Coast this time of year). - Have equipment checklists. - Pack with intention; I have a full wardrobe plan (and backup) for each trip. ✨ Tip 3: Make the most of it While my travels have brought me to incredible places all over the world like Tokyo, Sydney, and London, some places have been less exciting (looking at you, Yardley, PA). While work and time with customers takes most of my time I always block time to enjoy it. - Wander the city center, even if it's just to grab your morning coffee. - Extend your stay for a weekend. (Note your company probably won't reimburse the personal portion of your trip.) - I always hit the gym and plot a self care ritual, especially the night before a big event like the one I'm facilitating tomorrow. And most importantly! ✨ Tip 4: Collect points & be loyal My road warrior days earned me status, upgrades, and lots of points! These all made traveling more comfortable and enjoyable. I always vibe with a free first class upgrade! What tips would you add to the list?

✈️ TRAVEL SECURITY AWARENESS: STAYING VIGILANT IN UNEXPECTED PLACES   Recent reports that Chinese espionage activity is targeting hotels, pubs, and other key environments within central London is a stark reminder that not all intelligence collection happens behind closed doors or in cyberspace; it is often subtle, social, and opportunistic.   Adversaries leverage seemingly mundane venues - bars, lobbies, lounges - to gather information from unsuspecting business travellers, government staff, and tech professionals. The aim? Building long-term influence networks and extracting sensitive insights from off-guard conversations.   🔐 Here are some key reminders for all professionals, especially those in critical sectors: - Be mindful of what you discuss in public settings - small talk can be strategic bait (loose lips sink ships) - Avoid leaving devices unattended in hotel rooms or plugged into unknown charging ports - Consider the potential risk of being approached under false pretences (e.g., friendly networking with an ulterior motive) - Keep software, VPNs, and endpoint protection up to date, especially when traveling - Report suspicious interactions to your security team - if something feels off, it probably is. - Be cautious about geotagging, posting real-time travel updates, or sharing your location on social media. - Limit the visibility of your business calendar or professional connections while abroad.   In a world where the line between casual conversation and intelligence collection is blurring, situational awareness is more than a buzzword - it's a first line of defence.   #TravelSecurity #EspionageAwareness #InsiderThreat #PhysicalSecurity #OSINT #CyberSecurity #London #CorporateSecurity #TSCM #DutyOfCare #Infosec https://lnkd.in/eqYu9_xY