Strobaek Blog

Working from home from time to time is one of the benefits I really enjoy. My daily commute is around an hour each way, and even though I can fill this time with podcasts and audio books, it is nice to be without it.

You should be careful not to over do it, though, as it can spoil the good synergies you have with your colleagues. However, let’s be honest: working from home is a good thing. You save the transportation, you can spend the morning with your kids and open the door for the plumber, should she decide to swing by.

I came across the following guidelines of what to do and what to avoid, if you are so lucky that you can work from home:

1. Do not leave your cell phone at home if you leave the house to go shopping or eat lunch.
2. Pick up your phone – also if you are in the bathroom.
3. Arrange some short phone meetings with people at work. They hate your guts because you are working from home and this will show them your commitment to your work – also when you are working from home.
4. Avoid long and complex mail threads with your boss to early in the day as this may result in a call where you have to answer the question of where you are (even if you have been granted permission to work from home, then do not remind your boss of this).
5. Do not drink alcohol early in the day, just because you are home. This also includes beer for lunch.
6. Remember to send the long e-mail with lots of attached spreadsheets that your colleagues have been waiting several weeks for. This serves two purposes: 1) It demonstrates that you are in fact doing something and 2) You can be sure no one will react to what you have sent. It is far to complex and takes to much time to read so you get some peace and quiet.
7. Do not leave your Elvis Costello album playing on the stereo with the volume turned to full throttle when you talk on the phone to your colleagues.
8. Do not take the phone when you sleep. Let it wake you up. Splash then some cold water in your face. Then call back and say you were in the middle of something important. It may well be your colleagues are looking straight through you, but it was worth the try.
9. Try to reach your boss very late in the day, but be absolutely sure he has left the office. This is the kind of attitude a boss likes. You are so engaged in your work, that you did not consider your boss might have left for the day when you called.
10. Dress properly – do not work in your underwear. People will know. No one knows why, but people know if you are talking to them only wearing your undies or g-string.

It happens I meet people, harboring the notion that business travels are romantic. They believe you get to travel to far and exotic places, get to see mysterious cultures and eat different and unusual dishes.

They could not be more wrong!

The reality is, that all you see is the airport and your hotel, which is often located right next to the airport, hence there is nothing to do in the evenings and you don’t event see the city you are in through a cab window – or get the change to visit the bars and restaurants in the evening. One airport looks pretty much like the next and hotel food is just not that interesting.

In my everyday life I am an “Information Technology Professional” … which is code for I know a bit more about computers than a box of rocks. During my professional career I have done quite a lot of business related travels. The following are some survival trips to make your experiences more pleasant and efficient.

The first thing you should do especially if you travel a lot is sign up with all the reward programs that airlines, hotels and maybe car rental services offer. If possible try to pick a (few) favorites and stay with those. A lot of companies will let you keep the frequent flier miles; I have gotten a lot of free plane ticket on this account. One thing is for sure: if you travel a lot and don’t sign up for these programs, you are plain stupid.

My second advise would be to never check bags with an airline. Take a course in “how to fit all your baggage into one suitcase without ruining your shirts and suits” if you have to (or ask your wife to do your packing). I have several times lost my bag and trust me, it is no fun. On a site note, you might want to memorize the location of the nearest store selling menswear at your destination, if you can’t manage with only carry-on. This reminds me of a time where I was flying into Zurich, lost my bag, and with less than an hour to my meeting ran into a department store and asked a clerk – a most distinguished older gentlemen – for a dark suit, a tie, two shirts (french cuffs), some underwear, socks and a pair of black dressshoes. He looked at me and said: Have you lost your suitcase, Sir?

These days security in airports can be a nightmare, so dress comfortably. I try to wear slip on shoes (sneaker) as these can quickly be taken on and off if required.

Sleep, sleep and more sleep. Make sure to get plenty of sleep before, during, and after your trip.

Try to eat resonably and stay hydrated.

Bring reading material like books or magazines or do like me: stack up your Kindle.

Use Skype. I have for a long time used Skype to keep contact with the folks at home. It is just more fun seeing the person you talk to than just hearing them and then it is cheaper too.

Delays in travel are inevitable. Try to be nice to the airline or travel employees. Even though they might be dorks, screaming at them won’t get you anywhere. Remember that you are only late, when your trip is over, and you are actually late. Instead open your Kindle and bury yourself in your favorite book.

The last but properly most important thing about business travels is having an understanding spouse.