Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/558749
V O L . X X I N O. X I X A U G U S T 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 12 H OW TO B Y H A R D I N G B U S H A s enterprises grow and markets shift, business travel increases. is often includes travel to international markets in some of the less developed or less secure regions of the world. On top of the stresses of normal business travel, overseas travel presents the challenges of new cultures, languages, laws and regulations, diff erent business practices and sometimes limited infrastructure. While traveling in distressed regions you must assume a higher level of responsibility for your own safety. Inadequate local support services will escalate the intensity of a problem; a minor delay can quickly turn into a crisis due to unpreparedness. Crime is your most prominent threat. Surveillance and target selection is the key element in crime planning. To counter this you must present yourself as a "hard target," keeping a low profi le and taking the right steps to not show up on criminals' radar. Crime in certain areas can be sophis- ticated, it's a way of life; criminals will pay for information on easy targets to hit at a later time and location. It is possible you could be identifi ed as a target at the airport when you arrive, or at a hotel or restaurant. Always be aware, always project confi dence, always be able to recognize and avoid a bad situation before you fi nd yourself in one. Some things to keep in mind: Avoid having an established predictable pattern Recognize unusual or suspicious behavior Don't fumble, be streamlined Avoid having exposed luggage tags with your name and address Limit public discussions off ering specifi c information Have a point of contact and stay in contact prior to arrival in a country Give a time and place to meet contacts. Planning is essential. Talk to others who have been there before. Ask about things that went well, things they would do diff erently and what they wished they knew before they left. To fi nd specifi c safety and security informa- tion, go to the U.S. Department of State travel website (www.travel.state.gov) and Bureau of Diplomatic Security website (www.osac.gov). Another excellent planning tool is the United Kingdom Foreign Offi ce site (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice). You should also review various news articles. At least a basic understanding of the culture, religion, government and history is essential, and can keep you or even get you out of trouble. Communications are an important aspect of security preparation and awareness. It's essential to always have the ability to let someone know where you are and what your intentions are. Purchasing or renting a local mobile phone is a good idea. Your personal phone number should be considered protected information. A Google search of your number can provide criminals with critical information used to target you. It's easier for people supporting your trip to contact you on a local phone rather than calling your U.S. phone; they may not have international service. A fully charged phone is critical. Also remember to bring the appropri- ate electrical adapters. Make sure folks at home know your itinerary, update them with quick text messages. Make sure they know how to get hold of you while you're away. You are safer staying at larger, well- known hotels. Take about 10 minutes to familiarize yourself with the hotel, its exits and outside grounds. Know the elevators and know the stairs. Observe if access to the hotel is controlled. Knowing you are prepared enhances your confi dence and per- sonal security. One of the many posi- tive things about security awareness is that it also generates effi ciency and good organization in addition to per- sonal safety. Your m ost diffi cult chal- lenge may be convincing colleagues a higher level of awareness is necessary. Do not rely on being lucky. HarDing BUSH spent years in the Navy SEALs and f ive years in corporate security. He co-founded Harke Strategic to answ er the g rowing need f or individuals, businesses and organizations to be better prepared for an increasingly complex, dangerous and interrelated world. He can be reached at HarDing @ HarKeSTraTegiC.Com Improve your awareness and security while on business travel It's hard to keep up with all the It's hard to keep up with all the It's hard to keep up with all the changes in health care, so here changes in health care, so here changes in health care, so here is a Mainebiz guide to what is a Mainebiz guide to what is a Mainebiz guide to what companies are doing to improve companies are doing to improve companies are doing to improve worker health and control costs. worker health and control costs. worker health and control costs. Wellness programs Wellness programs Wellness programs are becoming a bigger are becoming a bigger are becoming a bigger part of what employers part of what employers part of what employers are offering. are offering. are offering. 6 A Cross Insurance A Cross Insurance A Cross Insurance group is developing a group is developing a group is developing a private health insurance private health insurance private health insurance exchange with Liazon. exchange with Liazon. exchange with Liazon. 26 26 26 Sitting is the new Sitting is the new Sitting is the new smoking, some experts smoking, some experts smoking, some experts say, and standing desks say, and standing desks say, and standing desks are one solution. are one solution. are one solution. 10 10 10 $2.00 $2.00 $2.00 August 17, 2015 August 17, 2015 August 17, 2015 VO L . X X I N O. X V I I I VO L . X X I N O. X V I I I VO L . X X I N O. X V I I I www.mainebiz.biz www.mainebiz.biz www.mainebiz.biz F U L L C O N T E N T S O N PAG E 4 F U L L C O N T E N T S O N PAG E 4 F U L L C O N T E N T S O N PAG E 4 » PLUS MORE INSIDE PLUS MORE INSIDE PLUS MORE INSIDE SP ONSORED BY It can be difficult to keep up with all the changes in health care. So be sure to get your copy of our newest publication, Healthy Business, where we give an in depth look at what other Maine companies are doing to improve worker health and control costs. With this yearly publication, Mainebiz pro- vides answers and information on what business people want to know about health care. Are you up to date? To order, call 207.761.8379 x332 or email kansley@mainebiz.biz Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? Are you up to date? ATTN: BUSINESS OWNERS & MANAGERS: Save $$$ on your company's heating AND AC bills!!! The ductless heat pump The latest technology is typically 1/2 the cost of heating with oil, propane, kerosene or electric baseboard Save up to 35% on your company's energy consumption One unit provides heating and cooling with easy zone installation Low cost heating in the Winter AND efficient AC in the Summer Provides improved air quality Call Maine Electrical Alliance today! 1-888-666-1947 MaineElectricalAlliance.org Some restrictions may apply $ 1600 for commercial installs!! *Efficiency Maine — up to $1250 in rebates *Maine Electrical Alliance — up to $350 in rebates for SAVE up to