The executive advantage: 4 essential tools that save hours on every international business trip
The executive advantage: 4 essential tools that save hours on every international business trip
Published on Fast Company, Jun 30, 2025, by Shayne Fitz-Coy.
My first time connecting through Seoul, I stood in a 90-minute immigration line at Incheon International Airport as I watched my connecting flight window shrink from comfortable to nonexistent. My phone battery was at 12%, I had no local data plan, and the client meeting I’d flown 14 hours to attend was slipping away. I missed that flight and that meeting because I wasn’t equipped with the right travel tools.
According to McKinsey’s analysis of business travel, business travel is up 6% since the pandemic, and 81% of companies want to hold more meetings to drive growth. That might mean more trips for you coming up. Today’s global executives need an upgraded toolkit that leverages the digital revolution building on the foundational travel wisdom shared over the years, from smart packing strategies to essential electrical adapters.
After decades leading cross-border deals, I’ve perfected a toolkit that eliminates business travel disruptions. These four tools - all of which I’ve found through trial and error - have transformed my international business trips into extensions of my office. Here’s what I never leave the country without.
- BORDERLESS CONNECTIVITY WITH INSTANT ROI
Maintaining reliable connectivity abroad used to mean accepting carrier roaming fees or hunting for local SIM cards in unfamiliar airports. Neither option optimizes your time.
Saily solved this problem for me with its eSIM technology. An eSIM allows travelers to download regional mobile data plans remotely, without swapping SIMs.
During negotiations in Tokyo last quarter, our legal team needed approval on revised contract terms. Rather than hunting for Wi-Fi or paying $12/day for carrier roaming, I activated Saily’s Japan data plan in under three minutes - while still in the taxi from the airport.
The quantifiable impact? I approved critical changes between meetings without delay, closing a $6M deal that would have otherwise required a second trip. At $17.99/ for 10GB versus the $360 in roaming charges on a previous monthlong trip, the ROI calculation is straightforward.
Tip: Install Saily or the eSIM of your choice before departure and purchase country-specific data packages. The eSIM stays on your phone permanently, so just activate it when needed and top it off when you need to. I use it in every country and it’s a breeze.
- LANGUAGE BARRIERS ELIMINATED, NOT JUST REDUCED
Google Translate works in a pinch, but it falls short during business interactions where context matters. For executives who need precision and don’t want to rely on human translators who might have their own biases, a dedicated device can deliver superior results.
During a factory inspection in Da Nang, Vietnam, I wanted to verify quality control procedures with floor supervisors who spoke no English. My Pocketalk device comes with built-in global data connectivity. It translated medical device terms with accuracy, unlike Google Translate’s literal interpretations.
The walkie-talkie allows natural conversation flow rather than awkward phone-passing, and can cut a long meeting substantially.
Tip: Whether you choose to go with Pocketalk or a similar device, make sure it includes global data to eliminate connectivity issues. Before big meetings, load industry-specific vocabulary if available. For maximum efficiency, speak in complete concise sentences and maintain natural pauses between thoughts.
- VIP TREATMENT WITHOUT THE PRIVATE JET
The difference between 10 minutes and 90 minutes in an immigration line determines whether a tight connection becomes a missed flight.
My APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) has literally saved deals from collapse. En route to a diligence meeting, a delay meant I would miss the kickoff if I went through the standard immigration queue. In my case, my super card resulted in a four-minute immigration processing as opposed to the sweltering 175-minute-long queue at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.
Tip: The ABTC is offered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, so you can apply through the Trusted Traveler gateway alongside your Global Entry application. The approval process takes 2-3 months, so plan accordingly. While Americans don’t get visa-free privileges, the expedited lanes alone can save hours on each international entry/exit.
- LOCAL NAVIGATION MASTERY WITHOUT PREPARATION
The universal frustration of standing curbside at a foreign airport trying to explain your destination to a taxi driver who doesn’t speak your language has a simple solution, and it’s not always Uber.
In Seoul, Kakao Taxi is the dominant platform (followed by Tada, IM, and then Uber). After downloading it before departure and linking my payment method, I arrived at Incheon and had transportation waiting before most travelers had even reached the taxi line.
During a packed overnight visit to Bangkok, using the local Grab app instead of hotel cars saved money and eliminated a 45-minute wait time during rush hour, as a Grab scooter can bypass gridlock altogether (though you’d best not try it with a rollie).
Tip: Before departure, research the dominant ride-share platform for your destination. Download and set up payment in advance. The preparation takes less than 10 minutes and saves you from haggling with local drivers.
LESS TECH, MORE PERFORMANCE
The counterintuitive truth is that executives don’t need more apps and gadgets. They need fewer, better ones. The most effective approach is a minimalist toolkit.
For me, my Pocketalk replaces Google Translate, a dictionary app, and phrasebooks, while Saily eliminates my need for physical SIM cards and mobile hotspots.
The cognitive load of managing multiple specialized tools creates its own inefficiency. Each tool above saves time or replaces 3-5 single-purpose apps, reducing decision fatigue and allowing you to focus on driving alpha.
Business travel isn’t about survival; it’s about performance. By implementing these four essential tools, you’re saving hours and transforming international business trips from productivity drains into competitive advantages.
When your competitors are still flopping around in immigration lines hunting for Wi-Fi, you’ll already be at hotel check-in, enjoying your complimentary welcome drink.
Originally published in Fast Company.