I interviewed two people who travel often for business, because travel is one of my favorite things in the world. These people already stood out to me because I already knew they fit into this category. The first one was one of my mentors in a bible study group at my old church, and the second is my uncle. I messaged them, asked if I could ask them a few questions regarding business, and they were more than happy to offer some answers.

Interview #1:

Mandi Higgins,
Sept. 8 @ 5:30pm,
via phone call

Interview #2:

Petri Aalto,
Sept. 10 @ 12:30 pm,
via Skype

Title: Executive Director, IT Communications

Company: Kaiser Permanente

Challenges:
-Constantly changing plans (travel plans, last minute flights, etc. especially with long distance) -> Leads to challenges @ home, (esp. when kids were younger, had to re-insert herself into the kids' routines when back from a trip)

-There is never a substitute for being physically available (with staff and family)

-Larger staff now than before- harder to care for and manage esp. with leaving suddenly and constant change

How these challenges affect family:
-Husband works overnight, so when both parents are gone, someone needs to watch the kids- need to build a network of friends and family to help during these types of situations

-Complications with daily routines (dinner, laundry, kids' schedules, etc.)

-Struggle in marriage- husband had to adjust to taking over a lot of the "mom" roles, which led to conflict; but after 25 years of marriage they've been able to figure a lot out

How often something like this occurs:
-On average about once a month, and it's not usually hugely problematic but it's something that needs to be handled and figured out

Solutions:
-Just be informed of where and where you need to be and who you're working with
-Communicate effectively with your family and have a network of people ready to help you if you need it. Set aside separate time for family, for marriage.

Title: CEO

Company: Softatalo AIDA Oy ~ (International Energy Optimization, Inc.)

Challenges:
-Set appointments and meetings with customers changing on short notice, esp. w/ long distance -> have to find out how to fill time if extended; costs

-Finding people you can trust. You have to make sure you meet with the right people (who are potential customers) so you don't waste your time -> time-consuming; during recessions people are low on money so they try harder to rip you off.

How these challenges affect you, your company:
-Assistant thankfully handles a lot- makes connections, schedules appointments, etc. so that helps tremendously

-When something like this happens (esp. when traveling by air or making long drives), every choice you make has to be quick and efficient because the more time passes, the more money it will cost you and your company
-> so direct financial impact

-In these situations, your hours extend way beyond regular work hours many times, and you have to deal with jet lag and being enthusiastic and professional in your meetings

How often challenges such as these arise:
-In Finland especially, but globally as well, people in the business world really value keeping their word, because that makes them more reliable. So things like travel or meeting-related challenges occur only about once or twice a month. However, doing business with trustworthy people is a daily challenge.

Solutions to these challenges:
-Not much you can do with travel-related issues, but have a good assistant, be very aware of where you need to be and when, be as efficient as possible.
-In regards to potential customers, spend time talking to them on the phone, do some research on their company. If they are enthusiastic and informative, willing to send information and details, you can usually get a feel for their reliability and credibility.

-Both people I interviewed mentioned long-distance travel as one of their biggest challenges.

-Knowing who you're working with is also a daily challenge, and gets tested even more when you go on trips.

-Traveling for business has a direct impact on your company financially, and you personally (jet-lag, long hours, being away from family/significant other).

-An idea I had to help with the issue of long-distance travel is to have a set person or part of your company that deals directly with company travel. That way those who have to travel have direct people to help them and figure things out when things get difficult.

-Also, there should be a board or a few set people who research potential customers, and start communication with them so the person having to meet with them doesn't have to spend extra time doing that and knows they are meeting with trustworthy people.