I live in Santa Barbara, but my new office is in Boston. This means I need to fly - a lot. "Frequent Flyer" is not a badge I ever wanted to earn, but here I am, 6-foot-3, trying to fold myself into a coach seat I'm pretty sure was meant for a toddler.

Let's take a step back to when I booked my first trip for this job. As I paid for my ticket online, I was offered all kinds of funny things: 4 more inches of legroom for a bazillion dollars, boarding on a blue carpet instead of a red carpet, more miles, more checked bags and so on. I didn't opt for any of the perks.

Since that day, I've flown to the East Coast about 7 times over an 8-week period, and, well, a funny thing started to happen. I really began caring about that stupid blue carpet and the extra legroom. I became one of those people that hovers around that blue carpet like it was Mecca. 

This is when it gets really good. There are all sorts of hidden perks you don't know about until you fly a lot. Now, my boarding passes always say "Zone 1 Boarding," no matter where I'm sitting on the plane. This is great because I know I'll have a place for my luggage. But wait, there's more!

Mysteriously, I became a "Premier Flyer," which means I can walk on the cool, blue carpet - booyah suckers! As if that isn't cool enough, I'm also automatically seated in an exit row when one's available. I proudly utter the words, "Yes, I'll help rip this door off the plane in the unlikely event of a water landing."

If you can possibly contain your excitement, there's even more! I've noticed on my last couple of flights that I'm the lucky guy with no one sitting next to me. Can you believe it? What I've figured out is that my rate of flying triggers a little algorithm that says, "Hey, this dude is Premier Man. Let's show him some love!"

I'm on a plane as I'm writing this post, and that little algorithm is my best friend right now. What other cool perks have you discovered that I have to look forward to?

Photo Credit: davipt

Last year Australia watched while ash cloud plumes from Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano caused the closure of 20 airports for nearly a week across Europe causing chaotic and major economic loss. While Australian businesses watched as Europe ground to a halt, they may have done well to consider their own business continuity plans as volcanic ash from Chile's Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcano has forced the cancellation of more than 300 flights in Australia and New Zealand. Considering the vast expanse of this country, realistically, it's tough for a coach service to get you to that business meeting in a timely manner. Eleven hours on an overnight coach is not anyone's idea of fun - and certainly does not encourage productivity. Experiencing such a crisis may have previously seemed unlikely, our vast and sunburnt country makes it even more important to be prepared for when travel is not possible.

Although travel may be halted, your business doesn't have to encounter delays. Today, you can safely and easily conduct business just as if you are sitting across the room from your contacts or your office desk (if you so happen to be stranded en route home!). Whilst it may feel like the in-person meeting is the best way to get that human touch with customers and colleagues, there is something to be said for not having them wait or prolonging a decision that could inevitably lead to a better outcome for all involved. Think about your competition - just because you can't get to your customers doesn't mean your competition can't. So why let this unfortunate and uncontrollable event delay your business when the access, collaboration and connection tools you need to stay on track is a simple click away?

Want to learn more about business continuity best practices and options? Check out these reports to help guide your business continuity journey:

• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery are top IT priorities for 2010 and 2011 - A whitepaper by analyst and research firm, Forrester this looks at how IT decision makers are disaster-proofing their businesses.
  
  
• Emergency Telecommuting - This is a quick-start guide to working well in a crisis - from wherever you are.
  
  
• Business Continuity Guaranteed - How to enable your employees to take the virtual road to work

Photo Credit: rwhgould

I don't travel a whole lot. Well, definitely not as much as some of you. But as I was getting ready for a trip to Chicago last week, I pondered my options for what type of technology I'd bring with me. Do I leave the laptop at home and go entirely mobile? Could I get by without a full-fledged computer with keyboard etc.? Or would I be able to do everything I needed to do with just a tablet and a smart phone? Perhaps now was the time to try a little experiment.

So, armed with only my iPhone and iPad, I trimmed the gadget fat and set off for the windy city. Though my trip was mainly about catching up with friends, I did have some work things that I knew I'd need to take care of. Dealing with my usual daily emails would be no problem, but I did have some blog posts to get out, and some social media work to do for a client. I also had a web site launching on Wednesday. In theory, anything I needed to do for these projects I could do with my mobile devices...but I wasn't 100% certain. I decided to take a chance. After all, if I got really desperate, I'd be hanging out with a lot of geeks. Surely I could find a laptop if I absolutely needed it, right?

Well, it turned out that I WAS able to do everything I needed to do using only my iPhone and iPad. This was more a test of the limitations of the devices than anything, and of course, as with any technology, there are a few. I had to live without Flash (but I didn't miss it one bit). Uploading images to my blog proved to be a bit of a challenge, but I made do. Not every post has to have an image. I was able to deal with the social media tasks easily and efficiently. I edited a few documents. And, thanks to my awesome business partner and our fantastic development team, the web site launch went smoothly.

What I learned from this experience is that mobile is getting there. 2 years ago - heck, 1 year ago, it's not likely I would have felt like I had everything I needed to be able to comfortably travel without lugging a big old laptop with me. Nowadays, we can get an awful lot done with just our mobile devices. We can manage email, social networks, create and post content, work on documents, and myriad other daily tasks. It's not all perfect yet (Google Docs still has a ways to go to be fully functional on a tablet, and I still can't edit video), but it's getting there.

I think the more time goes on, the more mobile devices are going to become the primary way that workshifters work. Anywhere, anytime computing is more of a reality now than it's ever been, and I think this trend will probably continue. I am thrilled to be able to travel light when it comes to technology. After this trip, I've gained new confidence in my ability to truly work from anywhere.

How are you embracing the mobile era?

Photo Credit: bfishadow

If you're anything like me, you carry a lot of gadgets. My list typically includes chargers, USB cords, laptop, extra batteries, phone, iPod, Flip, headphones and an earpiece. When traveling abroad, I also bring a GSM phone and country specific adapters. All in all, I'd say I am gadget obese.

This only became an issue recently, as I was planning a business trip to Europe. I knew I would be leaving straight from a family vacation so I had to get packed early. Given the weight of my backpack (17 pounds) I decided to go on a gadget diet, mostly on purpose and somewhat by accident. The only tech items I packed were:

• 1 iPad
• 1 Verizon HTC phone (that's the accident; it doesn't work in Europe)
• 2 Chargers (phone/iPad)
• Adapters

The first thing I noticed was that I lost about 7 pounds of gadget fat; less cords, chargers, metal, etc. I was thrilled about shedding all that weight, but now I was worried about being productive with just an iPad.

I first used the iPad when I went skiing over the holiday. I immediately had a large appetite for apps. I grabbed everything from Angry Birds to Evernote and HootSuite; digital magazines like CNN, BBC, Martha Stewart and Maxim...yes, Martha and Maxim. I'd heard that Martha had the best digital experience and Maxim is, well, Maxim. It was in the "M" section, so why not?

I went from my holiday straight to Europe. Now it was time to see if I could survive on my gadget diet. I ran the iPad through its paces. The email client worked great on both Google and Exchange, but now comes the rub. Downloading and viewing attachments via Exchange was cumbersome and I usually couldn't view the entire document. And forget about editing the doc. So I decided to try the Citrix Receiver app. With Receiver, I was able to access Windows applications, and view my desktop files which was helpful during meetings, but I found the speed and navigation to be a bit challenging. That said, I'm really looking forward to using GoToMyPC on the iPad. I know that's a convenient lead-in to our product, but I mean it...its very cool.

One thing that took some getting used to was typing on the iPad. All those typing lessons I learned in school were useless. I was back to typing with one finger. It was more like poking than typing. Over time, I became surprisingly quick. In fact, I wrote the majority of this post on the iPad using Evernote.

While on the plane ride over I tried iBooks and Kindle for the iPad. I downloaded Tony Hsieh's new book on one, and C.C. Chapman's new book on the other. I prefer the page turning experience on the iBook app. It felt more book-like. I also prefer the buying experience on the iBook. It's less cluttered and more intuitive.

What I also found interesting was that I used Apps to navigate the web as opposed to Google. I know how weird that may sound, but I really enjoyed the experience. I was not as productive in terms of output, but I was more efficient in how I consumed information and media.

I highly recommend you try the Gadget Diet for one week. It's fun to challenge accepted norms about technology and productivity. It's also nice not to carry the extra weight around.

Write back; I'd love to hear about your Gadget Diet.

Photo Credit: SlipStreamJC

As a child, I loved Paris-Charles de Gaulle for its space age bubble with the escalators going in all directions. It was avant garde with a touch of Star Trek before I knew about Star Trek. And it belonged to an era where there was still an illusion that air travel was chic.

Most airports today are strictly functional. And they were designed before security lines became hit-or-miss bottlenecks. So, much of the great window shopping is before the barricades and you end up with time to kill and nothing to do but work.

And what if you want a meal? At Miami International one night, the only food I could find in walking distance of my gate (and I can walk distances) was potato chips and beer nuts at a walk-up bar. Sure, it was bad planning, but workshifting isn't all glamor.

Occasionally, though, an airport can surprise you.

In Atlanta, I stumbled upon 20 large Shona sculptures lining the corridors that stretch from the security checkpoint to the concourses. They are stunning works of art, evoking multiple emotions. Joy. Whimsy. Heartbreak. And they tied me back to that time when airports were public spaces, not just public lift-off zones.

What airport has surprised you?

Photo Credit: PacoAlcantara

When you have a flight delay, it's annoying.  When you have to pay 20 bucks to check in one bag, it's ridiculous.  But when you have WiFi on your plane, it's perfecto.

Thanks to the innovators at Virgin America, anyone can now access the Internet while sitting in their cramped, overpriced seat.  Delta, American and Southwest are even catching on to this fabulous trend.  Finally, an airline perk and not another snack charge (5 dollars for a bag of chips--come on now).

This new Internet option will drown out the crying baby two rows behind us, end the armrest war with our neighbor and get our jobs done faster.  Accessing our office computers and meeting remotely with co-workers is now possible from the air, thanks to GoToMyPC and GoToMeeting.

Technology lets us synchronize our work and lives once again.  So my fellow road warriors, tweet to your heart's content; update your Facebook page with video of your cat flushing the toilet, or whatever you consider funny enough to share with the world; and meet with colleagues and access your work applications and files.  Getting the job done and harmonizing your work-life balance are now possible no matter the altitude.

It's a new age--with a new flexibility to work, play and connect from anywhere, even 30,000 feet above the earth at 600 miles per hour.

Here are the advantages I see from having Internet access on planes:

• Travel updates: letting family, co-workers and clients know if there is a change to my itinerary
• Finishing projects: accessing my office computer to work on projects using GoToMyPC
• Keeping in touch: replying to the emails I've been meaning to get to, sending eCards, etc.
• Meeting with a colleague or client: using GoToMeeting's screen-share capabilities, chat, etc.
• Entertainment: watching my new favorite TV show, "Modern Family," or sending a picture of my aerial view to friends
• Staying in the loop: what if a natural or political disaster occurs while traveling?
• Studying up: catching up on industry trends, reading blogs, opinion articles, etc.
• Distraction: focus on the stuff I want, while tuning out the pains and discomforts of modern-day travel

As we know, the advances in technology and the benefit of mobility keep us connected.  The balance and mix between life and work will only become more integrated as the options to access our office computers, social networking sites and email accounts are available no matter the location.  So now, it's a coffee shop, it's a cubicle, it's super work in the sky.

Do you find any other advantages to having in-flight Internet?


More about Internet in planes


Photo Credit: davipt

Today's post is an interview with Todd Mera of AwardWallet.com, a very useful website that can track your award points and remind you of their impending expiration. Launched in 2004, Award Wallet it is gaining a following of dedicated users

So tell us a bit about your background, AwardWallet, and what motivated you to start it?
AwardWallet was started out of a need for me and my business partner to track our miles more efficiently. There were a couple apps out there that helped with this but they did not meet our needs. I was looking for something that was easy to use and available from anywhere, anytime. More and more people were using web based application and it made sense to build AwardWallet as a web application.

Sounds like you're a jetsetter. Do you workshift a lot? What are your necessary gadgets?
I like to think of myself as 'An Office of One'.  Meetings in a hotel lobby connected to the Wi-Fi doing a web demonstration with a global audience is not uncommon. My newest favorite gadget is my new Sony eReader.  I used to carry about 10 lbs of books with me everywhere I traveled.  I also remember ripping out the first 100 or so pages of a large technical book to read on a flight.  I just couldn't bring that 1500 page technical magna carta with me.  Now, I carry 1000s of digital books with me all the time.

What's the largest benefit you see AwardWallet offering workshifters?
If you are a workshifter, you are probably on the road a bit. AwardWallet will help you track and take advantage of the miles you are accumulating.  AwardWallet will allow you to see all of your frequent flyer miles, hotel points, car rental points and many more from a single screen.  AwardWallet will automatically update the balances and let you view all of your travel equity from a single screen.

Another great feature...AutoLogin.  From AwardWallet.com click on the program name, ie Delta, and we will take you to their site and automatically log you in allowing you to check in for you flight and do any other necessary business. All in all - Huge time saver!

What do you think is the single most important thing for the workshifter to keep in mind when using their award points?
DON'T LET THEM EXPIRE.  Frequent Flyer miles can expire in 12-18 month of no activity depending on the program.  You spent all this time earning those miles flying from here to there.  Don't waste them. AwardWallet will let you know if any of your miles are due to expire. With this info the workshifter can now create some activity on the account where the miles are about to expire and reset the clock.

What advice can you offer workshifters on account management?
Know what you have Get points for everything.  Example, I only buy stuff with credit cards that allow me to earn points.  I then pay off the credit card every month.  I even buy all of my groceries with a credit card.

Use them. You earned them. Take a trip. They do not earn interest and they are not getting more valuable.  So go have some fun.


Photo Credit: Bob the Lomond

We have been advertising GoToMeeting in airport terminals and in airline magazines for many years.  Initially we lead with "Do More Travel Less" messaging.  For good reason, the airlines asked us to modify the message to speak more appropriately to their travel audience.  We adopted the message on a case by case basis, and one example of that was "Down Time is the new Up Time".



I am sensitive to the fact that travel industry is facing very challenging times.  However, by eliminating all GoToMeeting messaging, they are basically saying that travelers are so naive they will not possibly know these tools exist, so let's be really quiet and maybe they wont find out!

American Airlines considered our messaging to be "anti-travel".  Ok, I have to admit that if I were in their shoes, I'd see it that way as well.  Admittedly, my company's travel costs have declined as a result of using online meeting tools.  However, we still very much need to travel to see clients, family, friends...in other words, we are still human.  The new tools just allow us to be more selective about when we travel.  American needs to spend time getting at that information.  Which travel are we foregoing versus when is travel necessary?  If I was marketing for the airline, I'd get to that information and message to it.  I believe a climate where technology is promoted and integrated into the travel experience is a much more effective use of resources than viewing them as contributing to the demise of the travel industry.  We offered to change our messaging, and still, they declined.

Our latest airport creative in running at LAX and it speaks to the ability to present from anywhere...even while you're naked

 

It's not anti-travel, it's anti-ignorance.  What it says is you have the freedom to present, and the location is irrelevant.  I have used online meeting tools to present from an airport and even on the plane.  It's such a better use of my time when I travel to know that I can conduct business seamlessly.

I expect an airline to embrace technology, so as to improve the travel experience.  In a prior post I wrote about how we are all in the Unified Experience business.  Airlines are no exception.  This would have been a great opportunity to acknowledge that customers have a choice, and when they do need to travel they will encourage the use of the tools that help make the most of their trip.  A perfect example is GoGo Inflight internet access.  It's wonderful to be able to work in real time from an airplane.

We work with lots of great airlines and airports that have embraced technology and online meetings.  Here are a few:

Alaska
SouthWest
United
Virgin

Los Angeles
San Francisco
Chicago
Miami

As Workshifters and business travelers it is our responsibility to be an effective voice.  I don't recommend you read this and then bash American in the blogsphere.  See this as an opportunity to reach out in a constructive format and ask them to encourage the use of technology and even to consider promoting it.

American Airlines is still my preferred airline when I travel.  I'm going to stick with them because I believe they will come around. 

How will you help? What are your thoughts?
 

I used to get so worked up when preparing for a long trip. This feeling of a thousand pounds would start to weigh on me as I thought about what I needed to pack and how much of it I needed to take with me. Do you ever feel like that? I am not one to just throw clothes in a duct taped garbage bag (a la Tommy Boy), so I searched for a simple, efficient way to pack my carry-on with enough clothes for a week. I tried rolling my clothes up like a boy scout going to camp, I tried folding them in little squares like the metro clothing stores in the mall, and nothing seemed to work. Everything I tried, either took up too much space or made my clothing look like I had slept in them for three days. That was until I discovered the bundling method for packing.

This process allows you to reduce the used space of your packed clothing to smaller sizes without decreasing the volume. This method also minimizes wrinkles, guaranteeing you will show up to your client meetings or presentations looking first class. Last year we traveled to South Africa and Swaziland and I was able to pack for eighteen days into a medium suitcase and a backpack. The amazing part about the trip was, I actually had room in my bag for all the souvenirs I bought to bring back.

Below, I have included a few resources that will help you learn how to save space and travel efficiently.


onebag.com



What are your methods? Thoughts?
 

While sitting on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport I wanted to check in and share some of my inflight workshifting tips.  With all of the international travel that I've been doing lately, it has become essential to develop a method for working from the tiny confines of an airplane seat.

If you have trouble viewing this video, you can also catch it over on my Vimeo channel.




Do you fly a lot?  Make sure you check about these tips from Chris Brogan about what you can do pre-flight, inflight and once you land to help for smoother travels.

What are some of your inflight workshifting tips?