The $100 MBA Show - Episode MBA2257: 4 Tech Must-Haves When Working While Traveling + Free Ride Friday

Host: Omar Zenhom
Release Date: March 3, 2023
Podcast Description: Awarded Best of Apple Podcasts, The $100 MBA Show delivers practical business lessons for the real world. These no-fluff episodes are packed with only the pure business-building training you want.

1. Introduction

In episode MBA2257 of The $100 MBA Show, host Omar Zenhom dives deep into essential technological tools and strategies for entrepreneurs who balance work with a nomadic lifestyle. Drawing from over two decades of entrepreneurial experience, Omar shares four critical tech must-haves that ensure productivity and security while traveling. Additionally, the episode features the recurring segment, Free Ride Friday, where listeners have a chance to win exclusive business resources.

2. Free Ride Friday

• Announcement & Prize Details:
  At the outset, Omar introduces Free Ride Friday, a weekly feature where listeners can win a lifetime membership to one of Webinar Ninja's programs. Specifically, this episode's giveaway is the Automated Webinar Challenge, a 30-day course valued at $500, designed to teach entrepreneurs how to automate leads and sales through webinars.

  • Quote:

    "On Free Ride Friday, we give away a lifetime membership to one of our programs. We're giving away our Automated webinar challenge, our 30-day course on how to automate your leads and sales with automated webinars."
    [00:00]

• How to Enter:
  Listeners are encouraged to leave an Apple Podcast rating and review to enter the weekly random draw. The winner is announced towards the end of the episode.

  • Quote:

    "Just leave us an Apple Podcast rating and review and you enter our weekly random draw we call Free Ride Friday."
    [00:00]

3. Main Content: 4 Tech Must-Haves When Working While Traveling

Omar structures the main segment around four pivotal technological tools and strategies that ensure seamless work operations while on the move. He emphasizes the importance of reliable internet connectivity, security, data backup, and efficient productivity tools.

3.1. Reliable Internet Connection

Ensuring a stable internet connection is paramount for any traveling professional. Omar elaborates on his meticulous approach to securing reliable internet:

• Pre-Booking Checks:
  Before booking accommodations, Omar contacts hotels directly to inquire about internet facilities. He assesses both wired and wireless options to ensure redundancy.

  • Quote:

    "Before I book any of my hotels, I like to email them directly with a few questions. The first question is, do you have wired Internet?"
    [02:15]

• Speed Testing:
  Omar requests hotels to perform a speed test via Speedtest.net to verify upload and download speeds, aiming for a minimum of 30 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.

  • Quote:

    "I like to look for at least the 30 down and 20 up. 20 is kind of a lot for upload speed."
    [03:10]

• Backup Plan – Phone Roaming:
  To safeguard against unforeseen internet outages, Omar opts to roam with his cellular phone, allowing tethering or hotspot usage. This ensures continuous connectivity even if primary internet sources fail.

  • Quote:

    "I always have data on my phone now. I always roam with my own cellular phone."
    [05:00]

• Maintaining Phone Numbers for Security:
  Omar highlights the importance of retaining his primary phone number while traveling to avoid complications with two-factor authentication, especially for banking and secure account access.

  • Quote:

    "I want to maintain my phone number because often, when you're traveling abroad... they won't recognize you and feel like you're at a different location."
    [06:30]

3.2. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Security is a cornerstone of Omar's tech setup, with VPNs playing a vital role in safeguarding his online activities.

• Consistent Use of VPN:
  Omar insists on having a VPN active on all devices to protect against unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, which are common in hotels and cafes.

  • Quote:

    "I always use a VPN even back in my office in My home."
    [07:50]

• Choosing a Reliable VPN Provider:
  Omar recommends ExpressVPN for its reliability and security, citing over a decade of personal use.

  • Quote:

    "I like to use ExpressVPN. That's my VPN of choice."
    [08:40]

• Benefits of Using a VPN:
  Beyond security, a VPN allows Omar to maintain his virtual presence in his home country, ensuring consistent access to region-specific services and avoiding unwanted localization of content.

  • Quote:

    "A VPN makes sure that you are connected to the Internet as if you are in your home country."
    [09:30]

3.3. Cloud Backup

Data security and accessibility are non-negotiable for Omar, who relies heavily on cloud backups to protect his business operations.

• Utilizing iCloud:
  As a Mac user, Omar leverages Apple’s iCloud to back up all his devices, ensuring seamless data recovery in case of hardware failure.

  • Quote:

    "I have all my data Backed up to Apple's cloud."
    [11:00]

• Real-Life Example:
  Omar recounts an incident in Bali where his computer failed unexpectedly. Thanks to his cloud backup, he swiftly migrated his data to a new device without interrupting his work.

  • Quote:

    "My computer just totally conked out, and I couldn't work anymore... But I had the cloud backup, I was able to not skip a beat."
    [12:20]

• Advantages of Cloud Backup:
  Cloud services not only provide data security but also facilitate synchronization across multiple devices, enhancing productivity on the go.

  • Quote:

    "I can access all my files in one place when you're traveling. That's the cloud."
    [13:15]

3.4. Google Docs and Sheets with Offline Mode

Efficient documentation and collaboration are critical, especially when internet access is intermittent. Omar highlights the utility of Google’s suite of tools.

• Offline Accessibility:
  Omar ensures that essential documents and spreadsheets are available offline on all his devices, allowing uninterrupted work regardless of connectivity.

  • Quote:

    "Every time before I travel, I open up my phone and I make sure that it's available to offline."
    [14:50]

• Practical Applications:
  From organizing podcast episodes to drafting email scripts, Google Docs and Sheets serve as Omar’s primary tools for managing his business tasks efficiently.

  • Quote:

    "We use that a lot in our business. Whether it's sheets to organize our podcast episodes or docs to organize our blog post."
    [15:30]

• Synchronization Benefits:
  Changes made offline automatically sync once an internet connection is reestablished, ensuring that all devices have the latest versions of documents.

  • Quote:

    "It will sync automatically and update it with the new content once you have Internet connection."
    [16:10]

3.5. Bonus Tip: World Time Buddy

Beyond the four main tech must-haves, Omar introduces World Time Buddy as an invaluable tool for managing time zones efficiently.

• Purpose of World Time Buddy:
  This tool allows users to compare multiple time zones on a single grid, simplifying the scheduling of meetings and appointments across different regions.

  • Quote:

    "World Time Buddy is a tool that allows you to see easily on a grid how your local time zone compares to other time zones."
    [17:20]

• Practical Usage:
  Omar and his team use it extensively to coordinate with remote team members spread across various continents, preventing scheduling mishaps.

  • Quote:

    "It's really hard to mess up with World Time Buddy because it's a grid."
    [18:00]

• Travel-Specific Advantages:
  For travelers, World Time Buddy ensures that appointments back home are scheduled accurately, accounting for the time difference introduced by their current location.

  • Quote:

    "It allows you to really know what you're doing when you're doing it before and after your trip."
    [19:00]

4. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Omar wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of these tech tools in reducing stress and enhancing productivity while traveling. He emphasizes the need for preparedness, backup plans, and using technology to maintain business continuity.

• Reducing Travel Stress:
  By equipping oneself with the right tools, the inherent stress of travel can be mitigated, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on their work without constant worry.

  • Quote:

    "Traveling is stressful... Anything that can lower your stress levels, that can allow you to worry less and cover your back and make sure that you have backup plans."
    [21:00]

• Encouragement to Listeners:
  Omar encourages listeners to adopt these strategies to ensure their traveling experiences are both productive and enjoyable.

  • Quote:

    "Hopefully by passing them on to you, they'll save you a lot of stress and a lot of heartache while you're traveling and getting your work done."
    [21:30]

5. Free Ride Friday Winner Announcement

As promised, Omar announces the winner of this week's Free Ride Friday giveaway.

• Winner Details:

  • Name: Terry Legs
  • Announcement:

    "And the winner is Terry Legs. Terry Legs says good advice. This show has some good advice. Thanks, Terry Legs, for that great review."
    [22:00]

• Instructions for the Winner:
  Terry is requested to email Omar to receive the lifetime membership to the Automated Webinar Challenge.

  • Quote:

    "Email me over at Omar100-MBA-NET so I can hook you up with the lifetime membership."
    [23:00]

• Encouragement for Future Listeners:
  Omar reminds non-winners to leave a review on Apple Podcasts to participate in future giveaways.

  • Quote:

    "Just leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. It's that simple. That's how you enter our weekly random draw where we announce a winner every single week on Friday."
    [23:30]

6. Teaser for Next Episode

Omar provides a sneak peek into the next episode, setting the stage for continued learning and business growth.

• Next Episode Preview:
  The upcoming episode will delve into the Business of Japan, exploring the unique practices that contribute to Japan's economic prowess and how entrepreneurs can incorporate these strategies into their own businesses.
  • Quote:

    "I'll check you in Monday's episode where we continue our four-part series, Part two on the Business of Japan... how do they do it and how we can do it as well."
    [24:10]

Key Takeaways

1. Reliable Internet is Non-Negotiable:

   • Always verify both wired and wireless internet options.
   • Use phone roaming as a backup connectivity method.
   • Maintain your primary phone number to avoid authentication issues.

2. VPNs Ensure Security and Consistency:

   • Protect data on unsecured networks.
   • Maintain your virtual presence in your home country to access region-specific services.

3. Cloud Backups Prevent Data Loss:

   • Regularly back up all devices to the cloud.
   • Ensure accessibility of critical documents from any device.

4. Offline Accessibility with Google Tools Enhances Productivity:

   • Enable offline mode for essential documents and spreadsheets.
   • Synchronize updates once online connectivity is restored.

5. World Time Buddy Facilitates Efficient Time Management Across Time Zones:

   • Simplify scheduling and prevent time zone confusion.
   • Maintain accurate appointment timings across different regions.

Final Thoughts

Omar Zenhom's episode serves as a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of remote work while traveling. By implementing these tech must-haves, listeners can ensure their business operations remain uninterrupted, secure, and efficient, regardless of their geographical location. Additionally, the engaging Free Ride Friday segment incentivizes continuous learning and application of these strategies.

For more practical business lessons and actionable insights, listeners are encouraged to visit 100mba.net.