3.Keep copies of your vital records. Back up your electronic records regularly. The longer you are away greater risk of something going wrong in your absence. The more recent your latest backup, lower risk of having to repeat work going back weeks and weeks when you do return.

4.Insure your business against risk of something happening to you. The more business depends on you as an individual more you need to insure against not being able to work. It is not always easy to afford premiums when you are starting out, but do seriously consider consequences and do something as soon as you can if you feel that risk justifies it.

5.Automate as much as you can. For those doing business on internet this is relatively easy and you would be foolish not to. This makes sense for any company in any normal circumstances, so this is something to do whatever your view is on risks to you yourself.

6.Get ahead of game. If you have letters to send out at fixed times in future, then prepare them in advance. If you intend to launch a new product in future, be certain to have it ready well before launch date. That way, even if you are absent, if preparations are done program can go ahead as planned. It can simply be set in motion by someone else (or by your automated systems).

Don’t lose sight of disasters that can happen to your business should you be taken ill, however small chances. Plan ahead sensibly for possibility and make your contingency plans. Then sleep peacefully knowing that you can ride out storm if it should ever come.

Cross Cultural Awareness Training: working with colleagues, customers or clients from different cultural backgrounds, with different religions, values and etiquettes can occasionally lead to problems. Cross cultural awareness training is usually a generic introduction into a culture, country, region or religion. The aim is to equip trainee with adequate knowledge to deal comfortably with people from different cultures, avoiding misunderstandings and mistakes.

Cross Cultural Training for Expatriate Relocation: staff that travel overseas need to understand cultural basics of host country or region. Knowledge of country’s history, culture, laws, traditions, business practices and social etiquettes all help to minimise impact of culture shock and hence smooth their transition overseas.

Cross Cultural Negotiations: equipped with their knowledge of two or more cultures that can be meeting around negotiation table, a cross cultural consultant advises on areas such as negotiation strategies, styles, planning, closure and etiquette in order to increase chance of a successful outcome, free from misunderstandings, suspicions and general cross cultural communication breakdown.

Cross Cultural PR Consultancy: brand image, public relations and advertising are all areas companies must be careful of when moving out of national context. Tastes and values change dramatically from continent to continent. It is crucial to understand whether brand name, image or advertising campaign is culturally applicable in target country. Cross cultural consultants examine words, images, pictures, colours and symbols to ensure they fit well with target culture.

Cross Cultural Language Training: Language training is an area where little investment is made by companies, but where business advantages are great. Linguistic knowledge goes a long way in bridging cultural gaps and smoothing lines of communication. Cross cultural consultancies provide language training to business staff, moulding their learning to business environment in which they work.

In conclusion, clearly role and expertise of cross cultural communication consultants is important for today’s international business. The potential pitfalls cross cultural differences present to companies are extensive. In essence a cross cultural consultant’s primary objective is integration. This integration, between colleagues, clients and customers is crucial for business success. Equipped with experience, knowledge and above all objectivity, a cross cultural consultant creates bridges of understanding and opens lines of communication.