Doing Business Overseas Part 3 Follow these tips to tackle your next overseas trip.

11. Get connected. Don't suffer without e-mail whileyou're on the road. A few years ago, you could afford to take abreak from your inbox but no longer. The Europe Access Pack from1-800-Batteries all but guarantees you'll make a connection.The package includes 20 telephone adaptors and six grounded poweradaptors, plus an in-line telephone coupler, a modular dualtelephone adaptor, a two-line adaptor and an RJ11 retractable phonecable. Use them anywhere from Austria to Russia. The whole kitcosts $230.
Insider tip: Too thrifty to buy the package? Pack a screwdriverand make the connections yourself. (You'll want to practicebefore you leave.)

12. Stay connected. Make sure your laptop remains in peakcondition during your trip. Symantec's Mobile Essentials 2.0,for instance, is a nifty application that helps you connect to theInternet while you're away from the office. It handles complexand time-consuming tasks, such as troubleshooting, with ease andreduces your setup time significantly. At a cost of about $70, thecurrent release will probably save you lots of headaches.
Insider tip: A little know-how will make these kinds of programsunnecessary. However, if time is short, they'reindispensable.

13. Remember your ATM card. Accepted in nearly everymajor international city, ATM cards are safer than carrying cashand less cumbersome than travelers' checks. Using credit cardsor ATM cards also helps you avoid the sky-high commissions bankscharge to exchange your currency.
Insider tip: Your bank can furnish you with a list of locationswhere your ATM card will be accepted.

14. Don't worry about the euro. You won't noticemuch of a change-for now. Travelers heading to Europe shouldn'tgive a second thought to the new currency being used in paperlesstransactions. While the euro will mean significant changes inEurope, for business travelers using [credit] cards, it'll bebusiness as usual.
Insider tip: Euro notes and coins won't be in circulationuntil 2002

15. Don't forget the chambers of commerce. There are85 U.S. Chambers of Commerce around the world that offer a numberof insights and services for companies that want to go global.Chambers will help a U.S. business owner get settled in his or hernew country and give start-up advice on everything from customs tothe business climate. Call (800) 649-9719 for moreinformation.
Insider tip: A U.S. Chamber of Commerce is often anentrepreneur's first contact in a foreign city. The communityof expatriates found there often becomes a de facto social club fortravelers.