It’s Thursday, October 25th and PCW is here again. Although I just got back from Denmark and was wanting to take a short break, I was informed by my real estate broker in Malta that a Russian couple were interested in firming up a commitment to rent the condo down there. So, I am off again on another flight tomorrow morning to Frankfurt, where I will have a few hours stopover to speak to a Russian company involved in transports by rail to/from Asia and then in the evening another flight down to Malta.

Although I’ve been flying like crazy for many years, I do feel sympathy for many of the businessmen and women who, as sales people, travel the world to promote the companies for whom they work. Sales is generally hard work and it does, more often than not, mean regularly occupying a spot in the back of the plane, or perhaps economy plus, but it is certainly by no means without stress. In our striving to become efficient, schedules are tight and you are expected to waltz fresh into a meeting, even after a ten hour long haul flight, whilst also remembering the change of time zone.

Still, nothing can make up for meeting people face to face. You can hide behind the computer but getting out there to meet your customer, vendor, supplier etc., you certainly find that it is always an investment worth making. Even the family at home can be neglected at times whilst you are jetting the world and maybe you’ll be told in no uncertain terms to start changing the way you plan your flights. But, as some of us know, we will go to any length to keep that gold or platinum frequent flyer card, right? I dare say that there are also many pleasant moments to be experienced aboard while flying, like having a unique opportunity to meet interesting people. I suggest you have a gin and tonic or a glass of cold New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc whilst listening to some of the great in-flight music that airlines provide.

For example, this track from Qatar Airways. https://youtu.be/KcdWm-M_PWc

We have two interviews for you today, starting off in Bangkok, Thailand where we speak to a family-owned project freight forwarding company who’ve been active for years in moving cargoes to/from Thailand and Laos. After that, we stay in the region to visit another country of resilient people – this time Vietnam – where, in light of the recent visit to Europe by a huge government delegation, we re-publish an interview with a project forwarder also active in the renewables field. Pay special attention to our shipping news this week and our usual videos, pictures and wise words as usual.