According to a new Regus survey, privacy is hard to find for some of today's business travelers, and their companies may be paying the price. The survey found that 59 percent of business travelers said they've listened to someone else's business conversation; more than one-third (34 percent) have seen confidential information on portable devices; and 19 percent have used this information for their own purposes.


In response to the growing need for access to private, secure, professional working environments for today's road warriors, Regus, the leading provider of workplace solutions, is introducing its Businessworld Membership Card program. Businessworld Membership is a tiered offering that allows mobile workers to choose the program that best fits their needs while on the road. The program offers varying levels of access to professional day offices, business lounges and cafes in any of Regus' 950 business centers in 400 cities across 70 countries worldwide.


Regus also commissioned the "Privacy Matters" survey to obtain additional insight into the issues faced by the increasing number of mobile professionals trying to work while on the move. Market research firm In-Stat predicts the number of U.S. mobile workers will reach 103 million this year, a 31 percent increase over the last four years. The survey found that, even in the 21st Century, needing a private place to make a phone call (46 percent) and finding a place to print important documents, such as e-mails and last-minute presentations (53 percent), were among the top dilemmas business travelers face while working on the road. Instead, almost half (45 percent) of mobile professionals now spend up to two hours a week working in public places, and many find themselves trying to get work done wherever they can, including in bars (31 percent), the gym (18 percent) and even public bathrooms (18 percent).


"Working on the road presents numerous challenges, but, just as technology has caught up to the mobile worker, so have today's mobile workplace options," said Guillermo Rotman, CEO of The Regus Group Americas. "Our new Businessworld Membership program is the only offering of its kind that gives business travelers the flexibility they need with drop-in access to private, professional business offices anywhere in the world for as little as $30 a day."


"As a frequent international business traveler, my Regus Businessworld card is as important to me as my credit cards," said Andy Abramson, founder and CEO of Comunicano, Inc. "I rely on Regus business centers throughout the U.S. and overseas to help me meet privately with clients and stay productive while on the road."


Rotman added, "Our 'Privacy Matters' survey validates the issues that we knew today's business travelers are facing. The introduction of our Businessworld Membership program allows mobile professionals the convenient, on-the-road access they need to remain productive in a secure, professional environment. Whether a business traveler needs a place to print documents or check e-mail between appointments; a professional environment to hold a meeting; or private office time, our Businessworld Membership allows them to select the card that best fits their individual needs."


Regus business centers are located in well-known buildings such as Rockefeller Plaza, The Chrysler Building, The John Hancock Center, Spear Tower and Sears Tower. Earlier this year Regus also introduced a street-level concept in Silicon Valley. All Regus business centers come well-equipped with a number of amenities including reception services, meeting rooms, business support teams and the latest communications technology including videoconferencing.


Regus also recommends the following simple steps to help protect confidential company information while on the road.


Regus' On-the-Road Privacy Tips

-- Guard your laptop screen with a privacy filter and password-protected
screen access.
-- Lock your laptop and other electronics in the hotel safe instead of
leaving them behind in a briefcase.
-- Cover important papers in opaque, unlabeled folders.
-- Plan ahead for important calls and use a private location, such as a
Regus business center or Regus Express location.