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Business Travel Tips

 Business Travel Tips

With leisure travel, you are representing only yourself.  However, with business travel, you are representing your company. The impressions you impart may determine your future business relationship with those you are visiting.

Attire

Your attire choices will play a major part in how you are viewed.  However, if time allows, dress in comfortable clothes to reduce stress and help you keep focused on your objectives.  These should still appear conservative, like slacks, a neat shirt/blouse, and a jacket/blazer. 

  • Avoid clothing that wrinkles or clings.
  • Track the weather and dress accordingly.
  • Dress slightly more formal than your counterparts do.
  • Pack an extra outfit just in case: unexpected meeting, unplanned trip extension, and mishaps. 

Transportation & Technology

Expect delays: pack makeup, backup battery charger (if allowed), antibacterial gel/sheets, noise-canceling headphones, pen and paper, business cards, and breath mints.

  • Apply for TSA Precheck.
  • Before getting in line, ready your train or plane tickets--use apps when applicable.
  • Respect all attendants and other travelers.

When conducting meetings while in transit, maintain confidentiality and show respect for fellow travelers by speaking quietly while wearing earbuds or earphones. 

Download a Travel/Organization App

  • Evernote--or similar--helps keep track of boarding passes, reservations, receipts, and expenses.
  • Of course, most 'wallets' also store boarding passes.  
  • Find the location of gates, restaurants, weather, and time of arrivals/departures with FlightStats.  
  • Concur tracks and organizes, saves, and submits travel expenses. 

If Driving

  • Waze can assist with unknowns, like heavy traffic or road closures.
  • Even if using a GPS-enabled device/app, map out your trip. 

Stay Connected

  • Consider a portable MiFi wireless router.   Of course, most cellphones do a great job today.

Useful Apps

Display your respect for your business partners by ensuring you are on time!

You have arrived!  What’s Next?  When meeting with business partners, turn off your cellphone.  Take handwritten notes or ask if using a computer will be distracting. distracting.

Be Prepared

  • Organize all ideas and facts before your meeting.
  • Honestly address concerns or questions that arise during negotiations. 

Tipping Housekeeping

Tip $2 to $10 each day, depending on the level of service and type of hotel (upscale hotel versus budget hotel).   Use bills enclosed in an envelope address to “Housekeeping” and leave it on the dresser.

Including a short note is a nice gesture.  Perhaps: “I appreciate the effort you have invested in my room.”  Alternatively, a simple “Thank you” is fine as 

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