Business Travel
Pack your bags, not your baggageBusiness travel etiquetteDoesn't everyone's dream job include luxurious all expense paid trips to exotic locations, gourmet four course meals on the company credit card, a little spare time by the pool- on the clock of course and delightful client's that shower you with thoughtful gifts? Yeah right! LEWENA BAYER & KAREN MALLETT |
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That's why they call it a "dream" job. Keep dreaming because for most of us travel for work really means a two hour commute, exotic locations are rural towns with only one restaurant where you're lucky to get a good grilled cheese, there's never any free time and the expense allotment barely covers your gas. Corporate gifts, uuugg! How many baseball caps and monogrammed golf tees can one gal use?
Nevertheless, if you're one of the lucky ones and you do actually get to travel for business, you'll want to do everything in your power to retain that privilege. Whether it's the town twenty minutes out of town or a conference in Hawaii, try to remember your place and the purpose of your travel. Every minute that you are away for business you are representing the company and you have to be on your best behavior. Are you ready for a ticket to paradise? Take the self-assessment and find out.
Self-assessment: Answer true or false to each of the following:
1. As a follow up gesture, send thank you notes to individuals or organizations that make your traveling experience or business trip more comfortable.
2. When you're traveling for business- you're not really on the clock so it's okay to let your hair down, put on a comfy sweatshirt and jeans and plan to relax until you arrive at the conference.
3. If possible try to avoid checking your baggage. That's what overhead bins are for and it's your personal convenience that matters most.
4. You should always consume as much wine as possible when your are being entertained for business, everyone wants you to enjoy yourself and you should be sure to get your monies worth.
5. It's much easier to conduct business with associates from different cities/countries if you've researched the places/people/company you're visiting.
6. When you are in a new city or country, people will forgive tardiness as they can appreciate that you don't know your way around.
7. If you have to purchase toiletries or magazines for personal use at the hotel gift shop, it's okay to charge it on the company card because you're on company time.
8. If you are traveling with co-workers, you can feel free to pass on details about your traveling companions sleeping habits, medication or personal details when you return home.
9. If you are staying at the home of a business associate you should try to gather details about their likes and dislikes so that you can send an appropriate thank you gift.
10. Try to hug as many people as you can when you leave a conference/airport/hotel so that others will know you are approachable and that you enjoyed yourself.
How many hours a week do you work?