| Business travel is often a necessity whether | | | | |
| you work for a Fortune 500 company or own a | | | | Use technology sparingly in order to show |
| small home based business. Only so much | | | | respect for those around you. Make use of |
| business can be conducted by telephone, | | | | earphones with your laptop or hand held |
| e-mail, computer and fax. There will come a | | | | gadgets. Turn your cell phone off while |
| day when you need to travel for business and | | | | flying and when attending a meeting. If you |
| how you conduct yourself will make all the | | | | do have to take a call, let others know ahead |
| difference in determining your success in | | | | of time and leave the meeting when the call |
| getting that new client or sealing the deal. | | | | comes in. |
| | | | |
| Always remember that you are representing | | | | Be punctual for all of your meetings and |
| your company during your entire journey, | | | | dress professionally. Leave your casual |
| starting and ending with your trip to and | | | | clothes for evenings and weekends when you |
| from the airport. Be considerate to airline | | | | won't be spending time with your client. |
| personnel, hotel porters, restaurant | | | | Plan on keeping yourself occupied on off |
| employees and anyone else you meet on your | | | | hours and do not expect your client to |
| trip. You never know when someone you meet | | | | entertain you. If you are invited to a |
| may be related to the CEO of your client | | | | casual meal or other activity on off hours, |
| company or when someone you treat badly makes | | | | feel free to accept but pay attention to your |
| a formal complaint to your employer. Stay on | | | | attire. Even if your host suggests that you |
| your best behavior when you are traveling and | | | | dress casually, keep in mind that you are |
| you will build relationships that can impact | | | | still doing business and make sure you keep |
| the bottom line. As a bonus you will enjoy | | | | the "business" in "business casual." |
| your trip a lot more when you treat others | | | | |
| with courtesy and kindness. | | | | Refrain from discussing inappropriate issues |
| | | | while traveling such as religion, politics |
| After your travel reservations are made do | | | | and your latest surgery. Respond |
| some research. Start by studying the customs | | | | respectfully when asked your opinion on |
| and culture of your destination if you are | | | | sticky subjects then move on quickly to |
| visiting a foreign country or by reading an | | | | another topic. If anyone, including a |
| online newspaper from the US city where you | | | | client, begins to bash Americans, do not take |
| will be staying. Use the internet to select | | | | offense. Tell them you understand how they |
| a restaurant for wining and dining your | | | | might feel that way and change the subject. |
| client, and make reservations ahead of time. | | | | Client meetings are no place to advance your |
| Refresh your memory on the basics of | | | | personal causes or opinions. |
| introductions, table manners and gift giving | | | | |
| before you leave home. | | | | When you return to your office, send a |
| | | | handwritten thank you note immediately. Let |
| If you are traveling with someone else, ask | | | | your client know how much you appreciate |
| that you be seated next to your business | | | | their hospitality and how much you enjoyed |
| associates on the airplane. Sitting together | | | | your trip. A handwritten note is much more |
| will ensure you keep your conversations | | | | personal than a hastily sent e-mail. |
| confidential and other passengers will | | | | |
| appreciate not having to listen to you talk | | | | Paying careful attention to your business |
| across an aisle or over the seat. Avoid | | | | etiquette while traveling may help you |
| alcohol on the airplane and during your | | | | achieve that promotion you have wanted, seal |
| entire trip. Traveling is not an excuse to | | | | that deal you have been working on for months |
| indulge in alcoholic beverages and your boss | | | | or enhance the otherwise lukewarm client |
| will not appreciate being billed for your | | | | relationship. You may not have control over |
| overindulgence or hearing about your wild | | | | your travel schedule, where your luggage ends |
| antics on the plane. | | | | up or the clients you need to meet, but you |
| | | | do have total control of your own behavior |
| Prior to traveling familiarize yourself with | | | | and your personal attitude By minding your |
| the gift giving etiquette of the company you | | | | business manners your trip will be pleasant, |
| are visiting. Be aware that many | | | | productive and profitable. |
| corporations and government offices have | | | | |
| strict rules about accepting gifts. Call the | | | | (c) 2007, Lydia Ramsey. All rights reserved. |
| company receptionist or the secretary of the | | | | Reprint rights granted so long as article and |
| person you will meet with on your trip to | | | | by-line are published intact and with all |
| inquire about the company guidelines and ask | | | | links made live. |
| for suggestions if a gift is appropriate. | | | | |