Now I know that this is not an item on those must have gifts, however I know that most of us do travel with our gadgets which go me thinking that may be some tips for travelers may be a good idea. These are good if you have just starting out on the road or if you have been out and about for a while, does not hurt to check and rethink once in while?
Growing your business will often require you or your partners to hit
the ole pavement. Often business travel becomes necessary to visit
clients or make sales pitches or visit satellite offices. Whatever the
reason, here are a few tips to look into before your next trip.
1. Membership Rewards
It is never too early to sign up and start using membership rewards
programs. Be it points on select credit cards to travel rewards programs
through hotels and airlines, if you are going to spend you might as
well accumulate points toward rewards. Believe me, they add up. This
year, my family and I will take three week long vacations, all courtesy
of various rewards programs. So sign up and use them.
2. Build Extra Time Into Your Schedule
We are all about efficiency these days, but in our zeal to be
efficient we often lose focus on quality. For instance, if you have a 9
a.m. presentation in New York City, don't risk a flight in from Atlanta
that morning. Take a flight the night before, spend the night, and be
refreshed and ready to go in the morning. You'll be less stressed and
more likely to nail your presentation if you do. Likewise, if your
presentation or meetings are scheduled until four in the afternoon,
don't book a 5 o'clock flight. Nothing says you aren't important to me
like leaving a meeting early to catch a flight. Book a later flight. You
can always move it up if you end early.
3. Be Willing to Fly Standby
If you get done with your work early and head to the airport hoping
to catch an earlier flight, be willing to fly standby. Ask the attendant
if there is an earlier flight. If so, ask how many open seats there are
left. If it is not a full flight, simply ask to be put on standby for
that flight. It doesn't cost a thing, and for flights with open seats
you will usually get on. This is one way of avoiding the re-ticketing
charge you will receive if they simply move you up to the earlier
flight.
4. No Downtime, Ever
In our 24/7 world, we are always connected. Who cares if there
is not an earlier flight. With technology, you can be at the office
working even if you are hundreds or thousands of miles away. Personally,
my smartphone acts as a Wi-Fi hot spot for my laptop, and I can also
access my desktop remotely. Invest in the technology that works for you
to keep getting the job done no matter where you are.
5. Power Up
All that technology, however, requires juice. So whenever possible,
make sure you plug in. While waiting for your meeting to begin, plug in.
Most airports now have free charging stations. Plug in. If they don't,
just look around: There's an outlet somewhere on the wall. There has to
be. It's code.
6. Internet Deals
Always look for the best deals using the Internet. Expedia.com and
Travelocity.com are great for booking hotels and flights even at the
last minute. And make sure to scroll through their options, looking for
the websites' stars as well as user ratings. Oftentimes you can find
hotels that are just as nice for half the price. For instance, last
night I was in New York City and needed to be in the Times Square area
at 9 a.m. for meetings. Rather than simply booking at my old standard,
which would have been $499 for the night (Welcome to New York), I poked
around on Expedia.com and booked a room at a neighboring hotel for $250!
I saved $249, and the hotel was every bit as nice as my old favorite.
7. Maintain Healthy Habits (If You Have Any)
One of the toughest things about being on the road is maintaining a
healthy lifestyle. So many of us get on the road and say, "Hey, tonight
it's me, a bag of Doritos, and whatever Nicholas Cage movie is showing
on TNT." On the road or not, you've got to behave the same way as you
would at home. If you exercise, don't miss it because you are on the
road. What greater way to see the city you are staying in than a quick
jog or power walk? Of course, it is so easy to throw food caution to the
wind. I mean, how can you eat a whole bag of Doritos without having
some Oreo cookies to finish it off? But you must resist the temptation.
