Travel Tips for Business

By Rachel Swiednicki

Travel is just a fact of doing business. Whether it’s by car on the 401 to a neighboring province or by plane, crossing the Atlantic, it’s important to be prepared.

travel photo 1For business meetings on the road, you need to pack smart and light. Your best bet is to purchase travel clothing that won’t wrinkle easily—there are many stores, such as Tilly Endurables, that carry a good selection of wrinkle-free coordinates. And pack only one pair of black shoes – they can be worn with just about anything.

Even if you’re remaining in Canada, when you travel by air, you should carry your passport. You never know what crisis may arise with airlines – hence the recent situation with Iceland.

One of my favourite inventions is the laptop bag with wheels – it takes the pressure off your shoulders and back and makes mobility easy. You not only have a safe place to contain your laptop, built-in organizers and dividers give you room to add other items such as your cell phone or work files.

Staples.ca has a wide variety to choose from.

Now, if you travel frequently, it may not be a bad idea to sign up for a creditTravel photo 2 card that offers rewards for frequent flyers, such as the Citi STAPLES easyRewards Business MasterCard or the Able Travel American Express. These cards come with many benefits, such as points that you can redeem toward gas, air travel and even groceries.

It’s also a good idea to develop a relationship with your local travel agent. Your agent can offer a wealth of knowledge, make recommendations, and can be invaluable when you need last-minute travel bookings. Create a corporate account with your agent and take time to discuss the needs of your business and employees – you may qualify for business discounts. In addition, he or she can keep you up to date on any travel advisories regarding security in other countries. If you are traveling abroad, it’s also a good idea to check the Canadian government websites for travel alerts.

In my next travel post, I’ll discuss hot spots for business travel.

RachelRachel Swiednicki is a professional communicator, with ten years of experience in the communications industry. Eight of those years were spent as a journalist before moving into a career in public relations / corporate communications.

By Adam

May 06, 2010