Business travel
Due to the stiff corporate competition and economic globalization, companies are favoring business travels. When you are in front of the customer you can give a first-rate picture of your company and the products.
There are indeed great advantages to business travels.
1 Your company can get familiar with the trend of the country?s market
2 You can understand their expectations regarding the design, packaging and advertising of the products
3 You can perk up relationships and communication with latest foreign representatives and acquaintances
4 You can establish new customers
5 Many companies in the U.S prefer to carry out business in person before finalizing deals
The five cities most visited for business travels in the U.S are:
San Francisco
Chicago
New Orleans
San Diego
Las Vegas and Orlando
The most popular airports are:
Atlanta Hartsfield
Chicago O\'Hare
Denver International
DFW
Orlando International
Business Travel- not an easy task Of course business travels involves good money due to the heavy travel expenditure. According to research data travel and entertainment ranks second to payroll! It is included in the discretionary expenses. Therefore companies are arranging travel management scheme which will help them to monitor and control travel and entertainment expenditure. It can also assist in the planning of efficient, safe and comfortable travels for their business travelers.
Yet not many travelers feel the business trips are comfortable and enjoyable. It can be mentally straining and draining! You are forced to be alert and work with great speed. Moreover you have to be away from home and family frequently and sometimes for a long time.
Air travels are no more comfortable as most domestic as well as international airlines are experiencing great delays. Often one has to spend three hours simply getting to the airport. You also have to arrive early to fulfill the security check and other formalities. A lot of precious time is lost. Hence businessmen find this, severe hit to productivity. Some travelers armed with their computers turn the airport into their new office and do their work or even conference!
Business travelers are not just compelled to reach airport early, they also have to hang around for a long time to retrieve their checked baggage. Evidently these all make air travel most inconvenient.
Many business travels have contemplated change of profession due to the severe strain and stress.
Make your Business Travels comfortable with proper planning Whether you are traveling within your country or abroad the trip can be made comfortable and enjoyable with little planning and preparations.
Tips for overseas travelers:
It is mandatory for overseas travelers to have proper credentials and documents before leaving their home country.
Business travels must have a recent U.S. passport, visas from the host nations and in some cases vaccination records.
A valid U.S. passport is obligatory for all travel outside the U.S. and Canada. Applicants will be required to furnish some personal details as proof of citizenship, proof of identity, two identical passport photos, application form duly filled, and the requisite fees.
The cost is $ 65 for an adult. Incase you already have a passport; make sure it will have validity for the complete period of your trip.
For further information you contact the nearest local passport office or the Office of Passport Services in Washington, D.C.
(202-647-0518) or download a printable application form from the U.S. Department of State homepage at http://travel.state.gov
If you are carrying your company?s product for demonstration then it is vital to have an ATA (Admission Temporaire) carnet. This is a consistent international costumes document required to obtain duty free temporary permission to carry certain goods into the signatory countries to the ATA Convention. Under this convention business travelers are allowed to take commercial samples, tools, advertising stuff, cinematographic, audiovisual, medical, and other articles required for their business promotion. For this they need not pay custom duties and taxes.
The carnets are valid for 12 months. For further queries you can contact the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036; telephone 212-354-4480.
In many countries Visas are compulsory. They can be obtained from the foreign country?s embassy or consulate in the United States. You will be required to pay a small fee. You must have your current passport and recent photo.
Vaccinations against typhus, typhoid, and other diseases are desirable. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) can advise on of existing and precise country and region conditions. For exact information dial 888-232-3299. The CDC internet address is
The Social and cultural mores :
When you are traveling abroad in connection with business promotion, it is worthwhile that you get familiar with the history, culture and social customs. Try reading travel books. Business manners, food habits, religious customs, humor dress codes, greetings, and customs vary from one country to another. For example the number 7 is considered lucky in Czech Republic but bad in Kenya.
While in Bulgaria a nod means NO, shaking of head from side to side means YES.
Clear perception and heeding of cultural variables are very important for the development and success in international business.
Body movements and gestures can mean and convey different meanings to people around the world. A misunderstanding to a gesture can lead to great embarrassment and complications.
Use of names and titles is another area of confusion. In the United Kingdom, France, and Denmark and few others it is appropriate to use titles until first names are mentioned. But in Germany first names are rarely used. You are expected to use the surname preceded by the title. However, Thais address one another by their first names!
Gifts play an important part in business culture .In some countries giving gifts are compulsory and failure to do so are taken as an affront. In Japan exchange of gifts at the first meeting is considered pleasant. Conversely in Germany exchange of presents are inappropriate. In U.K and Belgium gift giving are normal customs.
Even exchange of visiting cards has various customs. While in the Western nations it is customary to accept and pocket a business card, in Japan it is taken as an offence to pocket it immediately. You are expected to view the card, acknowledge with a nod or query and then pocket it.
General guide for all business travelers Well-Planning of the itinerary
1 Early preparation of your travel and program can save lots of tension and time. Take the help of Travel agents who can organize for transportation and hotel reservations quite efficiently. They can give useful information about visas, travel rates, hotels etc.
A well-planned program gives great solace to the traveler and thus he/she makes the optimum use of the time spent abroad.
Avoid clutter of appointments. Two or three specific schedule, definite and well spaced appointments can be most fruitful and pleasant.
2 As far as possible try to keep your schedule flexible to deal with unexpected problems such as transportation delays and other possible troubles. Check about the country?s working days and time.
3 Be prepared for adverse climate. The weather conditions will be different from your home country.
4 Keep all your health insurance, vaccinations, diet, prescription drugs and other matter.
5 Transportations are generally arranged by the companies. Confirm about the arrangements.
With such well-planned program you can set off for an efficient and enjoyable business tour.
So bonjour and happy business dealings!
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