Many companies have had to tighten up their budget in many ways; however it appears that business travel is becoming more and more common in our globalized economy. Foreign markets that are opening up and outsourcing are one reason that many corporations are willing to spend untold amounts of money each year to keep the lines of communication across the nations open.
At one time most of business travel was for the purpose of making sales calls, however there have been many more reasons for entrepreneurs and employees to get out of the office. Not too long ago there was a survey done that today the company sponsored trips actually have very little to do with meeting any clients. The most common reasons for travel include attending training seminars and conventions. Many of the companies that have an international office will fly certain executives to different locations in order to get a look at the operations or to hold meetings.
More often than not business travel should actually be viewed as a privilege since it shows that your managers or bosses have enough faith in you to allow you to represent the company overseas; it is also a great way to visit any number of different places while on the company’s expense account. Of course if there are some sales calls or meetings thrown in there that gives you another chance to impress the boss and make the climb up the corporate ladder perhaps a little bit easier. Perhaps one of the most important benefits of business travel is that it is a great opportunity to widen your network.
If you are going to be responsible for making your own travel arrangements such as the hotel, etc. try to find accommodations that will make it easy for you to get to your meetings and engagements on time. For instance, you may want to consider staying at the same hotel where your meeting or conference is being held, it may be a little more expensive than one across town but it will save you time and possibly save you taxi fare.
If your business travel is taking you out of the country be sure that you familiarize yourself with some of the local practices and customs of the country that you will be visiting, this will impress clients and colleagues alike.
