By Becky DeStigter, the International EntrepreneurAs your company starts to expand beyond the local market, domestic as well as international business trips start to fill up your calendar. This week, I?m focusing on practical advice for the novice and experienced traveler both?
Vital Items to Pack
Like most business travelers, my most important belongings are 1) my passport and any required visas, 2) my mobile phone, and 3) my laptop computer. Anything else can normally be replaced. Obviously know where your passport is at all times. Depending on where you are traveling and the political sentiment towards your nationality, consider a cover for your passport available at any luggage store.? Take your mobile phone but be sure to contact your provider before leaving to make sure that your destination country is covered and any additional charges that might be incurred. Believe me, I?ve discovered the pitfalls of international charges the hard way. If the charges are significant, consider picking up a cheap cell phone or at least a local SIMM card when you arrive in country. As for your laptop, ALWAYS remember any electronic cords and then buy the corresponding adapters.
What to Wear
In most places around the world, business contacts expect you to wear the same outfit more than once. So be sure to have enough under garments, but then plan on wearing that suit 2-3 times before changing. In some countries, changing outfits daily is considered bad for the environment (extra washing) or snobbish. Research the standard business attire before you go. In countries with high rain probability, throw in a travel umbrella.
Where to Stay
The guidelines on hotels and transportation vary greatly from country to country. For instance, in Asia you would want to try to stay at the most prestigious hotel possible and possibly even hire a driver and a nice car. In the Netherlands, you would want to do the opposite. The Dutch admire thriftiness in their entrepreneurs and would expect you to stay in an affordable hotel and probably ride public transportation to a meeting site. Latin America would be somewhere between the two extremes and your hosts would probably help to make your arrangements while helping to balance cost and quality.
Please let me know if you have any specific questions about international business travel! Good luck in all of your business ventures.
Becky DeStigter shares with us that, "My professional mission is to help entrepreneurs around the world to become more competitive and successful. I have started two companies - one a failure & one a success. I have worked in several early-stage companies and have been through the IPO exit process twice. I have an MBA with emphasis on Entrepreneurship and a Masters in International Business. I can speak English, Dutch, some Spanish and German, and my latest language passion is learning Mandarin Chinese. Please let me know if I can help you."
Click Here To See Her Full Profile.
Source: http://www.entrepreneurcommunityonline.com/business-travel-entrepreneur-style/
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