Handy Tips While Travelling Abroad on a Business Visit
15 Feb 2012 | Category: business-travel | Author: admin
1) Have obtained all the necessary visas
2) Have booked and obtained flight Tickets
3) Have obtained necessary Insurance for the required period.
4) Have your Visiting cards ready
5) Have your Laptop with all your files ready
6) Packing your Clothes and Toiletries
(Clothes have to be taken in accordance with the type of climate in the country).
7) Appropriate Formal Shoes
8) Appointment Diary and Scheduler
9) List of Addresses and Phone numbers of all the Existing and Prospective Customers
10) Stationary: - Pens, Pencils, Stapler etc.
11) Currency used in that country and the exchange rate
12) The amount of currency we need to take with us should be estimated and the currency like US Dollars should be arranged beforehand.
13) Travelers Cheques should be obtained beforehand.
Travelers Cheques are much safer than carrying cash because they can only be exchanged for cash through our counter signatures in presence of the person giving the cash.
(When we receive the travelers cheques, then we sign in a designated space immediately upon receipt and when we are abroad and we have to exchange them for cash, then we have to counter sign them in presence of the person encashing it. This makes them very safe for carrying around).
14) Hotel Bookings
Hotel bookings should be done and reconfirmed in advance and the confirmation number should be with you. If you are going there for the first time, then it is advisable to request the hotel for airport pick up to avoid any tension.
You must also have the hotel name, address, telephone number and the name of the person who did the booking all written down on a separate sheet of paper. This would be very helpful in case you come out of the airport and do not find the person from the hotel who has come to pick you up.
More to Follow
10 Tips For Planning A Corporate Incentive Travel Program
25 Dec 2011 | Category: business-travel | Author: admin
Corporate incentive travel is a great way to motivate and reward your valuable employees. Incentive travel can be group or individual, and the destination can be local or international. But every successful incentive travel program begins with careful planning.
The following are tips to help you plan a corporate travel program that fits your company's culture, size and available budget:
* Determine your corporate incentive program goals. In specific terms, establish what the incentive program should accomplish. This could be an increase in sales, increase in production output or profits, or a reduction in defective products, sales returns or lost contracts. Be sure to assign a value to the improvement or reduction - a percentage, absolute number of units or contracts, or a dollar figure.
* Select the target group for the program. This could be management, employees, salespeople, or even customers.
* Discover what the target's values, interests and preferences through paper surveys or interviews. Then browse our corporate incentives guide to match up preferences with available packages in your budget range.
* Considering past performance and employee behavior, establish reasonable tasks for your target group.
* Make sure you have a performance tracking system in place with a clear way to measure incentive program results.
* Brainstorm what obstacles may exist to the success of the incentive program. This could be current employee morale, organizational structure or market conditions.
* Determine whether the program will be managed internally or outsourced to an agency.
* Understand applicable tax implications. Travel can be taxable to recipients under certain conditions, and special tax forms may be required.
* When selecting a corporate incentive travel company, make sure it agrees to fulfill what is promised for your budgeted cost, and that you understand its cancellation policies.
* At the end of your program, survey winners and non-winners to determine whether the program was successful in meeting the objective.
Corporate Travel on a Smaller Budget
Even if you can't afford to whisk your top performers away to Europe on a private jet, you can still reward your employees with incentive travel that they can enjoy.
If you can afford to send your team away on a teambuilding retreat, it doesn't have to be far away. Campsites and resorts, even a day on a chartered boat can create a memorable experience. For individuals, it's a better idea to send your recipient somewhere exotic enough to be memorable. If possible, allowing a spouse or children to accompany your employee is also a good idea.
An employee incentive getaway generally lasts from three nights to a full week, but weekend getaways can also work for smaller budgets. Accommodation could be in a bed and breakfast. Check travel and hotel websites often to catch their "travel best bets."
Conclusion
For any corporate incentive travel program to accomplish its goal, you must determine how much you can spend, what options are available and what people want. And you must anticipate potential problems both within and without your organization. A clear system for measuring results will help you with future planning. Even on a smaller budget, corporate incentive travel can benefit your organization.
Guide to Business Travel Etiquette - France
03 Nov 2011 | Category: business-travel | Author: admin
About France
France is the largest country in Western Europe, slightly smaller than Texas. France is between the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean Sea; bordering Italy and Spain. 58 million people live in France, about 4.5 million of them foreigners.
Language
French is the primary language spoken in France. If you plan to travel to France, it is strongly recommended that you learn the basics of the language. Your effort will be noticed and appreciated. If you can't speak French, begin by saying. "Please excuse me for bothering you, but I do not speak French" - "Excusez-moi, s'il vous plait, de vous deranger, mais je ne parle pas francais."
Business Dress
The French are very conscientious of their appearance and view dress as a reflection of social status and success. Because of this, be sure to wear well-tailored, stylish clothing. Dark, conservative clothing is most appropriate - avoid bright colors or flashy accessories.
Business Hours
Most businesses in France operate from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with a lunch hour lasting up to two hours. Many executives or those in senior positions will stay at the office until 7:00 or 8:00 pm.
Holidays
There are 11 public holidays in France. In 2007, they are:
January 1st - New Year's Day
April 9th - Easter Monday
May 1st - Labour Day
May 8th- 1945 Victory Day
May 17th - Ascension
May 28th - Whit Monday
July 14th - Bastile Day
August 15th - Assumption
November 1st - All Saints' Day
November 11th - Remembrance Day
December 25th - Christmas Day
Most French employees get five weeks of vacation and many will take up to three weeks of this in July or August.
Conversations and Behavior
The most important aspect of French behavior is the emphasis on courtesy and formality. When meeting someone, it is customary to shake their hand. But, handshakes in France are light and quick - a strong handshake is considered aggressive. Good posture is important to the French - so be sure to stand up straight.
Do not address a business associate by their first name unless invited to do so. The basic courtesy title for women is 'Madame' and is 'Monsieur' for men. 'Mademoiselle' is considered old-fashioned and should be avoided.
Sometimes, the French will introduce themselves using the last name followed by their first name. This can be confusing if they both sound like first names. It is fine to ask for clarification if needed.
When engaging in conversation avoid topics related to individual political views or other personal matters. Stick to topics such as sports, art, music and food. Be prepared to discuss your own countries history and political system.
There are many common gestures and behaviors that are considered offensive in France. Be sure to avoid the following:
- Chewing gum in public
- Putting your hand in your pockets while in public
- Slapping an open palm over a closed fist
- Snapping fingers
- The OK symbol (forming a circle with the thumb and forefinger) actually means zero or useless in France. Use the thumbs up instead.
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