Friday, April 27, 2012

Business Travel Jobs Demystified

All jobs that involve helping people make successful travel plans require a high degree of professionalism, but this is particularly the case with business travel jobs.
Anyone travelling will expect their agent to be excellent at their job: nobody likes to think that they may suffer problems that could have been avoided had their agent been a little more proficient!
But this not only applies in the context of problems. A private or professional traveller is extremely unlikely to be amused if they find that their plans were sub-optimal (e.g. overly expensive) simply because the travel agent didn't really know their trade. So, 'getting it right' and providing an exemplary service is important if you work in a travel agency. Yet in the case of corporate planning, it becomes potentially even more complicated and your customers may well be considerably more demanding.
What makes corporate travel different to recreational travel?
• Business travellers need to depart at their convenience and in line with the demands of their business, meaning that they may be very reluctant to fit in with any plans that do not conform to their needs. Compromise may sometimes be impossible for them to contemplate.
• Clients may have multiple requirements that involve them travelling around the globe, stopping and changing flights regularly - that can be a major logistical and coordination effort for the travel agent.
• Clients may need to depart at short notice and they will expect a fast, efficient and above all, knowledgeable, service.
• Sometimes vast sums of money may depend on the business traveller being somewhere at a specific date and time - if things go wrong, they may be very pointed in demanding an explanation and an alternative from their agent.
How does this affect business travel jobs?
There are some agents that specialise in providing dedicated services to corporate clients. Some other agents may offer general travel agency services but also have a dedicated department/office/team to cope with the specific challenges presented by business travellers.
Typically,*agents tend to put more experienced and knowledgeable employees into their business operations, although that may not always be the case and some may offer training opportunities for beginners. There are City and Guild (plus other) qualifications in many aspects of travel and leisure, and some of these may offer specific modules or courses on business travel.
If you are interested in business travel jobs specifically but lack any previous travel agent experience, it may be advisable to consider finding a position in an agency to learn the basics of the trade, then seek further qualifications and the opportunity to move into the business field. If you would like to search for business travel jobs directly as a trainee, and without previous travel agent experience, you may find this difficult unless you can show a relevant higher academic qualification.
The route to take towards business travel jobs will depend on a number of things, such as your experience, qualifications and perhaps your overall financial position in terms of whether you can support yourself through academic studies on either a full or part-time basis.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Importance of Business Travel Insurance

Traveling is section of our day-to-day life. Most of us travel because of a single reason or other allowing it to be national or overseas. Traveling always involves probability. So, whether you traveling for pleasure or enterprise, it always safe going with proper travel insurance coverage. If your are appropriately insured, there is a lot worry about the risks associated with traveling like loss regarding luggage or baggage, flight journey delay, accident, medical unexpected emergency or evacuation.
Formerly, Travel Insurance was thought to be a luxury. But now travelers are sensitive to factors that are definitely not under their control for instance trip cancellation, medical unexpected emergency, evacuation, flight delay, losing baggage etc.
There are numerous kinds of insurance insurance policies. Travel Insurances comes looking at you in different shapes like Travel Medical care insurance, Travel Medical Insurance, Holiday Insurance etc. Whether it an enterprise or leisure trip, proper insurance is essential because of many motives. It protects your go investment, belongings and health and fitness. You can hold take a trip insurance for personal and business purpose it is usually true that a right insurance makes ones trip memorable.
Apart coming from personal insurance, Business Travel Insurance also covers computers and also other business equipment of marketers or travelers who travel for your business purpose. Business Tour Insurance makes perfect sense it is always a policy or contract under that the insurance company agrees to pay a amount of cash to the insured to get a damage or loss or injury by means of some uncertain event in the course of his trip. This range from flight delay, baggage damage, medical emergency, accident or perhaps disasters. Under a Internet business tour insurance contract, the insurer pays pertaining to business loss or damage faced by insured during his visit.
Many things can make a mistake during your business journey. This can be a person's baggage loss or a new flight cancellation, or your destination become unreachable because of bad weather, or even you are able to fall ill and ought to postpone the trip. You can not control such events, but through proper Business Travel Insurance cover, you can minimize the outcome. Whether it is usually a small enterprise or a sizable corporation, the success of your business is largely dependent on the dedication and effort of the members of their organization. But it doesn't matter how industrious you might be, because one disaster or perhaps catastrophe can destroy your online business and wipe out each of the profits. The only way to assure that the effort and money that you just invested doesn't fade away each time a disaster smacks is by protecting your organization with appropriate insurance.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Small Business Tips - How To Save On Business Travel

Travel can be a huge expense for any small business that does business in different places. If you are a consultant or if you are a self employed professional then traveling will be a huge part of your business. Although it can be mean a lot more business it can be very bad for your cash flow and making sure that you save wherever you can in really important - especially in this day and age. Another important thing to remember is to charge your clients for your travel expenses as its part of your service.
Finding simple ways to save on business travel expenses can make a huge difference. Saving a little on every trip can add up and if you have several employees then it can quickly add up. Here are 3 basic tips to help you get started.
1. Flights
Air travel, although convenient, can be expensive. With all the checks and regulations its not all that quick either these days as getting to and from the airport, checking in and checking out can be very slow. Its well worth looking into alternative means of transport. Driving or taking a rain can be a faster and more economical way of doing it.

2. Hotels
Accommodation represents a significant part of travel expenses and its probably the one area you want to try and save. There are quite a few alternatives that is well worth looking into. Guest houses are not only cheaper but offer a lot more comfort and value for money and is great for extended travel to prevent yourself from getting the "hotel blues".

3. Travel Insurance
Taking out individual travel insurance for each trip can quickly add up. If you travel with valuable as part of your business then its an important consideration. Try and put your travel insurance under the same umbrella as your business insurance - it can save you quite a bit.

For small businesses there are some advantage that's probably not available to bigger businesses. You can certainly look into business grants and government programs. Some programs allow you to write off your travel expenses and some even allow you to conduct business internationally and write off all the travel expenses. The point is that there are a great many options and exploring them all will help you save. As the economy continues to tighten up we all have to spread our wings and look for business opportunities elsewhere. Travel will continue to take a more prominent role in your business, so take advantage of these opportunities.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

5 Tips For a Smooth First Business Travel Experience

Travel help from business travel experts is as good as meeting a business tycoon for management tips. Learning from them will bring smoothness in your trip.
In today's working world, business operations have become more global. There are many business travel opportunities for the newly hired or promoted employee. While grabbing these travel opportunities a must, first time business travellers like you should travel smarter.
Sort Things Out 
For first timers, it is best to be aware that you have two major classifications of the things that you will be bringing. One is your work-related things and the other one is your personal stuff.

Therefore, while choosing a light carryon luggage, it is also suggested that it is multi pocketed so you can enjoy more spaces.
Be Organized 
In order to have an organized business travel, create a travel checklist of the work-related things that you need like your laptop, flash drive, printed reports on folders, brochures, calculators and the like. This will protect you from forgetting important or urgent tasks that your boss asked from you.

Make sure that you brought a good number of your business cards. Businesses can start with your plane mate or some other people you have bumped in the airport lobby.
Also check the lifespan of the batteries of your communication device so you won't miss any important office correspondences and instructions.
Be Budget Conscious 
If your office allows you to take care of your own transportation and reservation as part of your per diem during your business travel, the internet is your tool to check online for the best flight and hotel deals in Europe or Asia available.

Look for package deals, promo flights, and reasonably-priced business hotels or even nearby hostels. Tips would be to ask if the published rates are inclusive of applicable taxes. Also ask for the rates of late check-ins so you can include it in your travel budget.
Always Be Prepared 
For your personal belongings particularly your clothing, it is best that you have brought clothes with business colors and shades like black, dark blue, brown, white and gray. This will allow you to be flexible in doing some mix and match so you maintain your being presentable as well.

In the business world, there are times that first impression lasts. As first time business travellers, you may not be familiar or accustomed to the foods of your destination, it is highly recommended to have anti-histamine with you all the time. This will help you stop allergic reactions instantly in order not to disrupt or disturb your meeting schedules and appointments.
Follow Airport Rules 
Your liquids, including gels, in the array of your toiletries should be in zip-lock plastics as it is mandatory in any airports. It is also best to use slip-on shoes going to the airport so it would not be time consuming for you to untie and tie your shoelaces during security checks.

With these travel help gathered from seasoned business travellers, you will be ready for a remarkable business travel that will widen your perspective of the career you have chosen and loved. This might be the start of a series of world travel experience from work to leisure.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Benefits For Business Travelers

Business travel can be exciting. There are many who hate the idea of traveling for business. And there is a case to be made that the waiting at airports, cramps airline seats, and bland hotel rooms can be off-putting to many people. However, when traveling for business there can be ways to make it easier, if not down right rewarding.
First, there are all the perks to those who take advantage of the frequent traveler programs. These programs provide free flights from the airlines and free stays from the hotels. It is like a bonus from work. However, some positions may require any mileage or points be given to the job. Still, if one flies frequently for work, it could provide a free trip from work. Couple that free trip with vacation time, and the whole paid vacation could be a bonus from work.
Next is just simply learning the ropes of a frequent business traveler. The travel companies provide frequent travelers many perks for traveling with them. Both hotels and airlines have dedicated, quicker check-ins lines for elite frequent program members. There are also upgrade programs so flyers can get into first class or hotel guest could get upgraded rooms. These little perks can make a big difference for those traveling frequently.
Also realize that there will be a natural learning curve that will happen that will make trips easier. Things like what seats make the most sense for certain travelers on the aircraft. Individuals will even learn the different aircraft and where to sit on each. Packing will become an art form and everyone eventually discovers the necessity of carry-on only travel. The hotels provide certain amenities and that could save the need for packing some things like a personal hair dryer, shampoo, or even toothpaste. One will begin to pick-up these tricks of the road warrior trade.