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Ms. Biz Shares
Top Travel Tips
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| Evelyn Hannon
The
concept of travelling for business is not always as exciting
as it sounds. In fact, it is often downright gruelling since
Ms. Biz is generally not heading to the excitement and modernity
of London, Paris or Rome. Travelling to developing countries
means long, overnight flights, dealing with new foods, safety
issues, jetlag, and negotiations with males who expect that
a CEO should be a man. More often it's only a short, rushed
haul, or a female exec is heading to a trade show where she
is facing the public and on her feet for long hours at a time.
With experience and networking one learns the tricks of the
trade, and business travel becomes somewhat less stressful.
Journeywoman recently asked some of our favorite, well-travelled
businesswomen to share their secrets for safety and success
on the road. This is what they had to say... |
As
an author and speaker, I do a lot of traveling around the country.
I often arrive at my destination at night and rent a car at
the airport and drive to the hotel.
My
advice is to look for a hotel that has valet parking, particularly
if you'll be arriving at night. It may cost a little bit more,
but the price of safety and security (not to mention convenience)
is worth it.
Make
sure you have excellent directions to the hotel. There have
been times when I was tired (or overly confident) and didn't
pay close attention to the directions. What a mistake! Nothing
like driving around downtown in a rental car not knowing where
you're going. Makes for easy prey!
Connie
Glaser -- author of What
Queen Esther Knew (amazon.com)
Website: http://www.connieglaser.com
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She
knows the importance of sleep...
When
traveling, I sometimes don't get a great night's sleep because
I'm in an unfamiliar environment. To combat this, I have developed
a pre-sleep ritual in my room that relaxes me and breaks the
connection between the stress of traveling and bedtime. Listening
to a relaxing CD usually does the trick for me. Try reading,
meditating, light stretching, a hot shower or listening to a
relaxing CD to determine a pre-sleep ritual that works best
for you. With a great night's sleep, you will be much more productive
the next day.
Chris
Brodnax -- Manager Brand Marketing, Crowne
Plaza Hotels & Resorts. Website: http://www.crowneplaza.com
Sleep
doesn't come easily for me when I'm on the road. To combat this
I make sure to pack some chamomile tea bags, a bath pillow,
small candle plus bath salts or bath oil and treat myself to
a steaming 'cuppa' and hot soak before turning in. This works
like a charm for me.
Judy
Hammond -- P.R. Consultant, CLEAR Communications,
Toronto.
E-mail: hammtour@sympatico.ca
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Her
golden rules for packing...
My
position takes me on a regular basis to large U.S. cities: San
Francisco, Chicago, NYC, Washington DC, Seattle, Denver -- you
get the drill. Being able to travel light was always a consideration
but now with elevated security checks and procedures, being
cognizant of your baggage is more important than ever. These
are my golden rules for packing:
Keep
a toiletries case with sample sized toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
specifically for travel.
You
really only need three pieces of clothing with some accessories
to outfit yourself for all occasions: a dress, a skirt, and
a jacket. Darker is better, black is best. The miracle of microfiber
means that you don't need an iron and your clothes fold down
into nothing.
Never
bring more than 1 lipstick and 2 pairs of shoes/boots and never
bring anything you can't afford to loose.
Helen
Lovekin -- Media Relations Coordinator
North America, Ontario Tourism. Website: http://www.ontariotravel.net
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She
stays fit while travelling...
As
a circuit speaker, a consultant to the travel industry and the
CEO of two spas, I spend a great deal of my time in the air.
Here are my 'personal' rules for 'fit flying.'
Wear
undergarments that breathe, keeping perspiration away from the
body. ("Travel Smith" catalog is a good source).
Try
to avoid undergarments with snaps or underwires. After a few
hours, especially since we retain fluid when we fly, they will
bind, dig into the skin and feel uncomfortable.
Before
dressing for your trip, powder the mid-section of your body
front and back. This will help keep the skin fresh and free
from bacteria.
If
you are wearing panty hose, take them off on long flights; put
them back on before you land. This will allow the skin to breathe
and you will feel fresher upon arrival.
Whether
flying or driving, try to move every two hours; either walk
and stretch in the aisle or stop at a rest stop. This will help
to increase circulation and take pressure off the spine.
Exercise
in your seat. Pull your knee up to your chest; hold for 30 seconds;
repeat with the other knee. Drop your head between your knees,
let arms dangle and hold for 30 seconds.
Eat
lightly and often the day before an overseas flight. Do the
same during the flight and drink lots of water. This will help
overcome jet lag.
In
airports, use the stairs, not the escalator to get the blood
flowing. On a lay-over, walk at least 20 minutes before you
sit down again.
Sheila
T. Cluff -- Owner/President, The Oaks
at Ojai and The Palms at Palm Springs.
Websites: http://www.oaksspa.com
and http://www.palmsspa.com
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She
does business in Japan...
Bring
extra undergarments and nylons. Japanese women are smaller boned
and shorter than Western women and you may have a difficult
time finding your size.
Practice
deep knee bends at home for Japanese toilets. You may also wish
to wear thigh-high or knee-high stockings.
Bring
several handkerchiefs for drying your hands in company washrooms.
You may see towels in these washrooms but these are usually
personal towels owned by female employees. Do not use these.
Don't
venture out to just any restaurant if you are alone. You may
become a spectator sport and be approached by curious onlookers. (Source:
Doing Business With Japanese Men by Brannen and Wilen. Stone
Bridge Press (1-800-947-7271). ISBN 1-880656-04-3) |
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