Airplane travel is nature’s way of making you look like your passport photo. — Al Gore
Although the latest technology developments have made it possible for companies to save time and money by using tools such as video and web-conferencing, there are many situations where travel – though more expensive and more time-consuming – seems a smarter choice. Meeting your existing or potential clients face-to-face can sometimes be crucial to your business, especially if you are introducing yourself for the first time or a relationship with a client needs a refresh. However, sales people are not the only ones crossing borders. If you want to grow a small or medium-sized company, you have to prove to be more flexible and able to provide better service. So, pack and hit the road.
Businesspeople who travel regularly as part of their job are often referred to as road warriors. Planes and fast inter-city trains are more than just means of transport for them – they are an extension of their offices. With their laptops and mobile phones always with them, they have specific needs which have been recognized by many airlines, hotel chains, travel agencies and other parties involved in the corporate travel industry. In addition to the expanded Wi-Fi access at airports, there are also Internet kiosks where they can connect their laptops and charge their batteries. For those who want to escape hordes of leisure tourists, big airports often have dedicated business centres and lounges.
Business traveller is defined as someone whose travel expenses are covered by the company they work for. But travelling around, especially by plane, is not inexpensive. The cost-cutting trend in many companies includes switching to low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet or Wizzair, or replacing business class accommodation with economy class. Aware of this trend, more and more no-frills airlines are eyeing this lucrative market sector. Businesspeople are not happy about this, especially road warriors who seek to be productive during their journeys, and who find low-cost class accommodation lacking in space, silence and power outlets. And while cost is the main factor on short-haul flights in Europe for example, on long-haul intercontinental flights comfort should come first.
