8-27-10 On The Road Again

I admit it. I am spoiled. I realized that, yet again, yesterday. I got on an airplane yesterday, for the first time in over a year. And I realized how much having the might of a corporate travel department eases the irritations of travel.

For starters, I had to fly through Chicago. Most of you are familiar with O’Hare and the particular joys of going through one of the busiest airports in the world. And to add to the joy, I had a 3 ½ hour layover. Now it used to be, when I traveled for business, I had access to the airline’s red carpet clubs. That sure makes a lengthy layover more bearable. But yesterday, I got to spend my time sitting around in gate areas. Not exactly the best way to spend an afternoon.

My final destination was nearby Louisville, Kentucky. Arrived there about 11pm and made my way to the hotel. Which I discovered was undergoing extensive remodeling. The jackhammers, saws, and sanders started up about 8am this morning. Sigh. So I got to spend an hour or two on the phone, looking for a much quieter hotel.

So while you are still a corporate executive, learn to appreciate your travel department. While I spent my fair share of time cussing them when I was still working, I realize now just how much crap they cleared out of my way as I traveled around the world. Nothing makes you appreciate something more than not having it anymore.

Cheers!

Shoulda Told Me #2

You know the current airline commercial….. The one where a guy volunteers to get on a plane every time the boss asks? Well, he’s got it right. Travel is an important part of the business world…. For many reasons. I sure wish someone had told me that early on in my career.

Travel will benefit you on many levels.

First, it will teach you resilience. Let’s face it, when you travel, your bags WILL get lost, your flights WILL be delayed or cancelled, you WILL get lost as you drive, your hotel reservation WILL get messed up, etc. And if you are a “controlling type” (like I’m known to be), those challenges will certainly test you. To respond, you’ll have to learn how to sit back and let the world pass by --- people watching, reading, doing your crossword, etc. --- patience is a learned virtue, in my opinion.

Second, as your travels take you outside your country’s borders, you will have the opportunity to learn about other nations’ cultures and activities. How fascinating that can be! From a banquet in China to touring a business in Rio, you’ll see and hear many concepts and ideas that will open your mind (and sometimes appall you!). Perhaps, they are ideas that you can bring home and put to work for you or your company.

Finally, it makes you the “go to guy” (guy, in the generic sense, of course! ). As you volunteer to take on travel “missions” over and over, your boss(es) come to think of you as the person they can go to. And over time, it won’t just be going to you for travel, he or she will begin to go to you for all sorts of interesting assignments.

Having said all of that, yes, you should travel when you have the chance. But there is one caveat. Don’t forget where home is. It is ironic that, for many years, I wished that I lived anywhere but the Midwest. And now, after all of the traveling, I’ve learned that this little slice of the world is pretty darned nice to come home to.

Cheers!