The Way of the Road Warrior

How to make the most of your time on the road?maximizing business and time with loved ones.

Seasoned “Road Warrior” Robert L Jolles gives his top ten tips for business travelers.
Do your homework

If you really want to get the most out of your trip, both professionally and personally, this is a must.

The internet can help, but if a trip is important to you, delve a little deeper. Do you know anyone who has lived in—or visited—the location you’re traveling to? Their personal recommendations can be invaluable when choosing a hotel (a good night’s rest can sure make a trip more enjoyable and successful) or a restaurant (a good restaurant might not just provide you with a good meal; it might provide you with an impressed client). And don’t be blinded by a hotel’s location or chain name—not everything is always as it seems, and a little research or insider knowledge could help you unearth a hidden gem.

Find the positives

When you’re on the road a lot, some days are going to be better than others. That goes for the people you meet as well and the problems you may encounter. It’s been said that nine out of 10 typically encountered problems are not people problems, but process problems. Always remember that you’ll probably achieve more if you develop a sense of empathy with those you encounter.

Stay focused

The more trips we take, the more we take for granted. Ask any Road Warrior to tell you their best travel story that involves overcoming some sort of problem, and the root of the problem will nearly always be a lack of focus.

While some mistakes can be easily overcome—such as replacing a toothbrush or razor that you’ve forgotten to pack, or having a vital piece of work faxed or emailed to you—others are not so easy to fix. I once forgot my suit pants, which I mistakenly thought were tucked in behind the matching jacket. With 500 people waiting patiently in their seats to hear me speak, I found a hotel staff member who looked like he shared my 33’’ waist. The good news? I was able to hit the stage and do my job. The bad news? Those 28’’ black spandex pants were never quite the same again. Spend an hour in a pair of pants with a waistband that’s five inches too small and you will, I can assure you, stay focused on future trips.

Stay out of hotel bars

This one is a no-brainer. Quite simply, no good can come from spending time in a hotel bar. Most Road Warriors that I know are on the road for a reason. It’s called a job. I like a beer as much as the next guy, but not when I’m working, and not alone. If you have a client who wants to meet you at the bar, fine... although I still think the hotel lobby or restaurant is a better place to conduct business.
Don’t forget the family

Take it from a Road Warrior who did a little forgetting earlier in his career, it’s easy to focus on everything but your family while slugging it out on the road. It’s no coincidence that the longer and tougher your time is away, the longer and tougher it is for those you leave behind. They are doing double duty to cover for you. Leave the golf clubs at home and tighten your itinerary so you can get to your destination, do your work and get home.

Bring a laptop

I’m always amazed at how many Road Warriors have stopped bringing laptops with them on their work trips. Life on the road can get pretty monotonous and this piece of equipment can often be your best friend. Whether you use it to watch movies on your flights or stay in contact with the office and family, laptops are an essential travel accessory. Don’t forget to bring an extra battery for longer trips, and a modem cable in case of faulty wireless connections. Who knows— you might just be able to get all your work done on the plane or in the hotel room that would have required your time back in the office. That means more time to be with your family or friends when you get home.

Take a guest along

If you have children or a significant other waiting at home, take them with you once in a while. It won’t make the trip any easier, but hopefully it will be enjoyable and it will certainly be an education. Until they experience it for themselves, most people will have no idea what happens to you once you leave the house. After a trip or two, there will be a deeper understanding of what you go through every time you go away. There will also be a new found connection and bond formed. “How was your trip?” will be replaced with in-the-know specifics, such as “How was your cab ride?”, How long are you away for?”, “Did you meet any interesting people?” and “How did your meeting go?”

Communicate

Most Road Warriors have no choice but to take to the road in order to conduct business. Thankfully, the technology that is available to communicate back home makes things a lot easier than they used to be. Hotel phone charges are outrageous, but the world is now using cell phones, and those evening hours are usually free with most cell-to-cell phone calls with, guess who? Family members. Call, email or send a text message, or use a Blackberry or camera or videophone for a simple, precious goodnight to a loved one.

Use your credits creatively

Once those AirTran Airways credits begin to accumulate, see them for what they are—a gift. Is there a parent or relative who would be thrilled to see you? Or perhaps there’s somewhere you have always dreamed of visiting but never gotten round to? AirTran Airways credits give you the opportunity to explore, so make the most of them. Find out more and enroll at www.aplusrewards.com.

Take notes

If I could show you a way to successfully battle boredom, leave a legacy, create a wonderful Christmas gift, educate your family and gain wisdom, would you be interested? I sure hope so. In that case, use that laptop and start a journal. At first it may be a little difficult, but when it becomes a habit, it will take you on the ride of your life. What should you write? Anything that comes to mind. Before you know it, you’ll have hundreds of pages to look back on—a legacy is born. Who did you meet, what did you do, what did you see? I bind my journal up at the end of every year and send one to my parents and one to my wife (the Christmas gift). Quantity doesn’t matter, consistency does. If you can teach yourself to be, what I call, “methodically observant” and you record it all—the good, the bad and the ugly—you will not only learn a lot, but you will be able to assist others by relating these experiences and lessons you have learned.