The portable computer has become a staple for many business travelers. If you are planning to travel with yours here are some things to check before you go.
–You will be required to pass your computer through the hand carry baggage X-ray scanner. The X-ray machine will not harm your disk drive although some travelers prefer to carry their floppy diskettes around the X-ray and hand to the guard for review.
- Carry your computer separately from your luggage so that you can easily present it to airport security.
Expect to be stopped at the airport by security. You may be asked to power up your computer to ensure that it is not a security threat. Make sure the computer has enough battery charge to do this multiple times.
Keep your eye on the portable computer while on the belt lest someone picks it up in error or intended theft.
If you plan to work on the plane you will not be allowed to power up until the airplane is at cruising altitude and you will need to turn off during the airplane descent.
Check to see if your portable computer has an international power supply so that you can plug in to various outlets. Bring adapters for the different countries you will visit.
- Most business travelers suggest to carry at least two batteries with you for back up and to upgrade your batteries where possible to longer life batteries.
Check with your International hotel in advance to find out if your room will have a data line and a telephone line so you can plug in your computer and use the phone at the same time. Some hotels now offer in- room PC’s so you can just bring diskettes etc.
Make sure you pack all necessary items to create an international connection such as a small screwdriver, adaptor jacks, security password cards etc.
Make sure you get all necessary phone numbers and set up information in advance.
If you work for a large firm you should confirm in advance all necessary phone numbers and make any necessary changes before you leave. Print out phone numbers for multiple cities and locations that you might possibly be in.
If you work for a small firm, or you own your own firm call your ISP (internet service provider) before you go and make sure they have international connections and phone numbers where you are traveling. Some do not.
Check your email software package. Some will allow you to put in your own phone calling card. This will be cheaper than using the hotel phone line.
Make sure you test your connection before you go. It is worth the long distance call to ensure that a connection can be made.
Make sure you bring all necessary files with you and have them loaded on the portable computer before you go.
Dr. Tracey Wilen (www.globalwomen.biz) is the author of International Business: A Basic Guide for Women (2001), ($16.00 USD) , Europe for Women in Business, ($12.95 USD) and co-author of Asia for Woman in Business, ($15.00 USD) Doing Business with Japanese Men, ($9.95 USD) and Doing Business with Western Women (Tokyo Only). Well known to the media, she has been on major television and radio network programs and has published numerous in major newspapers worldwide as well. She is a frequent speaker at major business and women’s conferences and corporations on this subject. She is currently working at Cisco Systems in business management and is an adjunct professor at local universities. Books are available at www.amazon.com, www.xlibris.com, www.bn.com, and www.borders.com.
Tracey Wilen is Author at http://www.globalwomen.biz/
Tags: computer, Tips, travel, Womencomputer, Tips, travel, WomenShare This
My eleven year old niece’s birthday is December 23rd. Between Linnea’s birthday and Christmas, the child collects so many books, dolls, stuffed animals, video games etc., she can hardly move around her bedroom-even if she did decide to pick it up. Last December, I said instead of giving her more “stuff” for her birthday and Christmas, I offered to plan an outing with her. As we had gone on outings before, I figured I was in for another visit to the zoo or the Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Instead, having spent a couple of weeks in a “Colonial Camp” the previous summer, Linnea requested a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.
Fine, I told her, but with Williamsburg over 4 hours away, this could not be our usual day trip and would require planning. To complicate matters, Linnea requested that her cousin Liz (my 17 year old daughter) accompany us. Between the girl’s schedules and mine, it took six months before I began to plan our trip. While I knew we would all enjoy Williamsburg, my daughter and I had enjoyed a nearby water park during an early visit. I decided to check things out on Williamsburg’s web site.
Figuring Out How to See & Do Everything
I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of activities and programs available at Colonial Williamsburg-children’s programs, a “Women of Williamsburg” tour, Colonial-era dance lessons and much more-you couldn’t really do it justice in several days! In addition, the nearby water park, Water Country, USA had greatly expanded since my last visit and I had totally forgotten about nearby Busch Gardens Amusement Park. Both girls would want to visit Busch Gardens, and truthfully, I’m always up for a roller coaster ride. What should we do first? What day(s) should we go to Williamsburg? How much time at Busch Gardens? What if the weather was really hot-all day at the water park?
Finally, for flexibility’s sake, I booked a hotel package that included entrance to all three parks.That accomplished, I wanted be sure we experienced some of Williamsburg before getting sidetracked-after all, that was the original destination. So I asked both girls to look at the website and see what interested them most. We only had three days! While my daughter verbally gave me her choices, Linnea must have sensed the anxiety in my request. She created a “rating system” for the activities at Williamsburg she wanted to do and emailed me her choices, complete with descriptions she had copied off the website. Luckily, an early evening “Legends, Myths, Mysteries & Ghosts” tour was a top choice for both girls.
Keeping the Original Goal in Mind: Relaxation, Fun and an Experience to Remember
My niece’s rating system made more sense to me as our trip approached. Linnea had picked out several programs and activities at Williamsburg but she had given only one activity a 5 Star “Have to do it!” rating. While Linnea was excited that we had tickets to Water Country USA and Busch Gardens, she didn’t seem concerned about exactly when and what we would do. Except for a couple of activities, she was willing to be flexible. Her attitude reminded me of the original goal for this trip-a gift-a trip where we could relax, have some fun and experience something different than our everyday existence.
The “See & Do Everything” Travel Mentality is Not Compatible with a Good Travel Experience
Trying to see and do “everything” is not compatible with a good travel experience if you keep in mind the goals of relaxation, fun and an experience to remember. Trying to “see and do everything” is more of a marathon than relaxation. And, how much fun can you really have if you’re worried about catching the shuttle bus to the next sight or activity? As for an experience to remember, the “see and do everything” mentality leaves no opportunity to actually take in what you’re doing. You’ll come home with lot of photos but no lasting memories to what you’ve done because you’ve spent your time running from one place to the next. Finally, not trying to “see and do everything” on a trip means you can always go back again.
A Travel Lesson from an Eleven Year Old
At age 11, Linnea shows a lot more travel sense than I do. Linnea didn’t even attempt to figure out how to see and do as much as possible but rather chose a couple things she really wanted to do and then remained flexible.
Everyone has talents and obviously, trip planning is not one of mine. I lost sight of why we were taking the trip the second I started to make plans. Linnea currently tells everyone she wants to be a geneticist when she grows up but I think she could make a good tour planner someday.
A graphic artist and writer with a marketing degree, Jennifer Johnson performs a wide variety of tasks for Women Traveling Together and other clients. Founded in 1997, Women Traveling Together is the perfect solution for women who want to travel but don’t want to travel alone. To learn more, visit: http://www.women-traveling.com
Tags: advice, Children, travel, Trip Planning, Womenadvice, Children, travel, Trip Planning, WomenShare This
Should there be a tour leader on every group tour? It may seem like a pointless question, but I’m often asked this, especially on international trips when a local guide also accompanies our tour group. Why two “tour leaders?” While having a tour leader and a local guide might seem redundant, each individual has different responsibilities. The local guide knows the language, history, sights, and often manages the time schedule. The tour leader works in partnership with the local guide to manage the flow of the trip, but devotes most of her attention to managing the group dynamics.
I know from personal experience that when a group of individuals (most of whom do not know each other) are brought together for a period of time, conflicting personalities can emerge if not managed. The strong personalities want to lead, the insecure withdraw, the needy seek attention, and the self-centered disregard the feeling of others. Imagine traveling with a group where these personalities are not managed. The end result could be a disaster.
Hazel Warlaumont, a professor of communication at Cal State Fullerton and the University of Washington, has written an article on the subject of group dynamics in group travel. She states: “With a helpful tour [leader], tension can be alleviated and even prevented through effective leadership and establishing a protocol for touring. In most cases, this happens right away, allowing the group to pass into… the emergence phase of the trip where members begin to feel harmony. Potential problematic members have backed down, sensing the disapproval and counter productiveness of their behaviors or attitudes, leading the group into the final or reinforcement stage. At this point, members bolster the group experience through favorable comments and positive reinforcement. The spirit of unity pervades and group members are jovial and focused on the purpose of the trip and the travel experience.”
Managing group dynamics in a positive way is the critical factor between a great tour leader and a merely average one. A tour leader who is trained to handle group dynamics insures the strong personalities in the group do not try to steer the tour, while still seeing that their need for independence is met. The behavior of travelers who are repeatedly late is dealt with swiftly and early on in the trip; the needy traveler can be taken under the wing of the tour leader, and the insecure can be given confidence by the example set by the tour leader. A well-trained group tour leader who understands group dynamics can make the difference between a miserable travel experience or an experience to remember fondly for a lifetime.
As Professor Warlaumont points out, a good tour leader can rapidly unite a group and create a harmonious environment where everyone can have an enjoyable experience.
So next time you take a tour, consider the valuable role a well-trained tour leader plays in the success of your trip.
Debra Asberry was first bitten by the travel bug at age 11 during a visit to Yellowstone. As an adult, she wanted to travel more but often found that friends, family or her husband couldn’t or wouldn’t go on the trips she wanted. Not wanting to travel alone, in 1997 she founded Women Traveling Together which today offers over 30 tours a year for women. For travel tips and more about Debra and Women Traveling Together visit www.women-traveling.com
Tags: Group Travel, Tour Group Dynamics, Tour Guide, Tour Leader, travel, WomenGroup Travel, Tour Group Dynamics, Tour Guide, Tour Leader, travel, WomenShare This