Your chance to shine
So, you thought that travel booking was another way of clogging up your in-tray and doubling your 'to do' list? Then you're missing out on an opportunity to build up your brownie points
By Cath Janes
Travel booking is a chance to shine. Showing off your organisational skills, your ability to stay calm, and an eye for the details, can take you even further than you intend to send your boss. Here's a foolproof 20 point checklist that will have your boss singing your praises.
- Know what your traveller wants from the trip. There's a difference between visiting exhibitions and pitching for jobs so make plans that suit.
- Get a detailed schedule. If you know where they are and when you can stay ahead of their needs.
- Start booking now! There are always last minute panics and if you have time for them you'll look calm and in control.
- Does your traveller love window seats but hate noisy rooms? Or do they want gourmet cuisine and swimming? Make their wish lists come true and they'll love you for life.
- Plan a surprise and show initiative. If she gets homesick send flowers to her room. Or if he gets jet lag book him an afternoon spa. You'll make your mark and their trip.
- Sign up to loyalty schemes. Airline and hotel schemes are must-haves and you can wangle discounts that will impress and amaze.
- Incentives offered range from free miles and upgrades to exclusive airport lounges and reduced check-in times. Find the ones most important to your traveller and use them for maximum brownie points.
- Know what offers are around. Compare prices and show your boss that you can bag the best deals.
- Get haggling. Tell airlines and hotels what you want, especially if you can get better deals elsewhere. Then watch what they'll do to secure your custom.
- Even if costs are set in stone, push for extras. Free nights, meals or waivered check-in times make you look like a miracle worker.
- Comfort is key, even on a budget. Save the hassle of meeting early flights by booking a hotel room for the night before departure.
- Shop around for on-flight comfort. Tall travellers suffer from lack of leg room so negotiate for the space they need.
- Don't just focus on the flight. What about getting around? If your boss is disorganised, consider a chauffeur service. It saves travel hassle and stops him messing with your plans.
- Get into the good books by sticking to your budget. Off peak periods, customer discounts and advance bookings can save you hundreds of pounds.
- New hotels run promotions so use them. It's also a chance to build a relationship that could become profitable later on.
- Build time and location into your plans. The fancy hotel in Paris may look great, but not if the meetings are in Leon. Give him time to get about and your planning skills will be remembered.
- Business travel is stressful because you're not in control of what's happening at work. Give your traveller updates to make them feel wanted and you look wonderful.
- Prepare for their return by clearing your desk. They'll probably unload paperwork as soon as they arrive. It'll also look as if you've been in control for the duration.
- Keep a check on their emails. Tackle the ones you can and prioritise those that you can't. You'll be prepared and they'll be grateful for the empty in-box.
- Ask them about their trip. Find out what they loved or hated. You'll know how to do it next time and if you've been following this guide you'll get a fat pat on the back too.
Cath Janes is an award winning freelance journalist specialising in work issues and human interest features.
