The most basic function in a small business is sales. Without sales, there would be no need for accounting, administration and all of the other things that keep a business running. I know, spoken like a true entrepreneur :)
I am now planning for my trip to the Boston area for the Associated Buyers show.
Since I have been there before, I know what hotel i want to stay at, and book that reservation first....this time in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Then I look at whether I want to fly into Boston, Manchester, or Portland, Me. I weigh the cost of the plane ticket to each city, the schedule and the ability to upgrade.
Then I add "side visits" - this time, going to see a customer and perhaps a supplier or two...that hasn't been confirmed yet.Unlike those who buy travel based on whatever airline or hotel is cheaper, I always fly United, stay with the Marriott, and up until last year, always rented with Hertz. (I am dabbling with Budget now).
I remember discussing this way of travel one day with Dale Holden of Follow Your Heart. He agreed that it doesn't work to rent a car with Budget one week, Hertz the next and Avis the week after that...that when you arrive in a city you're kind of on "automatic pilot" and you look for the shuttle bus of YOUR car rental company. I have a trip to LA before I go to Boston...wait, am I with Hertz this week and Budget next week or vice versa..." Nah, not for me.
Of course, the car rental companies know this...and Hertz has done a very good job of raising their rates...to the point that I am looking around to see what else is available.
Anyway, the last step in my journey is to run Google Maps to take me from place to place...so from Boston airport to the Courtyard in Hadley, then to UNFI's office for a meeting, then to the Residence Inn in Portsmouth, then to the show, then to the Courtyard at Logan airport so I am close to where my early morning flight is... Oh, and don't forget to pack the EZ Pass - I have one of those for my trips to the East Coast...saves time waiting in toll lanes.
Then the next week is Bangkok again - a whole different type of planning for that... 
When I was travelling a lot. I was staying at the same hotels everywhere. I thought then, it was easy not to have to learn about a new system in every city. It was very efficient and predictable, however, after a year or so I could remember the meetings, but I could not remember in what cities they had taken place..... very sad ....
ReplyDeleteNow I look for change. It saves money, keeps my humanity alive, my brain is forced to learn new things, and I meet interesting people.