STILL conneXXt Nr. 01 English

28 when comparing hotels – the added extras that come included also need to be compared. The spectrum of offerings ranges from free fruit in rooms to free wireless internet with fast speeds right through to upgrades to the next highest room category or the option of a late check out. When planning routes using all available means of transport, apps such as “GoEuro”, “moovel”, “Qixxit” and “ally” are good services to turn to. They can guide the planner through regions and cities using public transport, car sharing or taxis. As far as a company’s image is concerned, “sustainability” is now a key issue for business trips. Particular attention should therefore be given to the environmental footprint left behind by the hero of this great travel story. Domestic flights are increasingly frowned upon, whilst travelling by Deutsche Bahn (Germany’s rail network), which makes use of electricity generated in a climate neutral manner, is by far the most acceptable for the environment. Even long-distance coaches are gaining in importance for business travellers. On the one hand, this is because this mode of transport is the most environmentally friendly way to travel long distances in terms of the CO2 emissions per passenger. On the other hand, the ticket prices are extremely cost effective. Many connections are direct and the destination stations are located in town centres which is a real advantage for trips to medium regional centres. Networked working is also possible on board long-distance coaches as most now offer WiFi and plug sockets at the seats. Travelling from Munich to Zurich takes business travellers around four hours on long-dis- tance coaches without any changes, five hours on the train and around two hours by plane, including arrival and departure times. This all forms part of the key information needed for a traveller's story which is socially and environmentally acceptable, safe and guarantees a happy ending. NEITHER SKYPE NOR THE ABUNDANCE OF VARIOUS VIDEO CONFERENCE OPTIONS HAS YET MANAGED TO HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THE FREQUENCY OF BUSINESS TRIPS. This is justifiably so too as nothing strengthens trust between people, and therefore companies, more than a face-to-face discussion. But is there a winning formula for a perfectly planned and smooth-running business trip? Our proposal is the perfect “travel script” which anticipates all conceivable challenges and obstacles. Or to put it another way: If you want to make sure you have a pleasant trip, you’ll need to plan in advance. In terms of writing this script a very simple mental trick can help: Just image yourself as the leading actor, start the cameras rolling and let your imagination take you through the stages of your journey. The result will be your very own road movie which acts as a blueprint for your upcoming business trip. This scenario-based technique allows you to run through your entire journey before you go and to incorporate all of the essential scenes right through to the dress code and etiquette in foreign cultures. Your script should definitely include any current travel warnings issued by the Foreign Office, as companies which are proven to be badly prepared in the event of a crisis are ignoring their duty of care and risk being legally liable for the consequences. If the planning of the trip is to be assigned to a professional travel man- agement service, then in this part of the story it's important to be a good buyer as well as acting as a colleague with empathy and showing an understanding of the challenges facing the business traveller. In this sense, the return on investment of a business trip is significantly greater if the travel time can simultaneously be used to work, for example in a business lounge in a higher booking class on trains and planes. It shouldn’t just be the pure cost of accommodation that is looked at BUSINESS TRIPS: Business trips remain in demand despite digital networking On the road again ADVICE

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