Business Owners Five Surprising Changes That Affect Business Travel
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Vacations.
Five Surprising Changes Impacting Business Travel for Entrepreneurs
In 2003, I embarked on a three-month business road trip across North America. By 2007, I set off again, this time from Massachusetts to Alaska and back. In those four years, several significant developments altered the landscape of managing business while traveling. If you’re gearing up for a long business trip after a hiatus, these changes might surprise you.
1. Internet Access
Back in 2003, high-speed Internet was a luxury, available only in select hotels and coffee shops. By 2007, many claimed that "Wi-Fi is everywhere." However, my experiences told a different story. During my ten-week journey through Canada and the U.S., reliable Wi-Fi was available in our accommodations only about a third of the time. Another third of the time required technical tweaks or trips to hotel offices to access it. Without alternative plans, you might find yourself offline. My backup options included dial-up on my laptop, email access via my AT&T handheld device, and reaching out to my virtual assistant for help.
2. Receipts
For tax deductions on business travel expenses, preserving receipts and documenting expenses is crucial. Since 2003, more businesses have shifted to issuing receipts on thermal paper, which easily fades or smudges. Storing receipts in your car without frequently logging them can result in illegible proof. I'm thankful I maintained the habit of recording expenses in a notebook daily.
3. Payment Methods
In 2003, cash was king. ATMs were frequent stops since not all places accepted credit cards. By 2007, plastic was the primary mode of payment, needing cash only for a few tolls and tourist spots. Remarkably, even when approached by panhandlers, we could honestly say we had no cash in hand.
4. Cell Phone Coverage
We anticipated significant improvements in cell coverage for remote areas by 2007, yet this wasn’t the case. While interstate highways generally had signals, coverage remained sparse in low-population areas. However, an unexpected delight was excellent cell service in national parks ?" I enjoyed a long chat from Denali National Park in Alaska.
5. Mail Forwarding
Improvements weren't universal; mail forwarding became more cumbersome in 2007 compared to 2003. Once managed by individual post offices, the process became centralized and computerized, causing delays. My postmaster explained that he could initiate requests, but it took 7-10 days for changes to take effect, with control now transferred to regional facilities.
Preparation for these evolving challenges can lead to smoother and more successful journeys. Embrace the changes, and your business trips might be more productive and enjoyable.
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