Things You Need to Know

Business Etiquette

Road Runners

May 21, 2007

Some summer associates and new recruits soon will have the opportunity to undertake their first business trips. Before a firm or company sends these newest employees on the road, share these important travel trips:

A junior should never assume they can or should book first class airfares. Most clients and companies operate under strict budget constraints. Juniors should avoid any expenditure that might seem extravagant.
Whenever possible, juniors should select a seat that is near, in fact next to, important internal or external clients. Encourage juniors to use travel time to begin building relationships with these important people.
Before the trip begins, juniors should ask about appropriate attire throughout the trip. Forewarn juniors that many clients may expect business conservative attire, and juniors should plan to dress accordingly, especially during planned meeting time with the client. Explain to juniors that they must plan to dress professionally even while in transit. It’s impossible for them to know whether or not they might encounter a key internal or external client unexpectedly at the airport. They should always dress for the possibility.
Even when a business trip is scheduled to last only for a day or two, juniors should plan on carrying a back-up outfit. No one wants to be the junior who walked into a meeting wearing the coffee that a flight attendant accidentally spilled.
Finally, as someone who goes through several airports each week, please make sure your new hires know all the TSA rules and regulations. Juniors should be aware of the need to remove electronics, shoes, and jackets at security check-points. And please do make sure they are aware of all the pesky little rules about liquids and gels. Help them get through security as quickly and painlessly as possible.