Organisation Tips For The Mobile Executive

Despite the fact that everyone sighs "How glamorous!", the life of the business traveller can actually be hell! Fighting international datelines, jetlag, airline food, hotel pillows filled with rocks, and the constant packing can turn an efficient, organised corporate commando into a bumbling mess.

The situation can be similar for those whose car has to occasionally transform into a mobile office. The Road Warrior is a special breed: always on the move, always doin' it hard. (Although other people in your organisation may think you're doing it easy, always out of the office having a great time.)

And yet the wise and experienced business traveller will, through trial and error, have developed a system to smooth the path. Hopefully. If you haven't, I offer this advice which will easily work for you.regardless of how your current organisation skills are.

The Packing

It's easy when you know how. Those who travel regularly for business can make life easier with a series of checklists. Make a comprehensive list of the items you know you'll always need, have it typed up and photocopied, and each time you head off, use it to facilitate the packing.

Your basic list will include toiletries, underdaks, travel clock, clothing, spare shirts & ties, PJ's, fitness gear, etc. Check things off as you chuck them into the suitcase, and before you zip it up, throw the list itself in as well. It will prove to be invaluable when it comes home time - a double check mechanism to ensure that nothing is left behind.

The Briefcase

The checklist system still applies. List all the documents you will need to take, your Filofax, spare stationery and pens, stack of business cards, plus the essential hardware: Palm Pilot, Laptop, mobile phone, etc. Print the list and keep it handy, ticking items off as you pack them.

If you plan to work on the aircraft, put the appropriate documents or reading material in your briefcase rather than the suitcase, for easy on-board access.

It could be useful packing a series of folders marked To Read, Action on Return, To File, etc. If these are packed into your briefcase, it will simplify the organisation of paperwork generated on the trip. Of course, every business traveller carries an Expenses/Receipts envelope, right? Organisation is easy isn't it?when you know how.

The Road Warrior

This is the perfect opportunity to embrace the philosophy of the University on Wheels: plug in a CD or motivational tape and learn as you drive.

If you add a portable cooler in summer and stock it with fresh fruit and healthy drinks, you'll arrive in tip top shape, full of energy to go get 'em!

Keep essential files - logbooks etc. close so that you have fast and easy access should the mobile ring when you are rolling along. You may find that filing crates or archive boxes will keep your paperwork contained and easy to find. Divide your supplies into logical categories: one box for presentation aids and literature, another for personal items, and a third for files and documents. In such a small space, it is essential to have a place for everything, and everything in its place.

Your Road Checklist will detail items such as: personal supplies including toiletries, moist towelettes, nibbles, water, change of clothes, sunnies, Aussie cossie, insect repellent, suntan lotion, umbrella and winter woollies (especially if you are driving around the state of Victoria, Australia).

On the Move...

It's a hard life, being constantly on the move, but the application of practical prompts and memory aids, such as the aforementioned checklists, will help you avoid the reinvention of the wheel each time you head off to parts unknown. The more you pre-plan, the smoother the trip, and the more satisfying the results - all with less stress. Now, doesn't that sound great?

This is an excerpt from Lorraine's bestselling book "Get Organised-Get a LIFE! available from www.office-organiser.com.au

About The Author
Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"

To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au

This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it's entirety, including the author's bio and all links. For further information please contact Lorraine Pirihi, lorraine@office-organiser.com.au

---

Collections Management

How long does it take your customers, clients or patients... Read More

Innovation Management and Brainstorming Management ? why people hate to brainstorm!

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

The Idol-Makers

The end of the television season in May included the... Read More

Indiscretion Can Kill Your Business

The quickest way to cancel out all the thought, work,... Read More

Make the Most of Your Time - Focus on Strengths

Once working and focused in tune with what they do... Read More

Innovation Management ? the Root of the Problem

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Train Me -- But Follow Through

My mechanic has me trained. When I take my car... Read More

Compensation and Six Sigma Black Belts

One of the more ambiguous elements of a Six Sigma... Read More

Unravelling the Data Mining Mystery - The Key to Dramatically Higher Profits

Data mining is the art of extracting nuggets of gold... Read More

Office Politics

Office politics! It's just another way of saying: "The employees... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Conduct Successful Training Activities

Whether you are training preschoolers in the classroom or executives... Read More

How You Can Learn to be a Better Manager

When you first take over a department, expectations are usually... Read More

Challenge of ERP Implementation: Q and A with Rick Maurer

Question: ERPs seem like a good idea, so why is... Read More

Its All About The Customers, Baby

If you want to ensure a steady stream of customers... Read More

Is Your Company in Need of Family Therapy?

How Companies Are Like FamiliesLike a family, a company is... Read More

Succession Planning for Your Business - 7 Key Benefits

A core activity in many successful businesses, Succession Planning is... Read More

Think Before You Talk

What you say to other people can make or break... Read More

Directed Introspection

One of the greatest obstacles to progress can often be... Read More

Interviewing Candidates: 3 Ways to Avoid Snap Judgments

Have you ever hired the wrong person? If so, perhaps... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Coworkers Collaborate to Complete Successful Initiative

This short story, Coworkers Collaborate to Complete Successful Initiative, was... Read More

Creating Advisory Boards

There is no substitute for soliciting the opinions of the... Read More

Which ITIL Process Should We Implement First?

The following question is usually debated a lot amongst IT... Read More

Employee Performance - If You Want the Best, Get Personal!

This is a story about a man and three dogs.I... Read More

Management Training: Are You Satisfied With The Results?

If you're not satfied with the results of your management... Read More

Taking Care of Middle Manager Bounce Off

How many times have the management consultants been 'in' and... Read More

Think Twice Before Selling ROI

When we're selling to business people, our value proposition has... Read More

Communication, Feedback, and Participation: Three Easy Tidbits For Smarter Business

On communication: One of the biggest strains on the communication... Read More

Culture Management and Creativity

Many concepts in the fields of managing creativity are very... Read More

Are You Measuring Something Meaningful?

Avoiding inert measures that anaesthetise your performance management.INTRODUCTIONYou sit before... Read More

14 Ways to De-Stress Employee Vacations

Employees truly deserve paid vacations. Theystruggle through stressful jobs most... Read More

What Your Employees Want You to Know (But You Might Be Afraid to Ask)

This is a challenge for every company owner and manager.... Read More

Leading Bad Actors To Be Good Performers

A successful leader told me, "The biggest challenge I've had... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Value of Structure

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More