Taking off Travel blog

And here’s part 2 of our Indian business travel guide by Priya Parul

Attire: India, being in the tropical zone, is warm most parts of the year. Except for the northern regions, the rest of India does not experience winters. If you are travelling in April-September, keep your clothing cool and light. Formal shirts and trousers are the norm here with a blazer/ jacket thrown in for more formal meetings. For women, conservative business formals can easily be worn. If travelling in the months of October-March, it is recommended to carry warm clothing, depending on the part of the country you are visiting.

Business Entertainment: In a usual scenario, your hosts will insist on taking you out for lunch/ dinner or arranging the same for you within the office premises. It is one of the traits that come naturally to Indians. Working lunches have increasingly caught up. In case you would like to have a drink with your meal, it will be a good idea to ask your host about it, albeit discreetly. If you are in Ahmedabad or anywhere in the state of Gujarat, it will be better to abstain as Gujarat is a dry state. Most locals frown upon alcohol and you may not want to put yourself and your host in a tight spot. It is also a good idea to avoid beef as Hindus, the predominant religious group in India, consider the cow as sacred.

Businesswomen: Though India has opened up considerably and most metropolises have cultures akin to those of London and New York, there may be a slight difference in the way Indians interact with women. Do not be offended or surprised if your male host does not look at you while talking. With respect to safety, you should have dependable arrangements with respect to your accommodation and commute. It is unwise to step out unescorted after dark. At work or outside, if you encounter any sort of harassment, do not hesitate to raise an alarm.

Currency: The Indian currency is Indian National Rupee or simple Rupee. Most importance currencies like Dollar, Euro, Pound, and Yen can easily be converted at various points. All large establishments also accept credit cards and travelers’ cheques. For day-to-day use, however, it is advisable to carry the Indian rupee.

Transport: The public transport system is insufficient, given the large Indian population. It is, thus, avoidable for people unaccustomed to it. Ask your Indian counterpart to make stay and transport arrangements for you. Alternatively, your hotel would be able to provide you with transport. However, if you are adventurous and want a flavor of the real India, step out on the streets and flag a taxi or a three-wheeler called auto rickshaw. In Mumbai, you can safely assume to be billed by a meter system, but in other cities, you will have to put all your bargaining skills to work! For a point-to-point travel, enquire about rates beforehand so that you are not taken for a ride. If you have company and time on your hands, you can try other means of transport like metro, local train and bus.

Weekends and After-Office Hours: Enquire about local places of interest and utilize your weekends in exploring these. E.g. if you are in Delhi, you can do a heritage walk which will take you through the Mughal dynasty. In Mumbai, you can explore the various street markets and simply let your hair down in coffee shops along with beach.

Shopping: The richness of India gets reflected in the wide variety of wares it seeks to sell. From comparatively inexpensive branded merchandise to handicrafts, you can have a field day picking up mementos for dear ones back home. In large shopping malls or showrooms, the prices will be fixed but in small shops and roadside kiosks, there is room for bargaining. Do not shy away from haggling as there is a good chance that you are being quoted an inflated price.

Sightseeing: If you have time on your hand, make sure you visit a few tourist destinations. India is rich in its diversity which gets reflected in its mountains of Himachal, deserts of Rajasthan, beaches of Goa, backwaters of Kerala, temples of south India, and mangroves of Sundarbans. Depending on the region you are visiting, make provision for a trip to nearby points of interest. There is much to take back from India!

Safety: As with any other big city, Indian cities have their share of law and order challenges. However, for most parts, it is safe to stay and carry on with day-to-day work. Be careful about your documentation; have the contact details of your embassy/ high commission handy; and exercise a little more restraint than normal. Till you are familiar with the city, it is best to step out in company, especially after dark.

India is huge, and diverse. What applies to one region may be in complete contrast to another. So when you reach, observe the local customs and follow accordingly. Ask, if you have doubts. Your Indian friends will be more than willing to educate you on their tradition.

The skyline of Mumbai may look like that of Manhattan at night but India still preserves its mysticism of being the land of the maharajas and snake charmers. So do not just do business here; discover India. India cannot be ignored any longer.

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Doing business in India? Then you’ll appreciate this ready reckoner from Priya Parul.

India is at a stage when it cannot be ignored. With a GDP growth of 7.8% (2011 Q2 estimate), India is one of the most rapidly developing economies. It is attracting multinationals and investors in large numbers. Visiting India, and doing business here, is quite an experience though. So whether you are an investor looking to meet future partners or you are an MNC employee here to engage with your global team, this post may just be what you need to read.

Geography: Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad are the most prominent cities for business purposes. While Delhi, being the capital, is the seat for all governmental activities, Mumbai is the financial capital. Bangalore and Hyderabad are the IT hubs, and Ahmedabad is emerging as a strong investment destination with a number of special economic zones coming up. Whereas Delhi is to the north, Ahmedabad and Mumbai are in the west. Bangalore and Hyderabad fall in the southern part of India. This is helpful in order to keep climatic conditions in mind when travelling. The north experiences severe summers and winters; so, if you are travelling to Delhi (or anywhere in the north) during October-March, it is wise to carry warm clothing.

Business Behavior: Due to the large presence of multinational corporations in India, the etiquettes followed here are quite similar to the globally-accepted ones. This stems largely from the British influence dating back to the colonial rule. Compared to cultures like Japan, India is more absorbent of other traditions. This is perhaps due to the existence of a wide variety of cultures within India itself.

For a meeting, a handshake is acceptable as a form of greeting. If you are meeting a lady, however, it may be better to wait for her to extend her hand. Exchanging of business cards too takes place in a simple manner. Indians prefer to open conversations with small talk, usually bordering on personal. So if your host asks you about your family, do not think it to be intrusive. It is merely a way to make you feel at home.

Considerable importance is given to position and/ or rank. So if you are meeting your subordinates, do not be surprised if they insist on calling you Sir or Madam. Similarly, if you are meeting a senior, politely enquire how s/ he would like to be addressed.

Most Indians are comfortable with English but they may have a thick accent, depending on the part of the country they belong to. Similarly, they may take a while to understand your accent. So speak slowly and ensure you are being understood. Also, ask a person to repeat  if you have not followed the thread of conversation.

Though Indians are quite tolerant about religious diversities, it is a wise move to not initiate discussions on religion. Political discussions are more acceptable. As with any self-respecting nation, India is fiercely proud of her cultural heritage and history. It is thus good to focus on the positive aspects of the growing and developing India than to dwell on the pain points like poverty, filth, and backwardness. Read up on the current affairs in order to have intelligent and safe small talk with your Indian colleagues.

The occidental cultures are more direct and to-the-point. You may find Indians different when it comes to this. A simple no would be said with a lot of politeness and hesitation. While interacting with Indians, it is good to be a little less abrupt and more evasive. E.g. if you wish to decline an invitation, do not say no directly. Instead, say, “It may be difficult but I’ll try.”

In a business interaction, the process is more important than the outcome. Indians will focus on the soft aspects of the interaction, e.g., the relationships being formed. So if you want a successful result of your visit, ensure you give as much importance to the people as to the numbers.

Do not be upset if your hosts or Indian counterparts turn up late for an appointment. Indians have a relaxed concept of time. So do carry enough material with you to keep yourself busy if your Indian meeting delegates do not turn up on time.

Check back tomorrow for part 2 of our India Business Travel Guide.

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Here are the latest business travel news updates.

GBTA Predicts Slowdown in Business Travel Spending

Travel industry professionals have been energized by an upswing in business travel this year as travel buyers unlocked their wallets, but according to the latest figures from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), it’s likely that business travel spending will shrink next year.  The GBTA expects final-year business travel figures to show a 6.9% growth over 2010, with a value of $250.2 billion. Growth for 2012 is expected to be a more moderate 4.3% growth, with a predicted spend of $260.9 billion.

Michael W McCormick, GBTA’s executive director and COO says that this won’t be a dramatic slowdown. He comments that:

“Companies are still investing in travel because they have become smarter and more conscious about the level of business travel that is critical to driving growth,” McCormick added. “They recognize where they cut back too much during the recession and won’t make the same mistakes twice, because they know there is great value in personal relationships and business travel is a critical component in sealing those bonds.”

What growth there will be will come from the increase in the prices of some travel good and services. Spending on group travel is also predicted to slow, registering half the growth of 2011 at 3.5% for 2012.

BTN Annual Airline Survey

In other business travel news, the Annual Airline Survey from Business Travel News is now out. The survey polled 406 high spending travel buyers to assess criteria such as  the value, price flexibility, complaint resolution and customer service of the five largest domestic airlines. Delta was a first-time winner this year, with top ratings in 5 of the 10 assessed categories. The United/Continental group was in second, with US Airways in third, American Airlines in fourth and Southwest Airlines/AirTran Airways in last place.

Scores were generally lower than last year and 36% of corporate travel buyers said service had declined. However, 46% said there was no change. Buyers were generally unhappy with add-on fees and wanted to see better discounts and lower published fares. Buyers felt that flexibility in structuring pricing was one reason that contributed to Delta’s deserved win. Get the full story here.

Park Ride Fly USA – Airport Parking Offer

Finally, some news of our own. Watch this space next Monday for details of how you can get a free $25 Restaurant.com voucher by booking 4 days or more of off airport parking via Park Ride Fly USA. We’ll also update you via Twitter and Facebook.

Whistler is the ideal place for work or play. There is plenty to do in between meetings, so you can keep your employees’ minds fresh and ready for the next big idea, and there are plenty of resorts, condos, and rentals that offer opportunities for accommodations and meeting space. Perhaps a trip to Whistler is just what you need to inspire your colleagues and rejuvenate your creativity.

Organized Teambuilding Activities

The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were held in Whistler, so the area is rife with the competitive spirit. Tourism Whistler can customize teambuilding activities in a local resort or wherever you’re staying, or you can take part in activities that have already been designed expressly for this purpose. The Amazing Chase allows groups with up to 1,000 people to race through the area, finding clues and route markers along the way. CI:The Crime Scene Investigators gives individuals the opportunity to use the skills at which they excel while solving a staged crime.

Impromptu Teambuilding Activities

Of course, the fact that Whistler centers around sports makes it the prime place to create your own team building activities. If your employees are athletic, take them heli-skiing. This activity relies on loyalty and group interaction. A helicopter brings you to the top of a mountain, and you ski down, paving your own way as you go. It requires cooperation and teamwork, and can give you a chance to put your minds together while getting away from it all.

Whether you’re visiting in the summer or winter, take part in a ziplining tour with Ziptrek Ecotours. Fly over the tree canopy on a series of cables suspended from the treetops. Ziptrek offers a Bear Tour, an Eagle Tour, a Twilight Tour, and more. Facing your fears and doing this adventure together can build camaraderie and teamwork skills.

Another summer teambuilding activity is whitewater rafting. Navigating the bumpy white water, paddling in rhythm, and avoiding capsizing is a great way to learn to work together outside of the office. Once you know you have one another’s backs, you’ll feel more confident moving forward in the workplace.

A Rested Worker is a Productive Worker

Although it’s not necessarily traditional to hold a spa day as a corporate event, giving employees time to rest and rejuvenate makes them more efficient. Hard work eventually leads to burnout if employees don’t take the time to recuperate. Partner up and head to the spa for a rejuvenating treatment. Coworkers will enjoy getting to know one another better in a more relaxed setting, and even if you don’t discuss work, you’ll all return to the office ready to be more productive.
Stay off the Beaten Path

Although Whistler is home to many resorts with meeting and conference facilities, you can have a more intimate corporate event if you rent a few houses or cabins. A variety of vacation rental companies offer visitors the ability to rent a lodge or townhouse for a weekend, several days or a few weeks. Rent a large cabin and make group dinners to bond and relax after a long day of working, or hold daily meetings in the living room of your lodge.

Next time you hold a corporate event, why not have it in Whistler? Your colleagues will likely play hard and work even harder, because the beautiful Whistler area is energizing and rejuvenating. It’s not a place for sluggishness; Whistler invites people to get moving. Brainstorm on the ski lift or build camaraderie while whitewater rafting. No matter what you do, you’ll get the wheels turning.

Sean Peterson, a travel consultant and sports enthusiast, also contributes content for WhistlerHotels.org, a descriptive site about one of the most famous mountain resorts in the world. The ski in ski out hotels in Whistler, British Columbia provide both charm and excitement for visitors and residents alike.

There was a time that only credit cards used for personal purchases would earn people rewards, but banks that issue corporate credit cards have begun to give business travelers the same options. These credit cards are offering businesses travel miles like they do for their other customers, and since business people are known to travel frequently, these travel miles will be very much appreciated.

1. Capital One Venture for Business Card

The Pros

Business owners as well as their employees often travel to conduct business. When these travels are paid for with a Capital One Venture for Business card with travel rewards, the business can benefit with:

1. Double miles every time a purchase has been made,
2. 5,000 bonus miles added each time an employee is given a card,
3. 10,000 bonus miles added if the business cardholder spends $1,000 within a three month period,
4. Redeem miles on any airline the business chooses,
5. Businesses can earn as many miles as possible,
6. The miles do not have an expiration date,
7. Fees for the first year are waived,
8. No fees for any purchases made with the card while in a foreign country and
9. The best customer service.

The Cons

As far as can be seen with this card, there is only one con. To qualify for it, applicants must have the highest credit scores of at least 740.

How Travel Rewards Can Be Redeemed

With this particular business credit card, business owners have several options as to how they will spend their rewards. They may purchase airline tickets, receive cash or gift cards or choose the products the credit card company has to offer.

2. Business Platinum with Preferred no Hassle Miles from Capital One

The Pros

This card also offers business owners very attractive benefits for using the card: 1. Up until December of 2011, business owners can make purchases at a 0 percent APR, 2. They will not be charged an annual fee, 3. In the area that business owners spend the most money, they can earn three miles for every dollar spent, 4. One mile will be earned for every dollar spent on all the business’s other expenditures, 5. They are free to fly any airline of their choice, 6. They have the opportunity to earn as many miles as they can, 7. Their miles never expire, 8. They have the ability to place their own business’s logo on their credit cards.

The Cons

The credit score required for this card is even higher than for the previous; applicants must have exceptional credit with a score of 750 and above.

How to Redeem the Rewards

Redeeming their credit card rewards is just as easy as with their personal cards. They have the option of receiving travel tickets, opting to receive cash, receive merchandise or they can take their rewards in the form of gift cards.

3. American Express Business Gold Rewards Card

The Pros

This Rewards Card gives business owners considerable benefits: 1. Those who switch $50,000 of their business purchases to this card will receive 25,000 bonus points each year they have the card, 2. They have no limitations on the number of points they can earn, 3. The points never expire, 4. The annual fee is waived the first year.

The Cons

This card also does not present its owners with any negatives other than the fact that impeccable credit is required. 750 and above will help people qualify for this card.

How to Redeem the Rewards

Once enough points have been acquired, cardholders can redeem their airline privileges with any airline by booking their travel through American Express’s Open Travel website. If they are so inclined, they can also redeem their points at hotels and spas. The convenience of business credit cards for small businesses as well as medium and large-sized businesses makes acquiring them worth the time. The added bonus is the rewards that they can receive from them. Travel miles benefit those businesses that have reason to do a lot of traveling for business as well as pleasure, and most of the cards have travel-related rewards. The three choices in this article are a good beginning for any business seeking business credit.

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Ashley Renner  is a freelance writer for a credit card comparison website called CreditCardChaser.com. When she isn’t helping people find the best credit card for their personal needs, you can see Ashley riding her jet-ski around her lake. She loves saving money and helping others save money!

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