Controlling Business Travel Costs

Sometimes when we are traveling on business, it is easy to let costs get out of control. But if you are working from a per Diem or have other constraints on your travel budget, you should learn some cost cutting methods that you can put into effect that won’t make your life miserable on the road.These cost-cutting ideas are not just to stay out of trouble with the budget people back at the home office. Often businesses have a set budget for business travel and once it is gone, no further trips can be made during that budget year. So if you anticipate the need for more business trips in the months ahead, it is prudent to keep an eye on costs as you go so you can conserve that limited budget to facilitate important trips yet to come.Economizing on the road can be difficult because you are put right in the middle of the hospitality industry which, while good at making you feel comfortable and providing for your needs, hotels and restaurants are also good at running up your tab. But there are some easy ways to sidestep a lot of unnecessary spending so you can stretch your business travel budget – Here are a few.* Eat before you go. Airport restaurants or snack bars are notoriously overpriced. So even if you are leaving early in the morning, have breakfast and get well satisfied before leaving home so you don’t have to buy food en route.* Wise packing. Think through your life in the hotel and on the road. You can buy travel sizes of almost everything you will need. Moreover, you can pack some light and easy to carry snacks such as trail mix, candy bars or nuts that can be used to hold you over during the trip until you can get a good meal. By being self-dependent during the trip, you save a lot by not using airport services.* A hotel is just a bed, a shower and a TV. When booking your accommodations, think about where you should stay. If you don’t need a luxury hotel, don’t book one. If you are just staying the night in one place and then moving on, a clean, well run motel can take care of you just as well as the executive suite at a luxury hotel.* Share that ride. If you are traveling as a party, or you are meeting business partners at the destination, you can share cabs or rental vehicles and save business costs as well as conserve on burning fossil fuels unnecessarily.* Markets and delis. You can even eat economically in a big town like New York or Orlando by using the same sense you have at home. By taking an early trip to a nearby grocery store, you can stock your room with fruits and travel foods and cut down on the amount of meals you have to eat out.* Public transportation. If the town you’re traveling to has safe and workable subways or other public transpiration, that can be much more efficient for you than renting a car. Washington DC for example has outstanding rail transport that you can use rather than rent a car.By using the same good common sense you execute at home to keep expenses under control, you can not only live inexpensively on the road, you can actually live better. And by not allowing yourself to be overcharged for some very basic goods and services, you will feel better about your business outing and become known in your company as a smart traveler.

Small Business Tips – How To Save On Business Travel

Travel can be a huge expense for any small business that does business in different places. If you are a consultant or if you are a self employed professional then traveling will be a huge part of your business. Although it can be mean a lot more business it can be very bad for your cash flow and making sure that you save wherever you can in really important – especially in this day and age. Another important thing to remember is to charge your clients for your travel expenses as its part of your service.Finding simple ways to save on business travel expenses can make a huge difference. Saving a little on every trip can add up and if you have several employees then it can quickly add up. Here are 3 basic tips to help you get started.1. FlightsAir travel, although convenient, can be expensive. With all the checks and regulations its not all that quick either these days as getting to and from the airport, checking in and checking out can be very slow. Its well worth looking into alternative means of transport. Driving or taking a rain can be a faster and more economical way of doing it.2. HotelsAccommodation represents a significant part of travel expenses and its probably the one area you want to try and save. There are quite a few alternatives that is well worth looking into. Guest houses are not only cheaper but offer a lot more comfort and value for money and is great for extended travel to prevent yourself from getting the “hotel blues”.3. Travel InsuranceTaking out individual travel insurance for each trip can quickly add up. If you travel with valuable as part of your business then its an important consideration. Try and put your travel insurance under the same umbrella as your business insurance – it can save you quite a bit.For small businesses there are some advantage that’s probably not available to bigger businesses. You can certainly look into business grants and government programs. Some programs allow you to write off your travel expenses and some even allow you to conduct business internationally and write off all the travel expenses. The point is that there are a great many options and exploring them all will help you save. As the economy continues to tighten up we all have to spread our wings and look for business opportunities elsewhere. Travel will continue to take a more prominent role in your business, so take advantage of these opportunities.

Two Building Safety Problems in the Construction Industry

When I started working in construction in the late 1970s, safety never seem to be a big concern and as a result of that, I suffered an injury to my hands that I would have to live with for the rest of my life. Here are the top three building safety problems in the construction industry.1. LaddersLadders are one of the number one building safety problems in the construction industry. The biggest problem being, the proper use of the ladders. I have seen ladders used for scaffolding and planks to walk on. I have seen ladders positioned on insecure or slippery surfaces. If you don’t know how to use a ladder properly, read the instructions that are provided with the ladder. If no instructions are provided with the latter, ask your construction foreman or building superintendent for information or help with ladder safety.2. Protective EyewearThere are plenty of different types of eye wear protection available today. They come in all different shapes sizes and colors and if you’re interested in looking cool, there’s a good chance that you will be able to find a wild pair of safety glasses to protect your precious eyes. You might not need to wear them all the time, but if you’re doing any repairs or construction that might create a problem for your eyes, you should always wear protective eyewear.I don’t need to make this article any longer than it should be. There are hundreds of safety issues in the construction industry, however, if you could just focus on these two and get your fellow workers on the safety bandwagon, this article would be worth the time that I spent writing it.