To help you find the gifts easier, we’ve included bunch of items in each of the following categories.

• Electronics
• Music & Books
• Gift Baskets
• Jewelry
• Travel Items
• Business gifts

Moreover, each category is diving into “budget”, “medium” and “luxury” items, based on their price, so you can easily browse according to the allocated budget. Plus, plenty of the items are currently on sale so it’s worth it to at least take a look and maybe even stock up for the upcoming festive days.

Electronics

You can never go wrong with electronics. Everyone loves the gadgets and chances are your gift recipient has been on a lookout for a certain thing for a while. Their best assets are the practicality and portability.

Budget

Mini High Precision USB Mouse

Anyone who ever used a laptop knows that in some cases the mouse is a critical accessory. This small and compact high precision USB mouse can be used with any laptop and can be stashed away in any laptop case or backpack.

Hands-Free Earbud with In-Line Microphone

Using a hands-free when talking on your cell is very comfortable and elegant; I never leave home without mine especially when I go in crowded places or when I travel.

Mini Bluetooth Headsets Hands Free

Since the majority of cells nowadays have Bluetooth so it makes sense to use a Mini Bluetooth Headsets Hands free. It works with Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and other cells on the market. You can use it within 32 ft range.

Middle-Range

Instant Cell Phone Charger

It seems that we are surgically attached to our cell phones nowadays and when the battery dies on us, we are downright depressed. Help others avoid the depression with this Instant Cell Phone Charger , which gives 30 min talk time (and 15 hours stand-by time). It’s easily powered with AA batteries.

Energizer Energi To Go Instant Cell Phone Charger

If the model above doesn’t please you, there’s another option: Energizer Energi To Go Instant Cell Phone Charger which works with cells charge via mini-USB port (including Blackberry) and works even when the cell’s battery is drained.

Kingston DataTraveler USB flash drive

Backing up on a flash drive might not be the wisest option but you should always keep such an item with you (I’ve got one on my key chain). You never know when you need to move files between computers or maybe want to take some photos to be printed. The Kingston DataTraveler USB flash drive works great with any laptop (or desktop).

Noise Canceling Earphones

Nothing is more annoying than hearing the background noise when we listen to music or an audio book. So it’s time for the Noise Canceling Earphones which offer not only noise control but also really good quality sound.

Digital Photo Keychain

The easiest way to keep your memories with you is with a Digital Photo Keychain. It is quite a universal gift and practical too.

Dell Axim X30 PDA

The era of notebooks is passé and PDAs have become the norm whether we talk about a manager writing notes for an upcoming meeting or an office assistant taking notes for writing a letter. This Dell PDA is elegant and practical.

SanDisk Sansa e260 4 GB MP3 Player

When we travel (or work out) the majority of us need music in the background. This MP3 Player plays audio and video files. It also has an FM tuner and voice recorder. It can be used for a variety of tasks, from taking audio notes, to listening to music, browsing photos or watching videos. It’s a great gift for any active corporate employee or someone who likes to travel.

Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks

Video conferences have become the norm in many companies so a web cam is useful. Plus, you can also keep in touch with the family while on the road.

Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard

If someone is used to a full keyboard, typing from the blackberry or a PDA is downright torture (add in some long finger nails, ladies, and you’ve got a nightmare!). But everything can be solved with this Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard. The stand supports most phones and works via Bluetooth. It’s light and you don’t need a PC to download the drivers (it takes them directly from the phone).

Kodak EasyShare Digital Picture Frame

We all love the picture frames on the desks. But things have evolved in this department as well so surprise someone with this Kodak Digital Picture Frame , which can playback MP3 files and videos. It’s compatible with the majority of cards on the market so you can easily upload photos and music.

Sony Digital Photo Frame

The Sony Digital Photo Frame has 512 MB memory and offers the possibility to choose between 9 slide shows (including calendar and clock mode). It also allows for auto image editing (such as removing the red-eyes).

Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter

Wireless Internet has become the norm in hotels, restaurants, airports, etc. Some of the older generation laptops might not have a built in wireless card but that’s not a problem at all. This Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter just needs to be plugged and it allows you to connect to the Internet.

Luxury

The iPod has become a fashion statement and a great way to store music, photos and videos. While traveling, it’s excellent to keep you from getting bored.

Apple iPad 32GB

The 32GB iPad could be the most coveted gift in recent years, in the business world and outside it.

Apple iPod Touch 32GB

The 32GB iPod Touch allows for up to 8,000 songs to be stored on it (or 40,000 photos or 40 hours of video) and you can listen to music for up to 40 hours when fully charged.

Apple iPod classic 120 GB

The 120 GB iPod allows for up to 30000 songs to be stored. It also comes with three games so you will never get bored (plus you can purchase more games for it).

Sony Digital E-book Reader

While giving a printed book as a gift is elegant, the idea of hauling books on a vacation or business trip gives nightmares to everyone. The Portable Digital E-book Reader allows for up to 160 e-books to be stored on it (even more if you use the memory cards). The paper-like screen technology doesn’t tire your eyes. When fully charged it allows for up to 7,500 continuous page turns.

Kindle: Amazon’s Wireless Reading Device

Another good option is the Amazon’s Wireless Reading Device, which uses the same paper-like screen technology and can hold up to 200 e-books. Additionally you can connect to the Kindle Store directly from your device, no matter where you are (uses the same technology as the cell phones). You can also download newspapers (American and international).

Acer Aspire Netbook

Nothing like the Acer Aspire Mini Laptop to allow anyone to stay connected to the office and family, while doing whatever work necessary when traveling. It weighs 5 lbs and comes with a 1.6 Ghz Processor, 512MB RAM (expendable) memory and integrated web cam.

Samsung Omnia

One of the newest smart phones on the market, Samsung Omnia can easily double as your laptop and camera. You can edit and read MS Office documents, read & send emails and use the 3G video calls feature. It’s got integrated GPS navigation.

BlackBerry Curve Smartphone

If you still need to stay connected but don’t care much for taking high resolution photos or doing your office work while on the move, then the BlackBerry Curve Smartphone is a good choice. Light and powerful, it allows for wi-fi based Internet browsing. It’s got a camera as well and you can also listen to music.

Portable GPS Navigator with Maps of US and Europe

Driving a lot? Then the Portable GPS Navigator is a great choice. It comprises the maps of US, Canada, Puerto Rico and Europe so you won’t get lost when driving in these areas. The battery life is up to 5 hours.

Flip Video UltraHD Series Camcorder

If you know someone passionate about making movies wherever they go then this pocket size camcorder is the perfect gift for them. It can hold 60 minutes of HD video at a 640 x 480 resolution. It uses 2 AA batteries and the battery lifetime is between 2.5 hours and 6.5 hours, depending on the types of batteries used.

Sony Cybershot 7.2MP Digital Camera

Whether you need to take photos for work or pleasure, a high resolution camera is the way to go. Sony Cybershot takes incredible photos with enough detail for photo-quality 14 x 19-inch prints.

Sony Digital Voice Recorder

Taking notes wherever you want is now really easy and you want have to haul a pile of notebooks with you, either. The Sony Digital Voice Recorder allows for up to 590 hours of recording time.

Portable Hard Drive

Backup the work or keep important files stored on this Portable Hard Drive. Anyone who ever had to deal with losing important work already knows how important it is to always be prepared for the unexpected. The 320GB hard disk weighs only 3.7 oz and can easily be easily stashed in your laptop’s case or backpack. It connects via USB and doesn’t need an additional power supply.

Music & Books

Bored on a long flight or in the hotel room? Problem fixed: download music , audio books or a book to read on your portable digital e-book reader.

Gift Baskets

Budget

Thinking of You gift basket

Telling someone that you care and that they are in your mind is very easy with this Thinking of You gift basket. It includes chocolate covered raisins and pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, shortbread cookies, roasted garlic crackers, asiago cheese spread, as well as a cheese knife and bamboo cutting board. Very beautifully wrapped, this gift basket will please everyone.

Medium

Gourmet Food Gift Basket

Everyone enjoys a good chocolate, a famous coffee blend or a fine wine. The Gourmet Food Gift Basket includes wine flavored cheese, chocolate raspberry cake, salami, butter cookies, stone ground mustard, and a chocolate wafer cookie. You can even include a personalized gift message.

Coffee Lovers Care Package Gift Box

For the coffee addict, the Coffee Lovers Care Package Gift Box is a great way to make them smile. It includes premium coffee and coffee-related treats.

Luxury

Bath and Body Works Gift Basket

When you have no idea what else to give, this Bath and Body Works Gift Basket saves the day. It includes a $50 Bath and Body gift card so that the receiver can buy their favorite item. Also, the gift comprises 5 of the best high lather moisture washes, 5 of the best body splashes and 4 of the best bubble baths.

Jewelry

Budget

Silver plated square cufflinks

Sophisticated and stylish, jewelry compliments any attire, be it business or casual. You can never go wrong with these silver plated cuff links. The simple and elegant look allows them to be used with any suit.

Medium

Unisex Two Time Zone Watch

If you want to please an avid traveler (or a flight attendant), then the Unisex Two Time Zone Watch is a great gift. It’s practical, elegant and matches any attire.

Luxury

Yellow Gold Trillion Cut Created Mosaic Opal and Diamond Pendant

A lovely yellow gold chain, complimented by mosaic-opal makes an excellent gift for a sophisticated woman. The beautiful gem rich displays vivid shades of blue, green, and violet. The pendant is eye catching and matches many different outfits.

Travel Items

Sometimes it’s the little items that make traveling enjoyable. And sometimes, if we forget something small, yet important, it can ruin a perfect day on the road or flying.

Budget

Travel Kit for Ipod

Those who travel a lot need a very simple and effective way to carry around all their iPod accessories. The travel kit for iPod comprises a headphone splitter, a retractable ear bud, mini gel skins and a leather accessories holder.

Medium

Travel Neck Pillow

A long flight or road trip means there’s always the necessity to nap. And we all know how a bad position can hurt us rather than help up. This Travel Pillow correctly aligns the neck and spine, while supporting the head.

Thermos Stainless-Steel Insulated Travel Tumbler

Anyone who traveled at least once knows how important it is to keep the coffee or tea hot while on the road or in a train. I never leave home without one (filled with coffee)! So make a business traveler happy with this Thermos Stainless-Steel Insulated Travel Tumbler which can hold a drink cold or hot for hours. The capacity is 18 oz.

Luxury

Travel Silk Comfort Set

For many of those who fly a lot, getting a good rest while flying can be a bit tricky. This lovely Air Travel Silk Comfort Set comprises a silk blanket, a silk pillowcase and a silk eyeshades. All come in a small bag.

Business gifts

Executive pens

Although we all love to type and print, in many cases business persons need a good executive pen. They come in many forms and prices, depending on the materials used.

Budget:

Executive Gift Boxed Pen & Pencil Set

Simple and elegant, this small pen and pencil set is a good choice for anyone working in an office. Don’t worry about having to wrap it because they come in a gift box, ready for giving.

Medium:

Engraved Wooden Executive Pen

You can surprise someone by offering a slim Engraved Wooden Executive Pen. It fits in any briefcase, shirt or jacket pocket and you can even have it engraved with any name.

Mahogany Finish Single Desk Set

The desk looks too empty? Then choose this Mahogany Finish Single Desk Set, which is made of hand polished wood and contains a lovely black fountain pen.

Luxury

Lustrous Chrome Fountain Pen

If the gift recipient is a person who likes to make a statement or likes to collect elegant office items, then make sure to offer them this beautiful Lustrous Chrome Fountain Pen.

Silver Ballpoint Pen by Mercedes Benz

Or you can choose a Silver Ballpoint Pen by Mercedes Benz (to go with their car, of course).

Amber Fountain Pan

Another good option is the Amber Fountain Pan, which writes nicely and looks luxurious.

Briefcases, Laptop Cases & other similar items

In the world of corporate employees, everyone needs something to hold their documents and laptops. There are plenty of briefcases, laptop cases and other similar items to choose from and it all comes down to fashion and price.

Budget

Genuine Leather Handbag with Cell Phone Holder & Organizer

Simple, zipper organized and having a lot of room to hold your items, this leather handbag is great if you don’t need to haul piles of documents around. The side cell phone holder is practical as well.

Leather Camera Pouch

Practical and elegant, the Camera Pouch blends in with the business attire while you can still play tourist during your business trip.

Medium

Security Friendly Laptop Briefcase

Carrying a laptop with you everywhere? Then this security friendly laptop briefcase is specially designed for those who fly a lot. It’s designed in compliance with TSA guidelines so your laptop does not need to be removed when passing through airport security. There’s also plenty of room for the accessories and other gadgets needed.

Leather Travel Wallet

While away we all have to be careful with the valuable items such as money, cards, passport and drivers license. This Leather Travel Wallet has a pen holder, business card holder, passport holder and currency pocket.

Magnetic Money Clip / Card Case

Another good option is the Magnetic Money Clip / Card Case which can hold an ID card, business cards and has a money clip on the back.

Luxury

Leather Ladies’ Laptop Case & Premium Briefcase

For a sophisticated lady, this leather laptop case can hold everything form laptop to accessories and pens. While for a stylish businessman, this Premium briefcase is a great choice. It can hold laptops with up to 17 inch screens and offers enough space to accommodate PDAs, cell phones and other gadgets and accessories.

Eagle Creek Carry-On Wheeled Tote

Top corporate personnel usually flies a lot for business purposes and we all want to avoid having to check in the luggage. This carry on wheeled tote is the excellent choice and fits in the overhead bin or under some airline seats. It’s elegant and very easy to carry around.

Office Items

Budget

Lunch Box

For the health conscious office worker, this lunch box is perfect for carrying all the items needed for a healthy meal. It’s got separate hot/cold sections and comes with stainless steel fork, spoon & knife set, salt & pepper shaker set, as well as a cotton napkin. It can be easily used on day trips and for a romantic picnic as well.

Medium

Perpetual Calendar

Being “green” is not only fashionable but also a necessity. The perpetual calendar is an elegant and interesting item on anyone’s desk. Plus it’s practical and replaces the need to use paper calendars.

Lucky Bamboo Plant

Bring some life and luck on someone’s desk by offering this lovely Lucky Bamboo. Ideal for the office environment and very easy to take care of, the bamboo is supposed to bring luck to its owner.

Luxury

7 Piece Leather Desk Set

This luxurious 7 piece desk set is a great choice for any office. It comprises a business card and memo holder, a pencil cup, a letter tray, a letter opener and letters. The gift is perfect for a rather rustic looking office but with a slightly modern accent.

Clinching a business deal can be nerve-wracking at the best of times – but when doing so in a foreign country it can seem like an unnecessary nightmare. That’s because every country has its own unique methods of conducting business. In addition, you’ve to negotiate the transport system, hope you’ve been booked into a decent hotel, and can actually converse with people.

So before you start hyperventilating, we’ve jotted down a few helpful pointers for doing business in Germany:

Business Etiquette

Meetings can be formal and to the point initially. In fact, unlike in France, don’t expect a lot of small talk at all. You’ll also find your German colleague values truth over diplomacy, which can seem abrupt and almost rude at first but it’s more straight-forward, efficient and in the long run you’ll really come to appreciate it.

Germans make a big distinction between work and family life and rarely shall the twain meet. You should feel very honoured to be invited home for dinner with a German colleague’s family.

Don’t be surprised to find fewer women in senior management positions in Germany than in other European countries. The situation is changing but perhaps not as quickly in other places you’re used to.

German business talk tends to be very structured and often meetings are accompanied by an agenda received several days in advance. This is for the purpose of clarity and speed and actually makes a lot of sense but it’s the kind of thing Germany gets its ‘efficiency’ reputation from. Business decisions can often take time too while senior management inspect every detail (never expect an impulsive business decision in Germany).

Punctuality is important when doing business in Germany. It is customary to arrive ten minutes prior to a meeting as being late is regarded as rude as well as unprofessional. As a result of this and their hard-working industrial nature, you will rarely find a German businessman or woman having to work overtime or come in to office especially early in the morning.

Accommodation

When doing business in Germany you’ll want a hotel where you can have facilities such as wi-fi, a scanner, fax machine etc at your fingertips. Hotels such as the Holiday Inn can provide these as well as a formal conference room (konferenzräume) in Frankfurt if conducting business out-of-hours or, for confidentially purposes, outside the office. They’ll also have parking provision for lease cars and tend to be cited near the city centre or near good public transport options.

Getting Around

Germany’s national train service – Deutsche Bahn AG – is high-speed, super-efficient and links to every major city in the country. Travelling at 190 mph it can also be costly but it’s an impressive service.

Driving between cities is also easy thanks to the Autobahn where there is NO speed limit (which can be rather nerve-wracking at first). Rental cars are simple to find and in abundance.

Internal flights will also take you to every city in Germany and most within the space of an hour. Many airports such as Munich, Berlin, Kohn and Hamburg offer major international flights. Frankfurt is Europe’s second largest airport in terms of passenger volume.

Language

In Germany all nouns have capital letters which may seem strange at first but you soon get used to it. In terms of pronunciation the letters ‘ch’ are said with the tongue behind the teeth.

Germans can come across as blunt and even rude. But 99 per cent of the time it’s not intentional. Particularly in business, German’s appreciate clarity and economy. As such they will drop any unnecessary words such as ‘maybe’ or ‘sort of’ – the type of words other European countries and Americans might consider conversational.

Germans, even at leisure, are a nation of great ‘truth tellers’ which, in turn, means diplomacy isn’t a strong point. But at least you’ll know exactly where you stand!

Interesting business facts about Germany:

• In 2010 Germany had a population of 82.3 million – around 8.8 per cent of whom were not German born
• In religious terms both Protestant and Roman Catholic religions are dominant (roughly 33 per cent each with Muslim the next most popular religion at four per cent)
• Berlin is the largest city in Germany with a population of 3,431,675 recorded in 2008. Hamburg was second biggest with 1,772,100 and Munich third at 1,326,807
• Last year Germany’s exports were valued at $1.337 trillion. Only China exported more goods (cars, metals, food)

So there you have it. Some help in negotiating your way while working in Germany. Now go clinch that deal!

photos by bollin, mattbuck4950

The Los Angeles International Airport, also known as LAX, and the busiest airport in California, is just over 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It has eight terminals and has shuttles to the major hotels near the airport.

Numerous Los Angeles Hotels provide a free shuttle to the airport and the Park and Fly programs that offer up to 2 weeks of free parking which is great whether you’re traveling on Los Angeles holidays with your family or strictly there for business.

The Radisson Hotel at LAX is the hotel closest to the airport, being one block east of Terminal 1. The hotel’s amenities included round-the-clock transportation to the airport, an Olympic swimming pool, spa services, an exercise center, golf, and a large meeting area. The guest rooms highlight Sleep Number Bed, internet, basic homemaking features, data ports and improved bathrooms.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel is located at the LAX and is close to Los Angeles attractions. The hotel features are an outdoor swimming pool, an exercise center, sauna, whirlpool, lounge and restaurant. The hotels provide around-the-clock shuttle service to the airport, currency exchange, room service, valet laundry, and safe deposit. All the rooms have cable TV with video games and movies, high-speed internet, and CD players. The hotels has meeting rooms for business travelers,

The Courtyard by Marriot LAX on Century Boulevard is not even a block from LAX. The hotel is close to Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches, Santa Monica, El Segundo, Marina Del Rey and Beverly Hills. The hotel provides shuttle service to the airport. The rooms are large and soundproofed. Other features of the hotel are meeting rooms, high-speed internet, a restaurant, and exercise center.

The Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles on West Century Boulevard offers visitors over 800 smoke-free rooms with wireless high-speed internet access. The rooms also have flat-panel televisions. The lobby offers high-speed internet access plus a place to relax. The hotel has 47 meeting rooms to plan events. The hotel has digitized the guest elevators and up-graded its fitness center. Other features include the airport shuttle, golf, and swimming pool.

Embassy Suites Los Angeles International Airport South is two miles from LAX and close to many Los Angeles attractions. The hotel features the swimming pool, fitness center, the 1440 bar and care, a weekday evening reception. The hotel provides high-speed internet service throughout as well as a business center. The two-room suites have housekeeping features such as refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, TV, In addition, they have a living room with a sofa bed, comfortable chairs and tables.

Travelodge Los Angeles South, at 1804 East Sycamore in El Segundo is one mile from Los Angeles Airport. It provides free shuttle service to the airport. The hotel provides recreation features of a heated pool, picnic section, and a barbecue. It has 24-desk service, parking for a fee, and laundry rooms. The hotel rooms include air-conditioning, refrigerators, data port telephones, and cable TV. The hotel rooms have kitchenette and a restaurant.

Photo by: jondoeforty1

This week, we’re talking with Spud Hilton, who works for the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGate.com. He is, not surprisingly, based in San Francisco. He has his own travel blog on SFGate.com called Bad Latitude, and regularly posts on Twitter and Facebook as well as on his Bad Latitute TV channel on YouTube.

What do you do?
I’m the Travel Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, so I oversee the writing, editing and production of the weekly Sunday Travel section, including writing or buying the original stories. I also write the Bad Latitude travel blog at SFGate.com and maintain the social media presence for the department, the blog and myself.

What kind of travel do you get to do for work? Do you get to choose where you go?
Oddly, my work travel tries to simulate vacation travel, both in the planning and execution, because I’m trying to travel the way readers do, although I tend to seek out places you’re not as likely to have heard of. I pick my own destinations, based mostly on which areas have been overlooked, on what we’ve done in the past and on where there are great stories.

Do you add any extra “fun” days on to work trips? Why or why not?
I always try to factor in a little down time, although it’s difficult to switch off the instinct to observe, gather information and write, so I rarely relax. The job itself, however, is what most folks would consider “fun,” so I can’t complain.

What are your favorite and least favorite airports in which to spend extended periods (long layovers, flight delays, etc.)?
My favorite is Dallas-Fort Worth, because I’m always passing through and there’s an excellent tequila and tacos bar with which I’m intimately familiar. My least favorite is Hell-AX (LAX), where the trials of the outrageously idiotic design are compounded by a lack of miracle technology that hasn’t made it to L.A. yet — A TRAM SYSTEM. Also, it would take years of brain-washing to get most of the current workers to even pretend they give a crap.

How often do you get to travel for work?
About 12-13 weeks a year, depending on my budget and the need for stories from specific regions.

Did you choose your job at least in part because you love to travel? Would you make the same job choice again, knowing what you know now?
Frankly, I didn’t know anything about travel until I got into the Travel Section as a copy editor and page designer. It seemed like a good gig, although I had lobbied to get into the section after reading a few articles that had the power to inform, entertain and transport me, and thought “That’s the kind of writing I want to do.” It was the right choice; I’d do it again.

What are some of your favorite travel tips that you’ve picked up?
Take a picture of your passport and keep it on your smart phone; you can use one 5V charger to power almost any USB 2 gadget; and don’t forget that you have camping knife in the secret pocket of your travel pants while going through airport security in Berlin.

What one travel tip would you, as a business traveler, pass along to someone who doesn’t travel as often?
Air turbulence often feels the same as being in a beat-up school bus on a really bad road. Every time the plane lurches, picture the wheels hitting another pothole. (I don’t have a fear of flying, but I seem to sit next to plenty of people who do.)

What advice do you have for someone who’s interested in doing what you do?
Marry someone rich. Seriously. Travel writing almost never pays enough to live on, and newspaper travel editors are on the endangered species list (down to just 13 full-timers in the U.S.). So get a sugar mama or sugar daddy.

Find out more about Spud by checking out his blog Bad Latitude at SFGate.com, and you can also follow him on Twitter @SpudHilton.

>> Learn more about travel jobs

This week, we’re talking with Jeanette Anderson. Jeanette is a Kansas City-based consultant who travels extensively for work and enjoys traveling so much she does it in her free time, too.

What do you do?
I am a consultant for Cerner Corporation. I travel in the US implementing computer systems for hospitals and physician practices. Mostly the Mid-west and Great Lakes and have spent most of my time for the past few years traveling to Indiana.

What kind of travel do you get to do for work? Do you get to choose where you go?
I travel almost every week, flying to the client site on Monday and then back on Thursday afternoon. Since my projects are generally a year or more long, I go to the same client each week for that year. I have had some projects where I have alternated projects and project weeks.

Do you add any extra “fun” days on to work trips? Why or why not?
Definitely have added extra fun days to trips and had people come visit Indianapolis. I have friends who have come to see Colts games, do museum tours and got tickets at the last minute for the NCAA men’s basketball finals in 2010. Looking forward to making a point to go see the Kentucky Derby and the Indianapolis 500 in 2012.

What are your favorite and least favorite airports in which to spend extended periods (long layovers, flight delays, etc.)?
Kansas City International (MCI) is my home airport and my favorite. You really can’t beat the convenience as a local to arrive 1 hour before and go straight across the road to parking. Detroit is really my favorite airport to connect in. Memphis is my least favorite for pure aesthetics. O’Hare always seemed to be delayed, but it was amusing on Monday mornings that I could fly in, drive to client site and be there before the Chicago locals.

How often do you get to travel for work?
Usually every week for the past 9 years. I usually have a week working from the corporate HQ about once every 8 weeks.

Did you choose your job at least in part because you love to travel? Would you make the same job choice again, knowing what you know now?
I chose my job because the consulting market dried up after 9/11 – my first 10 months, I didn’t travel very much, but have been on the road ever since. As a consultant, you really don’t have much of a routine and really have a lot of flexibility depending on the company. You get to see new places and new things all the time, so it isn’t for someone who needs a set routine or who doesn’t expect to learn something new and meet all new people every year. I have honestly enjoyed it and being able to just work anywhere from a folding table in a trailer to a plush office, to a little cubby in the corner of an airport or even a SkyClub.

What are some of your favorite travel tips that you’ve picked up?

• If you are a young female, you may want to “pick up” a fake wedding ring. There are sometimes those guys on the plane that just don’t know the meaning of “I just want to sit here and read and not sit and hear about how cool you are.”
• If there is ever a re-book situation or cancellation, always call the airline, especially in the smaller airports. The agents at these local airports aren’t as fast and are working on the 20 people who are crowded in line in front of you.
• Delays happen, so be pleasant to airline employees – they really can’t control the weather and aren’t the plane mechanics or FAA inspectors.
• Try to stick with one airline or hotel chain and figure out how to make that work with your corporate policy. When they see your face and know you there should be some nice perks coming your way – and let the hotel managers know. Having rooms filled with happy customers is what they want.
• Also, hotels and airlines will often be able to match status. For example, if you have status then the new client has a different hotel chain, you can often get them to match status if you can prove or talk to them about how you will be loyal.

What one travel tip would you, as a business traveler, pass along to someone who doesn’t travel as often?
Get the right sized carry-on. Stop overpacking and trying to fit the 22 inch suitcase packed to bursting in the overhead bin. Get a 19-inch International one. You don’t need a new pair of pants or shoes every day.

What advice do you have for someone who’s interested in doing what you do?
If you think you will be doing this for a while (3 yrs or more) just buy the expensive Tumi suitcase. I went through 3 $100 suitcases before I just bought the Tumi on sale for $450 that I then traveled with for 7 years.

Everyone will hate travel at around the 3 year mark, do what you can to get a travel break around that time, so that you can get annoyed with having a daily commute, sitting in a cube from 9-5, etc. If you do that, it seems like you can continue to travel and get less annoyed with the inevitable delays every time you get stuck in traffic.

Find out more about Jeanette by checking out her blog (originally started to document her RTW trip) Not in Kansas, and you can also follow her on Twitter @jeanettegtf.

>> Learn more about travel jobs

This week, we’re talking with Sharon Miro, who’s been in the print and multi-media publishing field for more than 35 years.

What do you do?
For the last 12 years I was the Senior Vice President, National Sales Director for Fox Associates, a publisher’s rep firm based in Chicago. I directed a nationally based sales force located in 5 offices, and “handled” high-level clients and publishers. Because of my extensive background in both production & editorial, I was perfectly positioned to help publishers find the right mix to enhance sales of all assets.

Although I started in print, I embraced the new technology and became somewhat specialized in helping print publishers transition to electronic media. I am now “semiretired,” handling select accounts and doing some consulting for select publishers.

What kind of travel do you get to do for work? Do you get to choose where you go?
The job I most recently held meant not only planned trips to each of the 5 offices but publisher and client meetings as well. Some of those were not so planned, and needed some last minute travel to put out a fire. Did I get to choose where I went? Not often enough!

Do you add any extra “fun” days on to work trips? Why or why not?
YES! I often tagged a few days on top of trips to New York, DC or New Orleans for mini-vacation. I reported directly to the President & Owner and she was all for that, why not? She was more than aware of the long hours and hard work that business travel is, and was OK with adding on days.

How often do you get to travel for work?
I traveled as much as two weeks out of the month – sometimes hitting 3 cities during a trip. Or I would stay for 2-3 weeks in a corporate apartment in Chicago or New York, and train to DC, Philadelphia or Boston for day trips.

Did you choose your job at least in part because you love to travel? Would you make the same job choice again, knowing what you know now?
No, I did not choose my job because of the travel. Would I make the same job choice again? Maybe. Most people think any kind of travel is glamorous – it’s not. On most trips I only saw the inside of a convention center or hotel. Red eye flights and 14 hour days in 3” heels are not fun or glamorous.

What are some of your favorite travel tips that you’ve picked up?

• Pack as light as possible.
• Invest in zip lock bags – they save a lot of space. Try to find some of the 2.5-gallon size – perfect for sweaters to cold weather places.
• If you are lucky enough to have a base in one or two towns, as I was, leave items you use over and over there – buy a second set of hot rollers!
• Wear comfortable but NOT sloppy clothes on a plane.
• Know where you have to/want to be the first 6 hours after you land anywhere. Have a plan for that, and the rest will work out.

What one travel tip would you, as a business traveler, pass along to someone who doesn’t travel as often?
DO NOT be impatient. You will get there eventually and the Coliseum will still be there. Get out of the comfort zone and experience as much local flavor as possible. If you are traveling for business and are tagging some days on top of that, ask your social networks where to eat or what to see. Don’t try to pack too much into anyone trip: remember it’s a vacation not a death march!

What advice do you have for someone who’s interested in doing what you do?
That’s a longer story than anyone has time to read! But let it suffice that any kind of sales is hard work that demands an adventurous spirit, and a good sense of humor. Sorta the same thing you find in world travelers.

Find out more about Sharon by checking out her website Nickel Moon, and you can also follow her on Twitter @nickelmoon.

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This week, we’re talking with Nanette Reid, an architectural and interior photographer. Nanette is Australian and is currently based in Bangkok.

What do you do?
I’m an architectural and interior photographer. We work with architects, designers, hotels, resorts, magazines etc producing imagery to match each individual’s specific requirements.

What kind of travel do you get to do for work? Do you get to choose where you go?
Currently, I travel a great deal throughout Asia/SE Asia, and previously it has been worldwide – Asia, Australasia, UK, USA, Europe, China, Japan.

Do you add any extra “fun” days on to work trips? Why or why not?
On the odd occasion I have been able to add some of these into work trips, but only if the flights coincide with this. Usually, it’s on the next plane out to shoot at the next location. But building this in does help you recharge the batteries after many days of shooting, often 18hr days, and a day off is well earned.

How often do you get to travel for work?
2 out of 3 shoots are travel related.

Did you choose your job at least in part because you love to travel? Would you make the same job choice again, knowing what you know now?
Not at all. The travel component is an added bonus! If I had known when I had started out that travel would be such an integral part of our assignments, I’d have still chosen this career!

What are some of your favorite travel tips that you’ve picked up?

• Pack light – solid colours are always a good choice and one good jacket. You can dress up a pair of jeans with a jacket, and wear them on assignment as well.
• Always have a stocked wet pack in the suitcase – you never know when you need to travel and hunting for this at the very last minute is painful. I restock it when I get back – if that toothpaste tube is 3/4 empty, it gets replaced!
• Do some research about the place you’re visiting – even if you don’t get the chance to venture out, knowing details about the country/city/area you are visiting always impresses the client, and gives you something to break the ice with others you are introduced to.

What one travel tip would you, as a business traveler, pass along to someone who doesn’t travel as often?
Carry-on – pack a change of underwear and a clean shirt, along with a toothbrush & toothpaste! I got caught in the Heathrow 2007 security breach and our luggage (from Dublin) was not unloaded. Having to fly to Cairo the following day without any equipment or personal items was not a pleasant experience. It was 5 days before I actually had my luggage returned, however a colleague waited 2 months! Luckily another colleague had to source wardrobe for the shoot, and he made the time to purchase us all underwear; the hotel we were shooting allowed for us to have rush laundry every night, however if we’d been shooting elsewhere, it would have required us to shop the day after we arrived.

What advice do you have for someone who’s interested in doing what you do?
Be prepared for an awful lot of hard yards. If you don’t have a thick skin or tenacity to hang in there, being a self employed photographer is probably not an ideal career for you. It takes time to build relationships with clients and get your foot in the door to have a shot at estimating for an assignment. Plus you need to be a “jack-of-all-trades”: marketing, invoicing, estimating, travel agent, producer, general problem solver etc – all of these are part of the job. I shoot maybe 30% of the time; the other 70% is spent following leads, attending meetings, general paperwork, accounts etc. But it’s well worth the hard slog, when you get to see the Pyramids and sail on the Nile, whilst enjoying the sunset, for an assignment with a 5-star hotel group.

Find out more about Nanette by checking out her website nanettereid.com.

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This is part of a new series here at WhyGo Business Travel featuring brief interviews with people who travel for work, asking them about what they do and some of their favorite travel tips. This way, if you’re looking for a career that will require travel, you’ll get to read about people doing some of the jobs you might consider – and you’ll also learn a few great travel tips from the travel pros!

Fly fishing in Colorado

This week, we’re talking with Cliff Rogers. Cliff is a Brisbane-based sales manager with Ivolve, an Australian technology company that serves the mining industry.

What do you do?
Our business provides mining and resource companies with real-time fleet management, production, maintenance and safety systems. I’m responsible for Sales & Marketing and apart from business development, I work with client businesses at all levels to ensure that our solutions match their requirements.

What kind of travel do you get to do for work? Do you get to choose where you go?
I travel regularly within Australia, with some travel also to Indonesia; the Brisbane, QLD – Perth, WA flight is the longest non-stop domestic sector anywhere in the world, generally 5½ hours there and 4¼ hours back (due mostly to the prevailing Westerly head/tail winds).

Typically my travel is driven by client requirements. Mining in Australia is conducted mainly in central and northern Queensland, the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, and northern and southern Western Australia, so this is where I spend most of my time.

Do you add any extra “fun” days on to work trips? Why or why not?
Mostly it’s business only when I travel – fly in, get business done, fly out. This is mainly because of family commitments back home in Queensland, and because when you’ve travelled as much and for as many years as I have, eventually you get to the point where you’ve seen most everything there is to see if you’re going to the same places.

How often do you get to travel for work?
I spend between a third and a half of my time travelling for work.

Did you choose your job at least in part because you love to travel? Would you make the same job choice again, knowing what you know now?
No, and yes! I chose the job because I love working with people, and being presented with the opportunity to problem-solve on a whole-of-enterprise level. I’d definitely make the same choice again; it’s a great business, and I enjoy the travel.

What are some of your favorite travel tips that you’ve picked up?

• Travel light! Several advantages here – if you take carry-on luggage only the airlines can’t lose your bags, and there’s no waiting at the luggage carousel at the other end.
• Get on-board with airline and hotel loyalty programs; you’ll generally be better looked after, and if you structure them right you can enjoy some or all of the benefits for private use!

What one travel tip would you, as a business traveler, pass along to someone who doesn’t travel as often?
Think about personal security before you travel: where are you going to carry passports, tickets, cash, credit cards, travellers cheques, etc? How are you going to keep these critical documents safe during your trip? Good advice for guys in particular is to keep your wallet in your front pocket, not the back – much harder for pickpockets to steal.

What advice do you have for someone who’s interested in doing what you do?
Think value rather than price, think client rather than product, and think communication rather than promotion. Oh, and enjoy being challenged!

Find out more about Cliff by checking out his website ivolve.com.

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