Travel Newsletter

Greetings. Is there anything in the business (or nonprofit) world that's more fragile than employee morale? It's a high-tech, information-saturated world, and your staff's communications needs have grown apace.

I'd like to suggest an internal newsletter that covers everything from the competitive business climate to recipes to births and deaths. Why? Because it shows you care and because good managers are timely communicators and because it encourages employee involvement in the workplace family. How? That's easy. Newsletter templates abound in today's software, and printing doesn't have to be expensive. When? What counts is that it becomes a regular part of your life and their lives.

Here are some starters:

o Official matters -- This is where, in a predictable location in the newsletter, you let people know about flex time, overtime rules and availability, expanded or contracted hours, benefits, safety record and tips, travel rules, parking, cafeteria hours,etc.

o The business climate -- Understanding breeds understanding. Who's been promoted? Who's moving on or retiring and where and when can you attend the farewell party? Who's made the Honor Roll at school? Who's off to college or the military? Who's gone beyond college to a real job? o The bigger family -- Anyone care to share a recipe? How's the company softball team doing? Who's to say you can't write a newsletter for them?

You can use them as business travel tips or pleasure travel tips.

Compare the cost of flying to driving. The longer the trip, the better the airlines compare. Business travel tips are very important because your employer wants business trips to be expedited - and inexpensive!

1. Check into smaller airports. Often the smaller ones are better priced and have cheap/free parking. They need your business in this market. Check into using an airport in a nearby town. Many times, when you are on a business trip, extra calls on customers can fit nicely between the smaller and larger towns.

2. If it is legal where you are, check the price of buying 2 two-way tickets each way. You might save money this way.

3. Another Travel Tip!! Be careful where you book your hotel room. Hotels will assign you a less attractive location if you get the room at a very low price. 6. Nine times out of ten, buying insurance on your rental car is not required. 7. Not likely for a business trip, but if you can be flexible as to time and days you can travel, you can get great deals through "last minute" booking. Keep informed and save!