Whether it be for business or for pleasure, or better yet, combining business and pleasure. I've always found that travel inspires me more than anything else in life. Nothing excites me more than to travel for business, only to discover new sightings that quickly turn into personal encounters. Evidence of the languages, cultures, scenery, food, style, design sensibilities that I discover all over the world can be found in every business venture that I have set out upon.
I always bring home a piece of my travels back to my home city of San Francisco. I’ve managed to take life lessons from each journey. Each and every person who crosses my path is a possible new business colleague. To not travel is to stagnate into a complacent, closed, micro world. How can one conduct business without interacting with people from many walks of life. Ideas are spawned by travel?
As evidence, I recall a business trip to London a few years back. After my travel conference, my wife and I decided to get a car and drive a bit of England. Lost in the rain on the side of the road, we stumbled upon an eccentric kiwi, by the name of Paul Smith, who like us was lost and headed to Stratford-Upon-Avon. Yes, Shakespeare’s place of birth. Quickly, this became a new introduction for exploration. I’ll never forget tossing back frothy pints of Guinness at the Garrick Inn which dates back to the 14th century.
Here we were, two California Yanks traveling after the World Travel Market, and one-off-the-wall New Zealander. Meandering the rolling hills of England, seeking roads less traveled heading to Bristol and Bath. I could swear that we got lost at least 10 times. Just another part of the adventure.
We became good friends. As it turned out Paul, travels in business class, and became a client of mine in my discount first and business class airfare business, CirclethePlanet.com.
Take a leap of faith. See how the other half lives. Just because you are on a business trip does not mean that you cannot delve into the depths of your new locale.
Who knows, you just might return home exhilarated and start new ventures.
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