A Packing Checklist for Business Trips

A Packing Checklist for Business TripsA Packing Checklist for Business TripsWhether your job requires frequent business travel or just the occasional overnight stay, keeping a list handy of what to pack will help you save time and minimize stress. Even though most major airlines now dienstgrad a separate fee to check your bag, it might be worth it. Airports are big and overhead compartments on airplanes fill up quickly. Business travel is stressful enough without the additional worries associated with lugging your bag through security and to the gate only to find out that the overhead compartment above your seat is already full and that your bag is being put in the back of the plane. Relax, check your bag, and consider it a worthwhile investment in you and your travel sanity. Basic Bottoms Whether you plan to wearpants or skirts while traveling for business, pick one basic color for your bottoms (black, brown or blue) and stick with it. This consistency will eliminate the need fo r multiple pairs of shoes and belts in different colors. Dark colors are preferable as they dont show travel wear, tear, and dirt as easily. Jacket or Blazer Choose a basic, solid-color jacket or blazer that matches your basic bottoms color scheme. Tops, Blouses, and Sweaters Choose prints and solids that coordinate with your basic bottoms color scheme. A Travel Outfit If your travel days are long, consider packing a comfortable travel outfit and comfortable shoes for the trip home. Shoes Bring a maximum of one to two pairs of shoes. Select a style and heel height that will work with your basic wardrobe selections described above. If youll be doing a lot of walking while on your business trip, choose comfort over style. Underwear and Socks Pack enough for each day of your trip, plus two extra pairs of each. You never know when you might want to cpistee clothes or just freshen up a bit. Pajamas Consider a pajama top style that buttons down the front so it can double as a robe. Most robes are bulky and take up too much valuable space in your suitcase. Workout Clothes Pack one lightweight, quick-dry exercise outfit. Wash it out in the sink after each exercise session and hang it to dry. Toiletries Pack shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, facial cleanser, toothpaste, toothbrush, a razor, and make-up in resealable plastic bags or a toiletry bag.If youre traveling by air and not planning to check your bag, keep travel restrictions in mind. All liquids and gels must be smaller than 3 ounces and must be packed in quart-size plastic bags. Pack these bags in an outside pocket or on the top of your suitcase since youll need to remove them as you go through security checkpoints. Travel Documents Place airline reservations, hotel confirmations, and rental car confirmations in a separate folder for quick and easy reference. If you have these items on your phone or tablet, then bookmark the sites or flag the email confirmations for quick acce ss. LaptopBag If youre traveling by air, make sure your laptop or tablet is easily accessible since youll need to remove it from your briefcase as you go through security. Dont forget yourpower cords and thumb drives. Cell Phone Charger Pack both a wall charger and a portable charger or power bank in case you need to charge your phone but dont have an outlet. Bring a car charger if youre traveling by car or will be renting one at your final destination. Office Supplies Pack pens, pencils, paper clips, sticky pads, and notepads. Dont take an entire office supply store with you in your briefcase- just what you will actually need for your trip. Business Cards Replenish your supply of business cards before each business trip. You never know who you will meet. 10 x 13 Envelopes for Expense Receipts As you drop each receipt into your envelope, make a note on the front that includes date, expense amount and the reason for the expense. Doing this will help you save time wh en you submit your expense report and ensure you can easily find all of your receipts. Your Purse While most female travelers prefer tocarry a purse in addition to a briefcase, the general rule of thumb for business travel is to carry a small purse with minimal contents. Pack your ID, wallet, gum or mints, a small make-up bag, phone, and any medications you need. Small Travel Umbrella Pack this in the outside pocket of your suitcase so its accessible in the event it is raining when you arrive.

How stereotyping costs you business, engagement, and happiness

How stereotyping costs you business, engagement, and happinessHow stereotyping costs you business, engagement, and happinessWhen I was growing up parents didnt drive their kids to playdates or adventure sports. Your best friend was whoever lived closest to you. You knew where all your friends were by whose house had the most bikes in the front yard. You only went home to do homework which involved a book, notebook, encyclopedia and a pencil to watch the puppet part of Mr. Rogers, to eat meals, or at the end of the day when the streetlights went on.Back then your fun was climbing trees, holding crayfish, catching fireflies, watching trains flatten pennies on railroad tracks, and playing kickball on the four corners after dinner. Every neighborhood had a bully, a heartthrob, a mean girl, a nerd, a skinny kid who didnt fit in and a popular kid. I was the skinny kid who didnt fit in. You learned quickly who you could trust and who you couldnt.Fast forward to today where technology has impacted the way children grow up and the way companies do business. Children need not go to their friends house to play a game or telephone them to communicate. Distance learning transformed education. Telecommuting transformed the way we work. Audioconferencing transformed the way we meet. And technology eliminated some industries altogether. Exit stage left World Book Encyclopedia.Yet in todays world, as people revisit a simpler time with vinyl records on the rise and electronic book readers on the decline, there are some things that havent changed. Most companies have a bully, a heartthrob, a mean girl, a nerd, a skinny kid who doesnt fit in and a popular kid.The problemWe stereotype people because our minds need to have order. Humans are programmed to stay safe with a fight-or-flight mentality. This self-preservation mechanism served humanity well when dinosaurs roamed the earth. It is easier to metaphorically put people in a box with a label and store them safely away than to deal with fear that makes us uncomfortable. After all, there are more pressing issues that interest us. Enter stage right iPhone8.The costWhen we stereotype we discriminate. We become the judge and jury without a trial. The sentence most often is permanent and without bail. When a co-worker is labeled difficult or not management material we stop stewarding them to higher performance. When they realize their potential is limited they often underperform, drive others out of the organization, and become an attrition statistic.The solutionThe solution comes from Mr. Rogers theme song. When you are a good neighbor the doors of engagement open. Can you think, for a moment, about the last time someone called you a anthroponym? It hurt. You probably felt unfairly judged and powerless to undo it.Before you stereotype someone, pause. Put yourself in their shoes. Here you are their peer. Sometimes we dont want to imagine their perspective because it makes us feel defenseless. Remember, we migh t be eaten by the mammoth. But, in reality, being comfortable with our own vulnerability is a springboard to compassion for others and peace for ourselves. We separate the people from the problem, thus focusing on problem solving, not our position. Early in my career I was labeled The Divorcee with Four Kids until I shattered the goals every place I worked. Then I was labeled The Racehorse Get Out of Her Way. Ill take it.What we judge in others is often what we judge in ourselves. When you can platzset aside resenting a colleague because shes successful, you can learn from her. When you can set aside being annoyed by a leaders eruptions, you can build trust enough to ask what worries him.If you are the one being stereotyped it is virtually impossible to drop the label without calling attention to your intention to do so. Ask for an appointment individually with key people who have labeled you. Tell them you recognize that a negative perception exists. Tell them they would be doing you a huge favor if they would tell you what that perception is. Do not defend yourself. Tell them you understand and ask what they advise you to do to remedy this. Then thank them and say you will update them on your progress. They will be intrigued to be part of your transformation.In summary, make the most of this beautiful day by imagining your colleagues wear a big sign around their necks that reads, Wont you be my neighbor?Mary Lee Gannon, ACC, CAEis an executive coach and corporate CEO who helps busy leaders get off the treadmill to nowhere to be more effective, earn more, bemore calm and enjoyconnected relationships with the people who matter while it still matters.Watch her FREE Master Class training on Three Things to Transform Your Life and Career Right Now atwww.MaryLeeGannon.com.

5 Things You May Not Know About Working in the Insurance Industry

5 Things You May Not Know About Working in the Insurance Industry 5 Things You May Not Know About Working in the Insurance Industry According to an industry trend report, 63 percent of insurance companies plan to increase their staff sizes in the next 12 months. By 2020, there are projected to be  nearly 400,000 open positions in the insurance industry. The high number of openings - coupled with the fact that only about a third of all millennials have any interest in working in the industry - means there has never been a better time to consider a career in insurance. February is recognized throughout the industry as Insurance Careers Month, a chance for insurance companies to showcase the benefits of a career in the field. In light of the low levels of interest in insurance careers among young talent, now might be a good time to survey some of those benefits: 1. Jobs for All Professionals of All Backgrounds One of the most appealing parts of working for an insurance company is the wide variety of jobs that are available across a very broad spectrum of career paths. For instance, an insurance company usually employs people in all the following areas: Accounting and finance Actuarial science Administration Claims Customer service Data science Human resources Legal Marketing and communications Medical (including clinical) Operations Product development Sales Technology Professionals in virtually any function can also advance in the field to key management and executive-level positions. Regardless of your career path, there is a strong likelihood theres a job opportunity for you in insurance. Better yet, the compensation for jobs in the insurance industry often exceeds that of other entry-level jobs, with an average starting salary of more than $50,000 per year. 2. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Individuals of all backgrounds, languages, and economies need insurance.  Because of this, professionals in the insurance industry often serve and work with a broad spectrum of people from across social groups. The insurance industry not only provides products and services to meet the  needs of diverse people, but its top employers also strive to cultivate very diverse workforces. In 2018, 69 percent of insurance executives felt diversity and inclusion  were important issues. 3. Access to Professional Development Opportunities One advantage of working for an insurance company is the high level of training and professional development companies in the field offer. You can expect to be thoroughly trained in all areas of insurance when you work at an insurance company. Topics your training may cover include understanding and administering Medicare benefits, understanding state health care regulations, and even learning some medical coding and billing practices, depending on  your specific role. Professional development is a priority in the industry, and you can expect to participate in continuing education, professional seminars and workshops, and other opportunities for growth within your  role and the insurance field in general. 4. Flexible Scheduling Working from home  is an option for many in the insurance field. Insurance agents in particular tend to have a lot of control over their own work schedules. As freelancing and independent contracting grow in popularity, the insurance industry will only become even more responsive to workers demands for flexibility and work/life balance. 5. A Strong Sense of Purpose The insurance industry prides itself on being purpose-driven, and insurance professionals strive to make positive impacts on the individuals and communities  they serve. In fact, the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit that  promotes and facilitates the charitable work of insurance organizations, has distributed more than $31 million in community grants and helped to arrange more than 300,000 volunteer hours by more than 110,000 insurance industry professionals since it was established 25 years ago. This high level of charitable giving makes sense, given that the core  goal of the insurance industry is to help people live better, healthier, safer lives. If you want a career that makes a difference, you would be hard-pressed to find a better industry for it than the insurance industry. Michael Z. Stahl is executive vice president of HealthMarkets.