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Purchasing two portable computers has made all the differencefor Ken Levitt, owner of Mexican Accent Inc. in New Berlin,Wisconsin. A manufacturer of tortillas and tortilla chips, the47-year-old entrepreneur was looking for a way to help him competewith the big guys. The answer: Giving multimedia presentations onthe road via laptop computer. Levitt estimates his closing saleshave tripled since acquiring portable computers more than a yearago. "They've been a very powerful sales tool forus," he says.
As more small-business owners realize how portable computing canimprove sales, boost customer service and maximize theirproductivity on the road, the real question is how to getstarted?
"You need to begin with a vision for how the business isgoing to operate," advises Sharon Marsh Roberts, president ofcomputer consulting company Roberts Financial Systems Inc. inLinden, New Jersey, and vice president of the InternationalComputer Consultants Association.
Roberts recommends you begin by determining who's going tobe using the laptop computers, what they'll be doing and theirspecific needs. Ask employees about the computer functions theydeem necessary, and then have a small group of typical users testthe models in the field. Once you've settled on the kind oflaptop computers required, attempt to standardize them. Youdon't want members of your sales force carrying 10 differentmodels. "Standardization makes the business functionbetter," says Roberts.
Once employees hit the road in full force, expect a certainnumber of problems with the machines-particularly within the firstfew months. Have a standard policy in place, says Roberts, thatinforms employees how to deal with computer problems and failures.Finally, it's a good idea to create a security policy outliningcompany strategy for keeping computer files and hardware safe inairports, hotels and typical travel situations.
Southern Comfort
Do you sometimes wake up in your hotel room and look around,only to have difficulty recalling what city you're in thisweek? You won't if you're staying at the Talbot HeirsGuesthouse in Memphis, Tennessee, says 34-year-old entrepreneurJamie Baker. She and her husband, Phil, also 34, own one of agrowing number of "urban inns" that cater to businesstravelers seeking a more memorable experience than hotel chainsoffer.
Formerly an apartment building the Bakers purchased in July1995, the Talbot Heirs Guesthouse contains nine guest suitesdecorated in different themes. For example, one room incorporates ablack-and-white retro motif with a black leather sofa and an ironbed fashioned from an old fence. Another is outfitted southernstyle with a Tennessee marble floor, plantation shutters and aclassic fainting couch. All the guest suites have fully equippedkitchens; suites cost from $150 to $250 per night.
"We wanted a place that felt like the guest room ofsomeone's house," explains Jamie, "wedded with theprivacy and security of a hotel."
For travelers who need to get down to business, there are twophone lines in every room; fax machines, treadmills andstair-climbing machines are also available upon request. Inaddition, the hotel has two conference rooms for holding meetings,luncheons or dinner receptions.
As if that's not enough, the Bakers recently acquired aproperty two doors down they've dubbed "Suite 10."It's a 2,000-square-foot penthouse that's open for businesswith two bedrooms, two bathrooms, treadmill, fax machine, fullkitchen, living room and dining room for eight. How's that fortraveling in style?
Road Notes
American, United and Delta airlines are working on plans toinstall seat-back electric outlets for laptops, possibly as soon asthis fall.
In addition to its pre-flight grooming salon and music listeningroom, spunky Virgin Atlantic has just installed a putting green inthe Virgin Clubhouse at London's Heathrow Airport.
Feel ill during a trip? If you're headed to or throughChicago, visit the full-service medical clinic on the upper levelof Terminal Two at O'Hare International Airport. Open from 6a.m. until midnight, it's staffed by doctors and nurses fromthe University of Illinois.
Earn 500 extra Mileage Plus miles through December 31 when youmake your United reservations online using the United Connectionpage on CompuServe (or directly using software from United). Thesoftware costs $24.95 and includes $25 worth of coupons for use onUnited flights. To order the software, call (800) 482-2696.
Latest frequent-flier tie-in: Major airlines have launcheddining programs that give you miles for each dollar spent atthousands of restaurants worldwide. United and Continental programsoffer 10 miles per dollar; American and Alaska Airlines, three;Northwest, two.
When travelers eat in, what do they choose? At the Novotel inNew York City, Evian water is the most popular minibar item; beeris the alcoholic beverage of choice. And when calling room service,men prefer hamburgers; women, club sandwiches.
Food For Thought
Airport food service has come a long way now that some of thecountry's top fast-food franchises are serving up fare the waytravelers like it. Here's what's cooking at some of thenation's biggest airports:
Hartsfield Atlanta International: Wendy's,Chili's, Houlihan's, Burger King, TCBY, Au Bon Pain,Chick-fil-A, Domino's, TGI Friday's, Miami Subs
Boston-Logan International: Legal Seafood, TCBY,Dunkin' Donuts, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Au Bon Pain, CheersBar, Samuel Adams Pub
Chicago-O'Hare International: Gold Coast Dogs,McDonald's, Pizzeria Uno, Starbucks, Peggy Sue's Diner
Dallas/Ft. Worth International: Freshens Yogurt, AuntieAnne's, Pizza Hut, Mr. Gatti's Pizza
Los Angeles International: McDonald's, WolfgangPuck's, Creative Croissants
Newark International: Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Mrs. Fields,Au Bon Pain, McDonald's, Sbarro, Nathan's Famous HotDogs
Washington-National: Cinnabon, Vie de France, Jerry'sSubs and Pizza, Frank & Stein, McDonald's.
Going, Going, Gone
Have more frequent flier miles than you know what to do with?Consider putting your hard-earned mileage to good use at anauction.
Most major air carriers hold auctions where their frequent fliermembers can use their miles to bid on a variety of trips andprizes. For instance, in addition to pre-arranged trips to Hawaiior Europe, airlines auction off such noteworthy prizes as ticketsto the Super Bowl, the Olympics, even the Academy Awards.
For business travelers, an auction can be an easy way to usemiles that are about to expire or that they don't have thetime-or inclination-to use on a free ticket. "Many auctionsare designed to give an alternative to people whose miles reallyaren't going anywhere," explains Randy Petersen, publisherof Inside Flyer magazine.
How does it work? Some airlines have 800 numbers you can call tofind out the highest bid and then offer yours via telephone. Othershold "blind" auctions in which members simply call orwrite in their bids without knowing what other members areoffering. Call your frequent flier program for details.
The dates for prizes and trips are often non-negotiable, saysPetersen. And since you may also have to use your award within aset amount of months, be sure your calendar is clear during therequired time period.
Card Games
With so many airline-mileage credit cards available, how docards for the biggest U.S. carriers rate?
Airline/Bank Rate Fee Miles*
Alaska Airlines/Seafirst MasterCard-Visa 17.9% $45 20,000
America West Flight Fund/Bank of America Visa 18.15% $4520,000
American AAdvantage/Citibank MasterCard-Visa 17.6% $5025,000
Continental OnePass/Marine Midland MasterCard-Visa 19.95% $5525,000
Northwest/First Bank WorldPerks Visa 18% $55 20,000
United Mileage Plus/First Card Visa 9.9%** $60 25,000
USAir Frequent Flier/NationsBank Advantage Card Visa 17.94% $3525,000
Tray Magnifique
Eating lunch in the car isn't getting any easier fortoday's road warriors. It's no picnic trying to enjoy aquick bite to eat without spilling ketchup on your best suit.
Fortunately, there's a solution: Dubbed the Twist-Away Tray,this affordable product takes the mess out of eating in your car.Created by Pacific Sportswear Co. Inc. in San Diego, the reusabletray hangs around your neck and pops open to cover your chest andlap from embarrassing spills. It's made from a spill-resistantmaterial that easily wipes clean; when you're done, just foldit back into its pouch and put it in the glove box.
If you put in a lot of miles on the road, the Twist-Away Traymay help keep your stress level down-not to mention yourdry-cleaning bills. Cost: $4.95
