Before your next trip, pack one of these books for business travel and enjoy some relevant, insightful reading on the way to your destination.
Business trips often include packed schedules that allow for little downtime. But it’s healthy for you to find some time away from your computer screen and away from the hustle and bustle of meetings, conferences and other gatherings. To enjoy a little downtime, explore some of the best books for business travel.
There’s a broad spectrum of books and topics that are suited to business travel. Here’s a diverse collection of 5 titles that would make perfect companions on your next business trip.
1. Good to Great by Jim Collins
Are you looking to better understand business at large and what makes a company successful? Dive into one of the most popular business books of all time: Good to Great by Jim Collins. In this book, Collins looks at pairs of companies in similar industries — and examines why one succeeded and the other failed.
The book and its case studies are based on in-depth research by Collins and his team. You’ll likely recognize many of the companies investigated, both the companies that succeeded and the ones that failed. And you’ll find the insights gleaned from this book are beneficial in the day-to-day duties at your job.
Have you already read Good to Great? Try one of Collins’ other titles, like Built to Last.
2. The Haves and the Have Nots by Branko Milanovic
Looking for a book that’s perfect for international travel? While you’re flying over oceans and foreign continents, crack open The Haves and Have-Nots by Branko Milanovic. This book investigates global wealth and why it’s spread so disproportionately around the world.
Even regular Travelers sometimes have a hard time fully understanding their destinations — why some places are seemingly wealthy or poor by nature. Milanovic provides illuminating information based on history, geography as well as financial trends and phenomena.
3. Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain
Food is an unavoidable part of the business travel experience. After all, you have to eat no matter where you’re going. In Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain, readers get an inside look at the restaurant business around the world.
If you know anything about Anthony Bourdain, you know that he could be funny, cutting, insightful and irreverent. All of those characteristics are on display in Medium Raw. And — who knows? — you may just learn something fascinating about the place you’re traveling to before you arrive.
4. The Art of Travel by Alain De Botton
Business Travelers are often too consumed by the objective of a trip to stop and appreciate their settings. And, for leisure Travelers, the anticipation of a trip can sometimes exceed the enjoyment of the actual trip. These are common experiences with travel.
In The Art of Travel by Alain De Botton, Travelers explore why they should travel and how to go about traveling in a more experiential and appreciative manner. Readers will learn more about exotic locations, about curiosity, about art and about beauty. And they will ultimately be able to travel with eyes wide open the next time they leave their homes or offices.
5. Up in the Air by Walter Kirn
Looking for fiction that hits close to home? You may have seen the movie starring George Clooney, but there’s nothing like reading the book it’s based on — Up in the Air by Walter Kirn.
This book tells the story of a business professional who flies around the country firing people for a living. The main character takes comfort in the business travel experience. But, just as he approaches his ultimate goal of reaching 1 million frequent flier miles, his work life starts to fall apart.
If you’re searching for a book that makes you nod your head in recognition and laugh out loud at the absurdities of business travel, this is the novel for you.
Support for Business Travelers
Having the right book is only one part of enjoying a great trip. At JTB Business Travel, we serve our clients by supporting Travelers before, during and after their trips. We use a common-sense approach to delivering services and making recommendations that enhance the travel experience. Contact us today to learn more about our common-sense approach to business travel.
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