Q: My job requires me to travel my Ohio territory three to five days a week. My challenge is not looking like I travel that much when I arrive to a client’s business. How can I keep a fresh appearance after driving many hours? — JT of Akron
A: Thanks for reaching out, JT. I have been asked about this situation over the years and appreciate being able to share some tricks and tips.
As with anything important in our lives, preparation is more than half the battle. Getting the right tools for the job will make your travels more enjoyable, which makes you more productive.
The car must be set up to support you on your travels. Using the passenger seat is the key when traveling alone for long trips. You should be able to keep your eyes on the road while reaching for cool water to stay hydrated so you can keep a fresh face for business. Coffee is fine — a little bit — but it can dehydrate you quickly, and if spilled will cause nasty stains.
Have a command center for communicating and keeping ahead of traffic situations that could delay you. Also have the client on speed dial before you begin your journey; if you are running a few minutes late you can call them, which shows you respect their time.
Obviously keeping your phone charged is important so you are never out of communication, in case the person you are meeting needs to contact you.
Once you have those tools we turn our attention to keeping your wardrobe looking fresh. The ideal scenario would be to travel in casual clothes and change before arriving at the client’s office. I highly recommend hanging your outfits on a clothes bar in your car. You can also get a special coat hanger that attaches to the back of your seat so you can slip on your suit or sport coat when you arrive, keeping it fresh and wrinkle free.
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