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While agencies work to make travel management operations more efficient, government travelers may want to make their business travel more efficient.

• Collect maps, restaurant menus and hotel brochures, as well as names and addresses of business services, such as couriers, quick print shops etc., in places you visit often.
• Create a file for all the trip-related work that you need to take with you. Carry only what you need.
• Set up an automatic response for your e-mail in-box.
• Change your voicemail, so callers will know you are away. Be sure to indicate when you will return and include a number where you can be reached or the contact information for your point person in your absence.
• Periodically check your voicemail and e-mail, or make sure someone else does.
• Set up a time to check in with the office each day.
• Make a list of everything you need for presentations and check it whenever you travel.
• Ship presentation information, manuals and other bulky items to arrive a day before you do.
• Call ahead to make sure equipment you'll need for your presentation, such as easels or a projector, will be available.
• Make a backup copy of your presentation and carry it separately.
• E-mail files to yourself so you'll have backup copies of important information.
• Make sure to put phone numbers for technical support staff somewhere other than on your laptop so that you can get to them if your computer crashes.
• Take a calendar that clearly lists your appointments and contact information for the people with whom you are meeting so you can call them if you are late or lost.
• Use online services to generate maps to your hotel and all your meetings.
• Choose carefully when you delegate authority and duties during your absence. Some staffers can't handle extra work and responsibilities, while others relish them.
• Consider using your absence as a training opportunity for a promising employee.
• If your absence means less work for some employees, keep a file of projects they can work on while you're away.
• Keep a list of the projects and assignments you've assigned, so that you can get updates on them during your daily calls to the office and upon your return.
• Make sure to communicate your expectations clearly to your staff.
• Take plenty of business cards.
• Take a spare pair of prescription glasses, or a copy of your current prescription so you can easily replace your glasses if they get lost or broken.

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