Aaron Beaston Blaakman: Enjoying International Business

NEW YORK, NY, June 22, 2012

Forbes has outlined five ways for business travelers to make the most out of their itineraries in a recent article by Dorie Clark. Aaron Beaston Blaakman, an international professional whose business has taken him around the world, believes that these tips are great for novice travelers. For veteran travelers, though, he recommends a more personal approach.

In her article, Clark details the five ways that she believes travelers can best experience their business assignments without becoming distracted from the purpose of their trip. These include staying in locally owned hotels, doing a bit of research on the area before leaving, making an effort to experience local cultural attractions, conversing with locals, and eating at small, locally owned restaurants.

The point of Clark's article is to encourage travelers to develop a "global mindset" instead of simply trekking from one airport to the next. She cites author Gregory Unruh's philosophy on the importance of developing this global perspective.

"You can have the same Hilton experience in Shanghai as you can in Sao Paulo," comments Unruh. "It's very possible to travel internationally without really becoming global." Clark goes on to say that Unruh believes that international travel, when done right, allows people to become more flexible in their thinking. Although it requires some planning and effort on behalf of the traveler, Clark and Unruh both believe it is worth the extra energy.

Aaron Beaston Blaakman agrees that developing an international perspective is important; however, he is not convinced that the tips put forth in Clark's article are the best way to go about developing a "global mindset."

"Maximizing the experience of international business travel is critical for travelers as outlined in a recent Forbes article," commented Aaron Beaston Blaakman. "But the tips provided appear for a more novice business travel audience. Although it is important to engage in local culture, language, and food, these are fundamentals. For veteran travelers, the available gifts of international travel go far beyond these basics, ranging from navigating airports and understanding how to travel the world within various pricing levels to fully engaging in the lives of individuals and families from other countries. Maximizing the experience of international business travel over the long haul can be a life changing process."

ABOUT:

Aaron Beaston Blaakman is a health financing and health costing professional. Over the course of his career, he has cultivated diverse international experience. Aaron Beaston Blaakman has worked in countries around the globe, including the United States, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Jordan, Iraq, and more. Proficient in both English and French, Aaron Beaston Blaakman has the tools necessary to successfully interact with people from other cultures. Additionally, his work has allowed him to partner with international organizations, local governments, and other entities to develop health costing solutions.

Website: http://aaronbeaston-blaakman.com