- Mark D. Cunningham, Abilene, Texas
"I give my wife lots of grief about her heavyweight handbag, but
the truth is that my briefcase makes her purse look like a
bantamweight. My briefcase is a virtual survival kit. My constant
companion is the common three-compartment leather model, with an
outside front-zippered pocket for airline tickets and rear-zippered
pocket for expense-account documents. The back internal compartment
is the business-paper portfolio, and the middle compartment
snuggles the
notebook computer, but it is the front compartment
that has saved many a business trip from failure. It contains a
small internal pocket that houses a flashlight, tape measure, extra
reading glasses, and sunglasses. Another small case houses a comb,
shaving cream, aspirin,
allergy pills, hand cream, and hair spray."
- Dennis Hoffmann, Plano, Texas
"I pack my mobile office to support only the projects that I need
to accomplish while on the road. I consolidate my files into
subject folders with just the high-level information I need (e.g.,
Projects, Follow-up Calls, etc.) I rely on my core productivity
tools for the rest: laptop,
PDA, and good, old notepad. I also make
sure to pack extra batteries, a three-prong AC adapter for
overseas, and my compact 15-foot phone cable for hotel-room
Internet connections. One of those halogen clip lights is also
great to illuminate my computer keyboard and for reading while
inflight."
- Glenn Raines, Chicago
"Take items with you that make your trip more enjoyable. A cigar
box is small enough to fit inside my carry-on bag and the contents
allow me to pamper myself while I'm on the road. Cavender's
seasoning to add zip to room-service food, packets of hazelnut
coffee creamer, eye covers and ear plugs, bubble bath, and a small
alarm clock with a picture of a loved one (mine has a voice
recorder so they can record a message). I also keep a handwritten
list of the things that I am thankful for in the box so that I can
remind myself of how lucky I am."