Posts tagged as:

Business travel

What you see in the middle of nowhere, Part 3

by Rob Banks

I’ve described business trips in China like an episode of Fear Factor and a drinking game all wrapped into one. I keep expecting Joe Rogan to jump out and ask me to eat an uncooked elephant intestine for $25,000. It’s just like that, except no Joe and no money!

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BuildDirect Goes to ‘Noble House’

by Rob Banks

Taipan of the Noble House; Ian Dunross Struans. If these names mean anything to you you’ll probably enjoy this blog post. James Clavell (of Shogun fame) wrote a fabulous novel called Noble House. It was a sequel to the equally impressive novel, Taipan.

These are my two favorite books. I read them as a young adult and have re-read them several times. My wife thinks I’m crazy since I read them so often, but they are inspirational and entertaining for me. They definitely influenced my career path. I have always been enthralled (obsessed) with martial arts and Asian culture. This book, which takes place in Hong Kong, fed that Asian obsession.

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Business Travel Adventures in China: Airline Exercises

by Rob Banks

Other than the obvious differences in the service, language, food and ‘movie’ selection (I’m a little concerned that the general population that fly domestic Chinese airlines may all end up with hearing problems. They certainly are not shy on the volume level of said movies…) I have learned that the most unusual difference in the exercise routine that happens on longer flights (usually 2.5 hours+ in duration).

Here is a small clip of an exercise session that the entire plane took part in.

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BuildDirect Goes to The 2010 Olympic Oval

by Rob Banks

I had the chance to wander around the incredilbe Richmond Olympic Oval with my co-worker Rob Jones recently. I have a membership to work out at the gym, so we were able to enter the facility when it was closed to the public, hence the footage with no one else present. The building is amazing and absolutely huge inside. I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.

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Business Travel: What You See In the Middle of Nowhere, Part 2

by Rob Banks

Many of you have had fun and unique food experiences while traveling. Here are a few of mine.

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Things you see in the middle of nowhere – an ongoing series

by Rob Banks

I say that they are in the middle of nowhere. The title should read more like ‘things you see in places that you the majority of the population wouldn’t normally visit on a vacation’, but that seems like a mouthful. For the most part these photos or videos will come from my travels while on business in Asia. Some are intended to be educational. Some will surprise you. And some are just good for a laugh.

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Inside A Laminate Flooring Factory, Part 2

by Rob Banks

This second video shows a very cool feature on the newer generation of laminate flooring: narrow boards and bevel edging. This shows one of the two techniques that factories use to give the bevel edging a natural look.

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Inside a Laminate Flooring Factory, Part 1

by Rob Banks

In today’s post I wanted to share what it looks like inside a laminate flooring factory, and this is part 1 of a series. This factory is located in Northern China and it was freezing! I have my suit jacket on but could have used a parka!

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BuildDirect at Domotex Flooring Show in Hanover Germany

by Rob Banks

Hanover is a decent looking northern German town that has really gown up over the past 20 years since it became a destination for large trade shows. I actually back-packed around Europe as a 19 year old one summer with a great buddy of mine (Jim Bjorkes: now a radio personality in Vancouver). We somehow ended up wandering the streets of Hanover, completely lost, poor and hungry.

Who would have thought that 19 years later I’d be posting video blogs from a Hanover trade show!

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Hello From Rob Banks – That’s Me

by Rob Banks

BuildDirect has done business in over one hundred countries. As the co-majority owner, co-founder and head of all procurement activities, I tend to be the international face of the company. In my travels I often see things that 99% of the population would not have the opportunity to be exposed to. I am so lucky to be on this journey and hopefully I can share a little of that with you.

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