Travelling for pleasure is something anyone would be keen to do. Whether you are headed to the beach for a relaxing weekend or visiting family and friends you haven’t seen in ages, this is no doubt an enjoyable event most people would look forward to.
However, when it comes to travelling for business, this is an entirely different matter. The mere prospect of packing, going through airport security, planning your itinerary, and looking for a corporate vehicle rental can all seem like a tedious process.
But, at some point in your career, you’ll need to attend conferences, visit clients or meet personally with stakeholders, all of which you can’t avoid. So, if you want to stay safe and healthy, and keep your sanity while on the road, here are some tips to help make your business travel go smoothly.
Try these simple hacks for business travel
#1 Pack light and smart in a durable bag
The best place to start is with your suitcase. In case you have a suitcase that is too old, you should consider replacing it with something more modern. The latest bags have fabrics and materials that are lighter, more durable, and easier to carry than older suitcases.
It’s also a great idea to travel light. Before packing your clothes, check out the climate of your destination, then choose what you should wear accordingly. To save some space, roll up your clothes instead of folding them so you’ll have more room in your bags.
#2 Charge all your devices before you travel
Before you even set one foot outside your home, make sure you charge all your electronic devices like your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
The last thing you want to happen is your phone dying out on you because you forgot to charge it the night before.
#3 Choose the most efficient method of transport
You have many modes of transportation, including travelling by land, sea, or air. Before choosing one way to travel over another, determine the best option available to you.
Consider the pros and cons you might overlook. Remember, some may allow you to get work done while you’re in transit.
#4 Choose your accommodation carefully
Since you’ll be far from home, the place where you’ll be staying at plays a crucial role. Even if you have a wide variety of accommodations to choose from, your lodging options can either make or break your business trip.
Therefore, think carefully about your wants and needs. And if you want to save some money, you can easily shop around online for the best rates.
#5 Find ways to reduce your personal expenses
Being cost-efficient is great. You can save your company a few hundred dollars, and your boss will probably commend you for it. But you should think carefully where to reduce your expenses.
For example, if your goal is to make a good first impression with a potential client, you shouldn’t think twice about renting a nice-looking car. Also, having Wi-Fi may cost an additional expense on your hotel bill, but having access to the Internet is a necessity, especially for business travelers.
#6 Stay in contact with the office when possible
When you’re on the go, you can’t always find the time to communicate with the people you work with, so make sure you allocate some time in your busy schedule to catch up on your emails, voicemails, Skype messages, and everything else.
#7 Make the most of your trip
Even if you’re on business, you can always squeeze in some fun activities on your daily schedule. Find the time to stay active. Instead of holing up in your hotel room, take a stroll or jog for half an hour.
Also, give yourself some time to re-calibrate. Take short breaks before you go in an important business meeting to help relax both your mind and body. Lastly, get to know the place you’re visiting. There’s no harm in soaking in the sights and sounds the area you’re in has to offer. Visit some good restaurants and socialize with the locals if possible.
What steps do you take to make your business travel go without a hitch? Did you go on a business trip recently? How was your experience? We’d love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment.