Business travel isn’t the same as leisure travel. Even for experienced travelers, business travel can be overwhelming. But business travel is nothing to be afraid of.
When done properly, business travel can change your career. It could even change your life.
Here are five things you need to know for your first business trip.
- Planning Ahead
Good planning is the key to any trip.
Before you leave, you should have the basics booked.
Double-check your flight and hotel information. Know how you will get from the airport to the hotel. Have things written down in case your phone runs out of battery.
Have back-up plans in place.
You never know when something will go wrong.
A hotel could have messed up the booking. Your flight could get delayed.
Look up some other hotel options or travel routes.
Bring everything that you’ll need for work. When possible, bring extras.
You never know when you’ll spill coffee on your shirt.
Bring digital and hard copies of your work. Things could get lost. You might run into technological difficulties.
It’s better to be over-prepared.
Being ready for anything will impress your colleagues.
- Good Booking
It’s easy to book an excellent place to stay.
It’s even easier if you use a booking service to find the best hotel room rates.
Do a bit of research and see what the options are.
Of course, booking a great place takes time and energy.
If you’re a frequent business traveler, it’s better to use a professional service.
Find a service that specializes in business travel.
Your needs during business travel are different than when traveling for leisure.
It’s important that you have a good internet connection.
All your other needs should be met. When traveling for work, your focus should be on work. If you’re worried about your hotel, you’ll be distracted.
Hotels are good options for business travel.
Staying in an apartment might be nice when you’re traveling for fun. But an apartment rental won’t have the same amenities.
When you’re stressed with work, it’s nice to have 24/7 reception.
A fitness center and room service aren’t bad perks, either.
- Quality Entertainment
There is a lot of boredom involved in travel.
You’ll have to wait in line at the airport. There’s not much you can do while you’re at the airport or on the plane.
When traveling internationally you probably won’t have cell service.
Most airports don’t offer free internet.
Be prepared and bring your own entertainment.
Not all flights have in-flight movies.
Download movies ahead of time on your tablet.
Bring a good book or download an audiobook or podcast.
Books are ideal forms of entertainment for travel. They don’t require an internet connection. You don’t need to worry about a book running out of battery.
The only problem is that books can get heavy.
Pack a smaller book or see about investing in a Kindle.
Magazines and newspapers are other interesting entertainment forms.
- Practical Luggage
You need to pack well.
You don’t want to waste time ruffling through your suitcase.
Invest in luggage designed for business travel.
Select a bag that works for you.
It’s best to travel with as little luggage as possible.
See if you can travel with only a carry on.
This is difficult for international or longer trips.
Even when you’re checking a bag, have backups in your carry on.
You never know when your luggage might be lost.
Don’t put your valuables in checked luggage if you don’t need to.
Pack an extra set of clothes in case your luggage gets lost.
- Increased Productivity
Use travel time to stay productive.
Print out those reports you’ve been meaning to read.
Answer emails or write those papers you hate getting around to.
There’s no reason why you need to lose time due to travel.
In fact, you might even find that you’re more productive while traveling.
Create a list of things you can accomplish during travel.
Make sure you don’t have any deadlines while you’re traveling.
You never know when something might go wrong.
It’s always good to have extra time.
Conclusion
Business travel doesn’t need to be stressful. If you follow these tips, there’s no reason your next trip shouldn’t run smoothly.
