The excitement of an upcoming business trip – the chance to meet new people and explore a new city can be quite thrilling. Business travel has increased tremendously and has become more efficient with time. Nothing can replace the value of face-to-face interaction, whether it’s to meet a new client, or strengthen relationships with existing clients. There are quite a few easy tips that anyone can take to make any work trip a productive one.
1. Have a Travel Checklist
The stress of forgetting to pack anything simple as a phone charger can dampen the whole trip. Make a list in advance of all the items to carry to have a stress-free start to the trip. Consider investing in a travel bottle set to have routine items like shampoo. Avoid having check-in baggage. With check-in baggage, there is always a chance of it being lost or wasting time at baggage claim. Opt instead for carry-on luggage.
2. Invest in efficiency
Book direct flights or trains for a smooth journey and plan and inquire about the Wi-Fi services on the journey. Try to get mundane tasks done such as replying to emails, and scheduling your work calendar. Always keep an extra power source, headphones, and other productivity tools in your bag. Invest in some carry-on suitcases that have built-in battery chargers. Rather than carrying a heavy laptop around, opt for an all-in-one device that can serve both as a tablet and a laptop. While traveling, make sure all files are accessible and backed up in cloud storage.
3. Exercise and eat well
Being healthy is essential for productivity, engagement, and impact. Travel is often used as a free pass to indulge in food and skip exercise, but don’t be so shortsighted. To gain mental clarity and confidence make sure to eat healthy which greatly impacts business endeavors and customer influence.
4. Get to Know Your Destination
Always take the time to research where you’ll be staying and what’s nearby before you arrive. Is there a grocery store nearby where you can get some snacks? See if there are any nearby restaurants for dinner with your client, or to just relax after a busy day of meetings. Check if the city offers services like Uber for traveling to and from meetings. Having information of these sorts about your destination will save you valuable time when you get there and you will have one less distraction on your plate.
5. Unwind
Always find time to unwind, pause and decompress. No matter how productive you are, it’s very important to take a step back and relax. It could be as small as having a quiet dinner, reading a book, or meditating.
Finally, don’t forget – you are in a whole new city. Take advantage of the fact you’re traveling and go sightseeing. Immerse in a new culture and relish every moment.
