12 Tips for Maximizing Your Business Trip
Written by: Mia Barnes
Traveling is stressful enough without corporate objectives and a slew of tiring meetings on your agenda. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have a fulfilling business trip. Check out these dozen tips to help you find your way.
1. Understand Your Itinerary
A business trip may have multiple objectives, such as meeting a new client, reviewing a proposal or attending an industry conference. Prioritize these goals throughout your stay. You can schedule business-related activities, accommodation and other parts of your itinerary around them.
2. Pack Smart
Business travel comes with different packing priorities. Instead of casual clothes and beach reads, expect to bring professional attire, your laptop or tablet and maybe a few productivity tools. You can use packing cubes to capitalize on your luggage space and secure everything. Create a checklist of trip essentials — about 31% of American travelers have forgotten their cellphones, so check your bag twice.
3. Dress for Success
Bring enough corporate clothing to last the entire trip, especially if you’re attending multiple face-to-face meetings. If it’s a lengthier period, bring versatile pieces like blazers and pencil skirts that you can mix and match at your destination. You can also book a hotel with an on-site laundry room for guests or bring a small, travel-sized supply of detergent.
4. Pick Safe Accommodation Spaces
Some people settle for the least expensive hotels to save money. However, it’s worth investing in your safety. If you’re unfamiliar with the destination, read reviews from fellow travelers who have stayed there before. Prioritize places with high ratings for cleanliness, security and staff responsiveness. You can also check whether the property has features like secure entry, 24-hour front desk staff and proximity to well-lit, populated areas.
5. Plan How You’ll Get Around
Are you flying or driving to your destination? After arriving, what’s the plan for getting around the area? Even if your budget allows renting a car, you might prefer to explore the destination on foot. Over 60% of U.S. adults don’t get enough physical activity, so a business trip is an excellent opportunity to meet your daily step quota and experience a new city.
6. Use Technology for Productivity
Today’s tech is ideal for working on the go. Besides packing your trusty laptop, download travel-friendly apps like flight trackers, cloud storage, navigation platforms and team collaboration tools to stay ahead of the curve.
7. Check Company Updates
Speaking of staying connected, keep in touch with your co-workers throughout the business trip. Prepare how you’ll respond if a colleague tries to schedule a meeting during your planned downtime. Adjust accordingly to unexpected changes like delayed hotel check-ins or canceled events.
8. Network Confidently
Use your next business trip to break out of your shell and spark new connections. You’ll meet people with fresh perspectives, experience and advice you didn’t know you needed — often in the most casual moments.
9. Create Your Budget
Before your trip, review your company’s daily expense policy to understand spending limits. From there, set a personal budget for meals, local attractions and other essentials. It’s wise to carry at least $100 in cash for unexpected situations, especially when traveling in an unfamiliar city.
10. Practice Self-Care
You can still enjoy yourself while on a business trip. Plan leisure activities to do when the workday ends, like treating yourself to a meal at a five-star restaurant or buying a souvenir to keep on your desk back at the office.
11. Keep Receipts of Expenses
Keep the receipts for every business-related expense, whether paper bills from a restaurant meeting or screenshots of rides booked for getting to a convention. You can use these to get reimbursed or have them as proof of participation.
12. Journal Your Experience
Write down your professional and personal takeaways from your business trip. Journaling can help you spot patterns and gain a fresh perspective. You can also review your journal entries in preparation for your next trip.
Have an Empowering Business Trip
Business travel can be challenging, especially for first-time travelers. Still, every trip is an opportunity to build experience and broaden your perspective. Stay alert, make wise choices and prioritize safety for a successful, stress-free journey.