Planning, organizing and going on a regular or leisurely trip can be a challenge. Going on a business trip can significantly increase the challenge. There are many factors included and the workload also increases. Aside from preparing your personal needs for travel, you also need to secure documents and corporate information. You also have to think out of the box and get out of your comfort zone, as this travel is an extension of your work and your companions are not your family or friends but your workmates.
Pack Light
Packing lightly can help improve your mobility and lessen your physical exertion and mental stress. Fit everything inside a cabin bag or a carry-on bag. This way, you won’t have to check your bags and risk losing them, you can also save from avoiding the extra charges for check-in bags and you also skip the waiting time from the unloading of your baggage. In the event of flight delays and cancellations, you can save yourself from the extra baggage fee if you wish to take another plane or carrier. You lessen the travel time by going in and out of the airport quickly and loading your bag quickly for land transport towards your hotel. You can also plan ahead your itinerary like booking a car or bus in advance like Stockton bus rental to avoid any delays. The results are a relaxed travel, shorter time to unpack and get settled, and having more time to focus on your priorities, like preparing for your meeting and going over your report.
Create a Checklist
A checklist comes in handy when you have many activities lined up when you travel for leisure or for business. It serves as a reminder for you not to forget the important things to bring and the important events that are about to happen on your business trip. Your list could include anything from the type of footwear you need to take to reminding you to Send money to Malaysia before you leave, and that’s the beauty of this method, it works for the individual and will more often than not help you avoid any mistakes or added stress along the way. This way, you are preventing the possibilities of a no-show or showing up late for the meeting or gathering during a business trip. There are many organizer and appointment-setting apps that you can add to your phone to give you alerts of upcoming schedules. If you want a reminder without the distracting alert tone, you can always go for the old-school way of writing down a physical checklist. Print or hand write your checklist and create more than one copy if you need to. Stick this paper on places that you frequently go into a hotel room or a relative’s house, like the door, the wardrobe or the fridge.
Equip Yourself With Smart Gadgets
Aside from a laptop and a cell phone, there are many helpful gadgets you can bring to make your travel more secure, stress-free and enjoyable. Don’t forget to bring the chargers of your laptop and cell phone. Bring an extra camera with you even though your phone comes equipped with it. This way, you have a device dedicated to taking pictures and videos for documentation purposes. If you are going on a local, interstate or regional business trip within the country and you are allowed to bring your own vehicle, you can equip it with a fleet dash cam. It serves as an added security measure for your travel and an additional gadget for documentation purposes. It records tamper-free video footage of your travel while on the road and can also record the travels of your business team if you go on a business trip with a fleet or group of vehicles. In cases of delays due to vehicle breakdown or accident, this handy gadget can be presented as proof to warrant you a reprieve or a second chance for not making it to the meeting on time.
Dress the Part
Following up on your light packing, bring only the necessary items for the trip, including clothing. Wear something casual and smart when going on a flight or travelling by land. It gives a good impression to your accompanying co-workers and the clients you’ll be meeting at the end of your trip that you’re on ready mode and you also exude professionalism. Bring a business attire with you and an extra casual wear and formal wear just in case there will be black-tie events or an invitation for dinner from your colleagues or superiors.
Don’t Leave The Fun Part Out
No matter how serious the discussion and the report will be on your business trip, it is always helpful to have fun and enjoy the scenery and nightlife of your destination. If you’ll be arriving a day early for your scheduled meetings and appointments, you can check out unusual landmarks and tourist attractions in the place you are visiting. Disconnect yourself from work and the worries about the upcoming meeting by spending an offline moment of enjoyment and relaxation. This can relieve tension and stress and can help clear your mind in preparing your upcoming presentation or report. If you arrive a day early for an international business trip. Manage your time wisely to include some fun activities like checking out the culture, cuisine and pubs. Practice some restraint and a sense of discipline by not going overboard with the fun activities, particularly those involving drinking.
A business trip need not be intimidating and stressful. In the corporate world, this is a necessary activity, and you should consider yourself fortunate to be part of a business trip. It helps improve your knowledge and broadens your horizon in your career. You also get to acquire new skills and learn resources which you can share when you get back from the business trip. Just remember to enjoy and have fun while you maintain a professional disposition throughout your business travel.
