Travelling for business is a great way to see the world, without having to foot the bill! If you’re fortunate enough to be able to travel in your line of work, there’s often the opportunity to get a couple of days to explore a new city on the way. However, preparation is key to make the most of your time and ensure your journey is stress-free. With that in mind, here’s our 7 top habits of highly successful business travellers to ensure your trip is a success!
The Right Luggage
Ditch the checked luggage for your next trip if it’s under a week long and take a carry-on bag only – most airlines allow 10kg in the cabin, which is enough for most people. The secret is to have lightweight luggage, since it is much more portable and easy to place in the overhead compartment. If you carry it on your back, your shoulders will appreciate your choice of a light product. The fact that a piece of luggage is light doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not durable, but you have to be sure that you’re buying a quality product.
Not only will travel to and from the airport be less taxing, it will be quicker too, since you’ll not have to wait at the baggage carousel. Depending on your work schedule, this can give you precious extra time to go out and explore before getting down to business!
Staying Healthy
This may sound obvious or even unnecessary to mention, but people sometimes forget how important it is to be healthy, fresh and productive on a business trip, because such occasions require that you stay on top of your game. So, make sure you’re in good shape and that you’ve investigated opportunities for healthy meals or exercising at your destination. Of course, this won’t make much of a difference if you don’t follow the same regime while at home, but it can help ensure you’re full of energy when on the road, helping to ensure you’re still in the mood for a bit of sightseeing after all those important meetings are wrapped up!
A Productive Itinerary
The better you plan your itinerary, the better chances of having a successful trip you’ll have. You’ll be able to focus on the tasks ahead if you sort out as many details as possible before the trip. This includes printing your boarding pass, hotel booking confirmations and the schedule of your meetings, but it should also include some time for you to do something that is not business related. For example, if you are travelling to California, it would be a shame to miss out on an opportunity to visit some of the most renowned wineries, so you can contact reliable DMC California to help you develop a program for your visit and save a lot of time planning such an excursion yourself.
Delegate Wisely
While you’re away, other people need to take care of the business matters at home. Make sure that you clarify and delegate all the duties and responsibilities. Your colleagues must not be overly reliant on your presence and things have to run smoothly even while you’re away. Ideally, have at least one channel of communication open for any potential emergency.
Take The Early Flight
Most businesspeople choose early flights so that they minimize the chances of their flight being delayed. On top of that, statistics show that early flights tend to have the most no-shows, which could mean that you can get a seat upgrade. Finally, the sooner you arrive at your destination, the more time you’ll have to relax before the meeting, do a bit of exploring, or even have a decent meal.
Have a Packing List
No matter how often you travel, having a checklist is always a good idea. It can be very specific in terms of the items you need to take, but it doesn’t have to be, as long as it includes everything you need. That includes some smart, yet comfortable clothes and footwear, as well as various gadgets, chargers and other equipment. Don’t forget to bring your camera and travel blogging gear along too to make the most of your downtime!
Bring Petty Cash
If you’re traveling abroad, you have to be prepared that it might not be possible to withdraw money from a cash machine at the airport, so make sure you have some cash in the local currency. You might need it to pay for the taxi, tip the driver or hotel housekeeper.
As you start travelling more frequently, you’ll develop some of the habits that work for you, but these seven are generally accepted as sound ideas to make the most of your trip.
Do you travel on business? How do you travel efficiently – why not share your travel tips in the comments below?