Traveling for work allows you to visit places you wouldn’t see otherwise. And just because you’re technically on the clock doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your trip.
Consider these four tips to make the most of your next business trip.
1. Make Better Use of Your Time
Clearing up your schedule allows more opportunities to enjoy your surroundings. If you’re a busy business owner with no time to spare, you’ll want to consider this practical tip.
Begin by creating a time diary to see where most of your time is going. Are you scheduling hour-long team meetings that you could easily replace with an email? Do you have smaller tasks that you could delegate to another team member or outside source? For example, if you’re hiring and going on a business trip, maybe you could benefit from a service like Scoutlogic to streamline the recruiting process.
Take advantage of any opportunity to optimize your schedule. More importantly, don’t fill in these blank slots on your calendar with new tasks. Leave them open and use this extra time to enjoy the city you’re visiting.
2. Keep Technology Charged
You won’t always have access to an outlet when you’re traveling. Because you don’t want your laptop to shut off in the middle of an important email, make sure your technology is 100% charged before you step foot in an airport. You’d be surprised at how much battery life a phone call or email can take up.
You can also improve battery life by adjusting the screen brightness on your devices or turning off certain apps. When all else fails, be sure to have a portable charger for those emergencies.
3. Dress Professionally
Wouldn’t you hate meeting someone you look up to while wearing baggy sweats and a t-shirt? It’s one thing to dress for comfort on a personal vacation but another matter for a business trip. You never know who will be on the same flight as you or who you’ll run into at the airport. Therefore, always dress professionally and put your best foot forward.
You’ll also receive better customer service when you dress to impress. Your professional appearance will come in handy when an important flight gets canceled and you need to reschedule. Or, let’s say your flight is delayed and you’re running late for an important meeting. Cab drivers pick and choose who they give rides to, and like it or not, appearances matter!
4. Bring Sleep Essentials
To function on a business trip, you need to be well-rested. It helps if you pack items that will make sleeping easier.
For example, a travel neck pillow and blanket make sleeping on a long flight more bearable. Noise-canceling headphones are also a must when getting some shut-eye in a loud environment.
These items will help you sleep on the plane and at the hotel. Pack any items that help you get a better night’s rest.
The Takeaway
When you make better use of your time, you’ll have more spare time to enjoy the destination while also keeping up with a busy schedule. Keep these four practical tips in mind next time you’re away on business to make the most of your trip. Safe travels!
