A business trip can be an opportunity or an ordeal – it all depends on how prepared you are.
With rising costs and tighter schedules, business owners and professionals are looking for ways to make work-related travel more efficient, productive, and, yes, even enjoyable. Here’s how with a bit of smart planning, alongside a few practical tools, you can make every work trip not only a pleasure, but one more step towards your business’s success journey.
Book early and let tech do the heavy lifting
Plan early. If you book transport and accommodation in advance it’s not only cheaper, but will widen your choice of flight times and hotel locations. Use digital platforms such as corporate travel apps and shared calendar tools to manage bookings and track expenses. You can even store itineraries, receipts and other travel documents in business cloud storage so they’re accessible anywhere.
Carry less, move faster
If you’re a seasoned traveller, you know that sticking to carry-on luggage will save you hours over the course of a trip. Opt for a minimalist approach. Use packing cubes to keep clothing organised, and bring along clothes in wrinkle-resistant fabrics so you can skip the ironing board entirely. Be inspired by the idea of the capsule wardrobe – a single, versatile jacket, for example, can look great for both client meetings and dinners out, freeing up space for essentials like portable chargers.
Join loyalty schemes and book strategically
Travel perks can really pay off. Make sure to join airline or hotel loyalty programmes early to get access to priority upgrades, quiet lounge areas, and discounts. Also, when you book accommodation, do it strategically (for example, choosing a centrally located hotel in the city that’s near client offices). This will help you be as productive as possible during the trip.
Make ‘bleisure’ work for you
Extending a work trip for leisure (known as ‘bleisure’) is becoming increasingly popular, but you really do need to plan it carefully. Identify activities such as music gigs or sightseeing near your meeting locales beforehand, and use your own personal time to explore without affecting your work commitments.
Make eco-minded business travel choices
Sustainable travel isn’t just good for the planet — it’s fast becoming a reputational asset. Where possible, go by rail instead of emission-heavy short-haul flights, or choose hotels with clear environmental policies. And remember that eco-friendly travel options will really resonate with increasingly discerning clients and other stakeholders.
Your blueprint for efficient business trips
Business travel has traditionally been seen as a chore. But with a few strategic choices, some clever tech, and a bit of flexibility, you can easily transform business travel from stressful necessity to a smooth and even enjoyable part of your professional life and routine.