Every minute matters during a business trip. As the travel experience will take you away from your loved ones and daily responsibilities, you are likely eager to tick every essential task off your itinerary as soon as possible.
If you often struggle to balance business meetings or networking with sightseeing and relaxation, it is a sign you need to make some adjustments ahead of your next work trip.
If you want to feel happier and more productive during the travel experience, read this helpful guide to maximising time on a business trip.
Step onto a Private Jet Charter
Many hardworking professionals travel via private jet rental, as it is a fantastic way to support productivity and relaxation during a flight.
First of all, you don’t need to worry about boarding delays or long queues at the gate, helping you save time while minimising frustration.
Also, you can work in a quieter, more comfortable setting, making it easier to focus on a task, take calls, or prepare for a meeting or presentation.
It is for this reason that some companies choose to hire a private jet rental for business travel, as it enables teams to work in a focused, confidential environment without disruptions.
As a result, you and potentially your team will arrive at a destination ready to blow a client away, deliver a successful pitch, or network with various professionals.
Get Involved in the Travel Arrangements
While an employee might have the best intentions when booking your hotel or flights, they could make one or more decisions that may work against you during a business trip.
For instance, they could book a luxury hotel miles away from a meeting’s location, or they might choose a travel time that doesn’t suit your schedule.
For this reason, you must become involved with the travel arrangements to ensure they complement your specific needs before and during a business trip. It is an effective way to save yourself time while minimising frustration.
Create a Detailed Travel Itinerary
It doesn’t matter if you are a CEO or manager; every hardworking professional should have a detailed travel itinerary during a business trip.
It will serve as a road map for the days ahead, as you will know exactly where you need to be and when you need to be there. Also, you can refer to the itinerary to learn about your travel arrangements, the daily schedule, and the names of the meeting participants.
Don’t forget to research the location of each meeting to identify the best order to attend, as it will stop you from doubling back throughout the day. It will boost productivity, lower your stress levels, and prevent frustrating delays.
Always try to set some time aside for a little downtime to make the business trip more enjoyable, too. For instance, clear some space for visiting an attraction, enjoying a fun leisure activity, or grabbing a bite to eat.
Choose Your Accommodation Wisely
The hotel you choose can determine how much time you have to spare during a business trip.
Don’t spend most of your day at a destination sitting in traffic. Instead, choose accommodation that is a short distance from your meeting or event location.
If you are attending more than one meeting or event, it is a wise idea to book a hotel in a central location that has access to fantastic transport links. Of course, before reserving a room, research how far the accommodation is from a train station to save yourself time and energy.
Download Handy Business Travel Apps
Work smarter, not harder, during a business trip by downloading one or more of the handy travel management tools available.
For example, TripIt is a fantastic travel app that enables each user to store their travel plans in one location. It is a quick and easy way to access online confirmations for a flight, car rental booking, travel insurance, and more.
If you are hoping to recoup travel expenses during the trip, Expensify could save you time and money, as it can quickly capture receipts, helping you track various expenses.
Bring a Colleague with You
If you are worried about squeezing too many meetings or events into a business trip, it might be a smart decision to bring a colleague or employee with you if possible.
Travelling alone might be a huge stretch when you need to mix with many clients, network at various events, or pitch to prospective investors.
However, travelling with another hardworking professional will allow you to split the workload, helping to maximise your time at a destination.
As a result, you could return home with many more new clients, leads, or stronger business relationships that could help your company grow from strength to strength.
Combine Business with Leisure
Constant formal meetings can feel stressful and tiring, making you feel exhausted once you step back onto a plane.
For this reason, consider inviting an existing or prospective client to join you for dinner or drinks instead of talking in a cold and clinical meeting room.
It is a great way to relax after a hard day and develop stronger relationships with potential or loyal customers, suppliers, or investors.
Delegate Tasks to Your Employees/Colleagues
The last thing you will want to do on a business trip is to respond to endless emails or complete time-sensitive tasks.
Minimise your workload by delegating as many tasks as possible to a trusted colleague or employee before jetting off to a destination abroad.
It is a superb way to provide a member of staff with more responsibility they might be craving, and you will have fewer jobs to complete once you return to your hotel room after a day of meetings or an event.
Plus, you can avoid returning home to issues by providing clear, detailed information on how to complete each task. It will ensure they know what to do and how to do it during your absence, and you can focus on following up on connections once you arrive back at your office.
