Most of us enjoy going on holiday however when it comes to taking a business trip there often isn’t the same enthusiasm. It can involve long days, very little downtime and you’ll probably won’t have much opportunity to see the city or country you’re visiting. Understandably, your employer is paying for the trip so don’t want you to have too much fun on their time but is there any way to make the most from a business trip? Can you be productive and still make the trip more enjoyable?
Plan In Advance
I know you may have a last-minute trip foisted upon you but in most cases, you will have a reasonable length of time to plan your business trip. Booking early should give you the chance for cheaper tickets or a moderately priced upgrade and a decent hotel and room especially if you attending a busy event or conference. Also, if you run your own business, you’ll be glad to save the money.
In addition, planning ahead may allow you more flexibility to schedule meetings where and when you want them. This will save you time rushing around the city or conference centre and the possibility of turning up flustered and unprepared or even worse, late.
Upgrade Your Seat
Whether it’s by train or plane travelling business class, especially on longer journeys is essential. You get to bypass many of the queues, have space to work and prepare for the meetings ahead and you get somewhere more comfortable to rest or sleep.
Often the choice of food is better and healthier but stay away from that open bar. It may be tempting but keep that little treat for the return trip.
Choose The Right Hotel
This can be a matter of personal preference, do you want to stay by the airport or in the city centre? At the conference centre or a safe distance away? Again, it all depends on where you have arranged your meetings, in a ‘neutral’ venue or at the client’s offices.
Personally, I have used a number of airport hotels and rail hotels. Most provide a range of meeting rooms that can be booked for just a couple of hours or longer. Many of the better hotels also offer a useful car pickup service from the terminal.
You may prefer to stay with a brand you are familiar with and know exactly what facilities they have to offer. This is often an advantage when you are in a new country and want to know exactly what type of room and service they provide. It may not be the most exciting and very different to the choice you would make on a personal trip but after all, this is a business trip.
Use Those Loyalty Cards
Whether it’s airlines, hotels or restaurants sticking with the same brand can help build up those points which can help with upgrades and perks. Any of those little touches that make a trip more pleasurable and stress-free are always welcome. As a business owner, the more perks you don’t have to pay for, the better.
Also, as a business owner, you want to keep an eye on that budget especially when others or spending your money. So to stop those ‘surprise’ expenses and to keep business and personal expenditure separate it may be worth considering products such as fuel cards instead of just a credit card. Check out www.icompario.com to see what’s available.
Exercise And Eat Well
When travelling it is all too easy to opt for the greasy, unhealthy food option whether it’s in a motorway service station, airport lounge or a hotel bar. Make an effort to go for the healthy option, as mentioned the food choice should be better when you are travelling business class. Try not to get carried away at that ‘all you can eat’ hotel breakfast!
When it comes to fitness you don’t have to get up at 6 am to hit the gym just get out of the hotel and take a walk. It’s always a plus if the hotel has a health centre and pool.
Make It A Long Weekend
When you’ve finished your business trip and if you have the opportunity, why not stay an extra day and actually see the place you are visiting. Take some time out to be a ‘proper’ tourist. This may be easier at the end of the working week.
In the past, I’ve visited Venice, Amsterdam and Lugano, Switzerland and didn’t see much of these beautiful destinations. Luckily I’ve since been back to Amsterdam and Venice.
So these are some of my personal business travel tips. Don’t forget, when you are flying home, you can treat yourself to that free bar. Have you seen an airport lounge bar on a Friday evening, the KLM lounge in Schiphol could simply be described as ‘carnage’!
