For a business owner like yourself, travelling is part of daily life. Whether you are selling consumer products or offering niche services to other businesses, you will always be hitting the road for another meeting or industry event. With the time and money you will be spending on business travels, ensuring your journey brings value is important. Before preparing for another business trip, don’t leave home without remembering these tidbits:
1. Know if an In-Person Meeting is Needed
The past three years have taught you that not all meetings require your physical presence. If it’s just a simple transaction, you’re better off doing the meeting online. This will spare you from spending a cent or wasting precious time queueing at the check-in counter. Unless it’s a high-level meeting with other business executives, opt instead for a video conference.
2. Set a Clear Schedule and Itinerary
If you have a legitimate purpose to schedule a business trip, it matters a lot to prepare an itinerary. This will spare you from tedious problems that will cost you more than just money. Without a clear itinerary, you could arrive late at your meeting and this might cost you a valuable business deal. Set and follow your schedule closely to avoid unwanted delays. You might also need to prepare a Plan B in case you run into problems with your accommodations or if the other side announced a postponement.
3. Bring Only What’s Necessary
The items you will bring along will either provide comfort and convenience or make it difficult for you to move around. If you are preparing for a five-day trip to Paris, make sure you have extra baggage space for casual clothing and devices like your laptop. In case it’s an out-of-town meetup that could last the weekend, you might as well travel light. It pays to be prepared, but having too much baggage will only add inconvenience to the entire trip.
4. Know Who to Call During an Emergency
If you are travelling alone, inform your staff about your itinerary and give updates from time to time. Assign a point of contact and make sure everyone’s aware because you wouldn’t know if there’s going to be an emergency along the way. It’s also important to know who to contact in case of an accident. If you are going on an official trip on a motorcycle, having the numbers of your insurer and a motorcycle accident lawyer will come in handy.
5. Enjoy the Little Things
You can’t expect to be all serious throughout the business trip. This is your opportunity to escape from your desk and appreciate the world outside the office. After you are done with your agenda, take in as much of the culture as you can by savouring local dishes and pampering yourself. Buy souvenirs from local shops and talk to the natives. Expose yourself to anything that comes your way and you might come home with more than just partnership agreements and investment deals.
Going on business travels is one of the best perks of being an entrepreneur. Follow these tips and make the most of the journey.