Whether it is traveling to promote your own company or working as a representative for a larger corporation, many of us are familiar with life on the road as business professionals. While it can be enjoyable from time to time, it isn’t always easy, so proper preparation is a must. From smart packing to staying connected, there can be a lot to remember, so consider this list of helpful tips before you leave town.
Smart Packing Is Key
The first step to a successful business trip is strategic packing. In the weeks before your trip, start making a list of essential items that you absolutely cannot forget. Start by locating and packing all necessary travel documents, including your visa and driver’s license. Also, write down the address to the hotel, so you have it just in case your phone is lost.
On that note, you will want to verify that you have all of the technology necessary to last the trip. That means bringing your cell phone, computer, and tablet, if necessary, along with all applicable chargers. There may be times when you don’t have internet, so you should also bring some typical office supplies, like a notepad and pens, so you can get to work at a moment’s notice.
You also need to remember to bring the right clothes for the trip. Bring enough professional attire for the work days and some leisurewear for your days off so you can relax. It is a good idea to research the area ahead of time, so you know what the weather will be like. If it looks like rain, then consider bringing an umbrella or raincoat, so you don’t show up to your meeting with soaked clothes.
Reduce Stress Along The Way
Depending on the type of work you plan to accomplish during the trip, you may already be a little bit nervous. Sometimes, nervous energy can be good, but you don’t want to feel overly anxious when you are away from home. You need to get enough sleep, so you wake up every day refreshed, and you can do that by going to bed and waking up at the same time you do at home. Keep the TV and cell phone off as you lay in bed so the blue light doesn’t distract your sleep.
Once you wake up feeling energized, you can further ease your way into your day by establishing a morning routine, even when you are on the road. That might include getting some exercise down at the gym, having a healthy breakfast, and going over some paperwork before you leave for work. By having a routine, you won’t feel rushed, and you’ll be ready to take on the day.
While you may have plenty of meetings and work outings to attend, remember that you should also take some time to relax during your trip. After work, go sit by the pool or have a soak in the hot tub. You can also research tourist stops in the area and get a souvenir from every place you go. Mix business with pleasure to avoid unnecessary anxiety.
Stay On Top Of Tech
Even though you aren’t in the office, you will still want to prioritize tech during your journey so you can stay in touch and work when necessary. You can maintain constant communication with your team via email and instant messages and speak to employees face-to-face with video applications like Zoom. You can access these programs on laptops and cell phones, so install the apps and bookmark the websites before you go so you aren’t stressing out at the last minute.
You also never know when you may have to quickly access a file on your work computer back at the office, so take some time before you leave to learn the steps for creating a remote connection, so you know how to do it. Remember that if you have multiple screens, then you may need to see what is shown on all of them, so follow these steps to make running a remote desktop for multiple monitors a snap.
When you are out and about in unfamiliar places, it is easier to fall for the risks of cybercrime. You can protect yourself and your devices at all times by installing a virtual private network that will disguise your location and automatically encrypt your files. Also, be cautious when using public Wi-Fi and always ask a manager for the correct network when working from a restaurant or coffee shop.
In the end, working on the road is much different than being in the office, so you need to be prepared, so you aren’t overwhelmed or stressed. Consider these tips and make your next business trip much more manageable.
