Business travel tips
Quick insights
- Consider booking business travel early to secure the best possible travel prices.
- You may want to bring a portable Wi-Fi device if you need fast, reliable internet access while traveling.
- Business travel can be a great way to make new connections and grow your business.
Online meetings have become a common way of conducting business with colleagues and clients both near and far. It can be really easy to jump on a virtual call, but there are some instances when a face-to-face meeting can be more beneficial. And if you’re looking to conduct more in-person meetings, you may also find yourself traveling for business more too.
In this article, we will cover some common business travel tips to help you plan your next work trip from start to finish.
Traveling for work
How often you need to travel for work can vary. Some roles require little travel while others have expectations of 50 percent travel. There are also seasons within a business that may require more travel than others.
Whether you find yourself consistently hopping on flights and booking rental cars or only taking the occasional business trip, there are some ways to help your travels go smoothly.
Business travel hacks
Frequent business travel can require heighted coordination and planning. Here are some tips to help make business travel easier for you and your coworkers:
Minimize travel expenses
Researching and booking flights and accommodations as far as possible in advance can help you secure better rates. This may be especially important if you’re looking to minimize your travel expenses. You may also want to consider booking alternative lodging options such short-term rentals, which can offer cost savings over traditional hotel stays. If staying at a hotel, you may want to check if they have a corporate rate available to you.
Utilizing travel rewards programs and credit card points can also help offset expenses, making your trip more budget friendly. Additionally, comparing prices across multiple platforms and setting up price alerts can help you find the best deals available on travel.
Transportation can be a large travel expense. You may be able to opt for public transportation or rideshare services instead of rental cars. This can reduce costs while providing convenient travel options.
Manage travel itineraries and expenses
Traveling for work will likely require purchases and expenses that are related to the work you’re doing. There are many apps that can help you track and categorize expenses and receipts while you’re on the go.
To stay organized and on time for your flights and meetings, use apps or the notes feature on your phone to keep track of your itinerary. You may consider downloading travel-specific apps that provide real-time updates on flights and accommodations which can help you stay informed throughout your trip.
Maximize productivity while traveling
Just because you're traveling for business, that doesn’t mean your day-to-day work stops. If you’re looking to stay on top of your workload, you may be able to maximize your productivity while traveling by:
- Setting a clear schedule during your time away
- Prioritizing important tasks and urgent communications when you have downtime
- Finding quiet workspaces, such as airport lounges or co-working spaces—or even a hotel room at night—to focus on work tasks
- Using noise-canceling headphones when working to minimize distractions
- Taking advantage of downtime during flights or layovers to catch up on work.
To work on the go, you’ll likely need reliable internet. That could be free, public Wi-Fi or a hot spot on your phone. If you need a strong internet connection, consider bringing a portable Wi-Fi device with you.
Maintain work-life balance during business trips
Work travel can be grueling, and you may have to be “on” more than normal. If this isn’t an environment you thrive in, you may want to set boundaries for your trip that include specific work and leisure time. Consider building breaks and downtime into your schedule so you can recharge before your next big meeting or event.
You also may be tempted to burn the midnight oil with coworkers or colleagues to get in more face time. But you may not want to do that at the expense of your own rest.
Network and build relationships during business trips
Networking and building relationships during business trips can be highly rewarding, and attending industry events, conferences or meetups is a great way to connect with peers face-to-face. To make the most of these opportunities, you may want to spend time preparing an elevator pitch and have business cards ready for seamless introductions.
Following up with new contacts promptly can be crucial for establishing lasting relationships. Upon your return, consider who you need to reach out to or follow up with— even if it’s just to express how much you enjoyed getting to meet them.
Consider safety and security while traveling
If using public Wi-Fi while traveling, you may want to be cautious about the information you access and send while using a public network. You likely will want to keep you and your information safe and secure while traveling.
In summary
Many business owners find business travel worth it. The connections you can make while on the go can help propel your business forward. Having a plan of action before, during and after a work trip can ensure that your time and resources were well spent while traveling for business.
