At one point in his life, a businessman has to travel either to meet prospective clients, suppliers, etc. To some, traveling is a wonderful excuse to sneak in a quick vacation. For others, travelling can be a pain what with all the planning, booking, packing, etc. If you are a businessman who needs to travel soon or you are frequent traveler but dread it, here are a few tips to make the experience smoother.
Plan Ahead
You’re a businessman and you are used to planning so why not plan ahead for a future business travel? Plan which airline you are going to use, which hotel you will be staying in, if you are going to work while in transit, etc. What do you want to achieve during this time? You can also list down small goals such as sign x number of papers, polish notes, read emails, etc.
Don’t Forget Your Passport
This is something so obvious and yet a lot of people still forget to bring their passports. This is especially true for very busy businessmen. You will undergo a lot of stress if you forget this very important piece of document so be sure to double check before you leave the house.
Arrive Early
At the most, arrive on time. You don’t want to be running around the airport catching your flight. If you arrive, say, an hour or so before boarding, you can relax, have a snack and pick a good plane seat. If you have forgotten something, you still have some time to call someone to bring it to you.
Sleep
While in transit, get some much needed shut eye. Some businessmen like to get some work done while travelling but really, the best thing for you to do is relax and get some rest. How many nights have you slaved away for work? Even a 1-hour nap can do wonders to clear your head and refresh your spirits. You can be sure that you are ready to tackle the challenges ahead when you step off that plane.
Make Use of the Facilities
Make sure where you are staying has wifi, this means you can work like you are in your office on the move. Many hotels now offer free wifi and make use of the hotel telephone system to ensure clear calls to clients and cut down on roaming charges.
Be Hydrated
Your skin and body can suffer dehydration in high altitudes so be sure to drink water every now and then especially on long flights. If you like to have a drink or two (of the alcoholic kind), be sure that you are still getting enough water to keep you hydrated. You will also need a clear head once you land and alternating water with sips of wine or champagne is a good idea.
Have Fun
Most business owners no longer know the meaning of the word “fun”. Although this is a business trip, don’t be too serious about it. For instance, don’t worry about jet lag, enjoy the place your are going to visit, try a great restaurant, bring home a nice souvenir. Inject small doses of fun into your every day plans and you will surely look forward to your next trip.