Travelling abroad for business is an entirely different experience from a holiday, and should be approached – and planned – accordingly. Minimalism and efficiency are key; when you have to spend an entire day at a conference, the last thing you want to do is waste time on logistical setbacks.
Here are our top tips to make your business trips a breeze.
- Invest in a power bank
Eliminate the rising panic that happens as you watch the battery drain from your electronic devices when you need them the most. A high-capacity portable charger will ensure you’re able to stay connected no matter where you are – whether it’s an airport in Greece, or a traffic jam in Mumbai.
- Opt for carry-on
Checking your bags is an added stress in several ways: not only do you have to wait in line to check them in, but you also have to wait to collect them at your destination. Additionally, there’s always the risk of lost luggage.
Many airlines these days have generous cabin baggage allowances of 10kg or more. This means you can easily manage with just one bag that fits in the plane’s overhead locker, even on longer trips.
- Simplify your wardrobe
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the late Steve Jobs were onto something: the former only wears grey t-shirts, while a black turtleneck was part of the latter’s uniform. Not having to think of an outfit is one less decision to make every day, and for frequent flyers, taking a leaf from their book could save you precious baggage space.
Stick to two or three neutral colours and only bring two suits, one of which you can wear on the flight to further reduce the number of things you need to carry.
- Have a digital backup of all essential information
Be sure to scan all your important documents. These include your passport, driver’s licence, visas, insurance details, and any other official certifications that would be difficult to replace quickly. That way, even if you lose the physical document, you won’t be stranded in a foreign country.
Keep a copy of each document on your laptop or external hard drive, as well as on a cloud-based storage service such as Dropbox or Google Drive so you can access them from anywhere in the world.
Being able to remotely access your company’s database can also be extremely useful when you’re on the move. Whether you’re about to demonstrate a product to a potential client or touch base with a business acquaintance, being able to get a quick overview of your mutual contacts or read your colleagues’ notes about their needs and preferences will give you an edge. Consider using Sansan, which digitises business cards in multiple languages and uploads them onto a cloud-based platform.
- Prepare for offline contingencies
Most of us are guilty of relying on our devices for even the simplest of tasks. However, when travelling, it’s best to take precautions: write down a list of all the places you need to go, when you need to be there, and their addresses. Don’t forget to include the address of your hotel, too.
Business travel doesn’t have to be tedious and tiresome. By following these tips, you should be able to enjoy a more convenient and comfortable trip. Bon voyage!
