Business Travel Routines

It can be  extremely difficult to stay productive during business travel. Routines you follow while in your home office need to be tweaked in order to stay on top of your game.

Routines are an important part of your business life, and most likely run on autopilot. However, how effective are those routines when you're on the road? It's crucial that you keep up the same momentum no matter where your business travels take you. Have you figured out a way to adjust your day-to-days while flying for dollars; do you even know where to begin?

Business travel can be especially challenging, and, at times unpredictable, but it doesn’t have to be. Before you hop the train, plane, or get into your car for your next million dollar sales call, make sure you put these necessary tools in your backpack.

Backpacking for Business: Your Travel Backpack

When it's time to hit the road, you should always prepare ahead of time; flying by the seat of your pants will lessen your ability to be as effective as you can be. Remember, you are not just a passenger in a plane, you are the pilot of your company!  Sit and think about tasks you do on a regular basis and determine a way to fit them in while traveling. Better yet, automate and systemize anything you do more than three times.  Once your systems are in place, things will run smoothly whether you are in your home office or on the road.

The Art of The Pack

Don't wait until the last minute to pack your clothing, personal, and business items. There's nothing like showing up for a meeting in your gym clothes because your suits were left hanging on the closet door or taking an Uber to Target at midnight to buy socks.

Here's a few packing tips:

Clothing and Necessities

• Pack all business clothes around ONE neutral color (black, blue, or brown) so you only need ONE pair of dress shoes. Shoes take up lots of space in a suitcase.

• If you travel often, keep a second makeup/toiletry bag stocked ready to go in your suitcase so you don't have to mess with remembering what to bring.

• Bring a bottle of water in your suitcase to rehydrate when you land. Not all hotels provide water in the room.

• Always pack exercise gear and gym shoes so you can walk or work out at your destination.

• Pack products that may leak in zip lock bags, in case something breaks in transit.

• Pack the day before the trip so you'll sleep better knowing everything is ready to go. You don't want to be running around like a chicken with his head cut off stressing to catch a flight.
  

• Set everything together in one place (suitcase, keys, purse, laptop). You'll be ready to load the car or jump in the cab and be on your way.

Other Useful Tips

Plan for Delays

An element of your business travel system should always include having some work with you that can be done anywhere. You have most likely experienced a flight delay or two, or an extended layover. This is the ideal time for you to utilize this system so despite any unforeseen setbacks, you can remain productive. Be sure to pack a backup battery for any electronic equipment you may have so you can catch up on work while you wait for your flight.

If traveling abroad, make sure you pack the appropriate electrical adapters and copies of important documents like ID and passports.

Tips To Stay Productive at Your Destination

It is proven that your health is directly associated with your energy levels which will affect your productivity. Working non-stop without a bit of "me time," or  change of scenery will quickly lead to burnout, and below average or low performance levels. You have invested the money to travel, so be sure to balance work with rest when on the road.

Get some exercise while on your trip. Before booking, investigate the hotel amenities if you like to workout. Or, take a walk or run in a safe area near your hotel.

Do not eat in your room while working on your computer. Get out and take a break at a restaurant with a healthy menu.

Avoid too much caffeine. Studies show that after eight hours, you will begin to experience an energy plunge.

Put your sweet tooth on hold.  We all know that sugar highs are very short lived, and you could actually feel worse when the sugar wears off.

Change up your work workspace. If your hotel does not have a business area in which to work, there are other options. You can rent a space by the hour, day, week or month. Facilities like ShareDesk have locations all over the globe. If you work better in a business environment, this may be a good choice for you. You can have your home office away from home.

According to Michael W. McCormick, Executive Director of the Global Business Travel Association, "Global business travel remains a critical driver of the success of organizations around the globe.”  Since you are going to travel, might as well make it a healthy and productive trip by following the tips in this post.

Take your first step toward business travel success. When you travel, make sure you pre-plan and implement the necessary systems in order to achieve your optimum level of productivity and effectiveness. Gain Advantages can help you implement travel and other systems relating to your business so they run on autopilot. Find out more today with your complimentary strategy session.