Business travel can take some getting used to. There is no doubt that dealing with your work and personal responsibilities in another country can be nerve-wracking, so it’s important to be as prepared as possible.
With this in mind, we spoke to some regular travelers in the business world to identify some hacks for making overseas trips easier.
1. Pack lightly and carefully
It can be difficult to narrow down your belongings exclusively to the necessary items, but taking the time to only include essential items will make your trip easier and more comfortable.
Rather than considering what you want to take, focus on what is necessary for your trip and then add any luxuries afterward – this is a process followed by John Crossman, President of Crossman & Company. Mr. Crossman says he starts with necessities before considering items that would make him more productive, such as books or research papers, and then finally packs nonessentials.
Some of the most difficult decisions regarding packing relates to clothes, which need to be altered depending on the climate of a country and the type of engagements you are involved in. Paul Rigby, CEO of Consortiq.com, advises planning ahead for this to avoid looking unprofessional.
“Try to travel hand luggage only where possible and get a good quality carry-on suitcase with four wheels. Try to pack trousers and shoes that can be dressed up and down, this will help you travel light. I don’t believe there any truly successful tips for packing in order to avoid the crumpled look,” he recommends.
2. Hair Care and Beauty Items
Regardless of gender, it’s important for business travelers to present a professional image of themselves. However, overstuffing your luggage with beauty and hair care products to the point of excess can take up much-needed packing real estate and make bags heavier than they need to be. While many hotels provide the essentials, stocking up on some travel-sized beauty and hair care products can go a long way in helping you maintain a professional demeanor while avoiding taking up too much room in your luggage.
3. Plan and check your travel itinerary
It’s easy for travelers to lose track of where they need to be during a trip overseas. which is why an itinerary could be so useful.
Cheryl I. Procter-Rogers, APR, Fellow PRSA, PCC, MBA, MA, at A Step Ahead PR, advises new travelers to have a comprehensive set of materials to refer to so their trips go as smoothly as possible.
She explained: “I create a one or two-page itinerary that includes all travel information, including frequent flyer or hotel numbers. Names and titles of all contacts and their cell numbers.
“I always confirm flight arrangements, hotel, and ground transportation the day before. I check the weather reports for last-minute changes and if going overseas, review reports from Homeland Security.”
While this level of preparation may seem extensive, it could help to make all the difference if you are asked questions about your travel, or if your Wi-Fi or mobile data stops working.
4. Pack healthy food to keep you energized
Finding healthy food while travelling can be difficult, as many airlines and airports cater for convenience rather than healthy eating. Of course, some travelers are lucky enough to enjoy nutritious meals, but it is not a certainty.
Michael Gallant from Gallant Music recommends packing as much food as possible in plastic bags, with a focus on healthy and vitamin-rich foods that do not require refrigeration.
“Convention and hotel food can be dicey sometimes – so the more I can take care of myself ahead of time, the better. For me, lots of nuts, good dark chocolate, low sugar granola bars, and fresh and dried fruit and veggies go a long way,” Mr. Gallant advises.
He also suggests bringing a reusable water bottle for use on planes and in hotels, as this will help to make sure you have access to clean water no matter where you go.
5. Sign up for frequent flyer programs and incentive schemes
Many airlines have frequent flyer programs and incentive schemes that offer fantastic benefits, ranging from free flights to first-class lounge reservations and extra food.
As a new member, you may not receive perks immediately but, the sooner you sign up, the quicker you will be able to take advantage of the perks available.
Pamela Shand from Office Stage Consulting recommends: “Sign up for frequent flyer programs with hotels and airlines – When you’re ready to travel for fun you’ll have discounts and freebies waiting for you!”
Here are some of the top programs available through US airlines and hotels:
- American Airlines: AAdvantage Program
This program allows flyers to earn miles on American Airlines planes and other companies taking part in the scheme. Benefits can include flights, upgrades, holidays, car rentals, and hotels.
- Delta Airlines: SkyMiles
The SkyMiles program allows travelers to earn five miles for every dollar spent on flights. These miles can also be collected through Delta’s partner airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and Air France.
- Jet Blue: True Blue
Jet Blue’s True Blue program awards travelers with 3 points for every dollar spent, and they can also earn badges for completing activities such as using social media and purchasing a number of flights.
- Marriott: Marriott Rewards
With four different tiers (Rewards Member, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, and Platinum Elite) to choose from, it’s possible to pick up excellent benefits through the Marriott hotels scheme, including lower room rates and complimentary upgrades.
- Hilton: Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors has four different tiers of rewards, starting with member perks and working all the way up to Diamond. Benefits include 48-hour booking guarantees and 5 nights for the price of 4.
- Hyatt: World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt’s tiers start at the Member level and move up to Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist levels. Perks include free drinks, dedicated check-in areas, and member discount rates.
6. Avoid missing important business calls with a virtual phone number
Just because you are traveling for work, that doesn’t mean other areas of the business slow down. It is important to be able to still connect with customers and colleagues despite being on the go. With a virtual number from TollFreeForwarding.com, you can forward calls directly to your cell phone while traveling for business. This way you never have to worry about missing important calls while away from the office. Then, when you return to the office, you simply forward the calls back to your office line.
