Traveling for business can be stressful. From booking flights and hotels to finding your way around a new city, there is a lot that can go wrong. And on top of that, you need to prepare for client meetings and presentations, deal with everyday business admin, and handle the loneliness that comes from being away from family and friends.
Luckily there are a few ways to make business travel less stressful. Read on for some handy tips.
Work with a Business Travel Agent
Booking travel can be complicated. In business, you may need to fly to more than one city, travel to the other side of the world, and make changes to your itinerary at the last minute to accommodate a client. Working with a business travel agent makes life a lot easier.
A business travel agent is accustomed to working with companies large and small. They know the best hotels for business travelers and will secure you the most competitive rates with airlines. They can also handle any visas you might need.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to make travel arrangements via the internet if you want a stress-free life. Work with an expert instead.
Upgrade to Business Class
While it is probably tempting to save money traveling in economy class, where possible, upgrade to business class on long-haul flights. Business class is a lot more comfortable and if your schedule is tight with meetings the day you arrive, you can’t afford to lose a night’s sleep. In addition, you can use the business class lounges at airports, as well as complimentary limo services with some airlines.
Take advantage of the extra comfort afforded by business travel and use this time to work. Look at large Lenovo tablets instead of laptops, so you can work more easily on the plane or in a taxi.
Business class travelers are also allocated a higher luggage allowance, so you can pack more. That means more room for souvenirs, too!
Allocate Rest Days
It is tempting to try and pack as many meetings in as possible when traveling for business. After all, time is money. However, the danger of doing that is that you will end up exhausted and ready for a vacation when you get home.
Bear in mind that jet lag will be an issue if you cross time zones. Add in a rest day so you can catch up on sleep when you arrive. It’s also worth having a couple of days rest at the end of your trip, as you’ll probably be tired then, too.
Be Prepared for the Unexpected
Many things can go wrong when traveling on business, from canceled flights to a client changing the location of a meeting last minute so you end up getting lost. Try not to panic when something goes wrong. Most things can be sorted out if you stay calm.
Business travel is often stressful, but it doesn’t need to be if you follow the tips above. Good luck with your next trip!