Business Travel Planning: Maximizing Productivity on the Road

Business Travel Planning: Maximizing Productivity on the Road
7 min read
06 October 2023

Business Travel Planning

Work trips could be confusing. You're working yet away from work. Professionals want to make the best of their time while being away from the office and we get that. The stress caused by traveling could prevent you from being your most productive. Let's go through a few tips that could help you maximize productivity while being on the road.

Say No to Red-Eye Flights

Red-eye flights, for the people new to traveling, are the ones that depart late at night and reach the next morning. However, the flights need longer for you to rest or sleep on the plane. The problem with these is that while you think they will save you time, they might do quite the opposite. 

By the time you land, you will be too exhausted to do the intended work or meet up with clients. It is definitely more convenient to take flights that land a night or day before your expected work or visits, so you can get rid of the jet lag and rest in a hotel room. This will make you more energized for your day and hence, increase productivity.

Plan in Advance

It is important that you schedule your tasks, visits, and work before leaving. That way, you can work out any clashes or discrepancies. Prioritize your tasks so you can put them in an efficient order. The best way to be productive is to plan ahead. 

Plan a reasonable amount of tasks for each day. Use digital tools for reminders. Remember to fit a realistic number of tasks in a day and take care of your health. Eat on time and sneak a fun event in there as well. Remember, an exhausting trip does not equal a productive one, but a fun and relaxed one just might!

Pack Light

Only carry the necessities. A spacious and organized backpack is ideal for a work trip. Ensure that your essentials are easily accessible, like your cell phone, ID, hand sanitizer, etc. All you need is a change of clothes, a laptop, chargers, and all your travel docs. Instead of bringing full-size products, opt for travel-sized versions to save space in your suitcase. Even better than carrying your travel documents is to have them on your phone. This will prevent fumbling and faffing at security or the boarding gates. You will definitely be more relaxed, and hence, productive if you do not have a heavy bag weighing down or the stress of carrying a bunch of luggage.

We recommend carrying a power bank as well. Make sure you are carrying your digital tools. It is ideal to have noise-canceling headphones to not only be more relaxed, but also less distracted while working. Another tip for you: rolling clothes instead of folding them saves space and helps prevent wrinkles.

Choosing Accommodation

Don’t eyeball where you are going to live. Consider important factors while choosing a hotel. Firstly, it is important that your accommodation is near the airport and your meeting venue. After a long flight, you do not want a long drive. Make sure that the accommodation has free WiFi and good connectivity. Also, look for appropriate furniture like a desk or workspace. This will ensure a good environment for maximum productivity. Lastly, look out for cafes or restaurants with take-out, dine-in, or delivery options.

Utilize Technology

A great time management strategy is to make good use of technology. Install mobile apps such as TripIt, TripCase, Google Maps, and Evernote to efficiently manage your itinerary, track your flights, and locate activities in your immediate vicinity. Other than that, make sure that you have Uber and Lyft to assist you in arriving at your destinations in a timely and organized manner.

Use your notes app to make packing and to-do lists. Keep checking your emails on your smartphone and in touch with your coworkers.

Regular Updates & Progress

For effective communication and collaboration in the workplace, it is important to stay in touch and update and report regularly. By sharing updates on your work and progress, you inform your colleagues about what you’re working on and how things are going. This is helpful for both you and the organization as well.

This is also important to maintain transparency, avoid misunderstandings, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. With the use of digital tools like email or project management software, you can easily provide regular updates and progress reports regardless of your location. By doing so, you contribute to a productive work environment where everyone feels connected and informed about each other’s contributions toward achieving shared goals.

Post-Travel Tips

After a long work trip, it’s common to feel tired and disoriented. You can take our advice to help you overcome post-travel fatigue and re-adjust to your work life quickly. First, it is important to get enough rest and sleep during your trip to minimize exhaustion. When you are back, rest sufficiently to eliminate the jet lag. Establish a routine and take care of your physical health. You can also work out to get the energy back.

Create a productive workspace to get back into work mode faster. After completing the trip, you can be the most productive by taking some time to think back on your experiences throughout the journey. This way, you will be able to plan for your next journey and be even more productive for the next time by reviewing the successes and areas for growth from your previous trip. After that, you can move on to completing any necessary post-trip reports and documentation.

Post-Trip Reports & Documentation

First, review your itinerary, expenses, and receipts. After that, you can organize and compile all relevant documents, such as boarding passes, accommodation invoices, and meal receipts. You can now evaluate your goals and objectives from the trip that you outlined before the trip. 

Keeping that with you, it is easy to analyze your performance and progress towards achieving those goals. Do not forget to document any challenges or obstacles faced during the trip. In contrast, it is also important to highlight all the successes or positive outcomes achieved. Other than that, include detailed notes about meetings, conferences, or events attended during the trip. Summarize key takeaways and lessons learned from the experience and provide recommendations for improvements or adjustments in future travel plans. Finally, as required, submit your completed report within a reasonable timeframe after returning from your trip.

Conclusion

A work trip could be made fun, relaxing, and highly productive following these tips. These trips are a great part of your job and add a lot to your wisdom and experience. Make sure to make the best out of one and learn from it.

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Mark Henry 2
Joined: 5 months ago
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