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If you travel a lot for work, you probably are well acquainted with some of the tricky situations that corporate travel can throw you into. Business trips require long hours, unfamiliar sleeping situations, and being constantly available by phone if something goes wrong back at the office. Whether traveling by car or plane, here are the top five tips for business travelers.
1: Maintain a Positive Attitude
A positive attitude can be hard to maintain when facing a long flight or unusual hours, but it is an essential first step to making the most of your business trip. If you go into the journey with the idea that it will be an unpleasant experience, the chances are that you will have a negative attitude that will affect everyone around you.
On the other hand, if you maintain a positive attitude and be polite to those around you, your good mood will spread happiness. Your interactions with those around you, including those assisting you in the various lags of your trip, will be more positive, leading to a more accessible experience even if something goes wrong. Too many people forget this first step, which is why it is such a potentially powerful one.
2: Don’t Forget About Transportation
There are so many details involved in planning a corporate trip that transportation is often forgotten or left to arrange at the last minute. When you or your employees are traveling for work, it’s important to consider how they’ll get from Point A to Point B for the duration of their trip. For example, if you were flying into DTW, you might reserve a spot on the Detroit airport shuttle. Car rentals, long-term parking, or ride-sharing should be planned well in advance.
3: Pack Early and Pack Light
If you go on many trips, keeping a bag mostly packed will save you time and protect you from stress. For example, keeping a bag of toiletries and some standard essentials like socks and ties in your bag will make it so you won’t have to do more than throw in a few shirts and pants when you need to leave on a trip.
In addition, keeping your luggage down saves you from much stress and pain. You won’t have to wait for your luggage to make its way out of the plane, and you won’t have to worry about your suitcase being lost or redirected ever again.
4: Use Technology to Plan Ahead
Checking various things before you go, such as seating plans, airport layouts, and hotel directions, will cut down on any uncertainty or stress related to business travel. You will have a rough idea of how much time you will need to get to various places, meaning that you will paradoxically have more time to relax and take care of your actual work. Remember not to use the airport wi-fi, or any public wi-fi, since hackers and other users can easily access your personal and business information on an unsecured network.
5: Find a Rewards Program
There’s nothing better than finding a way to save money while also earning money. Fortunately for regular business travelers, there are many business and personal rewards programs for all aspects of your business trips, including rewards and loyalty programs for airlines and hotel chains.
Some rewards programs require a certain amount of frequent usage, which is something to keep in mind but can be a boon for someone who often has to travel for work. By finding a rewards program that works for you and using the services it applies to whenever you can, you’ll be able to capitalize on those miles and loyalty points when you take a well-earned vacation.
6: Keep Customer Service Numbers on Your Phone
If something does go wrong, such as a missed or canceled flight, calling a customer service number can often be quicker than waiting in line at the airport service desk with the rest of the people who were supposed to be using that service. In addition, customer service associates are often authorized to give you more significant discounts and perks more quickly than those at the physical desk. By keeping those numbers on your phone, you’ll be able to quickly and easily call the right person if your business trip goes pear-shaped.
Business trips can be challenging, combining the regular stress of a workday with the abnormal stress of traveling. With these tips, you’ll have a smoother, less stressful experience with business traveling overall.
