Essential Tips For First-Time Business Travellers

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There are all kinds of reasons why you might consider business travel.

You might want to travel abroad for an international business conference, for example. To stay ahead in business, you might want to investigate the marketplace in other countries. And it might be that you have international clients interested in your business, so flying out to meet them in person might be better than chatting to them on Skype.

These are just a few of the reasons why you might hop on a plane and travel abroad for your business. You can probably think of more.

Now, if you have travelled abroad for business before, you might not need these tips. Still, it’s worth having a read anyway now you’re here! But if you are a first-time business traveller, then these suggestions should come in useful for you.

#1: Limit your luggage

You’re not going on vacation, so don’t bring way more than you need to. You will only incur luggage fees if you do, and considering travel can be expensive anyway, this is one expense you can safely avoid if you pack light. Check out this packing list for business travel, and leave any excess items at home if you know you don’t need them.

#2: Wear something comfortable on the plane

Unless you’re meeting a business client immediately after leaving your plane, there is no need to wear your business suit during the flight. Especially if you are traveling a long distance, you might start to feel very uncomfortable after a while if you’re wearing your best outfit and shoes. Stick to something casual and comfortable then, such as a light-fitting outfit and a pair of sneakers. You can then change into your business suit at your hotel, or at the airport changing facilities if you are heading straight into a meeting or conference.

#3: Schedule carefully

Travel can be stressful, especially if you are running to strict deadlines. However, you can cut out a lot of your stress when scheduling your trip. So, rather than meeting clients on the day you arrive in their country, consider flying the day before. And if this isn’t possible, then at least plan to arrive way ahead of time. The same applies if you are visiting a business conference. This way, you won’t have to feel the pressure of missed or late flights, and you won’t have to panic when you’re navigating a new country. You will then have the opportunity to enjoy your travels, and have the capacity to enter a meeting or conference without looking rushed or flustered. You will have more time to prepare for your meetings too!

#4: Get plenty of sleep

If you have arrived the day or night before your meetings or conference, then use your time wisely by getting your full quota of sleep. Your temptation might be to have a night on the town, especially if traveling with some of your colleagues, but you might only suffer the consequences the next day. And if you have meetings on the day of your travels, then use these tips to get some shut-eye on the plane. In either case, you will feel better if you do, as you will be in a better place mentally and physically when you step into the business conference or when you meet your clients.