As an entrepreneur who has goals of growing a startup into a flourishing business, networking plays a catalytic role in accomplishing key objectives. There’s the need to pitch investors, build partnerships with suppliers, meet with prospects, and maintain healthy relationships with customers. In many cases, this means business travel.
The problem with business travel is that it’s traditionally filled with friction and contention. From delayed flights and lost luggage to navigating traffic in a new city, there are challenges at every turn. But it doesn’t have to be this way! With a little planning and preparation, business travel can be stress-free.
Making Business Travel Easy and Effortless.
Tiring, disorienting, stressful, anxious, and erratic… these don’t have to be the words that define your business travels. Instead, you can have enjoyable and productive experiences that push your business forward.
The following pointers will help:
1. Keep a Bag Packed.
One of the biggest stressors of travel is packing. You always feel as if you’re going to forget something, which puts you on high alert and ratchets up your stress level.
“If you’re going to be traveling routinely, it’s worth buying duplicates of key items and leaving them in your travel bag, versus remembering to repack them after using them at home,” entrepreneur Patrick Gray writes. “For me, this is things like laptop and phone chargers, toothbrushes, and basic toiletries. I rarely forget these necessities since I have a travel set that’s always in my suitcase or laptop bag.”
2. Pack Carry-On Only.
Unless you absolutely have to, you should avoid checking luggage at all costs. Not only does it add time onto your trip, but it also opens you up to the risk of having the airline lose your luggage.
Think it’s impossible to fit everything you have into carry-on luggage? Think again. You get one suitcase and a personal item, which means a briefcase or backpack. If you can’t fit a few outfits, a couple pairs of shoes, some toiletries, and a laptop into this space, you need to reevaluate your priorities. You’re going on a business trip, not packing for a 14-day European vacation.
3. Try a Charter Flight.
Considering that the airport is typically the most stressful part of travel, have you ever thought about chartering a private jet? While it’s definitely more expensive than flying commercial, it comes with numerous benefits. Not only do you avoid the issues of delayed flights, checking luggage, picking out seats, and waiting in long airport security lines, but you also get to enjoy a relaxing flight without screaming children and obnoxious seat partners.
4. Create Space in Your Schedule.
Be strategic with how you set up your schedule on a business trip. When planning your itinerary, create breathing room between meetings and engagements. This gives you a buffer should things run late. It also provides some time for you to take a quick nap in your hotel room, prepare for your next presentation, or grab a bite to eat.
5. Ditch the In-Flight Movies.
Whether you’re flying commercial or chartering a private jet, you usually have the opportunity to watch a movie during the flight. As tempting as this may be, you can find a better way to spend your time.
For example, it would be wise to use this time to brush up on your presentation or pitch. The more prepared you are, the less stressful this part of the trip will be. If nothing else, you can utilize the flight time to take a nap and rest up for what will be a busy few days.
Focus on the Details.
It’s easy to get so caught up in the big picture that you forget all about the smaller details. However, when it comes to business travel, it’s typically the finer details that have a major impact on the larger experience. Spend time paying attention to these elements and you’ll enjoy much faster, safer, and more efficient travel.
