It’s no secret that business trips can be tiring and arduous. Although you get to go on an all-expense paid trip, business trips are riddled with work with little to no time to take a breather and admire your new surroundings.
After all, your company is investing in you to bring equivalent value to the company.
But that doesn’t mean your business trips have to be boring!
No matter where you travel, across the state, country, or the world, it’s possible to make the most out of your business trip – and bring in value beyond business transactions. Keep scrolling to learn these four tips to make the best of your travels.
Network with like-minded individuals
Traveling for work can be tiring in many ways since it is about closing business deals and fostering deeper connections with your clients. After all, your company is banking on you to make a profit by sending you out on an all-expense paid trip.
And among the various ways, you can bring value while also enjoying your sweet time away from work is networking.
Making new connections is a great way to show your worth to your company and enjoy some leisurely time off at an upscale business event. And one of the best strategies for meeting new people is to attend business conventions in a new city.
Whether traveling to Seattle, Orlando, or New York, you can easily find out about the events happening in the city by planning ahead.
For example, if you’re traveling to Orlando, make it a priority to learn about Orlando Convention Center events and plan your itinerary by putting aside time for networking. You can also post on your LinkedIn account to seek networking opportunities wherever you’re traveling.
Plan before booking your trips
If you’re interested in sightseeing the place you’re visiting on your business trip, check with your manager whether you can arrive early or stay late and use your vacation days to enjoy some leisure time on your trip before getting to work.
Moreover, getting there early or staying late is a nifty trick to save some money on air tickets because most big conferences have large crowds, bringing up the airfare by a margin of $100.
By bringing this up to your manager, you can pitch flying in early and leaving later than everyone else as a win-win situation. After all, the company can save some extra bucks while you can get more done in less time since you won’t be as exhausted from your travel.
If spending more time in the city is out of the question, you can still make the most out of your visit with effective time management by planning your itinerary down to the last detail.
For example, by booking early-morning and late-night flights, you can effectively spend more time on your trip.
Plus, get as much work done as possible before heading off, even if you have to stay up late a couple of nights so you can sightsee to your heart’s content without affecting your work performance.
All in all, if you’re going somewhere you’ve always wanted to see, planning is essential before booking your trip.
Book everything with your credit card
Unless it’s against corporate policy, whether booking airline tickets or your hotel stay, try to use your credit card to pay for as much of your expenses as possible while on the business trip.
Doing so helps you speed up saving for your future trip by spending more with your credit card now because your company will reimburse it. After all, the more you spend on your credit card, the quicker you’ll get to platinum status.
For example, if you travel a lot for business, try to travel with the same airline and apply for their credit card so you can enjoy some freebies and benefits on your travels, including expedited boardings, shorter security lines, and even free flights.
Besides, booking many flights, whether for yourself or your company, can help you fulfill the criteria for a signup bonus without spending a penny out of pocket.
Book your accommodation wisely
Your choice of hotel can make or break your trip. Suppose you don’t get a chance to sightsee on your trip. In that case, your hotel will be a great way to experience something new.
Make sure to choose a hotel that offers amenities like a swimming pool, salon, spa, and gym so that you can cool off and spend time relaxing. Schedule a massage or soak in a hot bath to unwind. Or you can relax in the lobby and even talk with other guests to pass off time.
Although the hotel’s restaurant may not offer something different, you can always order food from the famous local restaurants and get it delivered to your hotel room to enjoy something new without leaving your hotel.
For a taste of the area’s culture, try something with a local flair. It will save some extra dollars, which you can use to treat yourself to a lavish meal, Uber rides across the city, or an extra night or two at your lodging.
Bottom Line
With the right travel strategy and time management, you can transform your business trips into an opportunity to see the world and have fun while still bringing value to your company.
As a business executive, your time is money, and you can make the most of your time on your business travels with effective time management and planning.
Researching your destination and planning your trip makes it possible to do what you want, whether networking or sightseeing. Plus, using your credit card, you can even avail yourself of freebies on your travels.
If sightseeing is out of the question, choosing your hotel stay wisely can help you unwind and relax without leaving your hotel. Consider all these tips to ensure you can enjoy your trip without affecting your work performance.