Traveling for business is never easy. Unfortunately, it’s even more challenging for women. Here are some tips to help you overcome these challenges today.
When you spend at least a third of the year on the road traveling for business, it’s important to know how to efficiently and effectively pack your suitcase. This skill is essential when you don’t want to check your luggage and waste time standing in line there. Of course, this isn’t the only tip you’ll benefit from.
There are many other hacks you’ll want to know about too.
Get Creative With Your Business Lifestyle: Although a business trip isn’t a vacation, The Boss Magazine says that you should still have a little fun – just keep it in check to make sure it’s in good taste for your trip’s main purpose: business. You don’t want to overdo things, even if your boss isn’t around. This is the time to bolster your reputation. Take advantage of this opportunity to prove that you’re a dependable and effective employee. In other words, don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do on a typical working day.
At the same time, you do want to make sure that you get out of your hotel room for a bit to explore the city – even if you only have a few hours available to do so. Finding little attractions will make your trip more fun and exciting. This is something you can do at night or if you’re spending the weekend someplace. Whatever you do, don’t stay in your hotel room the whole time or you’ll drive yourself crazy.
Become a Better Version of Yourself: Expect your business trip to be busy, but don’t forget to squeeze in some time for going to the gym and exercising. This is a great way to curb jetlag and revitalize your body after a cramped flight.
You can even take a dip in the hotel swimming pool if you’re up for a little fun.
If you really don’t have much time available, make sure you at least take a walk. Not only is this a good form of exercise, but it will also help you learn more about the culture you’re visiting.
Stay Connected With Your Network: Make sure you take the right “business tools” with you. You’ll need your laptop, but you’ll also want to take along a business phone system. This is a great way to make simple your communication with business phone system for enterprise.
It’s also helpful when you need to make contact with your home office because you’ve forgotten something. Of course, you can avoid having this happen to you by storing your PowerPoint presentation on your pen drive or hard disk. Additionally, make sure you have extra copies of all your business documents.
None of this will do you any good if you can’t get online though. This is why Agape Less says that you should check your mobile service plan before leaving for your trip – especially when you’re traveling internationally. Unfortunately, most service providers charge a hefty fee for both your calling and your internet usage if you don’t transfer your plans from national to international roaming.
Having these devices ready allows you to stay connected. However, there are also a few other items that will also help ensure your connectivity. These include:
- A high-capacity power bank
- A mobile charger
- A defender cover for your phone
Keep Your Heart and Mind Open: As we tell you to get out and explore, it’s important that you keep your heart and mind open while doing so. Even when there’s a language barrier, learning simple words like “hello” and “thank you” will really help you connect with the local people.
These smallest interactions will help you create meaningful experiences.
When you’re more “advanced” in the local language, you’ll also have more opportunities to try new things. Here again, you’ll want to keep your heart and mind open to things like taking a cooking class or attending a local sporting event. You can almost always find people around you who speak a little English and would love the opportunity to do so with someone who’s native in the language.
Regardless of whether the language is or isn’t a barrier, make sure you get off the guidebook route. While books are great, sometimes they miss the best spots that only locals can tell you about. If this makes you nervous, don’t go too far off track – visit a museum or do a self-guided walking tour. However, if you’re feeling really adventurous, consider living with a family. Even if it’s only for a couple of days, it’s amazing what you can learn.
Bucket List Journey says some of the other tips you’ll want to heed when you’re immersing yourself in a new culture include:
- Learn some of the languages
- Frequent a local hangout
- Avoid tourist traps
- Ask locals where they live, work, and eat
- Be patient
- Have an open spirit that’s willing to learn
Eat Fresh and Stay Healthy: While away from home you’re probably tempted to simply order a meal that’s full of junk food and high in carbohydrates. Not only should you avoid unhealthy foods, but you should also avoid room service.
Although you may just want to be comfortable after work is a great time to do some exploring. Use your meal time to learn more about what your locale has to offer. They’ll all offer you new and different experiences too.
Focus on Work and Forget About Homesickness: Purposeful Nomad reminds us that despite our best efforts in doing all these things, we should still expect homesickness. This happens when you put yourself in a new, unfamiliar environment. Don’t let these emotions dictate your experience though.
You also need to remember that things will continue happening in your office while you’re gone so make sure to stay as connected as possible via email and phone.
An entrepreneur does mention that you shouldn’t try to be everywhere all the time. Traveling grows tiresome and you too need some time at home to learn how to train others to do what you’re doing. While it’s expensive to bring fledgling employees along eventually you’ll have a well-trained employee which equates to major payoffs.