Travel is a huge part of the business world. Sometimes, a Zoom call isn’t appropriate for an important meeting, merger or sensitive topic. An in-person meeting can solve a plethora of problems and is often far more productive.
However, travelling around the world takes time, and it can be difficult to fit your work around it. In this blog post, we dive into the different ways you can organize your business travel to be more efficient.
What are the benefits of business travel?
Business travel comes with many benefits. You can explore a different area or country and meet the different sectors of your company. It’s a fantastic way to expand your career prospects outside of the 9-5 office routine. Meet new people, take on more responsibility and travel the world.
Booking arrangements
Business travel can get very expensive. You need to book well in advance to ensure you can get to your destination on time and for a reasonable price. Ask your company to outline your travel plans in advance to avoid inefficiencies in the travel arrangements. Book your transport and accommodation as soon as you find out about the trip, and look for the best deals.
Preferences
In larger companies, personal assistants and travel planners will often make the arrangements for you. If you have specific preferences, you need to contact the individual doing the plans for you in advance. Make sure they understand your requirements and arrangements so the trip goes smoothly. For example, high-status executives and CEOs may prefer renting a private jet over flying commercial. You might also prefer a window seat to a middle seat on the plane, and you may need a kitchen in your hotel room if you’re on a special diet.
Creating an itinerary
A travel plan should encompass the schedule of the employee for the whole stay, from travel to meetings. If you’re planning another employee's trip, you need to make arrangements for dinner meetings and ensure they have enough free time. Travelling for work is exhausting, and everyone needs their downtime.
Get ready to pivot
Plans change, flights get cancelled, and meetings move around with very little notice. You need to make sure your travel planner is on standby to create new arrangements for cancellations and rearrange any meetings you may have.
If you need to fly home for a family emergency, your traveller planner should be available to cancel everything and book your transport home. This helps you navigate the hectic schedule of business travel and gives you a little peace of mind in case anything comes up.
Like most things, business travel comes with pros and cons. Staying organized and prioritizing efficiency will keep you on track for an excellent trip.