On the Road: Staying Productive During Business Travel

Between jetlag, back-to-back meetings, and endless running around, business travel is often seen as a headache. Not only does it take you from the office, it removes you from your daily routine.

However, despite the hustle, traveling for work can be an enjoyable, even rejuvenating experience. At its core, travel is a great way to see the world and experience new culture. And who says you can’t work in a little bit of that?

To help you make the most of your next trip on the road, consider some secrets for staying productive during business travel.

Plan Before You Pack

Before you even begin to pack, decide what’s worth bringing on your trip. Consider anything and everything you may need: business clothes, office supplies, and extra cosmetics. And if you shudder at the sheer thought of pen-and-paper, there’s (unsurprisingly) an app for that.

As expert road warriors know, traveling often does not go as planned. If you’re checking a bag, be sure to pack the essentials you’ll need for your first day of work in your carry-on.

Accounting for delays and emergencies not only increases your productivity, it ensures you’re ready to work the minute you check-in to your hotel room.

Optimize Your Downtime

You will experience downtime on the road. It’s inevitable. Knowing how to make the most of these lapses in time will help you make the most of your trip. Find yourself with additional time in between meetings? Rather than head back to your hotel room, research the area in advance to discover nearby cafes with reliable Wi-Fi to knock out a quick task or two.

Part of optimizing your productivity is knowing the best pieces of personal technology to pack. Do you need to travel everywhere with a bulky laptop bag? Depending on your situation, many times, a tablet or smartphone will suffice.

Packing extraneous gadgets not only makes your bags heavier, it can add distractions and cripple your productivity.

Fly With Purpose

Flying for business is far different than flying for play—mainly, the fact that it’s important to consider your opportunity costs. While you may prefer to fly budget airlines for personal travel, sometimes it’s worth the extra dollar to ensure you’re making the most of your time.

Splurging on direct flights eliminates the headaches of connecting flights and lost luggage, while complimentary Wi-Fi offers extra time to work. You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish during an uninterrupted, five-hour flight.

Consider the ROI of an upgrade. If it’s a justifiable cost, be sure to let your company know.

Allow Time for Play

Just as it’s vital to make the most of your day-to-day, it’s equally important to have a little fun. We’re only human.

Traveling for work is an exhausting process—but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Not only do you get the chance to see a potential new city, you’ll get to spend some time with your clients and coworkers. Take a walk, do something touristy, and treat yourself (and some clients) to a good meal. After all, these things are part of what make travel so enjoyable.

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