How To Make Business Travel Manageable
Whether you own a small bakery or a massive chain of clothes stores, travel is essential when it comes to business. Often if you want your product or brand to be successful you have to showcase it for people, and they are not going to fly to you, you have to show it to them and seize every opportunity. And sure, if you own a big clothes store chain that's not hard, but what if you own a small bakery, or an online jewelry store and have a family? How do you manage business travel?
Here are some important things to know.
Be prepared
This is probably the most vital step when it comes to managing business travel. You need to have a plan C and D, as well as a plan A and B. Things, tend to go wrong when traveling, things that are often not in your control, so being prepared for the worst will keep you at your best. Things like figuring out multiple routes to important meetings are necessary for managing your time and effort correctly. Knowing shortcuts, the best places to eat, and having backup clothes are all essential to a successful business trip. So be prepared well in advance for each trip and make sure you do your research!
Spending
As mentioned above, if you work for a big chain, company or megastore you are fine when traveling, but if you are a small business owner, the company card is YOUR card, so you have to be careful when it comes to spending. Just as you should plan different routes to meetings and hotels, you should also create a money scheme. Make sure you have a breakdown of the precise amount of money that you need to avoid overspending. Create a small budget and do your best to spend wisely as we tend to not keep track of what we spend when we travel.
The kids
One of the hardest aspects of business travel is kids; either you leave them with your partner, and miss them when you go away, or you are a single parent and feel guilty for leaving them with friends, family or a babysitter. It's a tough pill to swallow regardless, and the only thing you can do is cherish the time you spend when you're at home, even when you're tired from your most recent trip making an effort makes all the difference when you have to leave again. And when you are traveling plan and schedule your day so you can talk to them over the phone and via Skype, so you stay connected at every possible moment.
Fight jet lag
Easily the most annoying part of traveling is the inevitable jetlag some people have to face.Do everything you can to change your body's internal clock; when you get on the plane change your watch to the time zone of your destination, if you arrive at daytime try to stay awake and vice versa. It may not work out, but put up a fight and refuse to let jetlag win.
Your smartphone is your best friend
Your smartphone isn't just a shiny brick that can take pictures; it's a tool that can work wonders for efficiency.If you want to make the most out of your business trip, you need to get app-savvy. Everything from flight-time apps to taxi driver apps has been designed to make your life easier, so use them! Juggling family life with business life and throwing traveling into the mix can be quite a suffocating concoction, but as long as you keep a level head, prepare, research, and don't overspend, you will find that you can easily manage that life without even breaking a sweat.