How to Stay Productive While Travelling for Business
How to Stay Productive While Travelling for Business
Are you an entrepreneur or working in a top position at a company where you must travel for different business purposes? According to statistics, almost 20% of all travel is work-related. You often struggle to maintain efficiency while navigating the hustle and bustle of business travel. Well, thankfully, you are not alone. There are many business travelers who encounter the challenge of staying on top of their work during the trips.
It is very difficult to maintain productivity while catching flights, attending conferences, and adjusting to new environments. However, with proper strategies, you can maintain productivity on a business trip without compromising your health.
This blog highlights some useful tips that will help you to stay on track during your business travel.
1. Plan in advance to optimize your productivity
Create an all-inclusive itinerary
Before planning any business trip, prepare a detailed itinerary. The itinerary should include flight times, hotel check-in and check-out times, meeting schedules, and other relevant appointments. Once you have a clear visual of your trip, you can manage time effectively and minimize stress.
Prioritize your tasks
You must figure out all the essential tasks you need to complete during the trip. Prepare a list and arrange these tasks based on their urgency and significance. Keep your focus on high-priority items first, ensuring you are utilizing your time in the best possible way.
2. Prepare your work materials
Take all important work materials with you before you leave for the trip. This includes crucial documents, presentation slides, and any other resources you might need. Save all copies digitally on your laptop or a cloud storage service. This will help you access anything from anywhere.
Recommended reading: Everything You Need to Know about Corporate Business Travel
3. Harness the power of technology
Use productivity apps
The markets are flooded with productivity apps that not only keep you organized but also improve your efficiency. Apps like Evernote, Trello, etc., can assist you in arranging your tasks, setting reminders, and even tracking your progress.
Stay connected with cloud services
Cloud services give you the utmost connectivity when you are on the move. Use services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive to store and share important files. These services ensure you can quickly access all essential documents and collaborate with your team.
Optimize your devices
Ensure all your gadgets, such as your laptop, tablet, and smartphone, are fully charged and equipped with all necessary software and apps. Carry a portable charger on your trip to charge your devices throughout the day.
4. Partner with a reputed travel agency
Business trips are extremely challenging as you need to think about businesses at every step. To reduce stress and optimize productivity, you can partner with a reputed business travel agency that will handle all travel logistics. A professional corporate agency assists every step of a business trip (from booking to rental services) so that you can focus more on your core tasks. These experienced travel agencies will help you secure the best hotel and flight rates.
Recommended reading: Business Travel Agency or a Travel Agency: Which one is best for you?
5. Maximize downtime
Whether you are on the route (train, flight, or rental services), utilize the travel time as efficiently as possible. This can be a great opportunity to review documents, respond to emails, or even draft reports.
- Tip: Carry noise-cancelling headphones to stay focused in boisterous environments.
6. Maintain healthy routines
Get adequate sleep
Your sleep schedule gets hampered by travelling, but try to get enough rest to stay productive. Practice for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night and maintain a dedicated sleep schedule, even when crossing different time zones.
Eat nutritious foods
Healthy eating keeps you energetic throughout the day. Don’t consume heavy, processed foods that can make you more lethargic. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and protein items in your diet to stay energetic.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration is a common side effect of travelling. Dehydration can lead to exhaustion and decreased productivity. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices, especially during flights, to stay hydrated and alert.
- Tip: Avoid cola or other caffeine-related products. Though they temporarily cheer your mood, ultimately hamper your sleep cycle and efficiency.
Exercise regularly
Include physical activity in your daily routine to uplift your energy and minimize stress. Many hotels have well-equipped gyms for corporate travelers where you can practice your fitness activities or walk in a nearby park.
7. Stay focused and motivated
Set your goals wisely
Define your professional and personal goals before leaving for the trip. If you have specific objectives, stay focused and motivated on them only. Review your goals regularly to track your progress and make adjustments as required.
Avoid multitasking
Though multitasking is the new buzzword in this tech-driven era, it may reduce your productivity and sometimes put unnecessary stress on your schedule. Focus on one task at a time to ensure you complete it efficiently and effectively.
Take short breaks
Try to take small breaks throughout the day to stay focused and prevent exhaustion. Utilize these breaks to stretch, walk, or simply meditate for a few minutes.
8. Network and collaborate
Participate in various networking events
One of the prime advantages of business travel is it offers plenty of networking opportunities. Attend industry events, conferences, or informal meet-ups to connect with other professionals. Try to build new relationships that may give you new business opportunities and collaborations in future.
Stay connected with your team and family
Stay in regular contact with your team to make your business trip more productive. Use video conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams to hold virtual meetings and keep everyone updated about the progress and new developments.
Seek local insights
If you are visiting a new city, try to mix with locals. They may provide valuable insights and information about the local culture, business opportunities, local industry experts, and future expansion plans.
9. Manage stress
Practice mindfulness
Business trips are hectic and full of stress and tension. Practice meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga whenever you find time or during breaks. These techniques will not only help you reduce your stress but also imbibe a positive mindset.
Enjoy your leisure time
Try to spend some time with yourself, irrespective of how hectic your business trip is. Explore the local attractions, visit popular places, or simply relax. Balance your work with leisure activities to rejuvenate and motivate yourself.
Conclusion
Staying prolific while travelling for business may seem daunting, but with proper planning and fruitful strategies, it can be achieved.
By following the guidelines mentioned above, you can ensure that your business trips are both productive and pleasurable. Remember, the key is to stay organized, focused, and adaptable.
Are you thinking of partnering with a professional business travel agency in Canada that will help you stay productive and energized throughout your trip by managing all travel hassles? Choose YYZ Travel Corporate, your ultimate travel partner for upcoming business trips. We have the required experience and expertise regarding travel booking, accommodation arrangements, itinerary planning, expense management, and reporting.
Our experts will ensure that you can solely focus on businesses while they will take care of all travel requirements. So, for safe and productive business travel, get in touch with YYZ Travel Corporate.
Faqs
How can I ensure I have all the necessary documents and files while travelling?
Keep all your important files and documents in cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox for easy access. Also, make digital copies of travel itineraries, IDs, and work-related materials.
How to make a business travel itinerary?
Your business travel itinerary should include details like booking flights and accommodations, scheduling meetings, and planning transportation. It should also include crucial information like flight numbers, hotel addresses, and meeting locations. Use apps like Google Calendar to organize and share your itinerary.