GUEST BLOG: Making the most of business travel

By Chris Adam, content writer at Global Serve Consultants

Holidays and travelling mean, above all, relaxation. Still, some of us don’t have the luxury of leisure time.

If you’ve asked for some time off and your boss is okay with it, leave everything behind you, buy a good book and enjoy your flight to your destination.

Still, some of us don’t have the luxury of leisure time. Business trips are often part of our overloaded schedule and our work demands our exclusive devotion.

During the past five years, business trips were part of my monthly programme, and I ended up learning a lot about making the most of my time while travelling.

First of all, I realised that every time I fooled around during my journey, I arrived at my destination exhausted, dizzy and overwhelmed with stress because of the loads of work awaiting me after checking in my hotel and unpacking.

So, I got kind of specialised in getting work done during my trip. Below, I have noted five tips that helped me a lot maximize my productivity while travelling. I’m sure you will also find them helpful.

1. BOOK PRUDENTLY

Have you ever noticed these weird commercials aiming people that zealously search every trip on 10 different travel agencies to see whether they can save even €15 on their hotel room? I’m not ashamed to admit I’m one of them.

Still, I kind of ‘betrayed’ myself in my last trip by choosing a most expensive train than usual. I had good reasons though for doing that. A great amount of work needed to be done while travelling and that changed my point of view.

The more costly train meant that I would arrive much faster in my hotel and, additionally, without having to wake up before sunrise. It also meant fewer stops, something that helped me concentrate while working on my laptop. Finally, it also meant that I had a steady and adequately fast wi-fi during the entire trip.

In case you are employed by a non-profit organisation or by a company with extremely tight budget, explain to your employer how these more costly features will facilitate your efforts to conclude your assignment in the best way possible.

Check whether there are any trade-offs to make. Would it be possible for you to spend a night or two with local partners in order to balance your trip expenses? Or, maybe you could use means of public transportation or rent the cheapest car available! Whatever you need to do take a direct flight to minimise the hours spent on layovers.

2. HURRY UP, WHILE WAITING

I hate layovers as much as you do, but the most productive time during a travel day often turns out to be the hours waiting for your plane, ship or train.

Obviously, we refer to at least a couple of hours waiting; taking your laptop out for just a few minutes is in no way productive and rather silly from my point of you.

Here’s what you’ve go to do: try to set aside at least 45 minutes between sitting at your gate and boarding. I don’t know about you, but I’m usually unable to tend to my work before leaving for my trip, as I usually wonder whether I took everything I needed, if I turned off the air-conditioning system and I’ve locked my house properly.

However, while waiting at my gate I find it a wonderful opportunity to work a little bit, especially when I’m pressed for time. If you manage to build in 30 minutes or more in between each part of the commute – for example, while driving or taking the bus to the airport, get done with the security check and have ample time before boarding – you will avail extra time for some quality work.

3. DON’T FORGET YOUR TOOLS

Having the proper tools with you is vital in order to get your work done during your trip. Indeed, it’s nice being able to receive and check your emails on your phone, but I don’t think you could type out an urgent report on it.

After all, if you meddle with your smartphone all day long, you’ll undoubtedly have a low battery issue soon enough.

If, despite all these, your smartphone remains your main plan, do equip yourself with something more than your conventional charger. Long journeys demand at least taking with you a car charger or buying a spare battery.

You’ll alleviate all your stress and anxiety, as well as your efficiency, knowing that you have covered every possible backset and you have everything needed to receive an important call.

In addition, if you are a regular work traveller, you should think about investing on some gadgets that will enhance your productivity, e.g. a Logitech keyboard that facilitates typing on my iPad mini during my travel, or portable wi-fi devices, which I’ve found them to be rather useful.

If you find a device or a gadget that will make things easier for you, don’t hesitate: think of it as a small investment.

4. REARRANGE THE WORK

It is true: you cannot do everything during your trip. Some parts of your work are feasible and some others are not while travelling.

For example, if you’re driving with your car a route you know quite well and have a couple of hours available, make some necessary calls. If you plan to travel by plane, and while waiting your flight boarding announcements resonates in your ears every 10 minutes, making business calls would not be a feasible option.

Projects that need wi-fi are not easily concluded while travelling. Although certain airlines provide wi-fi services to their customers, it might prove expensive. Myself, I find it easier to tend to projects that require nothing else than sitting for several hours in front of my laptop.

5. WORK BEFOREHAND

Unfortunately, deadlines are merciless. They don’t care whether you will find wi-fi or not during your trip, so a simple reschedule of your project deliveries just won’t do.

Even at the end of a rather productive travel, during which I managed to conclude everything I had in mind, I seldom achieve as much as I would if I was in my office.

Therefore, it is wise to show some foresight and finish some additional projects before leaving. This will reduce your stress load in case you’ll be forced to unexpectedly waste a couple of hours in a traffic jam or sitting at your gate, because you’ll only have one deadline pressing you for time upon your arrival.

Still, sometimes we just don’t have enough energy or willingness to finish up one or two extra projects before travelling. In that case, just meditate on how bad things can turn out for you if you don’t put some extra effort before packing and leaving.

Concluding a couple of extra projects will probably avail you some additional time during your trip, which you can use for relaxation, sleeping or for taking a stroll. On the other hand, if you get lazy now, you’re heading on towards a living nightmare, full of stress, impatient calls and embarrassing excuses. Believe me, the latter sucks.

Sadly, for most of us travelling while working and vice versa is unavoidable. Still, it doesn’t have to be counterproductive. Follow at least some of my advice and make the most of your travel day.

Photo (above): Matthew Olivolo