Business travel used to conjure images of seemingly endless drudgery, particularly for older generations who were often burdened by rigid T&E guidelines that all but prohibited them from having even a hint of fun.
Now, with more flexible expense policy compliance guidelines, and increasing opportunities to integrate a bit of leisure into those work trips, people are embracing business travel.
Millennials, in particular, seem to be a new generation regarding their views of traveling for work. Many see it as not a chore, but a work perk, and there’s even been a new term coined as a result: bleisure.
As the lines are blurred more between business and travel, how can you make the most of your next work trip?
Put Your Flight Time To Good Use
So often we view the time we spend in the air as wasted, but it doesn’t have to be. Start your work trips out on the right foot by making your flight time productive. This can mean preparing work-wise, but you can also use it as a time to listen to podcasts or audiobooks you don’t normally have time for. And a lot of avid travellers will use this time for travel hacking (getting points for travel) if they plane supplies wifi.
You don’t even have to worry about whether or not your flight has Wi-Fi if you’re working – you use an app that lets you save your materials for later.
Set Goals For Each Trip
When you go on a work trip, it’s easy to feel like you have to pack each and every second with actual work. That’s fine if that’s what’s needed, but it’s often not.
It can be helpful to set very specific goals and objectives you want to accomplish work-wise while you’re away. Then, once these have been achieved, you can look forward to having a bit of sightseeing or leisure time, with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your trip has been legitimately productive.
You might also think about setting up a single foundational meeting that will set the tone for the rest of your trip and is the most essential one you need to make sure happens. Then after that, you can schedule supplemental meetings as time allows, but you’ll know that you completed your core business no matter what.
Think About Short-Term Rentals Instead of Hotels
As was touched on above, a lot of Canadian companies are putting the focus on giving employees more flexibility when they travel, and this can often include letting them choose whether they want to go with a hotel or a short-term rental through a site like Airbnb.
Sometimes it can be worth it to opt for the short-term home rental for a few different reasons. One of the biggest is because it will get you out of the tourist area of your destination and give you a bit more motivation to explore the city.
Plus, you’ll be able to have access to a kitchen and other conveniences of home which can help you save time and money.
Finally, try to stay on your normal routine as much as possible. Try to exercise even if it’s something as simple as a walk around the city, and avoid the temptation of alcohol and unhealthy foods that can pop up when you’re traveling. This will help you feel your best, to maximize what you’re able to accomplish while away.
