Intro
Mastering Productivity on Business Trips
Business travel can be a great opportunity to network, close deals, and learn new things. However, it can also be a major productivity drain if you’re not careful. Mastering productivity on the go is a valuable skill for business travellers who need to balance work and travel.
To increase productivity on business trips, the first thing is to plan ahead. The more you plan, the less likely you are to waste time on the trip.
It is important to set boundaries between your work life and your personal life, especially when you’re on a business trip. Don’t be afraid to say no to extra meetings or social engagements. Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly.
If you have the ability to delegate tasks to others, do it! This will free up your time so you can focus on the most important things. Use technology to your advantage. There are many apps and tools that can help you stay organized and productive on the go. Take advantage of these resources.
Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to be flexible. If your flight is delayed or your meeting is cancelled, don’t let it derail your entire day.
By taking care of the above in the following ways, you can make the most out of mastering productivity on business trips and come back feeling refreshed and productive.
Plan and Prioritize Your Tasks
Before you start your trip, make a list of all the tasks you need to complete, both work-related and personal. You can use tools like calendars, to-do lists, or apps to organize your tasks by category, deadline, or importance.
Once you have your task list, you need to decide which tasks are more important or urgent than others. You can use different methods to prioritize your tasks and help you sort your tasks into different categories, such as do first, do later, delegate, or eliminate.
After you have prioritised your tasks, you need to allocate time for each task in your calendar. You can use tools like Google Calendar or Outlook to schedule your tasks and sync them with your devices. You should also consider your travel plans, such as flights, meetings, or events, and leave some buffer time for unexpected delays or changes.
During your trip, you should keep your teammates informed of your task progress and any issues or challenges you encounter. You can use tools like email, Slack, or Zoom to communicate with your teammates and share your work. You should also update your task list and calendar as you complete or modify your tasks.
Optimise Your Travel Time
Use your travel time to catch up on emails, review documents, or start work tasks, freeing up more time during your day for other activities. You can use tools like laptops, tablets, or smartphones to access your work files and communicate with your colleagues. However, be mindful of your security and privacy when using public Wi-Fi or networks.
Use your travel time to think about your goals, challenges, and opportunities for your business trip. You can also use this time to plan your itinerary, research your destination, or prepare for your meetings. You can use tools like calendars, maps, or notes to organize your travel plans and information.
Try to minimize the noise, clutter, or interruptions that can distract you from your work or relaxation. You can use headphones, eye masks, or do-not-disturb modes to block out unwanted stimuli. You can also inform your teammates or clients of your travel schedule and availability to avoid unnecessary calls or messages.
Stay Connected and Communicate
Network providers may offer plans that allow you to use your phone’s data abroad without incurring high roaming charges. You can also check if your destination has compatible networks and frequencies for your phone. If your phone is unlocked, you can buy a local SIM card that gives you access to the local network and internet at lower rates.
Another option is to use a SIM card that works in multiple countries and regions. These SIM cards may offer cheaper rates and more flexibility than local or international plans. Many hotels offer free or low-cost Wi-Fi to their guests, which can be convenient and cost-effective. However, hotel Wi-Fi may not be very reliable or secure, so you should use caution when accessing sensitive or confidential information.
To access and share your work files, you can use cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. These services allow you to sync your files across devices and access them from anywhere with an internet connection. To communicate with your colleagues, clients, or partners, you can use video conferencing tools like Zoom, Skype, or Teams.
You should inform them of your travel schedule and availability, update them on your progress and challenges, and respond to their queries and feedback promptly.
Leverage Local Resources and Opportunities
Using local services, facilities, or networks can help you support your work, save costs, and connect with other professionals when traveling for business.
Coworking spaces are shared offices that offer desks, Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, and other amenities for remote workers, freelancers, or entrepreneurs. You can use coworking spaces to work in a comfortable and productive environment, network with other professionals, and access local resources and opportunities.
Evaluate and Improve Your Productivity on Business Trips
Measuring and tracking your productivity on business trips can help you improve your performance, optimize your time, and justify your travel expenses when traveling for business.
Before you travel, you should set clear and realistic goals and objectives for what you want to achieve during your trip. You should also define how you will measure your success, such as by revenue, leads, feedback, or satisfaction.
You can use productivity tools and apps to help you plan, organize, track, and report your work activities during your trip. You can use data and analytics to measure and track your productivity for business travel. You can collect data from various sources, such as your productivity tools, travel management system, booking channels, vendors, or surveys. You can then analyse the data to calculate key performance indicators (KPIs) for travel management.
After each trip, you should review and reflect on your results and compare them with your goals and objectives. You should identify what went well and what didn’t, what challenges or opportunities
you faced, what lessons you learned, and what actions you need to take to improve your productivity for future trips.
Corporate travel management is an essential aspect of many businesses, facilitating face-to-face meetings, business trips, and the expansion of global operations.
