Business travel is inevitable for today’s professional, regardless of what type of business you operate. Executives are on the move, with trips ranging from across town to across the oceans. Companies large and small send representatives to meetings, conferences, and even training events.
This begs the question: How do you get any work done with all of this traveling? In order to be successful, one must learn to tackle work and travel demands simultaneously. Whether that means working through a flight or in the back of a stretch limousine, a true professional must learn to make his or her office mobile.
Working On The Go
Leaving work behind because of your business travel means you are leaving your business behind. However, being on the road doesn’t have to cost your business productivity.
It is essential that you have the necessary tools to access your business on the go. That is, you should be able to carry out business activities whether you’re in the hotel or traveling via black car service.
Maintaining a mobile office ensures that you can keep up with any new developments that affect your work. For example, current events such as changes in governmental policies can heavily impact your business.
You can also stay connected with your employees through various smart device applications. There’s no need to wait to share information or techniques learned at a conference when a video conference call will let you share that information with your colleagues right away.
Packing For Business Travel
Deciding what to pack in your carry-on isn’t always easy. However, one of the most important rules of corporate travel is to pack as little as possible. When you travel light, you can move more quickly, since you won’t we weighed down by extra luggage. That’s important because, as a business professional, your time is money.
Knowing what you need is the key to packing the right stuff. In other words, don’t pack something just because you think that you might use it. Only pack things that you know you’ll need during your trip.
In addition, try not to check a bag unless it’s absolutely necessary. This will eliminate the time it takes to check the bag before the flight as well as the time it takes to get to baggage claim and find your suitcase after you land. In addition, most airlines allow a personal item and a carry-on bag. Not only should this eliminate the need for an extra bag to check, but it also gives you something in which to carry your everyday items while you’re away.
So, what should you pack?
- Choose basic clothing items that pair well together. This will ensure that you can get the most wear out of the fewest items.
- Remember to wear your heaviest items to the airport so that they don’t take up space in your luggage. However, be mindful of how many layers you’ll have to remove as you go through security.
- Don’t forget your smartphone, laptop and other smart devices. You will need them to stay connected.
Using Technology To Your Advantage
Technology is your best friend during corporate travel. Not long ago, travelers may have found themselves stuck in a new city without knowing anything about where they needed to go or how to get there. Back then, you would have to find someplace to buy a map or ask a stranger for directions.
Nowadays, all you have to do is pull out your smartphone. This device single-handedly provides maps, traffic information, and other vital information at the touch of a button. This technology enables you to stay ahead of the game like never before. Just because you’re out of the office, that doesn’t mean that you have to be disconnected from it entirely.
Thanks to modern technology, you can now check your email, take a video conference call, and even work on business reports without being stuck at your desk. Some companies also use software that allows you to access your work computer or files while you’re away.
When you’re out for business travel, there are a multitude of apps that let you gather information about your destination before you arrive. You can even access real-time updates for your flight or other transportation accommodations.
Install These Mobile Apps
Constant connectivity is becoming steadily more important for business professionals. Look to apps like these to improve your productivity and workflow, whether you’re working from the office or on a business travel trip.
Evernote
Keep your notes and memos organized with this app. When you’re traveling, you don’t want to have to keep up with notepads, journals, and writing utensils at all times. With Evernote, you don’t have to, either.
The app lets you keep all of your important information at your fingertips. Plus, it’s searchable, so you can locate files quickly and easily. It also syncs across your devices, so you have access to your notes wherever you are.
Office 365
Microsoft Office is now Office 365. However, the name isn’t the only thing new about this program suite. You can now access vital Microsoft programs such as Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, on your mobile devices as well as your PC.
Your work saves to Microsoft OneDrive, so you can access the cloud from any device, anywhere. In addition, you won’t have to worry about outdated software. Office 365 processes updates as they are released, so you always have the most current version.
Have you ever forgotten or run out of business cards while you were out on business travel? If you have a LinkedIn account, you’ve got the next best thing! That’s because your profile is actually something like a New Age business card. With LinkedIn, you can manage your online presence as a business professional.
Like any social network, you can interact with your connections and see recent happenings in your newsfeed. However, your LinkedIn profile is more focused on your business life than your social life.
Profiles highlight users resumés, projects, and even recent publications. With this app, you can keep in contact with business partners and clients while getting updates within your business sector.
Dropbox
This is one of the best all-encompassing digital business tools. It serves as a home for all aspects of your work projects, from file storage to collaborating with team members. In fact, collaborating online allows you to work on projects wherever you are.
Dropbox allows you to share your files with your contacts, even if they don’t have an account with the service themselves. Dropbox Paper provides a collaborative workspace where you and your team can work with any and all types of digital media in one place. There is even a special version plan for businesses to be able to get the most out of the service.
Taking Your Work On The Road
Traveling doesn’t mean that you have to leave your work behind. Modern technology supports you and your business so that you can make the most of your travel time. You can make your corporate travel even more productive with the right business event transportation.
A1A Airport and Limousine Service provides much more that just luxury ground transportation. Although our fleet features some of the most comfortable limousine cars, they are also quite functional!
Today’s limo transportation options allow you to stay connected to the outside world while you ride between offices and meetings. In fact, with our spacious limo bus options you can even hold a meeting onboard!
Give us a call or visit our website to learn how our services can fit your needs.
