Travelling for business can be a double-edged sword - people think you’re a super glam jet-setter who’s seeing the world on the company’s dime, but in reality you’re spending all your time in boardrooms and hotel rooms. Right? Well, it doesn’t have to be all that dismal. If you're dreading your next business trip, it's time to rethink the way you manage your journey. Here are a few tips to dial up the fun quotient when you head out next.
Meeting with a client to go over a proposal? Who said that has to happen in a stuffy boardroom? Shake things up and invite your prospective client on an excursion that either pertains to something you know they'll enjoy (e.g. a ferry ride, lunch at a trendy new eatery in their town), or pertains to the pitch at hand (e.g. a 'trend-spotting trip', aka smallish shopping spree if you're selling fashion; or a fishing expedition if you're pitching an outdoor product). Chances are they'll be amazed at your enginuity and just as happy to get out of the office.
The bleisure trip is something that is becoming increasingly popular - stitch on a leave day or two prior to or after the dates you’ll be travelling for business, and make the most of the fact that you already find yourself in a foreign destination. Do your homework, plan your itinerary to the T and make the most of every second you have while you’re there.
If the bleisure option is not in the cards, and your schedule is too jam-packed to head out to see the sights, try to make the trip as entertaining within the bounds of your responsibilities as possible. E.g. if you’re in town for a conference, find out if there are any after-hours get-togethers you can attend to network with your contemporaries, or get in touch with some local LinkedIn contacts before you leave to schedule a dinner at your hotel. This way you can meet some new people and lay the groundwork for future projects and collaborations.
These are just a few of the ways in which you can tailor an enjoyable business trip. Keep your eye on the blog in coming months, as we share more advice on making the most of your time on the road (and in the sky). Contact TravelManor for all your business travel needs - we’ve got a group of experienced travel coordinators who are at the ready to help you tailor a trip that is as fun as it is effective.
