If you’re heading away on an important business trip any time soon, it’s important to plan to be sure that you don’t forget anything vital. Whether you’re hoping to seal the deal on a long-planned partnership or you’re simply heading off on a fact-finding mission, there’s plenty to do while preparing to leave.
The basics
First off, don’t let the nerves around a big meeting or excitement at the prospect of securing a new client get in the way of simple things. Making sure you’ve packed enough shirts and socks – and your toothbrush should be the first thing on your list! Getting the basics covered will make it much easier for you to focus on the big things which will really matter once you get to the destination.
Money and finance
Going on a work trip is likely to incur various costs. Perhaps you’re required to pay upfront for services such as hotel rooms, for example, in which case it’s worth familiarizing yourself with your organization’s expenses policy to make sure you know how to get the cash back. It could be worth using a credit card to pay for such expenses and timing the expense repayment with the card repayment date so that you’re never out of pocket – even temporarily.
And if you’re heading abroad for your trip, it’s wise to make sure that you get a good deal on your foreign currency. It’s a good move to always read the reviews before choosing a broker, though, as some may charge extortionate fees. Taking steps to avoid paying these fees is a good way to demonstrate to your employer that you are prudent with your organization’s cash. And it also means that you can get more value out of your expense cash, too – so your trip will be more pleasant once you’re there.
Materials for meetings
You may also need some materials to help bring your business or idea to life when you meet people at your destination. This is where modern technology can really help. If it all possible, condensing everything into a slide deck or similar can enable you to have a persuasive tool with you while also traveling light. If you need to take a prototype of something physical and tangible with you, it’s well worth exploring the policies of the airline or other transport provider well in advance. They might not be able to carry it, and it might have to be shipped ahead – and that could take a significant amount of time, so it pays to be prepared.
Going on a business trip can be nerve-wracking, especially if it’s your first time doing so. But it doesn’t necessarily need to be terrifying – especially if you prepare well. From ensuring that you get the basics covered to doing some online research before buying your foreign currency, there are plenty of ways in which planning a business trip can be made as smooth and simple as possible.
