Things You Need for a Productive and Enjoyable Business Trip

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When you think of business travel, there are usually two images that come to mind. One is an image of a tired and overworked employee staying at a cheap hotel, and the other is probably of a person working for a modern company that is sending them across the country and beyond to make deals and party along the way. Whether you’re a part of the former or the latter image, there is no denying that business travel can be a fun, productive, and enjoyable experience if you take the time to organize your trip just right and bring all of the essentials you may need.

You need to equip yourself to turn a boring business trip into a memorable experience, and even to slow down a party-fueled trip so that you can actually get some work done, so today we’ll be going over the five things you need in order to make this a productive and enjoyable business trip. Here’s what you need to do.

Professional and casual clothes

You might have scheduled meetings back to back, but that doesn’t mean that you should only pack your formal attire. Not only is there guaranteed to be an opening when you can go and explore the town and enjoy yourself, but you might also get invited to an informal get-together by the new client or business partner, and you don’t want to be the only one looking like they’re ready for the opera. But if you do get invited to the opera by chance, you should have an ensemble for that occasion as well.

That said, it’s also important to retain a minimalist approach to packing, which means that you shouldn’t bring your entire wardrobe. Instead, pack two formal ensembles, one over-the-top ensemble for up-scale occasions, and a mix of casual wear that you can mix and match without repeating yourself. This way, you will look amazing for every occasion, ready to party but also to close a deal of a lifetime.

The necessary tech and gadgets

Next, you need to pack all of your tech essentials. It can be easy to forget an important gadget when you’re traveling abroad, so you need to make a detailed list of all of the devices and tech that you need on your trip. Aside from your smartphone and your laptop, you also need to bring a power adapter if you are going to a country that has different power outlets, you need to pack and organize all of your cords and chargers, and of course, a USB internet device that will allow you to stay online at all times.

Supplementary gadgets should include a spare smartphone, a Bluetooth headset, spare cords and chargers, and even a DSLR camera if you want to snap some high-quality photos in your free time. Be sure to install some essential travel apps, especially if you’re traveling to an unfamiliar country, and make sure that they’ll work even if you’re offline.

A credit card with cashback options

Some of your travel expenses might be covered by your employer, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t have some personal expenses as well, which is why you need to have the right credit card at your side to make shopping enjoyable and even get some money back when you make a purchase. Your best bet is to get a standard spree credit card that will have numerous cashback options and special promotions so that you can get cash back on domestic and international purchases.

Be sure to compare various options online and see which card provider can offer the best deal on cashback rewards and monthly cashback totals. Of course, it’s also important that the card doesn’t have any cumbersome fees so that you can keep using it over the long term and as you keep traveling for work.

Organize your free time

A business trip can hardly be called interesting or memorable if you don’t schedule some time for yourself. However, sometimes you will have a packed itinerary which makes things more difficult, but that still doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to find small gaps in your schedule that will allow you to experience the local culture. Ask your hosts to take you around town and show you the sights, and be sure to research the destination so that you know exactly where you want to go in order to make the most of the free time that you do have.

Wellness and nutrition essentials

And lastly, it’s important that you take care of yourself during your travels. It’s easy to put your health and your needs on the backburner when you’re traveling for work, which is why one of your top priorities should be to maintain your physical fitness, and stay on top of your nutrition. Be sure to buy some resistance bands so that you can exercise in your hotel room, and if you’re going on a short trip, bring a meal-prep bag with you with some healthy pre-cooked meals that you can easily heat up in the microwave – that way, you won’t have a reason to reach for the junk food in the mini bar.

Wrapping up

Traveling for work can be enjoyable or it can be downright stressful – it will come down to the way you prepare and the way you organize your schedule. Follow these tips and you will have no problem making your business trip as productive and enjoyable as possible.

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