When it comes to taking your first business trip, you need to be as prepared as you possibly can be. You’ll be representing the company you have built or work for, and professionalism should be a the forefront of every single decision you make. A business trip is a great opportunity to grow your business or advance the one your work for, so take it seriously! Throughout my career I’ve taken a number of trips and have a few tips to share:

What Do You Need To Pack?

The first thing you need to think about is what you’re going to pack (or not pack). Having made a detailed itinerary you will be aware of everything that is happening over the duration of the trip, giving you a chance to pack as far in advance as you possibly can. Think about the activities you’re going to be doing, the meetings you’re going to be attending and the restaurants you will be attending – packing in accordance with that. If you’re struggling, you can visit this guide to packing for a business trip. Generally speaking, less is more!

How Are You Going To Get To The Airport?

One of the worst things that could happen is that you don’t make it to the airport on time. The best thing to do is plan this well in advance, giving yourself more than enough time to sit in the airport waiting at the gate. While this may seem unnecessary at the time, you never know what could happen it comes to the day you travel. You could hit traffic, your car could break down or your driver could fail to turn up. Getting security clearance like TSA pre-check is wise. Check traffic conditions a few days beforehand and figure out parking or a taxi (Uber/Lyft). Better an hour early than a few minutes late!

What Time Do You Need To Be There?

In relation to the above, you need to think about what time you have to be at the airport. Once you know this, you will be able to plan your day to fit around your schedule. Whether that means heading to work before you go to the airport or staying in an airport hotel overnight, the more prepared you are the better. For a great example of an entrepreneur who is prepared no matter what, you can visit the Kurt Svendheim site. For some smaller airports it could be just an hour, whereas some bigger ones it may be more like 2-3.

Do You Need To Prepare For Your Flight?

If you’re going to be taking a long flight you need to think about all of the things you need to prepare in advance. Whether that’s packing a snack, water bottle or thinking about in-flight entertainment, keeping yourself happy on the flight is important for when you arrive. Keep what you need handy in a bag under the seat so that you don’t have to get up and unpack your larger bag in the overhead bin. Finally, it’s always smart to use the bathroom before boarding!

What Is Your Itinerary For While You’re There?

As you’ll be in charge of the business trip, the likelihood is you have put together the itinerary. Whether it’s a step by step guide to what you’ll be doing each day or a rough guide to the places you need to turn up to and when having this with you at all times is important. Even in the digital age, I keep a lot of this on paper…just in case! Make sure to leave a little room for fun too! Explore the local restaurant scene, check out a sporting event or explore downtown. Get out and about and enjoy it!

Are you heading on your first business trip? What do you need to consider before you leave? Let me know in the comments section below.

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