Oh, the famed work trip, it sounds exciting till you get there and are buried in more work than you had at the office. But does it really have to be that way? Could you possibly make the most of your work trip regardless? For one, what does a recruitment consultant do on a work trip? What about an acquisitions officer or a reporter? That’s undoubtedly a lot of questions, but they will all be answered when we show you exactly how to make the most of a work trip. It doesn’t have to be a boring and unfulfilling experience.
There is so much to be enjoyed and experienced outside work if you know exactly how to balance it. Obviously, it’s not going to be a happy hour, every hour of the day. But, you can still get a lot of work done and socialise all at the same time.
Don’t go alone
The great thing about business trips is the fact that all expenses are often paid for. So, your transport, room and board among other little things are covered. If it’s not a town or city you are familiar with, it’s not a bad idea to drag someone along. No, they aren’t there as a distraction, think of them more as a bridge between two worlds. If you take a friend, sibling or significant other along they can entertain themselves while you are out working. Then when you’re back, you have a familiar face the rest of the day with. You can have a night out on the town or stay in and entertain yourself.
Either way, you’ll be glad to have someone you know there to take the edge off. Altogether, it’s one of those things you should try to do whether it’s a work trip abroad or you’re heading somewhere local. If you’re thinking about the financial implications, the fact that your half is paid for really takes a huge weight off. So, top up a little bit and take that fun person along. At least, you’ll have someone to have dinner with, sit by the bar with and exercise with (if that’s part of your routine).
Try to be social when you can
Yes, a work trip is obviously not a holiday, it’s time to buckle down and get some work done. So, for the most part, try your best to make sure you have everything covered on that front. Once you’re done with work it’s not a bad idea to take things down a notch. Don’t do anything out of the ordinary, but use it as an avenue to network on a more casual level. It does not hurt to meet some new people even if they aren’t in your line of business. You never know when they’ll be of help.
Also, things should not come to an end when the meetings or dealings come to an end. On the contrary, it’s the perfect time to invite them out for a nice meal or a drink. Not only will you have a group of people to explore with. But you’ll form different connections and even solidify your business stance with them. So, don’t just dash out in a bid to look diligent, try your best to mingle even if it’s for a little bit.
Find some time to pamper yourself
At this point, you are probably wondering if this is really sound advice for things you should do on a work trip. But the truth of the matter is that business trips can be stressful. You may even end up doing more work than usual. Even worse is the case that all this hard work is done in settings you are not quite familiar with. So, you have to adapt and still deliver on an excellent level.
So, it’s not out of the question to carve out time to really unwind. It does not have to be anything out there. Just look for something that’s simply accessible in between your busy schedule. If you’re shacked up in a hotel, then request a nice massage or a mani-pedi. You can equally choose to have a decadent dinner and stay in watching movies on TV or from a streaming service.
If you carve out time to do something nice for yourself, it’ll give you more energy to take on any challenge that is thrown at you. So, do not coop yourself up in your hotel room, this is still a great time to squeeze in a little ‘me session’.
Make a plan
Ideally, this should have come in right at the beginning, but we wanted to ease you in a bit. Nevertheless, it’s important to make a plan for your entire trip. Sure, it’s a work trip, and you most likely have a work itinerary planned out. But you need to take it up a notch and make provisions for a personal itinerary. What you indulge in your spare time is completely your responsibility, so have some fun with it.
Start by doing some research on the destination you are headed to, even if you have been there before. All it takes is one day for things to change, so it’s important to know what you are going to encounter. What areas are safe to visit? What kind of food do they eat there? Everything and anything is research worthy. Once that’s done and dusted, you can begin to plan your days around your work itinerary, as well as the research you conducted. Once the workday is over, you can start on the other part of your trip if there is time.
Do not eat at the hotel
This is not a warning, just a suggestion so you can fully immerse yourself in the culture of the destination. Try your best to skip room service once in a while and opt for some local food. You do not have to go crazy, especially if you have a sensitive stomach, But it is a great way to rack up some really good experiences and equally get some great stories for the road.
There is no doubt that not everything is not going to be a big hit, but it makes for a great experience either way. It’s easy to shy away from this option, especially if you made the trip on our own. There is a viable hack for this; simply get yourself a seat at the bar. Who knows if you’ll meet someone worth keeping around for life. All in all, do not hesitate to try your best to explore the food scene regardless of where you are.
Keep communication lines open
Even if you are used to travelling and moving around, it’s really important to find ways to stay grounded. One major way to stay grounded is by staying in touch with your loved ones, family members and friends. Do not let all the work get ahead of you and stop you from keeping in touch with people who matter. If you are roaming your phone line then make sure you arrange for all that before you travel.
Also, look for apps that will make it easier for you to communicate with people globally. In the case that you are travelling to a whole other time zone, be sure to factor that while you make your plans. At the end of the day, it’s not advisable to cut ties with your folks back home. Speak to them using Facetime, Whatsapp and any other means out there.
Extend the trip
If there’s room for it, why not? There is really no need to cut the trip short because business dealings are over. If all deliberations and meetings end on a Friday, it’s probably a sign that you make it a long weekend. That way you can sneak in a tiny vacation for a subsidized price. Use this time to rest first of all, after all that work, letting your hair down is a great way to go. Equally use this time to indulge yourself a bit, go for spa days, sit at the bar for a bit, discover the sights of the city and so much more. Especially if you do not usually have time to go on vacation. So, visit a museum or two, shop as much as you can afford to and eat as much as your stomach and taste buds can handle.
Conclusion
Unless you’ve been on a business trip before, you probably don’t know what to expect. Is it just a guise to have truckloads of fun or a glorified day at the office? It’s a little bit of both and something else entirely. The thing is, anyone who heads on business trips needs to know how to strike a balance. It really should not be a ‘straight from the boardroom to the hotel room’ situation. You won’t get penalised for living a little as long as you are not doing it on borrowed time. So, with these points and so much more, you’ll be able to make the most of your next business trip.