Many of us don’t think of the strain that gets put on our lives when we travel for work. The first thing that comes to mind is food, travel, and lodge on the company’s dollar. While these are great assets to business travel, it does take its toll on your life and everything around you.
Not only is your daily routine interrupted, but your family life is also disrupted. Even though you are away, the kids need to go to school, the weeds still grow, and there are recitals, ball games or whatever that you will be missing. This is not easy, to say the least. However, this can be made better with a simple phone call to home. Check in and see what you are missing, and if there is anything they need to know or want to say to you. While this is just a small part of being there your presence is still felt and you are less of a stranger to your own life.
In addition to making sure all is good on the home front, you will need to take care of yourself as well. Travel is tough on the body because we are all basically creatures of habit. When we get taken out of our routines, it can be tough to do things like eat right and exercise.
Many hotels and businesses offer the amenity of a gym. Always take full advantage of this and work out for at least 30 minutes a day in between work, meetings, or dinner. This will give you the energy you need to keep up with your trip.
When you are scheduled to be at a meeting, make sure you are always early. Fifteen minutes early is good, but twenty is even better. Being late is never a good idea in any business endeavor.
Present yourself in a confident fashion. Even though the Armani Exchange jeans you brought with you cost $200, it does not mean that a room full of suits is going to be impressed. Suit, coat, tie – the whole nine yards is what is needed. This will show respect for your clients and colleagues as well. Presenting yourself in a professional manner is the best first impression you can make for you and your company.
Another element of being a good team player is to avoid angling your way at a top floor suite or first class airline accommodations. This sends a bad message to anyone that is witness to it. Using mid level accommodations is the best for everyone because it shows you want to go for the company (not just for free travel and a vacation). Mid level arrangements supply you with everything you would ever need on a business trip – laundry services, room service, maid service, etc.
Finally, be sure to conduct yourself in a professional manner. Act as though you are at a job interview trying to woo your prospective employer. This is really what you are partaking in, and you want to make sure you are as professional as possible for every party involved.
