In this day and age, working in the business world can involve lots of business trips. Working away from home can occupy a lot of your life, so to help you make the most out of your business trip, we have put together our top tips to make sure you’re making business travels as enjoyable and productive as possible.
Plan your business trip ahead
To make your business trip effect, planning needs to begin way before any ticket is booked or your luggage is packed. Of course, we appreciate sometimes last-minute business trips can’t be preempted, we know that a lot of business travellers are used to be being on the move, which means they can plan their trips in advance.
Not only will doing this approach be cost-effective, because you’ll skip being affected with last-minute prices, but it will also give you the chance to research the facilities and the local area before you arrive.
Take business travel with a fresh approach
Being on the lookout for a different approach to your business travel and try not to rely on your usual accommodation style. Typically, hotels are always the first pick for business travellers; however, there is so a lot more on offer in terms of accommodation when you’re working away.
As serviced apartments are on the rise, which offers kitchens for you to cook your own meals and cosy furnishings, this allows business travellers to look beyond hotels and create a real sense of home when they’re away on business. Knowing what’s really important is key here and this information is easily accessed through quick Internet searches, asking work colleagues for recommendations and also looking at accommodation review sites.
Maintain your day-to-day routine
Working away from home doesn’t mean that you have to deviate from your typical routine, especially not your fitness or usual leisure activities. Making time to look around at how you can keep up your out of hours activities will definitely help make sure that you don’t let what you enjoy, and what’s good for your well-being, slip away.
Look after yourself
It goes without saying that working away from home and your usual home comforts can be stressful, so it’s key that you find ways to wind down. Remaining motivated and productive while working away can also be challenging, especially if you’re constantly on the move.
Finding the right kind of environment to get your head down, have that important conference call or to come up with those creative ideas is not always the easiest. Yoga and a good book also shouldn’t be shunned, as they’ve proven to be impactful when trying to switch off and regenerate.
Don’t just pack work clothes
With the above in mind, make sure you’re prepared to relax whilst on your travels. Working out, meditating or even just having downtime at your accommodation isn’t the same when wearing a suit! Whether it’s taking a walk around the local area to get your bearings or going for a run in the local park, taking some time away from the laptop and your room can do wonders for your emotional wellbeing.¨Ask the staff at your place of stay for useful tips on where to go for relaxation, as these, your local guides, will often point you in the right direction.
At Signature Suites, we are always more than happy to make recommendations in Peterborough, whatever the entertainment or space you are looking for.
Feeling at home, away from home
Being away from your family, pets and just general home comforts aren’t ideal when you’re a business traveller. Bringing items that will make your temporary abode feel homely, whether that’s photos, candles, your dressing gown – or even your favourite mug – these small touches can make working away feel less alien.
Of course, with the power of modern communication that sits in our pocket throughout the day in our mobile phones, we are never more than a few finger presses away from our loved ones, or normal routes of communication through the people that we follow or are followed by. However, studies show that a physical item can feel more real and help us relax, so don’t neglect these.
Research the local area
Understanding the surrounding landscape, areas of natural beauty, places of interest, entertainment, and places to eat and drink will ensure to make the most of the trip. Of course, this isn’t limited to personal relaxation and entertainment, you can intelligently use this knowledge to entertain your business colleagues or clients.
In Peterborough, we’re lucky to have a whole host of different avenues of entertainment for all occasions – ranging from one of the UK’s most beautiful Country Parks with Nene Park, through to one of the UK’s most beautiful cathedrals. Trendy, independent coffee shops meet vibrant, award-winning worldwide cuisine – there’s a taste of most things within and just out of the city.
Really, it’s finding the thing to suit you and making sure your happiness is adequately catered for – a happy traveller is a productive traveller – and when that comes to business, the happier and more productive you are, the better the experience is for you and your clients.