7 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Going On a Business Trip

If you’re planning a business trip anytime soon, you have to be aware that things don’t go the way they should or as planned now and then.

While there are things that are out of your control, such as bad weather, flight delays, and cancellations, there are certain things that you can control, and that could make a successful business trip.

So, if you’re traveling twice a year for work, or once a month, make sure that you avoid these six common mistakes that we’ve listed for your next trip.

Last-minute packing

Sometimes, it’s not what you pack; it’s how you pack. Ideally, before you start, come up with a list of the things that you need on your trip. Review your itinerary, check the weather forecast, and then decide what you need. Pack clothes that can be worn during daytime or evenings, and try to avoid packing clothes that crease easily.

Rolling your clothes is a great trick that you can use as well. Not only this helps you save space on your luggage, but when done the right way, this helps you keep your clothes wrinkle-free. With that said, you cannot roll a suit, so you might want to invest a suit carrier for items that require hanging. Check out the best luggage sets here.

Forgetting about receipts

In general, an employee needs to cover his travel expenses. A business trip can be costly- from booking flights, accommodations, to finding local transportation, these things add up.

That’s why you need to ensure that you keep all the receipts so that you can hand them to the accounting department once you come back from your trip. If your company is unable to reimburse your for some of these expenses, you can still use them on saving on personal tax deductions.

Insufficient time for preparation

In every successful business trip, preparation is key. Make sure that you do sufficient research, and if you can, plan or write your travel itinerary in advance. Be aware of the weather of the place that you’re traveling. That way, you’re much more aware of what’s coming.

Also, make sure that you print out any relevant that you need beforehand because the internet connection can be unreliable in some places. You also have to reconfirm your plans before you leave to avoid any wasted time and expensive cancellations that might occur as a result.

If you’re traveling internationally, buy an electrical adaptor that you can use in other countries. Next, you need to inform your local bank that you’re going on a trip abroad. Telling the bank that you are going out of the country is vital as they might block off your card, due to malicious activity.

Finally, get in touch with the network provider of your phone and ask if they can provide services even from a different country.

Choosing the cheapest accommodation

So, you’re going on an important business trip, and although you want to book the cheapest accommodation or hotel that you can find, this might backfire. You must review your hotel accommodations first and compare them to your meeting location. Is it accessible? What are your transportation options?

Sometimes, wanting to save a few dollars isn’t worth being stuck on traffic on your way to your meeting.

It’s also a good idea that you check the hotel reviews first before booking. That will help you choose the best accommodation that fits your needs.

If you can, call the hotel directly before you decide to book. They might even surprise you by offering deals and lower prices.

Checked baggage

Why did you check-in your bags? Is it because you packed too much? Overpacking is one of the most common mistakes a lot of travelers make. Ideally, it would help if you stuck with a carry-on.

That way, you can kiss expensive baggage fees and the long waiting time for your stuff in the luggage carousel goodbye. Not having checked-in luggage will help you save time on your business trip and the rest of your trips thereon. You won’t have to worry about your bag getting lost, either.

Tardiness

When traveling for business, always make sure that you aren’t running late, especially if you’re going to a meeting or traveling with someone else.

Don’t make a colleague wait for you. You don’t want to be the reason why you’re late for an upcoming client meeting.

Taking only business clothing

While you pack your business attire and shoes, remember that you’ll also be spending some free time exploring your location.

So, apart from your usual business attire, make sure to pack some leisure outfits like sweatpants, jeans, t-shirts, shorts, and so on.

Over to You

So there you have it. By eliminating these mistakes you can make your trip less stressful. That way, you can also be more productive and focus your attention on more important things on your upcoming business trip.