The first thing you have to do is research your destination and some specifics about the country. You should learn about the business culture but also the general culture of the people there.
Whether you're being sent by your company, or you are traveling as your own boss, business trips are usually stressful. Not only is there pressure to close a deal in most cases, but you also have to plan the logistics very tightly as you can’t let poor planning cost you opportunities. Proper planning will allow you to get to your destination in a relaxed state and have plenty of time for preparation. You’ll also be ready for any issue that presents itself along the way. Let’s take a look at how to plan for a comfortable and successful overseas business trip.
Know your destination inside and out
The first thing you have to do is research your destination and some specifics about the country. You should learn about the business culture but also the general culture of the people there. You don't want to make a faux pas or do something that comes off as disrespectful outside of a business setting.
You should also start studying the area where you’ll be staying and the places you’ll be going to. It would also be a good idea to get to your destination a few days or even a week in advance if you can. This will allow you to get familiar with your surroundings and practice a few itineraries. You'll also be able to try different transit options and see which ones are more convenient and affordable for you.
Bring some entertainment
You’ll be spending a lot of time at the airport and will have to kill time whether in your room between meetings or on the road, so bring plenty of entertainment with you. You also have a long flight with possibly multiple steps ahead of you, so you need to find something to keep you occupied. We suggest that you download a few games and audiobooks before you go. You can also download a few podcasts just in case you don’t have access to the internet. Or, if you like Poker, then you could always download one or a few poker apps and play a few hands wherever you are and even get a chance to win some money. If you’ve never tried online Poker, Pokerstars is a great site to start with. You can find a decent review about Pokerstars casino and their bonus codes here.
Consider booking a service apartment
Whether you’re going alone or with a team, you should consider booking a serviced apartment instead of a hotel room. If you're with a team, you could book one or a few service apartments on the same floor. Everyone will get to work in their separate quarters, but you'll still be able to get everyone together pretty fast. You'll have more space and liberty as well.
Going with a serviced apartment will help you save money too. You and your team won’t have to spend money on restaurant food for every meal. This could eventually mean thousands of dollars for you in savings. Not only that, but you could decide to hold business dinners or meetings at your place instead of having to go to a restaurant or other venue. So, if you want accommodations that are practical, affordable, and make planning much easier, go for a serviced apartment.
Weigh your luggage before you go and know your airline’s weight requirements
You cannot leave without checking your airline and destination’s weight restrictions as they will impose a penalty or may require that you take out things before you go so you can get under the weight threshold. So, get yourself a reliable scale and be careful with what you pack.
What you pack your stuff in will also make a difference. If you are traveling with fragile items like projectors and other electronics, then you should get the sturdiest luggage you can. But, if all you’re bringing with you is clothes, then it would be better to get a lighter suitcase.
Bring backup power and Wi-Fi for your mobile devices
The last thing you want is for your phone or laptop to run out of power just before a dinner or a presentation. This is why you need to invest in one or a few power banks to keep your devices going. We suggest that you get a power bank for your laptop specifically, and one for your mobile devices. A laptop power bank should have around 20,000mAh of capacity, while a mobile power bank should have at least 5,000. You should also consider investing in a mobile hotspot if possible, especially if Wi-Fi access is limited where you'll be or if the internet there is not stable.
If you follow these few simple tips, your next business trip should go smoothly. Start with solid research of where you’ll be going and use all the tools at your disposal to make things easy for you.
