Business travel is an essential part of many companies worldwide, especially in Australia where many clients and contacts could exist interstate or overseas. While traveling to fulfil face-to-face customers or colleagues is essential to business success, also, it can take away time from our routine job responsibilities, and of course our personal lives and leisure time. Some business coaches would say that travel is a waste of time and money, but if you know how to be efficient, then the trip is worthwhile. Below are a few suggestions for optimising your company and private time when you’re travelling and how to make the most of your time on the road or in the air.
1. Save jobs and tasks for your flight.
We frequently see flight time punctually wasted. But with a little preparation, these hours can become precious time to get things done. By way of instance, save jobs for the airplane ride which fit your flight period. Through an uninterrupted coast-to-coast flight, you will have enough time to handle significant assignments. Save the simpler projects which don’t need as much continuing attention for your flights or layovers. Throughout a very long morning flight, look at doing the most essential jobs first while your head is still new. After a few flights and test runs, make changes and see what suits you best. If you conduct productivity monitoring you will notice how much you can accomplish in otherwise redundant time! Don’t overdo it though, a few hours of work then take a break and watch a movie to avoid burnout.
2. Do a little reading.
Flight time also is a great chance to catch up on studying these reports or articles you have been putting aside for later. Set yourself up using in-flight reading materials in your smartphone or tablet. Compiling a library of reads you are interested in will ensure you are not bored and you will learn something along the way.
3. Catch up on a podcast.
The area of podcasting covers an extensive assortment of topics, from business and entertainment to sports and news. Plane rides offer you excellent opportunities to catch up on podcasts which need time commitments a lot of people don’t often have. There is a range of podcasting programs provided for smartphones that enable users to accumulate and then watch or listen to their favourite podcasts on the move. Podcasts are often informational and entertaining, the perfect mix for a long flight.
4. Learn a foreign language.
Perhaps you’ve spent a whole week out of town working on a job, and you are returning home on a Friday afternoon, prepared to concentrate on something aside from work. As opposed to working throughout your return flight, look at using that opportunity to maximise your skills by studying a foreign language. There are a range of methods, such as novels, programs and language immersion programs. These days the most convenient and straightforward way to learn is by using a smartphone app allows you to go through simple phrases and exercises.
5. Remain secure.
Computer security is a huge concern for all of those that travel, and public Wi-Fi may cause issues. To remain safe while on the go, look at using Apple AirPort Express, which lets you produce your very own Wi-Fi system anywhere. This strategy not only allows you to secure your firewall access from hackers, but it may also help save you money by preventing the various per-device fees for Wi-Fi services.
6. Learn a new hobby.
If you are not planning to spend additional time working, studying or catching up on TV through your travels, look at learning a new hobby. By way of instance, I used some of my downtimes in the resort to teach myself the way to juggle. Not only was I learning a new hobby which my children adore, but it was a terrific way to relieve workday stress. You could look at trying new hobbies such as knitting, sketching and blog writing.
7. Do a little car browsing and shopping.
Are you currently in the market to purchase a new vehicle? If that’s the case, you may use your rental reservation to test drive a model or make of vehicle that you have had your eye on. A great idea if you are time poor at home and do not have the chance to get around to the car dealers on the weekends.
8. Connect with old friends.
A fantastic way to get more from your trip time would be to determine whether any of your private or professional buddies live where you are traveling. Contacting old friends and organising a lunch or dinner can be a fun chance to catch up and reminisce even if it is just for a short time. If in Hobart you could check out the fine dining scene with old friends in the area. Your local contacts may be able to show you around town and take you to see some local attractions such as the Henry Jones Art Hotel.
In regards to making the most of time out travelling, all of these approaches have been effective for me. By looking at your time as a chance to get things done or learn something new, you might surprise yourself at just how successful and productive your next business trip could be.
