If you’re traveling with a co-worker or a boss for the first time, congratulations! Your company trusts you to do a good job of representing them in a new place.
However, business trips can be awkward and stiff affairs if you don’t know the proper etiquette for working on-the-go. Use these tips and tricks to make the most of your first business trip.
- Use Travel Time Appropriately
When traveling, it is easy to forget that you’re still on company time and hard to know how you should act between destinations. When traveling with superiors, follow their lead on trains, cars, and airplanes. Do they want to plan for coming meetings and presentations, or are they taking a nap? When in doubt, ask politely about the agenda between company activities. - Don’t Be Late
Even if you often get away with being late, when out of the office, always be early for every event. The Huffington Post recommends arriving 10 minutes early for most activities. Do not cause extra stress by delaying plans due to tardiness and poor planning. Double check the schedule and don’t hesitate to confirm start times verbally with your coworker or boss. - Don’t Get Drunk
Even though traveling for work may seem like a miniature vacation, remember that you’re away on business and are representing your company. Having more than a drink or two on the plane, at dinner, or at events can impair your judgment. Don’t hinder your company’s objectives or your own reputation and career advancement by doing something you’ll regret — save the drinks for your time off the clock and away from your boss. - Know What’s Expected of You
According to Countrynavigator.com, the junior traveling companion is sometimes expected to handle the logistics of the trip while the senior employee tends to business. You could be responsible for tipping drivers, making dinner reservations, printing tickets, and more. Stay alert to what needs to be done and how you can help things run more smoothly throughout your travels. - Pack Like a Pro
It can be hard to learn how to pack compactly and efficiently for business trips, especially if you need to look your best every day. Make use of hotel irons and cleaning services. Bring items you can wear more than once, and try bringing items with similar colors so you can mix and match with ease. Bring a few nice outfits for evenings, since you may be meeting clients in non-office settings, like at a restaurant. - Keep It Professional
Though traveling may feel like bonding time, Entreprenuer magazine recommends keeping personal business to yourself when chatting with your boss. Even though 33% of domestic business trips require time in a plane, and sometimes red-eye flights, leave the comfy pajamas in your suitcase and dress professionally in public.
By following these five steps, you can get the job done and impress your boss on any trip away from the office. By knowing the proper etiquette, you might even be able to relax and have some work-appropriate fun.
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