Traveling abroad for business purposes can be exhausting. This is especially true when you are traveling to countries that will require you to begin functioning in your professional capacity as soon as you arrive. It is important therefore, to do some planning and preparation prior to leaving, so that you will be alert and ready to begin working with minimal lag time. If you are just starting a career that requires foreign travel, there are some simple steps that will help you to manage your time and be more effective.
Ship brochures, marketing materials, and other documents to your hotel in advance. When you are packing items to be shipped ahead of time, include office supplies that may be difficult to find once you arrive. Include tape, poster pins, extra pens, and name labels if you will be doing a presentation. Contact the hotel and make arrangements to have your boxes held at the front desk until you check-in. Timing for shipping is critical if you are shipping overseas, so it will be important to send items using a shipper that provides these services to businessmen on a regular basis.
When you are packing your carry-on bag, include a brightly colored, plastic envelope to hold your passport and other important documents. You can also save time by having enough currency exchanged into the denomination of the country you are going to for payment of taxis, car services, and tips.
Ship brochures, marketing materials, and other documents to your hotel in advance. When you are packing items to be shipped ahead of time, include office supplies that may be difficult to find once you arrive. Include tape, poster pins, extra pens, and name labels if you will be doing a presentation. Contact the hotel and make arrangements to have your boxes held at the front desk until you check-in. Timing for shipping is critical if you are shipping overseas, so it will be important to send items using a shipper that provides these services to businessmen on a regular basis.
When you are packing your carry-on bag, include a brightly colored, plastic envelope to hold your passport and other important documents. You can also save time by having enough currency exchanged into the denomination of the country you are going to for payment of taxis, car services, and tips.
Have food waiting at your destination. When you make your hotel reservations, ask that room service have a cold meal, such as a sandwich, in your room when you arrive. Hotels that cater to business travelers normally provide this service. If you are going to be traveling for over 8 hours, do not pack a sandwich at home and eat it when you arrive at your destination. Most people find that they have a sensitive stomach when they travel long distances and eating a sandwich that has been kept a room temperature for an extended period of time can make you sick.
If you are going to need a vehicle while you are at your location, it will be important to find out about parking at your accommodations when you make your reservation. Some hotels do not have parking on-site, while other charge a fee for parking. In order to get the best deal on your accommodations and parking, make arrangements through a provider that works exclusively with business travellers.
Traveling abroad can be a great opportunity for an individual to build a broader network of contacts within an industry. In addition, any business wishing to expand in a global direction will find that it is necessary to travel abroad in order to establish a presence in the countries where you will do business. Planning and preparation are key to taking full advantage of the opportunities for providing potential investors and customers with the confidence to work with your business.