Whether you’ve been to your destination or not, business trips are always exciting because you have the unique opportunity to see a new place through fresh eyes. 

Even if you’ve been there before, there’s always more to explore — and you might find that more opportunities are available to you because you’re representing your company.

5 Things to Remember on a Business Trip

It’s normal to be excited about your first business trip. After all, your expenses are paid for by your company — for the most part, at least. Just keep in mind these crucial tips when you’re traveling for business for the first time.

1. Get Enough Sleep

Adults need roughly eight hours of sleep to function well the next day. Booking a red-eye flight or staying out too late to enjoy the sights can get you into trouble before a meeting. You need to attend your meetings while awake and alert. Staying out all night to explore the city can wait until after the business part of your trip is done.

2. Keep Your Receipts

In case your company decides to reimburse you for what you spend while you’re on a business trip, having the receipts can be handy to keep track of your expenses and offer proof if asked in the future. You should also educate yourself on how much your company allots for meals, travel and lodging so that you can budget accordingly without spending too much of your own money.

3. Take Safety Precautions

Protecting yourself is vital, especially when you’re in an unfamiliar area. It’s a good idea to share information like your flight and meeting details with trusted friends and family members back home so they know where you are and when they can check on you. Knowing the local laws can also help you protect yourself, as can making yourself seem like a resident instead of a tourist. Also, leave your expensive items at home, just in case.

4. Learn Language Skills

Suppose you’re traveling somewhere abroad where a language you don’t know is common. In that case, you should acquire a baseline knowledge of that language before you go. You can’t expect everyone to know your language, especially if they aren’t the people you’ll be dealing with on the business end of your trip. Learn enough of the language to recognize and speak common phrases. You never know when or who you’ll need to ask for directions or find a bathroom.

5. Have Fun

It’s okay to pencil in some time to explore new areas. Once you have everything business-related figured out, take a day or a few hours to do something you know you’ll enjoy and explore the city. Think of it as a treat for doing so well on your first business trip!

5 Things to Avoid on a Business Trip

Hoping for the best is excellent, but you should also be prepared for the worst. Sometimes, things just happen, and even though a little setback here and there may be inevitable, being ready for preventable ones can make a world of difference.

1. Looking Messy

On your trip, you want to look prepared and presentable at all times. Making a good first impression is vital. Minor changes, like tailoring your clothes to fit correctly, can go a long way in improving your appearance and impressing other people.

2. Waiting to Book

Don’t wait to book flights and hotels until the last minute. You want to ensure that everything you have planned can play out just as you imagined it. Having nowhere to stay or missing a flight can drastically alter your trip and leave a lasting bad impression on your responsibility level.

3. Coming in Unprepared

Look up addresses before you leave. Learn the names of the people you’ll be meeting, if applicable. Arm yourself with knowledge of your company and what you can do for potential customers and clients. Preparing a pitch can help you feel more confident about your abilities and leave a good impression on potential clients. 

4. Forgetting to Register for Rewards

If you sign up with an airline, car company or hotel as you use their services, you can start earning points toward other trips. You’re missing out on free and valuable points that you can redeem for later trips if you don’t take advantage of these programs. Using extra points for something like a future room upgrade or complimentary breakfast would be nice, especially if you’ll be traveling a lot for work from here on out!

5. Being Negative

While plenty of things could go wrong on a business trip, you may just find that you have the time of your life in a new area. Explore all there is to offer, and keep the work-life balance going strong. Keep your emotions in check, and remember that there’s always a chance you’ll have an even better time next trip.

When in Doubt, Plan It Out

The most significant takeaway you can know about traveling for business is that you should always be prepared. Plan out your routes in advance and write down your meeting times until they’re seared into your brain. 

Then, once all the work is out of the way, you can start planning for leisure activities and destinations you’d like to experience on your trip. Safe travels, and have fun!