Travelling for business can be tiring and stressful at times, what with all those long flights, jet lag, endless hotel stays and numerous meetings. Sometimes surviving a business trip is all about packing the right things so you can travel in greater comfort. Here are some of the things that top entrepreneurs take with them when on the road, with a few suggestions for other things you can do to make your trips more enjoyable.
Top entrepreneurs keep things simple
You may assume that successful entrepreneurs fill their bags with all kinds of gadgets, but in fact most of them focus on packing things that improve their comfort and convenience. For example, Richard Branson insists on taking a notebook everywhere he goes to record conversations, as he explained in a video on FreeEnterprise.com.
For Mariam Naficy, the founder of Minted, comfort is important, as explained in an article at Entrepreneur, and so she takes her favourite tea with her. Another article in the same series explains how Eric Ryan, the co-founder of Method, always packs moisturiser to reduce dryness.
Many others pack practical equipment. A feature at Inc. explained how Rob Bernshteyn, the CEO of Coupa, packs a small headset to make Skype calls; Bryan Boettger, the chief creative officer of The Buddy Group, always packs a portable Wi-Fi adaptor; and Gary Peterson, the president of Gap Intelligence, never forgets to pack gifts for clients.
Other popular items in an entrepreneur’s carry 0n
As well as the items packed by the above entrepreneurs, other things you might want to pack on a business trip could include:
- Noise-cancelling headphones
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A book or e-reader
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Your laptop, tablet and smartphone
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Lots of business cards
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Plenty of stationery, especially pens
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Chargers for your gadgets
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A universal power adaptor
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A portable speaker
Planning ahead is key when you go on a business trip. Make sure you plan all of the things you are going to take with you in advance, and try to find a light and sturdy bag to pack them in. If you can, try to limit your luggage to a carry-on because it will save you time waiting for your bags to arrive when you land, and you won’t have to worry about luggage getting lost.
Make your travels easier
Even when travelling with your favourite items for comfort or business, travelling can still be hard work. To make your trips more enjoyable, try to plan some non-business activities when you arrive. Find out about the main attractions and make some time to explore your surroundings – just because you are travelling on business, you can still enjoy yourself.
Another thing you can do is hire the services of a lifestyle concierge. Using a company that has a presence in countries all over the world, like Quintessentially, you can arrange for your concierge to meet you in your new country where they can provide you with tips for things to see and places to eat, as well as helping you out and making sure your trip is problem free. You can then focus more on the business side of things and you may have more time to relax before meetings.
Get more from your business trips
Make sure your business trips go as smoothly as possible by packing all of the essentials and planning your trips carefully. Being on the road can be stressful, but it can also be exciting because you can enjoy a change of surroundings. Make sure you spend time planning your trips carefully and get the most from your travels wherever you go.