Executives can stay in serviced apartments to remain productive on the road
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Business travel is often the best way to close deals and forge relationships with international suppliers, distributors and manufacturers. However, in today's challenging financial climate, executives must remain focused on the task at hand, even when international business travel proves stressful. Rather than compete for executive-class suites at chain hotels, business professionals can stay in serviced apartments to ensure that their minds are focused on closing that deal, not worrying about where to stay.
At the top of their game
According to a recent survey by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), many executives feel the most stressed when they lose precious time during business trips. Lost time often equals lost opportunities, so business travelers who want to stay at the top of their game should consider staying in corporate accommodations for their trip to minimize stress and lost productivity.
"Travelers need to focus on being productive," said Vincent Lebunetel, head of CWT Solutions Group for Europe, Middle East and Africa, as quoted by Business Travel News. "Their companies are not paying them to travel."
Small changes often amount to a big difference, and by eliminating the need to worry about staying in chain hotels by choosing corporate housing, business professionals can remain focused on what they do best.
Be prepared
In addition to making smart choices about their corporate accommodations, executives can take a number of other steps to ensure that their time spent on the road is productive. According to Inc. magazine, being prepared is one way business travelers can maximize their efficiency, no matter where they find themselves.
"Get a long-battery-life laptop and get the extended battery, because I never know when I’ll be away from a power outlet for an extended time," Carl Silverberg, a political consultant who traveled 131,000 miles in 2011 alone, told the news source. "They're inexpensive and a lifesaver when you can't find an outlet."
Other steps that Silverberg recommended for frequent business travelers included regularly backing up important data onto a flash drive for easy access in the absence of a network connection. Even if professionals do not have a reliable internet connection, having backups of important documents allows them to keep working even when they are offline. Silverberg also suggests business travelers print out important information such as appointments, to avoid disruption in the event of a lack of cellular service or an electrical fault.