Wherever your business trip is directed – to a city, you can reach in 20 minutes, or to Hawaii – you represent your company every minute of this trip, and therefore your behavior is of great importance. In addition, the more time you spend on trips outside the office, the more you demonstrate and confirm your ability to perform tasks independently, to make the necessary decisions and to draw logical conclusions. Moreover, in order to make your boss sure that your trip is well-thought-out, it is better to use car rental services at 14cars.com.
For any business trip, it is worth knowing how to behave on the road and during the meeting.
- Choose a hotel, which is located not close to the airport, but near the company, firm or the institution you came for. Ask about availability of a business center in the hotel or a small meeting room. This option would be most suitable for you and most satisfying the necessary conditions. According to tripadvisor.com , the majority of 4* and 5* hotels are offering the meeting rooms.
- Prepare a suitable gift for your business partner, which may be not mandatory, but it will certainly become a friendly gesture for your colleague. In addition, there is always time and circumstances, under which the presentation of the gift is timely and appropriate. Business etiquette does not determine the exact time of presenting the gift. You can do this at the beginning of the visit – as an expression of gratitude in advance, or at the end – as a sign of appreciation of the hosts’ hospitality.
- On a business trip, take clothes that can withstand the travel well: light (not heavy) items of clothing that practically do not crumple. Give preference to practical, simple garments that can be easily and profitably combined.
In situations, where virtually unknown people are forced to gather in a relatively small place and spend a long time together, the rules of good form become to some extent “skills for survival”. The following rules of road etiquette will help to facilitate your trip and make it as pleasant as possible:
- Be thoughtful and polite to the people you meet on the road. This applies to all without exception – to the taxi driver; a person checking your ticket; stewards and stewardesses, as well as to passengers that you will meet during your journey.
- Be able to take care of yourself. If you need to drink coffee, take care of filling the travel thermos with a prepared drink. If you have a cough, take the necessary medications with you so that not to suffer and not to pester others during the flight.
- Smile. When meeting people, look them into their eyes, especially those, who are sitting next to you. Say hello to your neighbors. It will be polite to demonstrate that you are aware of and adequately perceive their presence.
- Observe the existing rules and requirements. Fasten your belt and do not leave your place when it is needed.
- Do not talk too much. If the situation allows, conduct a polite conversation with your neighbors, but do not chat continuously when someone is obviously trying to work with papers, to read or just to sleep.
- Realistically estimate the size of the place reserved for you. Try not to occupy the space reserved for your neighbor (keep your elbows, legs and personal belongings at your place), respect the personal space of each passenger.
- Think carefully before drinking alcoholic drinks on the way. Imagine the impression you can make on your business partner who will come to meet you at the airport. The first impression of your client about you can be the last.
- Be tactful and optimistic. Do not speak very loudly, do not make rude, tactless remarks about other passengers’ appearance or behavior. Avoid talking about road accidents, natural disasters, etc. Do not discuss your work, the activities of the company that you represent, – you never know who can hear you.
- Do not forget about privacy. Think about all the pros and cons before starting to work on your laptop or with confidential documents of your company – you do not know who is looking over your shoulder. (Having decided to work on a laptop, do not forget to ask your neighbors, whether you will not disturb them)
The following tips will help you solve problems that may arise during the trip:
- Be courteous. No matter, whom you communicate or how much tired, irritated or disappointed you are, always use “Good day”, “Thank you”, “Please.” These words will not only demonstrate your respectful attitude to the interlocutor, but they will also help you to calm yourself to a certain extent.
- Try not to lose your temper. It is possible and understandable that you will get angry when you learn about the problems that arose during your trip. You never know who is witnessing your anger, and even if you get what you require, your professional reputation can suffer considerably.
- Look for and use alternatives. If possible, politely and calmly explain your problem and tell how you see its solution. Ask what exactly you can do and take the proposed solutions with flexibility. Judge from what is your priority at this particular moment.
- Stay focused on your goals. Try to achieve success in every business trip, despite all possible difficulties and unfavorable circumstances.
- Use your own experience. It is clear that during business trips it is difficult to avoid mistakes, but you can reduce their probability with the help of careful planning, taking into account your experience, gained in previous business trips. Even unsuccessful trips can give you a useful lesson for the future.
In conclusion it should be noted that it is important always to consider possible delays and changes in your plans. An airplane (or a train) may be late, an ordered car may arrive not on time. It is very important to be ready for undesirable situations that may arise during a business trip, and to have an alternative plan. Always have a contact phone of your business partners, their company. When preparing for a flight, do not forget to put extra money and spare clothes into your hand luggage just in case.