Keeping productive while traveling means that you don’t have a backlog of work to battle through when you return to the office — it also means that you might actually have some time to check out the sights while you are away (yes, seriously!). All it takes is a bit of organization, some life-changing gadgets, and a couple of apps that will assist in making your life so much easier! Here are top tips for epic business travelers.
Worldwide Wi-Fi
Yes, it exists — get online in millions of locations around the world. You can even connect when you are in-flight. From hotels to airports, convention centers to trains; a global Wi-Fi pass means you can keep working when you need to wherever you are without having to even think about roaming charges.
Apps That Organize
There are a few more apps that will help you keep on top of things: Tripit stores all of your itineraries so you don’t have to rummage through loads of papers or search your emails; everything is easy to find in one place. Another great app for expenses is Expensify. You can take photos of receipts and collate all your expenses, and then at the end of your trip, you can send it all to the accounts department so you don’t have to deal with your expenses when you get back to the office.
Pre-Packing
If you travel for business often, save yourself loads of time and leave a set of toiletries, your international SIM card, travel adapter, passport, and phone charger in your suitcase, so you never forget the essential items. This also enables you to pack in minutes!
Portable Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi isn’t always available, so it’s a good idea to have a backup solution so you can make sure you can get some work done or browse the web if you need to. Grab a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, as one of these will enable you to set up a private Wi-Fi hotspot for you and as many as 32 devices (most portable hotspots support about 10–15 devices). You can use them anywhere in the world. If you make sure you get one that is unlocked, you can use any SIM card inside, so you can always get the best data rates.
Making Use of Waiting Time
Traveling means a lot of waiting time: at the airport, on the train, in a taxi, etc. You can make use of this time by getting work done, planning what sights you want to see, and charging your gadgets. The more organized you are, the smoother your trip will be and the more time you will have. Download an app called maps.me; not only will it enable you to navigate your way around your destination, but it also enables you to plot where your hotel is, where the meetings you have are, and where attractions you want to visit are. What’s more, you can plot these locations using color-coded pins. This essential app means you can zap between appointments and see sights on the way.
Currency Cards
These are so handy to have when you haven’t converted any money, and you can’t find an ATM. What’s more,your company can buy it for you preloaded with money in the currency of your choice. They are really useful when you are in a hurry, or if things don’t go to plan, especially since you can add more money using your phone. Less running around trying to find cash means more time doing something productive.
Power Banks
The last thing you want is to run out of battery as that will significantly impact your ability to be productive. Make sure you have a high battery capacity power bank with you to prevent such incidents. You can get power banks that charge the average device up fully 20 times before they need recharging — and they fit in the palm of your hand. The average phone is 2000mAh so you will need a power bank that is at least 10000mAh, especially if you have other devices (tablets, portable Wi-Fi, laptop, etc.).
What are your top tips for staying productive while you travel for business?
Featured photo credit: Productivity Hacks for Business Travellers via lifehack.org
