By: Viraj Shah

If you’re about to embark on your first big business trip, you’re probably experiencing a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Being chosen to represent your company on a business trip shows that you’ve earned their trust and that your career is advancing accordingly. However, you’re probably also understandably anxious that you don’t let them down. Fortunately, advance planning helps minimize unexpected and potentially embarrassing snafus for those going on business trips. Following are four proactive strategies to help ensure that your upcoming business trip goes smoothly and has successful results:

Back Up Important Documents

Few things can put a damper on a business trip more thoroughly than suddenly finding yourself without access to essential documents. Making backup copies of your personal identification, passport if you are traveling out of the country, business contracts, and presentation materials circumvents a wide range of nightmare scenarios. To thoroughly cover your bases, make digital copies and keep them in a secure cloud location as well as hard copies to keep securely in your briefcase.

Pack Smart and Prepare for Delays

If you’ve been reading the headlines lately, you already know that airline travel has become fraught with a variety of issues and inconveniences. Although you can’t prevent delays and other problems that often come with travel, proper preparation makes the experience more palatable. Make sure you’ve got adequate toiletries in your carry-on in the event that you don’t have access to your checked baggage during a delay or in case it gets lost. Additionally, pack along a basic first aid kit and any prescription or over-the-counter medications that you need. If you’re traveling to a foreign country, research the destination’s health risks and find out what, if any, vaccinations they require.

Prioritize Travel Insurance

Investing in comprehensive travel insurance is one of the effective ways to safeguard against unexpected hiccups on a business trip. Travel insurance provides coverage for a range of potential issues, including lost luggage, missed connections, trip cancellations, and medical emergencies. When choosing a travel insurance policy for your business trip, make sure it offers good coverage for your specific needs. For instance, if you’re visiting a remote location or an area with limited medical facilities, consider getting a travel insurance package that includes coverage for medical evacuations. A good travel insurance policy provides the peace of mind of knowing that you’re protected financially if something goes wrong.

Prepare for Communication Challenges

Keeping connected with your home, office, and client is essential while you’re away on a business trip. Before you leave, make sure that your cell phone plan covers international calls, texts, and data. If not, you may want to consider purchasing a local SIM card to use while you’re there. Download maps and translation apps that work offline so you can use them even when you don’t have access to WiFi. Also, keep a hard copy of contacts for your hotel, any business colleagues who are accompanying you on the trip, transportation options, and local emergency services. Share your itinerary with a trusted family member or co-worker who can step in if you need assistance.

Published by: Martin De Juan