A simple guide to business trip packing.
Hello Entrepreneur!
Are you preparing for your first business trip? That’s awesome!
Business trips can be a way to expand the horizons of you and your business, learn new things and find some great networking opportunities. Yet, they can also be really daunting if you don’t know how to go about them. But worry not! We bring to you some must-haves for an easy checklist to make at least the travel aspect of your trip simple and easy to manage, so you can devote your energies better to achieving your goals.
Here are five essential tips to make sure your trip goes smoothly.
1. Always pack light
Checking in luggage is a hassle that is best not dealt with when you almost certainly have better things to worry about. That’s why having a reliable, sturdy carry-on can make traveling significantly easier, as you really only have one major piece of luggage to worry about carting around.
When choosing a carry-on, consider a small to medium-sized stroller, which can easily accommodate a few days’ worth of clothing and essentials, along with other necessities, if you can use this space efficiently. Opting for a piece of lightweight, armored luggage also makes switching modes of transportation much easier, as its size and weight would rarely pose an issue.
Another benefit of traveling light is cutting out the unnecessary clutter that comes with overpacking. Instead of adding extra weight to your load, focus on filling your suitcase only with items that contribute to your trip’s enjoyment and convenience. By being mindful of what you pack, you can travel with ease and avoid the stress of dealing with heavy luggage.
2. Capsule wardrobe
A work trip requires you to look presentable and professional during all your engagements. Hence, it is a good idea to go over your itinerary a few times before deciding what to pack. This helps you minimize the overpacking that comes with stuffing multiple outfits into a bag with no clarity on where they are to be worn.
When selecting clothing for your trip, it is sensible to pack items of clothing that are comfortable, tried and tested and easy to maintain. Opt for fabrics that are resistant to staining or wrinkling, especially if you do not have access to a laundry service. Also, you can build a versatile capsule wardrobe with items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits and a select few neutral accessories. Additionally, include a few smart casual pieces that can be easily dressed up or down to suit a wider range of social engagements.
A traveler’s tip is to stick to a color scheme when packing, as it makes it easier to team clothing items of similar color together and ensure that the accessories one are carrying work for multiple outfits.
3. Packing cubes
Packing cubes make for a really great tool to efficiently utilize a limited amount of space when traveling. They are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and some even offer compressing capabilities to further maximize available packing space.
Packing cubes also make it easy to organize your belongings by creating multiple compartments within which to divide stuff. By using different cubes for specific categories such as clothes, undergarments, accessories, makeup, toiletries, equipment or gadgets etc, You can easily separate and locate items as needed. This systematic approach not only simplifies packing and unpacking but also reduces the likelihood of losing items due to the chaos of not knowing where you put them.
4. Power Bank/Adapters
You want to get the most out of your time on this trip, so maintaining efficiency is of the essence. Now you can’t really do that if your devices are regularly running out of charge when you need them, can you?
Invest in a power bank that can accommodate the majority of your devices is a smart move to keep them powered throughout the day. Look for a power bank with a capacity of 20,000 mAh and above, as these can charge a variety of devices such as laptops, cell phones, tablets and even certain cameras while you’re on the go.
If you are traveling internationally, it is also important to bear in mind the electrical standards of the country you are visiting. Different countries may have varying plug types and voltages. To ensure compatibility and uninterrupted charging, a universal adapter plug is a must-have essential to keep your devices going in a foreign country.
5. Secondary bag
Image Courtesy of Etsy
As convenient as a carry-on stroller is for the travel part, it’s not exactly something that you can lug around to an office or café comfortably. It is thus reasonable to have a secondary bag to carry specifics when you head out to your engagements.
Ideally, this bag should be able to accommodate your laptop and other necessary devices, battery backup, documents and essentials like wallets and keys. Some hygiene products, maybe an extra change of clothes, etc. can also be considered for long days out.
A medium-sized satchel, duffle bag or backpack in a neutral color might work well for this purpose. If your secondary bag can be folded away and packed into your primary luggage, even better!
Well then! You can now use this simple list of essentials as a base guide and adjust it to the requirements of your purposes and destinations. We wish you a smooth and fruitful business trip!
Also read:
- Steer Clear of These Email Faux Pas to Maintain Professionalism at Work
- What Are the Challenges of Romantic Relationships in the Workplace?
- What Is “Over-Engineering” and Why Is It a Threat to Effective Product Development
Header Image Courtesy of Flickr
