Tips for Frequent Business Travelers
1. Double-check your tech
Business trips can be especially difficult when trying to juggle travel and technology – sometimes preforming normal, everyday work tasks can become an insurmountable challenge for an ill prepared traveler. Maintaining productivity on the go is paramount for business travelers and setting up a pre-travel tech check is key to ensuring the remote access necessary to save data securely.
Double check company policy and with IT department setting up remote access via a VPN (virtual private network) or virtualized desktop or cloud is key to having the ability to get the information needed to accomplish the goals of your trip and access your information on the go.
2. Expense on the fly
Have access to your expenses wherever you are is a matter of getting the right app on your phone or table to enable you to manage all your accounts and important files in real time, whether you’re grabbing breakfast before your flight or dinner with a client after a meeting if you have the right software, you can track all of your expenses.
New apps that combined OBT (Online booking tools) with expense management like Concur – allow travelers to report expenses quickly helping save time and money. Productivity is increased with no report to file when returning to the office all of your travel expenses captured on the go for reimbursement.
3. Embrace alternative options
Don’t get hung up on the idea that you have to use your own car to travel or stay in a corporate hotel. Before your trip, check out your mileage reimbursement and compare it to car rental, save the wear are tear on your personal vehicle and save your company money at the same time with programs like Enterprise Emerald Club.
Also don’t forget to check out alternatives like private rental sites such as Airbnb and Wimdu – both claim to be up to 50 percent cheaper than a hotel. Many of these private agreements have accommodations and perks including cleaning services, meet and greats to avoid the hassle that comes with self-service.
Very helpful and useful tips – thanks for posting! Well written too.