Planning a business trip can be fraught with challenges, as while many staff may see them as an opportunity to combine business and pleasure in a way that doesn’t often happen under normal circumstances, for others, they are little more than an inconvenience that takes them away from family.
But by getting the balance right and creating an itinerary that they can’t help but get excited about – and that you can’t either – is a sure-fire way to get everyone on board, and injecting a little luxury into the experience will ensure that it’s seen as a positive. Everyone loves a little bit of indulgence, and whether you’re planning a trip for yourself or for a larger group of colleagues, booking out an opulent five-star hotel or a luxury corporate apartment, sourcing plush private transport, and these aother easy upgrades are all you need.
Lease a business car
Getting to the business trip venue is the first step, and getting a plush business lease car will ensure that you get to travel in comfort and style. If you travel often for work, then this can be a great asset to have, as for a monthly fee, you’ll be able to drive the car in its best years, meaning you won’t have to deal with MOTs, part failures and taking it to the garage for repairs – and can hand it back when you’re done. You can choose what time period you’d like to lease the car, ranging from a year to up to four years, and can swap it for a brand new car once the period has lapsed.
The lowered cost of a lease when compared with purchasing a brand new car for work purposes makes it even easier to get yourself behind the wheel of the luxury car of your dreams, and work-related travel will feel like a treat rather than a chore. From a swanky Aston Martin to an opulent new Bentley or an environmentally friendly Tesla, the choices are endless.
Dress to impress
Any businessperson knows that when it comes to sealing those important deals, a commanding outfit does part of the convincing, and splurging on some new designer attire will give you the best possible chance of success as well as ensuring you look and feel like a million dollars.
For men, a quality, tailor-made suit never fails to impress, and a timeless design from Emporio Armani, Hugo Boss or Reiss will see you through many an important moment in the boardroom. On your feet, top off the look with a smart and, depending on your style, embellished set of loafers or dress shoes, and you’ll be good to go.
For women, a sharp, fitted designer dress by Prada or Gucci, teamed with a pair of killer heels and a blazer is bound to give you a confidence boost when you need it the most.
Don’t forget that you’ll need some dress-down clothes for your trip, too. Be sure to pack a floaty dress, relaxed cotton trousers, a plain white tee and your comfortable shoes for when you want to switch off from the business day whilst remaining presentable, or for men, chinos and a casual shirt will do.
Book a spa day
Don’t be afraid to take some time to relax while you’re away if your schedule allows – and if you’re arranging a business trip for a group of colleagues, then scheduling in some R and R is a sure-fire way to win them over, too.
Making some time for enjoyment and to do something unrelated to business will give you time to switch off and let go of any stress you’re carrying. Business trips can be fast-paced, hectic and high-pressured, so do things a little differently and everyone will benefit.
A spa day is a great option when it comes to leisure time, particularly if you’ve had to travel long-haul and are feeling exhausted and run-down from the journey. A massage and some time in the sauna will ensure that your business trips no longer feel like little more than necessary evils and you might even find yourself starting to enjoy them. And your colleagues will start to look forward to them too, which is only ever a good thing for morale and can help to boost productivity levels, too.
Comfort accessories
The accessories you pack can make or break a business trip, and ensuring you’re all set up for a comfortable journey to and from, and that you have plenty of entertainment options close at hand when you need them can make all the difference.
A pair of Bluetooth headphones will allow you to plug in and listen to voicemails, podcasts and music while on the go, as well as jumping on video meetings with colleagues as and when required. And your laptop and smartphone will of course be essential – not just for conducting business on the go, but for watching your favourite series and browsing social media, too.
Style wise, a pair of designer sunglasses is essential, whatever the weather happens to be where you’re going. Not only will they protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, but they can also hold a multitude of sins if a business meeting turns into a late night and numerous drinks at the nearest champagne bar. And you’ll of course want to have a compact designer handbag – or ‘man bag’ – on you to hold everything you need for the day without compromising your outfit.
Additional accessories you could get to enhance your trip include a cardholder to keep your cards organised without creating an unsightly bulge in your pocket, a portable charger to eliminate phone battery stress and noise-cancelling headphones to seal yourself out from a rowdy environment on the plane or on the train – but ultimately, it comes down to your lifestyle and what’s likely to put you at ease while you travel, making for an enjoyable experience you’ll no longer dread.
