If you currently make your living (or you plan to make a living) as a B2B sales consultant or trainer, you’re going to be doing a lot of business travel. There are many ways to make this part of the job much easier and minimize the stress that sometimes goes with it. This article will provide a few of the travel tips that most consultants take advantage of, but know that it’s an ongoing process. You always need to be looking for ways to improve and simplify your travel. In the business travel world, words like simplicity, consistency, and convenience reign supreme. Read on for the top three travel tips for all sales consultants and trainers.
1. Maximize Your Points.
Try to get as many points as possible. Whether that is airline points, hotel points, car rental points, or any other frequently used service you want to try your best to rack up as many points as you possibly can. To do this, try to fly the same airline, stay at the same hotel chain, and rent from the same car rental company. You will save time as you will become familiar with their systems and process, which will allow you to have less stress and move more efficiently both through the booking and check-in process.
Your need for consistency, efficiency and dependability will be achieved. Also, you want to earn points so you can receive the perks; upgrades and free travel that are two of the great rewards that come with all this travel you have to do!
EXPERT TIP: When first starting with a new chain, make them aware of your annual travel needs and ask them if they offer anything special for people in your situation. Airlines and hotels will give you an opportunity to achieve status faster if you ask.
2. Get Your Packing System Down.
This tip might appear simple, but many consultants don’t have a repeatable packing system and every time they travel, it’s like the first time they ever did it. Make a pack list and simply check off each item as you put it in your case. Try to make sure you do the same things each time. Simple things like the order in which you put things in your suitcase will minimize your chances of forgetting things or being stuck with a bag that just won’t fit. The secret here is to be very constant with your packing and to give yourself the time to do it the right way.
EXPERT TIP: Invest in a suitcase that you really like and that you know without a doubt will fit in the overhead compartment. Look for things like durability, wheels, and extra pockets as you make your selection. Having a good system plus a great suitcase will make your business travel better.
3. Buy a great set of headphones.
I wish someone had told me this when I first got into this line of work. Headphones are important for many reasons. You might need them to listen to your voicemails in a crowded airport, or to carry on a phone conversation with an important client. They are also needed while in the air if you plan to listen to music while you work or if you want to relax and watch a movie. Bad headphones that don’t allow for quality audio might not seem like a big deal when you only use them every once in a while, but they will quickly become a big point of frustration and minimize your workflow. Invest in a good set of headphones that will accomplish what you need and are comfortable to wear and easy to pack.
A couple of other things to consider when traveling: exercise and eating. This subject could be a blog post all to its own, so I won’t go into a lot of detail now, but try to have some sort of exercise routine that you follow on a regular basis and remember to be mindful of your eating so you don’t get stuck with airport food.
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