Business travel – both domestic and international – is an essential part of the economy. Aside from the fact that it contributes to the GDP of any country, it opens doors of opportunities of businesspersons.

In most companies however, many view business travel as simply an expense and do not see the benefits that come from it. Therefore they set aside little budget for it, making the trip in itself extremely tedious for the employee who gets the assignment to embark on the journey.

The truth is, no matter the budget or destination, any Nigerian can survive a business trip by following certain rules. Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site offers 5 of these rules to aid business people who regularly find themselves in the road.

Make punctuality a habit

Although some business trips may be impromptu, most of them are usually scheduled with ample time to make adjustments. Do not leave your travel arrangements for the last minute and if the office is making the plans for you, ensure you follow them up and they keep you updated.

Book your flight in advance. And on the day of the trip, get to the airport on time, check in on the way if you can. This way you limit every chance of missing your flight and dealing with the complications of a cancellation. Also ensure that you call ahead to notify the hotel and the car rental, and if you are being picked up by business partners at your destination, an early or scheduled arrival gives a good impression and hence a good start.

Stay on top of your expenses

When you are on business trip, usually your expenses are catered to by the office management. In most cases, there will be a budget while in other you may be asked to bring back a list of costs insured for reimbursement. Whatever the case, it is important to stay on top of your expenses.

Take a small jotter to record your spending and ensure you write on the back of each receipt where you were or the reason for the expense. Keeping track of your purchases will help you stick to your budget and will make writing a report easier.

Make a packing list, and use it at all times.

As a traveller, you already know what your trip essentials are. However, before you set out on your journey, it’s best to make a checklist where you run through every item you need, including personal documents and gadget. This helps you remain organized and there is very low risk of forgetting anything on the trip. You really do not need to download an app or use a software to do this, a pen and paper will suffice. Good thing is that once you make the list, you can always use it for every other business trip, only updating it where necessary.

Stay away from the minibar and room service

The minibar poses a huge temptation for most business travellers as it is usually easy to reach into the fridge and snack on something while working. But the thing about most minibars is that the price of the items in the minibar are highly inflated and never worth the convenience. Even the room service comes at an extra charge and also deprives you the chance to stretch your legs and drink in the ambiance of the hotel surroundings.

The fact that you are on a business trip, does not mean you should stay confined to the hotel room. Forget the minibar and room service, go out to local restaurants and stores far away from your hotel, mingle with others and explore in your free hours. Rather than spend more time at the hotel, you will gain enriching experiences that you can share with your colleagues upon your return to the office.

African American businessman watching plane in sky

Always keep your batteries charged

When you are on the road, your devices should remain charged as they are what keep you connected to your office and the contacts at your destination.

In this era of laptops and Ipads, most of our information are stored as files on these gadgets. Charge these devices to full capacity before you set out on the trip, and even while on the trip, carry a travel charger and look out for ports where you can plug in and keep them functional. A great idea will be to pack a portable power bank. Also, you can travel with extra batteries.