How To Prepare For Your First International Business Trip

Whether you are going for a few days or a many-month secondment, traveling abroad for work is equal parts exciting and daunting.

This is especially true if you are new to business travel, or if you are going to a destination that you have never visited before. However, with careful preparation you can cover all bases in advance of departure, leaving you free to relax and focus on the task at hand during your visit.

Use these top tips to get ready for your first international business trip.

Work

Prioritize your tasks

First and foremost, remember why you are traveling. It goes without saying that a business trip is not a holiday! Prioritize your work-related tasks in the run-up to the trip and during the visit itself. This might include confirming event details or practicing a presentation.

Collate the materials

As the saying goes, you can never be too prepared. Rather than risk not being able to access a printer or source certain materials, collate everything you need in advance of your trip and take it with you.

Connect with contacts

You will feel much more at ease for your international business trip if you build up a relationship with some of the employees working abroad in advance of your visit. Something as simple as a video call to introduce yourself can help to alleviate any anxiety you might be feeling about meeting new faces.

Create an itinerary

To ensure that you stay on track during your trip, create an itinerary ahead of arrival. You can share this with your employer and the team in your intended destination and download it into your phone to help you stay organized throughout the tour. Remember to leave plenty of time for travel and rest!

Preparation

Research the country

It is vital to research the country you are visiting. Every country in the world has its own unique culture, and it is important that you understand the dos and don’ts of your destination to avoid accidental rudeness and ensure you are conducting yourself well with your colleagues. Learning a few phrases of the local language goes a long way to winning people over, too.

Check the dress code

Make sure that you know how to dress appropriately for your trip, taking into account the local culture, your planned activities, and the status of the people you are meeting. Check your itinerary and the dress code ahead of time and ask if you are unsure. Remember that hot weather does not necessarily mean that it is okay for you to show too much skin or wear more informal clothes.

Pack in advance

There is nothing worse than feeling rushed and stressed before a big international business trip. Packing in advance is essential in ensuring that you feel calm and collected in the run-up to your journey. Using organizational aids like packing cubes or even simply a packing list will help to keep your possessions in good order and reassure you that you have everything you need.

Set a budget

Before you leave, set a budget. Ensure that you understand how much you can claim on expenses while you are away and set aside some personal savings for souvenirs and emergencies.

If you will be given an allowance from work, ask how much this will be and what it is expected to cover. Those on an extended secondment might need to have an adjusted salary for the duration of their stay.

Logistics

Check your passport

Perhaps most vital of all – check your passport well in advance of your trip. You usually need at least six months left on your passport validity at the date of travel in order to be able to go abroad, and it can take several weeks to order and receive a new one.

Investigate visas

You may need a visa depending on where you are traveling to or from. Business visas are different from standard tourist visas and may require information from your employer. Research online and send in your application well in advance to allow time for potential delays.

Book flights and transfers

It is well worth booking your flights and arranging your airport taxi transfers well before your date of departure. This ensures that you get the best possible price for each component, and having your transport booked ahead of time gives you peace of mind for your arrival.

Save emergency numbers

Finally, but no less importantly, save the details of your emergency contact numbers. While you will likely not need these during your trip, it is essential that you can find them quickly if needed. Be sure to double-check the correct country code for telephone numbers in your destination, as well as the numbers for the emergency services.

Read Also:

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