Corporate Travel Tips Every Executive Should Know in 2014

How to Pack Right, Keep Your Devices Charged, Handle Flight Delays and More

Traveling for business is a different beast than traveling for leisure. Punctuality and performance are the two keys to a successful business trip, but one’s energies — physical and mental — get drained pretty quickly. There’s a lot to focus on during business travel, so to help you out, we’ve compiled a few expert tips from our many years of corporate travel experience to make the process easier, more enjoyable ultimately successful.

The Art of Packing Right

When you’re traveling for business, it’s important to pack carefully and pack light — few things are worse than unwieldy luggage. But packing light is easier said than done. With a little planning however, you can master the art of packing.

It begins by packing a day or two in advance of your trip. This gives you time to think about what you really need, and test out how it’s all going to fit. You can lay out all your clothes and decide which you’ll ultimately bring with you. You can also create a list of essentials and double- or triple-check it before your trip.

Stay Ready

In fact, planning ahead may allow you to pack everything you need in a carry-on, which is the best option for smoother trips because you eliminate the risk of lost or delayed luggage.

If you’re a frequent business traveler, you can streamline the packing process by keeping a pre-packed carry-on stashed in your closet so you can be ready to go in a moment’s notice. Fill it with:

• Pajamas
• Underwear and socks
• Clean shirt
• Toiletries
• Electronics chargers
• Notebook and pens
• Mints/mouthwash
• Umbrella
• Pain reliever (aspirin or ibuprofen)

Simply restock the bag at the end of each trip and throw in a dryer sheet to keep it smelling fresh.

Power packing tip: Roll your clothes instead of folding them for extra space. For a great video on rolling a suit to make it fit — along with everything else you may need — inside a carry-on, watch this short and simple video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkW-90LLJxE

Never Desperate For a Charge

Nothing’s worse than a dead gadget when you need it most. Just ask any road warrior whose phone died when they needed to make an important call, or whose laptop blinked off right before they hit SEND on an email carrying an attachment that’s at deadline.

Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or all three, today’s business traveler is equipped with some kind of mobile computing device. Not only do they offer crucial communications and entertainment abilities, they’re often loaded with productivity and business apps to help you get your work done.

To keep your tech juiced and ready for action, consider some of these great ways to charge.

PhoneSuit Pocket Chargers

Whether you use an iPhone or Android smartphone, PhoneSuit’s got a pocket charger for you. The PhoneSuit Flex Pocket Charger gives you the freedom to charge your smartphone instantly and anywhere. Inside its well-designed, compact aluminum case is a powerful 2600 mAh iPhone or Android smartphone battery. It’s about the size of your thumb, connects right onto your phone, and will give you a full charge with plenty of juice left over.

Click here to see a short video explaining the PhoneSuit Flex Pocket Charger.

Powerbag

If you tend to travel with more tech than a Tesla, a pocket charger isn’t enough to keep you going. That’s where Powerbag’s products come into play. Their various backpacks, messenger bags and business-ready briefcases offer integrated on-board batteries and connectors ready to feed juice to all of your devices, from iPhones to Galaxy Tab tablets.

In addition to providing portable power, Powerbags are designed to carry and protect your devices; they feature padded pockets and plenty of room for notebooks, pens and other supplies.

As of this writing, Powerbags cannot charge laptops. However, some designs, such as the Powerbag Messenger, feature a “fly-flat” design so you can keep your laptop in the bag during TSA security screenings. That’s right — no more hassling to take it out of the bag and load it onto its own tray while an impatient line looms behind you, no more worrying about whether someone in front of you may mistakenly take your laptop.

How to Deal with Flight Delays

Flight delays don’t have to be the nightmare they seem to be. These 4 steps will help you get through the ordeal smoothly and with less stress:

1. Keep a positive attitude and don’t lash out at airport employees or other passengers. Neither of those things will eliminate the delay, so it’s better to remain calm and pay attention to announcements, such as hotel arrangements, food vouchers or other travel options.
2. Alert colleagues, business contacts and your corporate car service of the delay (a good car service has access to real-time flight updates and will adjust your travel arrangements immediately, but it helps to call just in case). Let colleagues and business contacts know that you will keep them updated on the situation.
3. Stay ahead of other passengers and begin searching for alternative travel arrangements on your own. The airline may offer you arrangements for a later flight, but you’ll have to compete with all the other passengers for a seat. Begin contacting other airlines for travel information and keep your options open.
4. Focus on the opportunity of having free time. No matter how devastating a flight delay could be on your plans, stressing out won’t improve the situation. If you’re upset, acknowledge your emotions but don’t dwell on them; instead, whip out your tablet or smartphone and get caught up on emails, surfing the web, playing a game or listening to relaxing music.

Avoiding Ground Transportation Delays

To make your business trip flow as smoothly as possible, choose a corporate car service over rental cars and taxi cabs. Booking a chauffeured luxury sedan, SUV or van guarantees that you will have safe, comfortable and reliable transportation to your destination. A chauffeur will meet you when you step off the plane to help you with your luggage and get you to your destination safely, smoothly, and stress-free. You don’t have to navigate new streets, deal with traffic or fight other travelers for a spot in a taxi.

Investing in an executive sedan service for your ground transportation is investing in your well-being and the health of your business. At premier Boston limo service DPV Transportation, we pride ourselves on being helpful. Our business travel specialists our ready to answer any questions and help you with your transportation needs. Request a free quote on corporate car service by clicking the button below.