The Ultimate Guide to Business Travel: Maximizing Comfort and Productivity
Business travel, by definition, can never really be carefree, but there’s also no reason why it has to be daunting. And whether you’re a newcomer or a regular traveller to Brussels business districts, addressing the essentials will help you stay focused, manage your time, maximise your productivity and more. Following the business travel tips in this holistic Brussels business travel guide should streamline your on-the-road efficiency, lower your stress levels, and put you in good shape to make the most of every business opportunity.
Smart packing
Nothing is more important than choosing the right bag for the job. Wherever possible, go for a bag that will store your luggage and carry your work essentials – that will save space and put you ahead of the game. Then you need to pack like a pro traveller. That means wearing any bulky clothes, vacuum sealing as much as you can, investing in packing cubes to maximise your existing storage space, and choosing multi-function equipment. Organise your basic wardrobe so you can mix and match, and remember carefully chosen accessories require little space yet can still transform any outfit.
Airport navigation strategies
Air travel needs careful advance planning to avoid potential delays. Use online check-ins to bypass queues, avoid peak travel periods wherever possible, and be aware of security screening no-gos (banned liquids, equipment etc.). Priority boarding can also be a major benefit, and if you fly to Brussels business districts regularly, consider enrolling in a trusted traveller program such as TSA PreCheck. Likewise, pre-arranging access to the business travel lounge will help you relax and stay comfortable while you work undisturbed. Utilising digital payments will avoid pay bottlenecks, while a real-time flight track app will place a wealth of important functions at your fingertips.
Choose business-friendly hotels
Hotel amenities for business travelers can vary, so always choose your business accommodation with extra care. The business-friendly amenities offered by The Hotel Brussels are an example of the benefits a good choice can bring: High-speed Wi-Fi access, ergonomic business workstations, premium meeting facilities, and convenient dining options designed to meet the needs of the international business community.
Combat jet lag and adjust quickly
An afternoon/ early evening flight will minimise jet lag disruption, and avoiding daytime naps will also help you adjust more easily. Travel data suggests we recover more quickly during westward journeys, so remember this when planning your itinerary. Wear a sleeping mask with noise-cancelling earplugs on long-haul flights, and limit your screen time where this is feasible. Sticking with light meals, staying away from alcohol, and sipping water to combat dehydration will also bring benefits. Once you have landed, exercising outdoors in direct sunlight should also speed your acclimatization.
Personal health
As a regular business traveller, it’s vital you stay healthy on the road. This will help you avoid sickness and maintain your energy levels – both extremely important for positive business outcomes. You should aim to continue to choose healthy eating options and maintain gentle, low-impact exercise routines. And both these wellness aims will be more easily achieved if you make a good choice of business hotel in Brussels. Getting healthy sleep is another priority, as is maintaining a high level of personal hygiene and avoiding situations (such as overcrowded urban spaces) where your natural immunity could be compromised.
Productivity on the road
Maximising your productivity on the road comes down to efficient planning. Make today’s technology your friend: for instance, by synchronising all your devices before you set out, using e-mail management tools, and staying in touch with your work colleagues online. Beyond this, you should make yourself familiar with the geography of your destination (e.g. check out work-friendly cafes in Brussels before you travel), put your journey times to good use, schedule your meetings with extra care, and try to organise contingency plans if you should encounter any snags.
Exploring Brussels
Making good use of your downtime is an often overlooked consideration, but gaining an understanding of the cultural backdrop to your marketplace has practical benefits too. You can use local transportation in Brussels to gain insights into the city's top business districts, take sightseeing trips, and visit all the top attractions for business travelers in Brussels.
Our business travel tips should take most of the avoidable stress and anxiety out of international business travel, leaving you free to focus on those all-important business priorities.
