Inventors and entrepreneurs are always networking with people all over the world, and sometimes that means traveling to different locations for work meetings. To maximize your productivity and enjoyment during a trip, do all you can to take the stress out of traveling. Check out these travel tips.
Plan months in advance
As soon as you know you will be taking a trip, start the planning process. Some people find it easy to plan by blocking out general time slots and then filling them with specific tasks or activities. For example, create a preliminary schedule that outlines when you plan to travel, work, eat, and have fun, and then fill those time slots as your travel date gets closer. It is essential to have your flight, hotel, and meeting space booked ahead of time, but you have a little more flexibility with your entertainment options. However, you should still check out travel blogs for the location you are visiting so you don’t waste time looking for fun things to do hours before your free time. By planning your trip months in advance, you can eliminate the guesswork from travel and lower your stress.
Fly smart
There are entire blogs dedicated to flying, but it all boils down to this: flying CAN be inconvenient and bothersome, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are flying with inventory or a prototype, call the airline weeks or months ahead of time and ask what your storage options are. It may make more sense to you to ship your product using another method. Read more here:http://blog.inventhelp.com/prototype/
If you are a frequent flyer, invest in TSA Pre-Check, which allows you to go through shorter lines and expedite the security process when boarding a plane. Additionally, sign up for rewards miles through your preferred airline — and stick to using that company each time. If you combine these rewards systems with a frequent flyer credit card, you’ll be earning free trips in no time. While you’re flying high, make sure you get some work done. Although working on the plane certainly isn’t fun, it provides you unscheduled time that allows you to get ahead. Plug in your headphones, buy the in-air WiFi, and get to work. By flying smart, you can travel with your invention safely, reduce waiting time, earn flying miles, and get some work done before your big trip.
Learn the customs
When traveling to another location, especially a foreign country, business customs may be different from those you are used to. Make sure you do your research and familiarize yourself with greetings, meeting structures, dress codes, and other customs before meeting with foreign business people. Check out our recent blog for more in-depth information:http://blog.inventhelp.com/international-business/
Network, network, network
Traveling gives you the opportunity to meet many new people, not only in the board room, but also when you’re out and about. Always be prepared with a business card and your elevator speech. You should be interacting with as many people as possible and telling them about your idea. It’s possible that you could meet like-minded inventors or people that may have the connections to help you. Make sure to store the business cards you have collected somewhere safe so you can find them when you return home. Thank everyone you talked to with a short email to open yourself up to communications and collaboration in the future.
Invention is a worldwide business, so you may end up getting to take a business trip to help move forward with your invention. Traveling can be stressful but it can also be incredibly beneficial. By planning months in advance, flying smart, learning the customs of the place you’re visiting, and networking like a pro, you can enjoy your business trip while being productive.
Originally published at blog.inventhelp.com