In the world of online marketing, few terms bring more angst to business owners than the simply acronym SEO. But Search Engine Optimization does not have to be the bogeyman that so many have made it out to be.
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Tips on How to Plan an Enjoyable Business Trip
Business trips don’t have to be boring and stiff! Here are our top tips on how to plan an enjoyable business trip so you come home refreshed.
by Jordan Fuller
What comes to mind when you think of a business trip? Maybe panic at the airport, late flights, Uber trips, and not being able to enjoy yourself at all because work beckons. Business trips are notorious for being stressful and boring, but they really don’t have to be! Read through our tips on how to plan an enjoyable business trip so you get to take in a bit of the local culture and relax a little in between the business side of things.
Research Your Destination
To feel more at home in your destination place, research it thoroughly beforehand. Firstly, this will help you become aware of any cultural differences you may need to be aware of.
After all, you don’t want to accidentally offend someone, especially a potential client. Understanding and sticking to local customs will show that you’ve taken the time to get to know them a little more in-depth.
But even if you’re traveling locally, doing your research will help you to figure out what’s nearby to your hotel that you may be interested in doing. You can then put together a bit of an itinerary so you can make the most of your time in between business.
Mix Fun and Relaxation In Your Off-Time
As for making the most of your free time, try to find a mix of fun and relaxation when you’re not doing business things. Your idea of something fun maybe to explore the local area, have a meal somewhere nearby, or partake in an experience that you wouldn’t usually find back home. But don’t forget to relax as well. Find a good mix between being out and about and getting some downtime. Perhaps book a massage or a spa treatment so you can enjoy some pampering without tiring yourself out in the city.
Avoid the Conference Room
If you’re going to be meeting to do business (and it’s appropriate for you to do so), suggest meeting at a place other than the boardroom or conference room. The golf course is a popular spot for doing business. If you’re a golfer (and so is your client), it could be a good place to meet. But if you’re not, you don’t need to find the nearest fairway to you in order to get out of the office.
Suggest meeting at the beach, a nearby coffee shop, or a nice restaurant where you can treat your client to lunch.
Sometimes, getting out of the office makes for easier, more flowing conversation and more relaxed interactions. It could also be a good opportunity for you to ask your client about the local area or get their recommendations for what to do while you’re there.
Book an Extra Day
There’s no need to rush off immediately after your meeting. Instead of trying to rush back to the hotel, pack your stuff, and get to the airport in time to get home and back to work the next day… See if you can extend your trip by a day and leave the following day.
This will give you some time to rest, collect your thoughts and put some notes together after your meeting, maybe get in another round of golf… And make sure you get a good night’s rest before you have to head back.
Use the time to relax or have some fun, whatever you feel like. There’s no need to be uptight and business-like the whole trip… Let your hair down, have some fun, and take some time for yourself!
Bonus Tip: Book With Your Own Credit Card
If your company allows it, book your flights and spend on other business-related things on your personal credit card and claim it back later.
This will help you to build up those frequent flier points much faster on your own card, getting you a few steps closer to your next vacation trip!
Conclusion
Understanding how to plan an enjoyable business trip could change your view of business travel! You don’t need to roll your eyes and die a little inside next time your boss informs you that you have to make a trip. Incorporate these tips and you could be getting the best of both worlds – business and leisure!
Like to mix business and golf? So do we. Here’s an idea of how to blend your two passions: Golf Lessons When Running Your Business
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Continue readingUse These Golf Lessons When Running Your Business
Sometimes you are presented with seemingly impossible business challenges. Just as on the golf course, you find a way to finish.
It has often been said that the game of golf is played with a small ball that needs to go into a small hole, with the task being accomplished only by using equipment that isn’t really designed for that purpose. While this is basically true, the same holds true for running a business. While trying to get a business rolling, you quickly grasp that there are no perfect solutions, and typically you are presented with business challenges that are seemingly impossible. But, just as on the golf course, you need to find a way to finish.
DEVELOP A STONG MENTAL GAME
In both business and golf, it’s all about having a strong mental game, and having discipline is equally important to both. In golf, you find yourself in the unique position of being your own referee. You have the ability to call a penalty on yourself for breaking the rules. Likewise, you are responsible for your own play. Cheating or cutting corners is only going to hurt you. Similarly, in business, failing to play fair will almost certainly come back to bite you at some time. Golf is a game built on integrity and honesty. And it will be best to always bring with you your minimalist golf bag so that you are sure enough that all the golf stuff needed to play is inside it. The most successful players understand that. Likewise, the most successful players in business understand that dealing in honesty and integrity are the best methods to achieve success.
LEARN FROM THE FEEDBACK AND ADJUST
Golf is a very challenging sport, and one of the benefits of the game is that it provides instant feedback on your performance, and you have the opportunity to correct problems before taking the next shot. There is no perfect strategy. Just the same, moment by moment you are afforded the opportunity to assess your most recent results and figure out what is needed to succeed on the next shot. Similarly, in business, when you make your next decision and see the results, you can adjust on the fly. If your progress is unsatisfactory, you can always take steps to things around. Success, or the beginning of success, is as near as the next business move.
All sports provide their own learning moments, and just by its very nature, golf provides a sustained learning experience. Playing two good holes in a row, like having two good quarters of business performance, often can be followed by two bad holes. And that’s where players start to question their abilities and skills. But a player who excels at golf will probably possess an innate desire to hone his skills and will take the trouble to re-learn what once was a winning trait.
Long considered the best form of corporate entertainment, golf gives players tremendous networking opportunities. The game is one that can be played by anyone, without regard to age or gender. So whether you’re a young entrepreneur sporting hybrid golf shoes, or a seasoned businessperson preferring a classic wing-tip, teeing off with associates provides plenty of time to talk business. Golf requires a great deal of focus, patience, and abstract thinking to hit a good shot. How you present yourself on the course can give your playing partners a sense of how you’ll react in a business setting.
HARD WORK PAYS OFF
Golf is hard work. If you took up the game because it looked fun and you thought it would be easy, you would be setting yourself up for disappointment. Same holds for running a business. The amount of work you put into it will dictate your level of success. Prepare to give a complete effort, identifying a strategy to fix holes in your plans, and then devote the full energy you need for your business.
Planning some business travel? Read our tips on planning an enjoyable business trip.
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