As we live in a time of high technology dominance, we certainly have been a part of virtual communication more than once. In most companies, online meetings are part of a daily routine.
Still, we can all agree that nothing closes a business deal like a firm handshake. That’s why nothing can compete with a business trip followed by a friendly face representing your company.
Here we will make an overview of the 5 tips for a perfect business trip and we will give all the necessary info straight from the business world.
In this article you’ll read about:
- What is a business trip?
- How long is a business trip?
- 5 tips for a perfect business trip plan
- Business trip expenses
- Business trip to Switzerland
- Current regulations for entering Switzerland
- Benefits of hiring a limousine service for a business trip
Are you ready? Let’s find out why there is no better way than a face-to-face interaction in establishing a strong long-lasting business relationship.
1. What is a business trip?
If you look at the Collins Dictionary, you’ll find the following definition:
“A journey made somewhere and back again for business purposes in one’s working capacity.”
A business trip is a visit for exclusively work purposes. The term refers to both the trip to the chosen destination and the trip back.
Most commonly, the trip isn’t short, so the term isn’t used for the daily commutes such as traveling to and from work. Analogously, a family trip and a vacation trip aren’t considered business travel.
What are examples of business travel?
A business trip can be organized for various purposes. For instance, it can be arranged for business meetings or exhibitions that aim to make sales calls to customers.
To be more specific, there are 4 types of the business trip:
- Corporate events
- Conferences and meetings
- Exhibitions and Trade Fairs
- Incentive trip
1. Corporate events
Corporate events represent company employee gatherings which make a vast network of marketing opportunities with face-to-face meetings and instructional engagement.
These events are created to entertain clients and make them feel comfortable within a relaxed and hospitable atmosphere.
They can also be an opportunity for expanding contacts and meeting important people who can influence greatly on the further course of your business plans.
Most of these business trips are based on sports events, such as football, tennis, cricket, rugby matches, or golf championships. They can be organized at some famous spots, at wealthy homes, or local restaurants for a luxurious meal.
Some of the businessmen add extra details to these events such as sending invitations, or hiring “meet and greet” services that arrange catering and a lot of fun.
2. Conferences and meetings
Conferences and meetings are always a good idea for expanding connections and adding new values to the business. These meetings are an inevitable step in making a business successful.
Big countries have a network of various associations that support meetings and their organizations. For instance, if a small company wants to host a big conference or meeting, it can contact the Association and find out everything related to a business trip, arrangement, etc.
3. Exhibitions and trade fairs
Exhibitions and trade fairs make perfect opportunities for promoting products and presenting them to different business companies.
Organizing a business trip for this purpose is very productive as you keep pace with the latest accomplishments of competitive companies, and you may find new customers for your products and service.
There are two types of fairs and exhibitions:
- Companies that organize events and sell products
- Companies who benefit from organizing trips and accommodation for participants
To take your business to another level, you can even attend international exhibitions and trade fairs. As a member of the worldwide business web, you will enlarge your engagement, upgrade your results, and increase the number of coworkers and partners.
4. Incentive trip
An incentive trip is organized by a company for their employees to expand their motivation and accomplish better results.
It is regarded as a gift that guarantees fun while traveling for free. After the trip, employees return with a new amount of enthusiasm that will be aimed straight to the business improvement.
The purpose of the incentive trip is to make the employees feel good in their skin, and that they become aware the company trusts them fully. This trip inspires them to work harder in the future and produce better
outcomes for the company.
2. How long is a business trip?
First of all, we have to establish what is considered to be work time. Engaging in projects and spending time with clients is productive work. Resting in the hotel or engaging in various activities while exploring the city is free time.
Speaking of how long a business trip should be – there is no standard regulation for a trip that takes action out of work hours. The length of the trip will depend on the business itself.
International trips are longer than local ones, but the statistics have shown that cross-country business travels are more frequent than international ones.
The majority of business travelers go to a destination that’s less than 250 miles away from their home. A much lesser number of business travelers head to destinations that are 1,000 miles (or more) away.
Business trip due to COVID-19 has decreased by 65%. What does that mean? It represents the lowest rate of travel since the beginning of the Jet Age that started with the introduction of the Boeing 707 in 1958.
At the peak of the pandemic, the business trip was down by 90%! Still, some companies got back to about 80% of pre-pandemic levels with loose limitations over the last summer.
3. Tips for a perfect business trip plan – TOP 5
It may look quite tempting to travel often to various destinations, but in reality, it can be extremely tiresome. Even with a lack of sleep, business travelers have to stay focused on their work. They often feel lonely on the wheels, far away from their families.
To make a business trip less painful, a responsible businessman should involve the following things into his plan:
- Punctuality
- Location
- Accommodation
- Wi-Fi and Connectivity
- Leisure time
1. Be on time always when on a business trip
When a business trip is organized for attending one important meeting or conference – it’s essential not to be late.
In case something disrupts the plan, a traveler needs an effective service that will respond quickly and solve any inconvenience that has come along the way.
This is the reason why it is the best decision to hire a limousine service whose chauffeur will take you to your destination right on time. You will have enough space and privacy to prepare for the meeting, and you will appear fresh and ready to leave a big impression.
2. Location of the accomodiation plays an important role
The location should be one of the most important things on your list when planning a business trip. If you want to simplify everything, you will look for accommodation that is close to the event taking place.
After the event, you will get the chance to explore the city and engage in different interesting activities.
The location determines how to organize your time out of work as there certainly are places that are worth visiting. Before making a reservation, you should do some research and escape wandering through the city looking for suitable places.
You don’t want to spend your free time locked up inside a hotel room. Instead, you should do your best to turn your visit into a memorable experience. You will have the opportunity to try out new things, get aquatinted with the place, and enrich yourself.
3. Accommodation is the highlight of any business plan
It isn’t necessary to book the most expensive hotel in the area, the idea is to find something that will meet your basic needs. No need for extravagance, you just need a comfortable bed for a good sleep.
It’s important to appear fresh and good-looking at your meeting. After a good sleep, you will have no difficulties in engaging fully and producing success.
Just follow your needs, choose the size of bed that suits you, pick a smoking/non-smoking room, arrange a wake-up call, and have a rest before the meeting.
4. It is important to have a good connection
Wi-Fi and Connectivity are a necessity for a successful business trip. When you reach a destination that offers free Wi-Fi, you get the space to finish extra work or answer a pile of unopened emails.
It is a perfect opportunity to prepare for the event, check everything, and appear more confident and ready to shine.
5. Plan your leisure time
Just because you are on a business trip, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find some time to indulge yourself and relax.
After a long and tiresome day, you can freshen up in one of the spas at the airport lounge or have a delicious dinner in one of the fancy restaurants. If you want to spice things up, you can search for nightclubs close by.
To stay fit, you can check out fitness facilities and keep up with the regular exercise schedule. Some hotels may offer group fitness classes, yoga, gym space, or discounts for the nearby gym.
A business trip doesn’t necessarily have to be dull and associable. You will preserve the formal side of the travel even if you have fun and relax after a successful meeting.
Exploring the city with a sophisticated chauffer before leaving the city is always refreshing. Seize your chance to find new places, meet new people, and have a great time. You certainly deserve it.
4. Business trip expenses
Business trip expenses refer to everything incurred in a trip for business purposes. This involves the cost of services essential for the trip and they are mostly related to long-distance travel that extends to
days or weeks.
The main factor that determines the expenses is entirely incurred in the completion of your job followed by any additional business objectives. This means that you should not be personally making profits from claiming the expense.
Here are some examples of business travel expenses:
- Everything included in organizing a trip (tickets, hotel cost, the flight, etc.)
- Meals, food, and drinks
- Additional costs related to free time
Anything taken for personal reasons is not considered a business trip expense.
To make sure you managed business trip expenses properly, establish the employee payment method.
You can cover the expenses in two ways:
- Require from your company to cover the expenses in advance
- Pay the expenses straight from a company card or bank account
5. Business trip to Zurich, Switzerland
If your business trip leads to one of the most important economic centers in the world, we will give you some tips on how to spend your time, where to eat, and what to visit
Keep reading to find out!
Where can you find great food in Zurich?
The driver picks you up from the Zurich airport and whisks you away to the meeting. The meeting is successful. After you are done you feel your stomach growling. You are hungry. Where to eat in Zurich? It is a big city with many great restaurants. Listed below are 3 among the best.
Alpenrose
The Swiss finest Alpenrose is known for exclusively Swiss dishes and wine. The interior has an old-world charm with tall wooden windows and stucco ceiling ornaments.
The best dishes are the Swiss classics. Herb stuffed trout with homemade Spätzli (egg noodles) and buttered carrots are something you must try when you get here. Spätzli with mountain cheese or a spicy vegetable tart is perfect if you don’t feel like eating meat.
La Soupière
La Soupière is a restaurant located in the Hotel Schweizerhof. The hotel consists of four buildings that merged over time.
The interior is very luxurious with enough space between the tables to offer true privacy. When you are at this restaurant you will be able to taste French cuisine combined with Swiss flavors.
You can have freshly prepared French classics and eat many different dishes. From meat and fish to vegetarian meals. When you are done with the main meal you can have patisserie, as many as you can eat.
The Artisan Kitchen & Urban Garden
This restaurant is urban and authentic. It specializes in organic cuisine. It is a bit off the beaten track for visitors but your chauffeur will know exactly where it is and how to get there.
The owners love artisanal products from local cultivation and production. The restaurant owns its name to this love. The communal organic garden is a part of it and the restaurant shares the garden with the neighbors.
The meals are simple and thoughtful and the food is well prepared. If you are a vegetable lover you will appreciate the good selection that comes with the meals. Make sure to taste their wine. It comes from the vintners who work in harmony with nature. Beer lovers will enjoy a good selection of Swiss craft beers.
Things to do in Zurich when on a business trip
When you come to this city visit more than Zurich airport. The life of a business professional can be very busy but make time to at least visit at least one of Zurich’s many amazing spots.
The Zurich Lake
The promenade along Zurich Lake has a Mediterranean charm. It is perfect for a walk that will relax you and make you feel rejuvenated. You can go on some of the boat excursions that are available on the lake. The gentle rocking of the waves and breathtaking view of the Alps may lull you into sleep after a busy day.
The Old Town
The Altstadt is a true remnant of medieval Europe. Its cobblestone alleys will lead you to some of the main Zurich landmarks. The churches St. Peter’s church, Fraumunster, Grossmunster are the old relics of the past. The Town Hall from the 17th century is one more on the list of the glorious buildings in the Old Town. The most exclusive boutiques, peculiar one-of-a-kind shops, and cafés will make you forget all the stress of the day.
Visit the museums
Art and history lovers will find a great refuge from the tough day in one of many Zurich’s museums. The city has more than 50. The National Museum Zurich, the Museum Ritberg, Ethnographic Museum, Money Museum, Toy Museum, and many others offer an amazing experience.
5. Current regulations for entering Switzerland
As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain restrictions should be followed when entering Switzerland. Besides travel documents, everyone should carry an entry form and a negative test result. There is also a chance that you have to go into quarantine.
Before the travel, foreign nationals should do the following:
- Go to the website of the State Secretariat for Migration and check if you are even allowed to enter Switzerland.
- If your entry is permitted, go to the FOPH website as the Federal
- Office of Public Health (FOPH) and check the health-related measures at the border.
On the other hand, anyone who possesses a Swiss passport or a valid Swiss residence permit is allowed to enter the country at any time.
Still, no one is excluded from the health-related measures at the Swiss border. Check them before the business trip, and make sure you have everything needed.
6. Benefits of hiring a limousine service for a business trip
When you consider everything, limousine services are the most reliable and the safest means of private transfer.
They are most frequently used in the business world and they are regarded as the best airport transfer out there.
Thanks to their beauty, limousines help you leave a lasting impression and get the respect you deserve.
Limo companies hire only licensed and well-mannered chauffeurs who will do their best to turn your ride into a memorable experience. With an elegant limo, you are one step closer to sealing an important business deal or partnership.
Chauffeurs also share amazing local knowledge and awareness about where the best restaurants and attractive touristic spots for sightseeing or relaxation are. Plus, they always find a way to avoid traffic jams and know the best parking spots in town.
Conclusion:
We can’t deny the breakthrough of technology, but still, business trip preserves its significance. Those companies which don’t miss to appreciate the importance of business travel continue to benefit greatly.
There are many reasons for a business trip as it doesn’t stop bringing success to the company from different aspects.
Even though the analysts warn us that business trips may never fully recover from Covid-19, we sincerely hope for some better times because nothing beats the deal made with a firm handshake. It is a base in establishing a business relationship or partnership.
When traveling for business, you must arrange two things: comfort and image. There is no better way than to hire a limousine service and travel in utter coziness and style.
