Help! I'm Taking My First Business Trip

Chillax, it’s NBD! Plus, your whole trip is paid for. Why are you complaining?

- Keshini Dunusinghe

Did your boss just drop a bomb on you about going to Singapore for a presentation with a potential client? Yeah. Well, don’t sweat it! We’ve got you covered with everything you need to make sure your trip goes smoothly sans any hiccups.

Business trips are really not that big of a deal. Preparation is the name of the game! You just need to get a head start on planning your trip irrespective of its duration. Let’s get started.

THIS IS THE DAY YOU READ THE COMPANY TRAVEL POLICY

Each company has its own policies and procedures. Read through the policy and find out recommended travel agents, airlines, insurance and spending limits. Make sure to keep your superior in the loop and have all budgets approved. Trust me, you do not want the headache of having to explain each expense and also having to cover for it at the end. If your HR department is handling all the logistics (as some do), you will only have to get your itinerary and double check if you need to provide receipts for day-to-day expenses upon your return.

YOUR DOCUMENTS WILL BECOME YOUR SAVING GRACE

Naturally, your travel documents and identification are vital when you walk into an airport. The easiest thing to do is grab an envelope folder and pop in your (updated) passport, flight booking, hotel confirmation, travel insurance and rented vehicle details if any. Be sure to keep all of the above in one specific place. For safety purposes ensure you have copies of these docs and stash them somewhere else (think: hand luggage, backpack and/or checked-in suitcase).

BUSINESS CLASS IS THE WAY TO GO