Business Trip Etiquette

Traveling for business requires employees to be on their best behavior.

Internet business relations, such as videoconferencing and email, have made it easier for businesses to keep in contact over long distances. While it may seem that the modern world of webcams and wi-fi have made business trips obsolete, the value of real, face-to-face interaction should not be underestimated in a business climate. While on a business trip to meet with potential clients or partners, it is important to be on your best, most professional behavior.

Function

Following established etiquette procedure when traveling for business has several functions. Several, it helps you to seem professional and credible while on your trip. This will help clients take you seriously and feel comfortable with your presence. Second, proper etiquette functions to help you effectively represent your company. Also, business trip etiquette ensures that you will not offend any clients or potential customers, damaging you or your company’s reputation, especially while traveling overseas.

Considerations

When traveling, you need to make yourself as available as possible. This means packing appropriately for your trip’s needs to be ready at a moment’s notice, whether you are needed for a quick meeting or a nice dinner. That being said, you will still need to travel light. Depending on your stay, limit your luggage to one medium suitcase and a duffel bag. If traveling via plane, it might be a good idea to only pack what can fit in your carry on so as not to hold up your coworkers in line for luggage.

Time Frame

The length of time of your trip will determine what to pack for your trip. If you receive an itinerary mapping out your appointments, it will be easy to plan ahead for each occasion. However, if you do not receive an itinerary, it is good to pack for a range of needs. For example, men should bring at least one suit with several different button down shirts and ties, as well as a more casual lunch or outdoor business casual look. Women should bring a pant suit or skirted suit, as well as pantyhose and several different pairs of shoes.

Warning

It is never acceptable for travelers to treat business trips as personal vacations. Socializing during off hours is alright so long as it doesn’t inhibit your performance in a work setting. Business trip etiquette indicates that you should be on your best behavior at all times, which is not possible if you are late for a meeting because you were up all night at the hotel bar the night before.

Cultural Research

Research will save you any embarrassment or offense while on your business trip, especially when traveling internationally. For example, in some countries, punctuality is of the utmost importance, while in others this is not the case. In Japan, for instance, it would be incredibly disrespectful to arrive late to a client meeting. In Brazil, this might not be as crucial. If in India for a business trip, it would be wrong to wear leather, as they value the cow very highly in this country.

References

• World Village: Guidelines for Business Travel
• CNN: Travel; Essential Etiquette
• Work Etiquette: Etiquette When on Business Trips