On the road again? My tips and best practices for business travel.

As business travel continues to ramp up, I find myself reflecting on what it was like before the pandemic, and how the industry and experience has changed in its wake. For me, returning to my work travel routine has not only been exciting, but also challenging as I have had much to relearn. When I think back to my first business trip, I remember feeling overwhelmed by so many things: packing, missing my flight or an important meeting due to delays, and other general anxieties of social interactions in unfamiliar places.

I empathize with younger professionals who started their first jobs during the pandemic and have had no early exposure to business travel. Over the years, I have accumulated a great collection of tips and best practices that have helped me feel prepared every time I have to travel for work – even in cases of last-minute booking. I’d love to share some of them below in the hopes that my experience can be useful to the next generation of business travelers.

1.??????Have a standard packing list with items that you need every time – but also remind yourself that most things can be purchased if they are forgotten. For me, my must-have items are my phone, my laptop, and my ID – those would be a little harder to purchase or replace!

2.??????Apply for TSA PreCheck to expedite your security check-in process – or, for the global traveler, apply for Global Entry, which includes both TSA PreCheck domestically, and expedited entry when returning from abroad. Some credit cards now cover the cost of enrollment for both programs – our KPMG corporate credit card provides this benefit for our employees.

3.??????Always opt for carry-on luggage, if possible, as it saves time if you don’t have to check a bag or wait at baggage claim. This also makes changing flights at the last minute easier. If you are worried about liquids, make a bag of TSA-approved liquid sizes that you can easily throw into your bag. A “tech bag” containing power cords, chargers, and headphones can also be a helpful item to have pre-packed.

4.??????Keep an eye on the clock. I like to spend as little time as possible at the airport, and so it’s especially important for me to watch the clock and plan so that nothing goes wrong. Setting alarms throughout a travel day with time checks and reminders helps me stay on track. There are also plenty of travel apps that will send reminders and notifications on flight delays and cancellations. When I first started business travel, I was an anxious traveler – showing up early and sitting around the airport with a cup of coffee or a quick meal. Now, though, I’ve found what works for me, personally, to best optimize my time.

5.??????Decompress after a day of travel. Traveling can be extremely tiring, especially if you are squeezing in conference calls and emails while in transit. Make sure to decompress in a way that works for you so that you can feel good throughout the trip. I like to decompress by enjoying the comforts of being home after a trip or enjoying the city I’m visiting while away. This practice has become even more valuable over the past two years as our normal routines have evolved tremendously.

6.??????Find a balance. When the pandemic hit and we started working virtually, I remember seeing my calendar quickly fill up with back-to-back meetings on my calendar. On the road, managing a schedule becomes exponentially harder, because there is a need to balance being present with those around you, while still making sure the work that must get done in conference calls doesn’t slip. One thing that has really worked for me is cutting 30-minuite and 60-minute scheduled calls to 25 and 55 minutes, respectively. This allows me a few minutes to rest, understand what is coming next and to connect with colleagues in-person. I also find myself taking advantage of lunches and dinners when I travel to catch up and connect with those that I haven’t seen in many months.

Successfully managing travel-related stress is about making time to prepare mentally, fueling your mind and body, and decompressing. My most frequent business itinerary is from Houston, my home base, to KPMG Lakehouse in Orlando, the firm’s center for learning, development, and innovation. I love Lakehouse because it really allows me to engage with all the great things that KPMG has to offer – while also taking in the energy of our people. Lakehouse is our cultural home; a place that drives purposeful interactions and allows us to connect in this changed business world.

No matter where you might travel to next, I hope you’ll find meaningful ways to engage with your colleagues, clients, or prospective clients – and manage to keep your stress levels down while doing it. Bon voyage!