People rarely enjoy packing for a trip, whether it be for leisure or business. But with the right tips and sense of organization, you might even get the hang of it. Packing light limits you to using one suitcase that can save you on extra baggage fees and other airline charges hence why you’ll need tips on how to bring everything you need.
Remember to pack the essentials such as your passport, boarding pass, copy of the itinerary, phone, charger, laptop, and fully charged power bank. The power bank can be handy; you don’t want to risk having a dead battery and missing some important calls for your trip.
Besides the necessities, prepare your tech. You don’t want them glitching during meetings. Pack your charger in one bag and some extra adapters and electrical cords. You can also try downloading business travel apps for your convenience and safety such as a car rental app and a mobile document signing app. You can even avail of a ransomware protection service, which can help you keep your data safe while you’re traveling. You will be working in an entire different location, connecting to servers and saving new information from different types of people. Protecting your device through detection of possible ransomware attacks that can affect your business operations.
Weeks or days before your trip, make a list so you’ll be sure not to forget anything. Research fun things to do so you’d make the most out of your business trip. You can book tours or stay in a central location to be within hand’s reach from tourist spots. It can also save you travel time from attending your meetings and other plans.
Use a small travel bag
If you want to put everything in just one bag, you need to carefully choose what you’ll use. If you have the benefits and the luxury of having check-in baggage, then good for you. You can have several suits lined up there. But packing light means just bringing single carry-on luggage that can handle all your belongings and won’t risk airline limits.
Some airlines are strict with carry-ons and won’t accept bags that would go beyond their required luggage size, and the most common maximum size allowed is 27” x 21” x 14”. Make sure that it won’t be overweight nor oversized, or you will have to pay additional fees.
The design and structure of the bag matter in a business trip. You wouldn’t want to meet someone you’d be doing business with carrying a gym bag or a neon bag. It should be dark and simple, leather if possible. If it’s a small rolling suitcase, a canvas material bag will do.
Pick the right clothes
Since you would be attending conferences, meeting colleagues and other important people, you ought to have the right attire for it. This will depend on the duration of your trip, but it is advised that you stick to the basics that can be easily partnered and swapped together.
Refrain from stuffing your bag with unnecessary items. Pack three dark-collared wrinkle-resistant formal shirts, two casual T-shirts, two dark-colored blazers or jackets, underwear, and socks. Include at least two pairs of shoes: plain, black leather Oxford shoes and a pair of dark brown leather. Wear something casual at the airport like loafers or athletic shoes.
Also, it won’t hurt your luggage to add some accessories to level up your outfit and make you look more presentable such as ties, belts, pocket squares, cuff links, and watches. Bring at least two of each so it would still take minimal space in your bag.
Pack your bag the right way
Every man has a different packing style when traveling. But there are some tips to help you put things more and use the space efficiently. Fill your shoes with small items inside like your socks, belts, and ties which can help you save space. It might also help your shoes from creases. Put your clothes in separate dust bags, folded vertically to form a column together. Place your shoes at the bottom of the bag, making them as a base for your items. If you’ll bring a laptop bag, put your tablet, a small book, and documents needed for your trip in your pocket.
Avoid packing documents
If it’s not necessary to be on paper, just leave it at home and upload everything online. You can keep PDF versions of the documents and have them stored on your gadgets. You can also put it on a flash drive as a backup. Paper in bulk will just add to your baggage weight, so it’s best to sort through them days before your trip and make online copies to save luggage space.
Packing light may sound easy, but it takes planning, skill for being organized, and a bit of repacking. If you learn to do it like a pro, you’ll be able to save space and time and have the convenience of carrying just one bag from the airport to your first meeting location.
