Posted in Australia on February 3, 2012

Going on a corporate business trip to Australia, either from interstate or from overseas, can cause a few concerns. You worry about:

• Travelling time.
• Finding your accommodation.
• Forgetting essential things.
• And, of course, your family!

So, while you will need to do work and attend meetings on your Australian business trip, you should also take the time to enjoy the cities. The east coast has a lot to offer from a short Melbourne tour through to fantastic fine dining next to Sydney Harbour. If you have time (especially if you are traveling from overseas) then try and plan for at least a few days to enjoy some sights.

1. Getting Yourself Organised

If you are travelling within Australia then you will know that there are some very big distances between the major cities. Although, a business trip from the United Kingdom or the United States is lengthier and this means you really have to allow for a long trip as well as a bit of fatigue after the plane flight.

If you are travelling interstate in Australia by car make sure you:

• Plan your journey route will in advance.

• Figure out your approximate travelling time.

• Add at least a couple of hours to your travelling time for any traffic problems that you might encounter.

• Leave early, then you don’t have to worry so much about traffic congestion or getting lost.

If you’re travelling by plane, making your flight on time is another source of worry.  You can avoid the hectic scramble to the airport (and the anxiety of missing your flight) by arriving at the airport a couple of hours before your flight is due to leave. It can also be helpful to organise a wake-up call from your hotel or a dedicated service.

Flight delays are another perpetual concern. If your flight is delayed, ring your employers and those who you are travelling to work with and explain your situation. You can also talk to the airline company to see if you can book a similar flight. Maybe even consider going with a different airline if there is no other choice.

2. Planning your Packing

It’s easy to forget to bring important items with us when we are packing for a business trip. To ease your conscience and make sure you remember everything, make a list of all the personal and work-related items you need to bring with you. Be sure to check the weather in Australia before planning what to bring. If you are travelling from a northern hemisphere winter, for example, you will be flying into a hot Australian summer.

Also, make sure you pack no later than the night before you leave and, as you pack, tick off the items as they are placed in your luggage. Remember, if you forget anything small then you can always buy what you need at your destination. Keep the most important items (e.g passport, laptop, phone, credit cards etc) with you as carry on for any flights.

This way even if your luggage is delayed or (heaven forbid) lost, you will still be able to attend meetings and do work. You can easily organise extra clothes and basic items like toiletries anywhere in Australia.

3. Booking in Advance

Whether you are staying in serviced Sydney apartments or luxury Brisbane apartments, finding your accommodation can be difficult if you haven’t been to that city before.

Your employers should have already organised your accommodation for you. However, if it is up to you to organise accommodation, make sure it’s located near to where you will be working. This will help reduce your travel time between work and your accommodation.

• Research the city you are travelling to.

• Check if your hotel has wi-fi or other Internet.

• Check to see if they include an airport pickup service.

Also, research where your accommodation is located. This will make it easier for you to find it and less likely to be worried about getting lost.

4. Preparing for Home Sickness

Spending time away from your family is always hard and causes a certain amount of worry. What if something goes wrong while you’re gone? What if they need you? These worries are natural and expected.

You can use video calling programs (like Skype) if their voices aren’t enough and you want to see their faces. Otherwise, be sure to organise the international roaming features for your mobile phone if they are available. By keeping in continual contact with your loved ones, it will help reassure you everything is fine back home.

5. Navigating a New City

Sometimes you are fortunate enough on your corporate trip to receive a short amount time to see the sites of the city you are working in.  However, finding your way around a strange city and knowing what to see can also be overwhelming and add to your list of worries.

By being organised and planning your itinerary it will be easier for you to find your way around and you can make the most of your free time, rather than procrastinating and worrying about what you are going to do.