How to Travel While Managing a Business

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Want to travel the world without your business falling apart?

You’re not alone. In fact, now there are over 18 million Americans working remotely and travelling (that’s up 147% since 2019). The great news is, taking your business on the road with you is entirely possible.

Here’s the catch…

It takes a bit of planning upfront. But once you have the right systems in place, you can travel worry-free and still get everything done. Business owners who have figured out how to do this end up with far more flexibility, creativity, and frankly… a much higher quality of life.

Let’s get into it.

Why Travelling Business Owners Are Thriving

A few years ago, the thought of running a business while travelling would have been laughable. But now? Not so much. Thanks to the tools available for remote working these days, you can handle the admin side of your business anywhere in the world. Cloud-based software, video conferencing, online project management apps, email, and the like all make it possible to keep operations humming from the other side of the globe.

In fact, 52% of businesses experienced higher productivity thanks to remote work systems. That’s a majority. It makes sense when you think about it. When you aren’t glued to a desk or office, you often end up being much more productive. The variety of new places forces you to work more efficiently. Changing time zones can even work in your favour.

And productivity is only part of the equation…

Travel forces you to gain perspective. You meet new people, new business owners, new staff. You get to experience the way business is done in different countries. And you bring all these lessons back home to your business.

Pretty game-changing, right?

Planning Your Trip The Smart Way

You could just book a flight. Pack a bag. And jump on a plane. Spontaneity is fun. But if you’re a business owner? It’s a recipe for disaster. The trick is planning ahead and making sure the trip itself is executed without any snags.

One thing a lot of business owners forget when they travel? Physical mail. Even when you’re managing your business remotely and travelling, the real world still intrudes. Documents still arrive at your place of business or home address. Signing up for a virtual mail service solves this headache overnight. All your mail is scanned and digitally forwarded to you so you never miss an important letter or package.

Start with these basics:

Pick destinations with good internet connections. Wifi is your lifeline. Without good internet, you can’t do much of anything. Do your research and find reliable coworking spaces and cafes in advance.
Think about time zones. Are you in Bali and your clients in New York? You’re going to have to adjust your schedule accordingly. Plan your work times to align with important meetings or deadlines.
Allow buffer time. Things get delayed. Plan extra time between your flights and important calls just in case.

Bonus tip…

Make a travel checklist tailored to your specific business. Include everything from your client contact frequency to emergency contacts. When you have this pre-made, last-minute trips are possible without the stress.

Staying Productive On The Road

Productivity when you’re travelling is a whole different animal than when you’re at home. Your environment is constantly changing. Distractions everywhere. You need to set up productivity hacks that work no matter where you are.

First, create a routine. If your location changes every day, make your work habits as consistent as possible. Wake up at the same time. Block out the same hours for ‘deep work’ every day. Do your best to stick to this schedule.

Next, master the art of batch working.

Don’t check emails every hour. Set aside specific times to reply to messages and communicate. Fill the rest of your day with more focused tasks that require your full attention. This system is a game-changer when you have spotty internet access or a busy itinerary of sightseeing.

Third, get the right equipment. A lightweight laptop, noise-cancelling headphones, and portable battery charger are non-negotiables. With these few tools, you can work from airports, trains, and even coffee shops without any problem.

But don’t forget to take care of yourself…

Travel is exhausting. Jetlag, unfamiliar foods, and general motion are hard on the body. Sleep and exercise become even more important when you’re on the road. A tired business owner is a sloppy business owner. Do everything you can to keep your health in check so your business thrives too.

Communication Strategies That Work

Communication is where most business owners travelling struggle. Staying in touch with your team is key. Without clear lines of communication, important things fall through the cracks.

Here’s how to stop that:

Be transparent with your team pre-departure. Clearly communicate your availability, time zone differences, and preferred contact methods.
Use async tools whenever possible. Slack, Loom, project management apps, and the like make it possible to update team members without everyone having to be online simultaneously.
Schedule regular check-ins. Weekly or bi-weekly video calls are essential for keeping everyone on the same page, even if you are on the other side of the planet.

The worst mistake you can make?

Try not to micromanage from afar. Trust your team. You hired them for a reason. Allow them to make day-to-day decisions and focus on high-level strategy yourself. The quality of your business improves because you’re being forced to build better systems.

Fun fact…

A lot of business owners claim their communication skills improve once they start travelling more. When you can’t just walk across the office to your assistant’s desk, you learn to be much clearer and more direct with your language. A skill that tends to stick long after you return home.

Handling Admin Tasks While Away

Managing your business while you travel doesn’t just cover things like email, scheduling, and communication. There’s also the day-to-day admin tasks side of business ownership. Bills still need paying. Documents still need signing. Paperwork never stops.

The solution? Automate as much as possible.

Set up automatic payments for recurring expenses. Digital signature for contracts. Use cloud-based storage so you can access all your files from anywhere. The less manual labour you have to do, the more time you have to relax and enjoy your travels.

On the topic of physical mail and packages, services that allow you to digitally forward mail are a total godsend. Letters get scanned and sent directly to your inbox within hours. You remain in the know without needing to be physically present.

Also, delegate more…

A virtual assistant can cover appointment setting, customer enquiries, and other basic admin tasks. This takes a big load off your shoulders so you can focus on the important decisions and explore your destination.

Wrapping It All Up

Travel while managing a business isn’t just possible. It’s more of a ‘new normal’. With some smart planning, the right tools in place, and clear communication systems with your team back home, you can run your business from anywhere.

To sum it all up quickly:

Plan your destination and route around reliable internet and time zones that work with your work requirements
Stick to consistent routines no matter where you are
Trust your team. Communicate clearly
Automate admin and repetitive tasks wherever possible
Use digital mail forwarding and digital signature services for paperwork

Traveling while owning and running a business smoothly is possible. In fact, these days it’s becoming the ‘new normal’. The freedom and flexibility to explore the world while still growing your business at the same time? Well, that’s just the cherry on top.

Where will your next destination be?

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