There was a time – not that long ago – when business travelers had to have meticulous paper organizing systems to keep all of their information together. Now we have smartphones and other devices, which have made the life of the business traveler much easier.
However, if you’re not using apps strategically, you’re missing out on the ease and convenience they afford, which allows you to relax more when you’re away from home. You may find that you already have some of these apps or similar alternatives – now it’s time to start using them.
Gone are the days of finding a local cab company to call, or even needing to rent a car that rarely gets used. Using Lyft or Uber will make sure you always have a ride available, and you can even upgrade to nicer cars when taking out clients.
When traveling for business, everything becomes a reimbursable expense. If you’re stuffing every receipt into a box to deal with later on, you’re giving yourself more work and less accurate reporting. Instead, an app like Shoeboxed lets you scan and upload receipts on the go for easier expensing. Plus, with business card uploading you won’t lose track of a single new contact.
Get an easy, free outline of your entire trip with TripIt. Input flights, reservations, meetings, and any other information you’ll need – all in one place.
Stop struggling to find a notepad or pen, and try using Evernote for note taking on the go. Evernote lets you input notes using a variety of media, and you can collaborate with others using the business app.
Talking with your loved ones at home can go far in making you feel more comfortable and relaxed. Have the Skype app on your phone and computer so that you can connect immediately.
While you should take online reviews with a grain of salt, it is helpful to have an app like Yelp when you don’t know much about your new location. Read recommendations and find hidden gems without trial-and-error.
Finally, show your colleagues and clients that you can take charge even when away from home by using OpenTable to make reservations. You’ll also get easy reviews and access to menus.