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Business Travels in Chicago? Here’s How You Can *Gasp* Enjoy Your Trip

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For those who love traveling, business trips are another welcomed opportunity to stay in a furnished apartment in a new town, bask in the culture, and try new cuisine. For others, traveling for business is somewhat of an inconvenience, usually because of commitments at home, such as family, friends, and pets and being taken away from their usual routine. However, there are ways to navigate around this.

For a few tips to help ease you into your new life in Chicago, look no further.

Choose The Perfect Place To Stay

Where you choose to stay in Chicago makes a big difference in how much you enjoy your trip, and that’s why it’s essential to pick the right place to stay. If you’re staying for a few nights, you might think that a hotel is your best and only option. However, if you need to stay in Chicago for a couple of weeks or months, booking a fully-furnished and serviced apartment will be a better option for you. You can find a range of apartment sizes and styles to rent that are available for a minimum of a month-long contract across most areas of Chicago, from the South Loop to the Old Town area.

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The longer you need to stay in Chicago, the more essential it is to find a temporary home that you’ll love. For instance, having a fully equipped apartment with all the mod cons you’ll need will provide a much more comfortable setting for you to adjust to being away from home. Renting an apartment, rather than staying in a hotel on your trip also makes it easier for you to invite your family to come and visit or stay with you too.

Pre-Plan How To Get Around

Part of having a relaxed trip to Chicago is figuring out how you will get around the city. Whether meeting with clients, traveling to an office, or running daily errands. There is no one size fits all transport option. Some people prefer the environmentally friendly benefit of using a bike. Others like the hustle and bustle and the fast and cost-effective choice of using the Chicago Transit Authority buses and the ‘L’. While some prefer the scenic route via water taxi, others like to hire a vehicle to get around.

Choosing solutions ahead of your stay will save you a lot of hassle. How you decide to travel is a matter of preference, but it’s worth checking out the routes on Google Maps or Waze to figure out getting to and from your accommodation and workplace. Also, don’t forget to set up a backup travel solution in case there are delays with the first transport you choose.

Set Up A Routine

A handy tip that works well for those traveling away for business is to create a new routine. At home, you already have a routine, meaning you don’t have to waste time and energy thinking about what you need to do. From getting in the shower to ironing your clothes, feeding the dog, making your lunch, and so on, there are specific things you do each day.

To help you enjoy your trip and get your life in order, create a sense of stability and comfort while you’re away in Chicago. Other factors, such as finding the closest supermarket, drug store, and doctor’s office is also helpful ahead of your stay.

Socializing

It’s a good idea for you to make plans to meet with people while you’re in a new place. Whether that means reaching out to work colleagues or contacting friends/family that live in Chicago to meet up. You may even want to plan a few exciting excursions to some of Chicago’s attractions. For instance, Millenium park, the Museum of Science and Industry, or take a Chicago crime tour. By making an effort to be social and connect with people during your trip, and by taking a break and having some fun, you’ll feel happier, more content and even more productive!

Enjoying your business travels to Chicago definitely takes planning. It’s natural to feel a bit stressed when you’re away from home, but if you sort out the best accommodation that truly makes you feel at home, preplan your transport routes and develop a routine, you’ll quickly settle in with ease and enjoy your stay.

Ways to Impress a Client On a Business Trip

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StrategyDriven Customer Relationship Management Article | Customer Relationships | Ways to Impress a Client On a Business TripHeavy luggage, lost at reception and boozy business dinners are all regular features of hosting a client who has traveled on business. One of the most important features of impressing a client while they’ve made the effort to travel is to keep them entertained while you get to know them. Spending some time talking over a few beers is great for understanding them on a personal level, but wowing them while they’re visiting can also be hugely beneficial to your company.

Don’t just take them to the local bar

If your client would really just prefer to sit in a comfy chair and drink a few beers, then perhaps take them to a quiet bar downtown. However, if they’re really interested in seeing what your town or city has to offer, take them to a restaurant that will show them you’re keen to offer them a high-quality experience. Something such as a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant will not only offer them some impressive cuisine, but also show them a good time too.

Show them the sights of the city

Does your city have an infamous opera house? A beautiful set of gardens? Changing up where you chat to your clients about business not only gives them some mental respite, but also shows them that you hope they come and visit you again. You want them to get the sense you’re proud to have them in your home city. This also offers another chance to entertain your guests for the evening and make their work vacation have a greater focus on the vacation part.

Show them the best of your country

Some clients haven’t just traveled from one state to the other, they may have traveled from Europe or Asia, and they might be hoping to see a little more of the United States than just your board room. If you’re desperate to win this client’s approval, then showing them the best the US has to offer is a flashy way of keeping them impressed. Taking them to see the all American sights of Texas, by using a specialized transport service, can be key.

You can do this by searching for private jet charters Dallas. This will bring your company one step closer to impressing your international client, and the client one step closer to seeing a real cowboy. It’s even said that doing something silly or fun will lighten the mood and make everyone feel that little bit closer to their colleagues.

Offer them a souvenir to remind them of the trip

At the end of Local Hero, the most poignant moment is when the American lead character takes out a handful of sea shells that remind him of Scotland. Leaving them with something small and significant to place in their luggage that will hopefully remind them of the good time spent with your company, and leave them wanting more.

Clients on executive travel might be keen to be impressed, but they’re also a tired traveler. Finding activities that bring out the human and less of the business person will make the trip not only memorable for them, but also for your team.

Unexpected Issues with Business Trips

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No matter how well you plan your business trip, sometimes there are events that take control away from us entirely. The best-laid plans are often the ones that fall apart in the face of adversity, and if you’re in an airport lounge or driving across the country, those hindrances can heavily impact your travel arrangements and business schedule. Sometimes, issues with business trips are completely out of our control, but knowing how to react and respond to them will go a long way to minimizing their impact on you and your career. Here are the best ways to cope with the most unexpected of issues.

World-Changing Events

Getting swept up in global events can be very frightening, and the fact is that there is, unfortunately, very little that you can do to prepare for them. Natural disasters, worker strikes, and even political unrest can have a severe impact on your travel plans, and they are far too big to manage on a personal level. The only thing that you can do in these big situations is to ensure that your friends, family, employer and work colleagues are aware of your location and your plans. In worst case scenarios, contact your nearest embassy and get advice on what to do next.

Car Accidents

Business trips by car are a great opportunity to discuss your strategies with your team and bond closer. Even if you’re traveling alone, car trips can be ideal for organizing your thoughts and mentally preparing yourself for the work commitments ahead. Car accidents are, of course, all too common, and if you’re injured while on a business trip, then there are going to be additional issues to consider, such as the insurance of your employer. As with any kind of traffic collision, it’s worth seeking legal advice from a team that has experience in automobile cases. Ideally, you want a legal team that works cross-country, with firms like Lopezlawpa.com who can advise you and guide you on the best course of action and has specialist knowledge of road accident cases.

Lost Luggage

If you frequently travel for work, you will have already perfected the art of packing! Losing your best luggage sets can be a considerable source of frustration, but the smart traveler will be prepared for the eventuality. Never pack vital work equipment or notes in your check-in suitcases, and always keep the most critical parts of your inventory close to hand. Never travel on a business trip without adequate travel insurance, and always be aware of the responsibility of your airline or coach when it comes to lost luggage. Of course, the best advice to avoid lost luggage is not to check any in and rely on your carry-on allowance instead.

The more that you travel for work, the more likely that you will eventually encounter mishaps, mistakes, and accidents. Always be aware of the potential for them and know what to do in the more extreme cases. Delays and cancellations may impact the end result of your business trip, but your safety and security should always be the priority.