Combining Business and Family Travel
© Lain Ehmann
As more and more companies are requiring their workers to spend time on the road, more and more employees are finding a way to make business travel a little more palatable. They're bringing their families along.
Combining business and family travel together has many benefits. The cost is lower since your tab - at least most of it - is paid for by your company. You get to spend a little extra time with your loved ones. And you get to journey to some places you might otherwise never visit. Over the past five years, I've tagged along on my husband's business trips to Italy, France, Chicago and more. In return, he's accompanied me to New Orleans, Maui (on several occasions), and San Francisco. Since his birth, my son has become a regular frequent flyer, courtesy of our respective companies.
But pulling double duty is not all fun and games. It can be tough to maintain your professionalism when you're in the midst of typical family hassles and activities, whether it's keeping the kids quiet while you take a business call, finding activities for your family while you're in meetings, or getting everyone to bed at a reasonable hour so you can be bright-eyed for your 8 AM presentation.
Here are seven tips to keep in mind before you pack up the spouse and children and head for your upcoming sales conference.
1. Business comes first. It can be tempting to skip a meeting or two, or head out of the office early in order to meet up with your family. But remember who's footing the bill for your enjoyment - your company. Instead of cutting your work hours short, arrive a few days early or stay a few days later to enjoy the locale with your spouse and kids. While it might be okay with your boss to leave a half-hour early occasionally, don't make it a habit, and don't be obvious about it. While you're traveling for work, your time belongs to your company.
2. Give yourself plenty of space and time. Nothing's worse than looking for your copy of the annual sales projections and finding that your three-year-old has turned it into paper dolls. If you can, spring for the difference between your regular room and a corporate suite so you have ample space to keep your business equipment safe from little hands. Likewise, don't try to pack too much in one day. You may be tempted to try to meet your family for every meal, but instead have breakfast and dinner with them, and lunch on your own. You'll save your sanity by refraining from overbooking yourself. Besides, a lot of business gets done between 12 and 1!
