Business trips remove you from the daily routine of waking up, spending your day in the office, and being home with your family or friends. This can challenge and motivate you. You might find it tough to adapt to the new atmosphere, but you will ultimately settle and achieve your objectives.
The worst thing that can happen on a business trip is when your plans fall out of place. For example, let’s say your flight is delayed or there was an error in the hotel you had booked, and this throws off your entire schedule. Even though planning is an essential part of a business trip, even the best-laid plans can go awry. However, a lack of a plan is even worse than a thrown-off one.
Here are three areas where having a good plan can (hopefully!) make a business trip to Chicago, Illinois go as smoothly as possible.
1. Set Goals
Defining what the work trip is expected to accomplish should be the first thing in your game plan. Make a to-do list and mark out what you intend to do in Chicago. Setting goals enables you to use your time for maximum productivity.
By being productive, you could make some spare time and visit sceneries. In Chicago, you can visit Lake Michigan, Adler Planetarium, The Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, and the Millennium Park. There is a Museum for Contemporary Art for art lovers. Such inclusions will eliminate the monotony from your trip and make it more enjoyable.
2. Make Travel and Accommodation Arrangements
Book a flight or bus depending on where you are coming from. Always schedule a flight that leaves ample time for unforeseen setbacks. While flights at odd times can be cheaper, if you have a lot to do it makes sense to arrive at an earlier time and leave after work hours to get the most out of your trip.
Of all the McCormick Place hotels in Chicago, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is one of the most popular for business travelers. It is an upscale hotel with a direct view of Lake Michigan. The hotel is also centrally-situated in the city, making it easy for you to access your place of business.
The Hotel Chicago Downtown is another hot spot for work travelers. It’s near the House of Blues and also close to Millennium Park. With a nice on-site restaurant, it’s a good place to unwind after a long day’s work.
3. Arrival
Making sure you’re packed correctly is just one part of your arrival plan. Getting to your destination during a business trip might be the toughest challenge considering you might have jet lag and be utterly fatigued. O’Hare Airport serves most of Chicago and is just around half an hour from downtown. Plan how you will be picked and dropped to and from the hotel, especially if you have to bring any supplies or much baggage.
Setting goals and working them into a plan will help you best spend your time and maximize your stay in Chicago. This will increase your output and efficiency during the business trip. Be sure to follow some of the above advice to avoid the old (but true) saying: a failure to plan is a plan to fail.
