Business travel is a fundamental part of growing any organisation. No matter what industry you find yourself in, seeking out new business deals, partners and ventures is an integral way that your organisation can expand into new territory and explore new opportunities. While online meetings have offered flexibility and convenience in the realm of business, there is simply nothing quite like meeting clients and potential business partners face-to-face when you want to get something done. In some instances, like conferences and multi-day events, it is not even possible to attend the event remotely. These factors continue to warrant and endorse business travel as an essential feature of modern and contemporary life. As such, it’s never been more important to prepare yourself with all of the necessary equipment for frequent, long-term travel. 

How to best prepare for a long business trip

Every business trip will be different. Some trips will be longer than others as they may revolve around multi-day conferences. On the other hand, there may be single-day trips that focus on securing contracts or meeting with clients for a few hours. And of course, many trips will take you to a location which you’ve never been to before. However, regardless of all of that, there are consistent details you can take note of for your trip, no matter what your business trip entails. 

Firstly, it’s important to have ample time to prepare for your trip.. The more time you allow, the easier and cheaper it will be to check off essential things like your accommodation and your transportation needs. More time will also allow you to select the best options available, without running the risk of these services being booked out closer to your date of departure. Next, it’s always good practice to plan out your days or weeks with a detailed itinerary. In a new city or town, it can be easier to get lost; by having a well-thought-out schedule, you can help to ensure you don’t miss an important appointment, or the departure of your flight, train or car. Preparing everything you need for meetings, events or conferences will also make your journey more seamless. Finally, by bringing with you all the must-have products, gadgets and equipment you need for your trip, you will allow yourself to work on the go. When packing your luggage, be sure to keep all of your essentials tidy and secure. This is especially important for your carry-ons, as you’ll want all necessities within easy reach.  

Business travellers looking to fly comfortably, efficiently and securely will likely be interested in a range of products for travel readily available on iShopChangi. However, there are three main product categories that are essential to any business traveller: electronic goods, bags and accessories, and perfumes. 

Which electronic goods should I travel with?

Electronic accessories are, for some businesspersons, the most important items they will take with them on their journey. With frequent, long flights, car rides, and train trips, electronic gadgets allow business travellers both to work and relax on their trips. Some of the travel electronics you might like to buy for your trip include travel and work-related items like Wi-Fi routers, flash drives and a wireless mouse. You might also like to purchase electronic gadgets and accessories that work double duty in helping you kick back and relax and boost your productivity at work - think a pair of wireless headphones or smart devices like a tablet. 

Buy an American Tourister Uni Travel Adapter, which comes with three USB ports and three powerpoint connection options: Europe, the U.K. and USA/Australia. You’ll be able to travel all across the West without any stress of not being able to charge your devices at a variety of electrical points. The McGear Multi-Nation World Travel Adapter will also stand you in good stead on your journeys, with four USB ports, a travel plug and a USB charger. You’ll be able to charge up to five devices simultaneously, and use it in over 190 countries around the world. Those just looking for a power bank might be interested in the Andino PowerVerre 10000 Powerbank, which features 18W of total power and stores up to 10,0000mAh of power after charging for just 4-5.5 hours. Alternatively, check out the Goal Zero Venture 75 Power Bank. It comes with an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating, 19200 mAh of power and a 50 lumens white LED emergency flashlight for your convenience.

Enjoy travelling in comfort and style by purchasing a pair of AirPods, earphones or headphones on iShopChangi. The pleasure of noise-cancelling technology is never more apparent than on a noisy aeroplane, so why not take home a pair of Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones? You’ll bear witness to some of the highest-quality audio technology on the market, all of which are available to you in a pristinely quiet, noise-cancelled environment. For something smaller, you can also consider the Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, which you can put into your pocket once you’ve finished listening to your favourite tunes, for ease of carrying. Also in the earphones department come the Beats Studio Buds Earphones and the Apple AirPods Pro with Magsafe Wireless Charging Case. Both are among the most stylish, effective noise-cancelling and wireless earphones you’ll find, and come with slick, elegant designs and incredibly long battery life to make your travels as worry-free as can be.

What are the best business bags and accessories for long journeys?

Business briefcases, backpacks, wallets and card holders are essential features of any long journey, especially one related to work. Valuable items like laptops, tablets and business cards, alongside other important or sensitive items like work documents, all need to be carried with the utmost care and safety. As such, it pays to invest in high-quality bags and accessories which can get the job done, while not sacrificing aesthetic appeal and appearance. 

Take a look at iShopChangi’s selection of bags for men and bags for women. You’ll find gems like the TUMI Lincoln Brief, a business briefcase that has become the stylish international symbol of the modern-day business person. Coming in a classy black, with sophisticated features like magnetic zippers, high-polish chrome details and a collection of distinct pocket sizes, this briefcase will serve you well among the highest ranks of business engagement. Braun Büffel’s Ris-Z Briefcase is similarly impressive, and adorns fine-grain printed calf leather, a leather-wrapped lock and key and a convenient, detachable shoulder strap. 

Explore backpacks for longer-distance travelling or day trips abroad, like the Heidi Medium Backpack from Braun Büffel. Spacious, sophisticated and made with some of the finest calf leather on the market, this backpack is the perfect coupling of luxury and efficiency. For a more casual look, try out the brand’s Danny-N Large Backpack, which comes in a retro navy, black and turquoise colour palette. 

There are no two ways about it: wherever you go travelling, watches make a statement. On your business travels, looking the part, and showing off your professionalism and classiness, will help your business endeavours. Not only are fine watches absolutely stunning, but they also signal a personality type who is punctual, organised and – for want of a better word – timely. 

Take a look at the women’s watch collection on iShopChangi. You might like to buy a Mido Baroncelli Lady watch, which features an elegant, rounded shape made of water-resistant stainless steel. Making the most of the timeless colours of rose gold, white and silver, this watch is a modern, fashionable piece that will serve you well for years to come. The Swatch Skinlingot is similarly beautiful, with a thin, stylish watch strap and a small, round watch face, both coming in a bright, brilliant gold. The contoured pattern of the watch strap gives it a futuristic look, one which will be sure to impress potential business clients. 

Men might like to explore the range of business watches for men on iShopChangi, which features watches like the Hamilton Jazzmaster. A silver, sturdy, stainless steel watch strap presents a chic black watch face with silver dials. At once, this watch is sturdy and attractive, making it a wonderful accompaniment to international travel and business meetings. The Gc Men’s Slimclass is another notable pick, and displays an old-school brown leather strap alongside a rose gold and silver watch face. Straddling the old and the new, this watch will present you as an innovative, yet respectably traditional business traveller in a wide variety of settings. 

Men and women might like to order themselves a smartwatch, to enable integration of work and relaxation online wherever they go. Apple and Huawei both present standout options in their Apple Watch 7 and Huawei Watch Fit 2 wearables. The Apple Watch 7 comes with a comfortable, colourful strap, a large, smooth screen, and permits the connectivity of all of your Apple devices. You can listen to music, make notes, add calendar entries, answer calls, write text messages, and access your socials all on the same device. The Huawei Watch Fit 2 is similarly impressive, allowing you to use Bluetooth, take photos, answer calls and more from the comfort of your wrist. The Watch Fit 2 also allows you to change the watch strap on your wrist with ease if you decide you’d prefer a different colour.

Perfumes for business travellers

Make sure you look and feel the part with a collection of the best fragrances available on iShopChangi. Men might like to buy the Montblanc Explorer Eau de Parfum. Woody and leathery, with hints of bergamot, vetiver and patchouli, this fragrance contains notes from all over the world, including Italy, Haiti and Sulawesi, making it one of the best perfumes for men. Alternatively, take a look at the Hugo Boss The Scent for Him Eau de Toilette, which features notes of Maninka fruit, ginger and leather. A known aphrodisiac in South Africa, the Maninka fruit will provide you with a strong, energetic feeling wherever you travel, and its scent will be appreciated by whoever you meet. 

Ladies might like to order themselves a bottle of Lancôme Miracle L’Eau de Parfum. Fruity notes of litchi mingle with flowery undertones of magnolia and jasmine before herbaceous and spicy base notes such as ginger, pepper, musk and amber take to the scene. Balanced and complex, these aromas make for a stimulating, fascinating olfactory experience that you’ll surely love. For a lighter, fresher perfume, try the Jo Malone London English Pear and Freesia Cologne. Experience the restorative aroma of pears as it delicately interacts with the scent of white freesias, amber, patchouli and woods. Or, for a bigger, bolder statement, try the Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum, consisting of hints of jasmine, pear blossom and brown sugar notes that dance around the central, powerful fragrance of the Gardenia flower. The Deep Red Eau de Parfum Hugo Boss perfume for women is another bold and fruity scent that is sure to turn heads. For easy travel without worry about going over the liquid limit, consider the Versace Miniatures Collection Women which boasts a mini set of 5 signature perfumes from the famed fashion house.

Anyone preparing for an important business trip would be well-rewarded by a preparatory expedition to iShopChangi Singapore. Shop through everything you’ll need for your travels, from electronics to travel bags and designer fragrances. Check out our extensive travel and services collection for even more essentials you’ll need before you take off, and see what you fancy! Delivery island-wide on all duty-free products on iShopChangi is free when you spend $59 or more at the checkout. Alternatively, if you’re already travelling, you can order your products online to have them ready at the terminal before you depart. For even more discounts online, sign up for Changi Rewards, and reap exclusive member benefits like 10% off your first product after joining!