If you’re getting ready to embark on a business trip to Glasgow and you have no idea what to expect, you’re probably concerned that you’ll feel out of your comfort zone while you’re there. Comfort might not seem like the highest priority when you’re conducting business travel, but for professionals who are trying to hone their thoughts and prepare for a big corporate event or meeting, having a comfortable environment to serve as an office can offer a huge advantage. With that said, here are seven tips you can use to make sure you stay comfortable the entire time:
1. Book a Luxury Hotel Room with Office Amenities
Booking a hotel room that provides an ideal space for conducting office work is a great way to ensure you’re not hunched over your laptop on a bed somewhere. Instead of opting for one of the first few accommodations you find, try comparing dozens of different hospitality providers to ensure you’re choosing the most ideal environment for productivity and working comfort.
Using a hotel comparison platform like 7Boutique is the easiest way to get a comprehensive overview of all the luxury accommodations in an area. By applying their location-based search filter, you can find these options in Glasgow to narrow down your list quickly. 7Boutique is one of the leading online platforms for comparing boutique hotel accommodations in Scotland and other cities around the world.
2. Bring a Portable Office Setup
To ensure you’ll be able to get work done and stay focused regardless of where your business trip takes you, it’s best to equip yourself with a mobile office setup. You might think that simply bringing a tablet or laptop should be sufficient, but there are plenty of accessories and conveniences you can add to your travel luggage to make your job as a travelling businessperson much easier.
3. Bring an Umbrella
In case you didn’t know, Glasgow gets more rain than any other city in the UK. The locals know that the weather can change rather quickly, so what appears to be a sunny outing could quickly devolve into a torrential downpour before you can get to a shop to buy an umbrella. Of course, you never want to be showing up to a business meeting with your suit or outfit soaked, so be sure to bring a nice umbrella any time you are on a business outing in West Central Scotland. Showing up to any important event soaked could obviously be one of the most uncomfortable moments of your career, which is why this simple yet pivotal tip undeniably deserves a spot on this list.
4. Utilise the Public Transport System
Scotrail provides an extensive network of stops and stations around the city, and this is definitely the fastest and most reliable way to get around. Fun fact: it’s also the third-oldest subway system in the world. There are also several bus companies that will get you where you’re trying to go affordably and with relatively consistent punctuality. However, the fares and fees will vary, so it may be best to purchase a pass to eliminate the hassle of having to carry and deposit exact change.
5. Call Private Hire Drivers Instead of Hailing Black Cabs
There are two main kinds of taxis that can be used to get around Glasgow – those that you have to call up and request a ride from and the black cabs that can be hailed on the streets in most areas of town. The private hire cabs that you have to call and schedule a pickup are typically cheaper than those you can hail at the spur of the moment, so one easy way to save money is by arranging your taxi in advance to avoid the need to hail a black cab. If you use rideshare services like Lyft and Uber, you’ll be happy to know that their drivers can often be found within close proximity to the airport and downtown districts.
6. Take a City Tour
Guided city tours will introduce you to the best of all that the city has to offer without putting you in the stressful position of having to arrange everything yourself. The city itself isn’t huge geographically speaking, so many of your options in this regard will be walking tours. However, there are also a few double-decker tourist buses that will take you on city sightseeing tours, so those are worth checking out if you’re not up for an urban trek. Generally, it’s best to take care of your business obligations before committing to any leisurely activities, as you should focus on preparing for the actual event or meeting that you came for first.
7. Check the Weather Forecast
As mentioned, Glasgow is a very rainy place, to the extent that booking any sort of trip or outing in the area should always be preceded by checking the weather forecast. The city isn’t always rainy, and there are some hot days during the summer when it could be better to dress accordingly than to assume you’ll need to wear a raincoat. Even if the forecast says that everything is going to be clear, it’s still best to bring a travel bag and heed tip #3 above.
Have Some Fun While You’re There
In closing, just because you’re going to be on a business trip doesn’t mean you shouldn’t thoroughly enjoy your spare time. From the city’s bustling independent music scene to the abundance of art and architecture that is waiting to be explored, you won’t be short of options. Plus, there’s so much natural scenery to behold in the surrounding hills and on the shores of Loch Lomond. If you have enough time and are prepared to do some commuting, you can get to Ayr beach within an hour via the public transport system.
With so much to see and do in Glasgow, it would be a shame to visit for a business trip and not give yourself the time experience it all.