5 Apps to Upgrade your Next Work Trip
Check these downloads off your to-do list before you turn your phone to airplane mode
There aren’t many professionals who would turn down extra help during a typical workweek. But when you take business on the road, your 9 to 5 can get even busier and more complicated. (Fielding conference calls from a bustling airport and showing up bright eyed for a big presentation after a late arrival are not for the faint of heart.) Here are five apps that can take some of the work off your hands when you travel.
A fast pass to the business lounge
If you’re looking for just one business travel app that will truly impress your peers, your boss or even just your Instagram followers, LoungeBuddy is it. For a nominal fee, LoungeBuddy provides access to private lounges in airports around the world, helping you and your travel team make the most of your airport experience regardless of flight delays or layovers. Unwind preflight with a cocktail or premium meal, reserve a quiet space to get some work done or refresh with a shower after a red-eye before heading into the office.
Travel smarter
Sharpen your skills while en route to your destination with GoToStage. This webinar platform (available for both Android and iOS) hosts educational videos from leaders in fields such as business, marketing, human resources, technology, finance and health care on topics like “How to Hire Top Talent,” “Work Smarter, Not Harder” and “Fundraising for Start-Ups.” All you have to do is open a video while connected to Wi-Fi to be able to watch it from the air. (Once on airplane mode, you cannot access the content on the app. So plan ahead.)
Let a chef plan your work dinner
Sometimes, avoiding chain restaurants and “eating where the locals eat” is easier said than done while out of town on business. But CurEat can help. This app gives you access to a curated list of dining recommendations from prominent chefs, bartenders, food writers and artisan craft-makers in the destination (known as CurEaters). You won’t see any restaurants that haven’t been recommended by someone you’re following, which ensures you’re only served up the best tables in town.
Sleep soundly
When you factor in different time zones, late-night strategy sessions and stress-induced insomnia, it can be difficult to get quality sleep while on the road. Next time you’re wide awake in bed, try turning on Binaural, an app that hosts a variety of binaural beat wavelengths used to ease the brain into a meditative state. Choose your preferred frequency based on your intended goal, whether it’s deep sleep, meditation, relaxation or even “problem solving,” a high-frequency beat utilized for deep concentration.
Stay connected out of the office
What do you do when you have a pile of work but you don’t want to miss the opportunity to get out of the boardroom and see just a little bit of your destination? Use Cafe Wifi to find free Wi-Fi at a local coffee shop or co-working space and take your work session on the road. The app pulls information from Foursquare and user-generated reviews to provide not only a list of coffee shops, but also their Internet speeds so you won’t have to worry about a choppy connection.
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