We all know that long-term, expatriate assignments have huge benefits for the average person, but short-term business trips have a bad reputation for being exhausting whirlwinds, and can feel more like just an average business trip instead of a meaningful adventure.
Sure, these short-term business trips may appear monotonous and fatigue is just part of what the experience, but these trips can be about more than just getting work done somewhere new, and can also be stimulating, ensuring that you return to Canada feeling energised and with a new perspective. Here are just a few of the benefits of short-term business trips.
Improved Confidence
Travelling abroad is a huge confidence builder, and learning about new cultures and stepping outside of your comfort zone is a great way to grow as a person. This can sometimes mean behaving in a way that’s awkward or seems unnatural but is culturally appropriate (such as using small talk or being more deferential), or visiting a country you would otherwise probably not visit- where you don’t know the language. The key is that every time you successfully navigate these new experiences and countries, you increase your self-confidence.
Increased Creativity
Visiting a new country is also a great way to increase your creativity. Research has shown that people are at their most “cognitively flexible” and creative when they spend time in a new setting, and encountering different things in a new place- even small things like traffic signs can open you up to more possibilities and expand your mind.
When you have to solve problems (like ordering from a menu when everything seems like it’s the same) or getting to an important meeting (navigating through traffic or the public transport system) your brain is forced to innovate and experiment since it can’t rely on what it already knows.
Your company benefits from this, as you may then see new ways of operating or being more innovative and bring that knowledge back to Canada.
More Flexibility
Travelling internationally can increase your ability to handle both unexpected and uncomfortable situations- a skill that comes in handy once you’ve returned home.
When you’re travelling in a country on a short-term trip, it’s likely that you’ll encounter an unanticipated or challenging situation or two. This can include dinner meetings where you may find that you have to deal with unfamiliar protocols in gift-giving, eating or even choosing the best place to sit. Or you may have to give a presentation and learn how to fit into the local style of communication.
Sure, you can read about these differences online or in a book, but actually navigating them in person is a whole different ball game. Short-term travel can actually be more challenging than long-term assignments, since expat roles often come with language training and cultural coaching, while short-term business trips usually include specific objectives that need to be accomplished in just a few days.
