Jet lag in business travel – how to ensure team effectiveness during international delegations?

International business trips have become an inseparable and essential element of modern business. However, crossing time zones can hurt employee productivity and the efficiency of the entire team. Effective business travel management requires considering not only logistics but also employee comfort and well-being – especially in the context of jet lag. Find out how you can ensure team efficiency during business trips and minimize the effects of jet lag!

What exactly is jet lag?

Jet lag, or time zone change syndrome, occurs during long journeys. It is not just fatigue—it is also a disruption of the internal biological clock, which can negatively affect the employee’s performance during important and concentration-demanding business meetings.

How does jet lag affect employee productivity?

Difficulties in the functioning of employees may occur. The most common include:

– concentration problems that may adversely affect the outcome of negotiations and presentations,

– sleepiness during key moments of the day, e.g. during strategic conversations or presentations,

– difficulty sleeping, which reduces energy the next day,

– time disorientation, making it difficult to plan meetings,

– decreased appetite, which may make you feel worse.

Optimizing business trip planning – practical tips

Preparation for a foreign delegation

Schedule optimization:

– choice of afternoon flights when traveling west,

– planning evening arrivals when traveling east,

– including one adaptation day before key meetings.

Preparation before a business trip:

– adjusting the daily rhythm to the new time zone a few days before departure,

– an adequate amount of sleep in the week preceding the business trip,

– introducing an easily digestible diet before a foreign delegation.

Flight Tips

– setting the clock to the destination time on board the plane,

– regular hydration of the body,

– avoiding alcohol and caffeine,

– performing simple exercises in an armchair.

Action plan upon arrival

First-day management:

– exposure to natural daylight,

– adapting to local meal times,

– if necessary, short naps (lasting maximum 20-30 minutes).

Organization of business meetings:

– planning the most important meetings for the second or third day after arrival,

– taking into account optimal activity hours that correspond to the home time zone,

– flexible approach to the schedule and distribution of meetings.

Digital tools facilitating the organization of foreign delegations

The worktrips.com platform introduces an innovative approach to business travel organizations, allowing for the issue of jet lag to be taken into account in the planning process. The system offers solutions that streamline business trip planning, including:

– intelligent route planning with optimal flight times that minimize the impact of time zone changes,

– flexible booking options with the possibility of modification,

– 24/7 support for traveling employees,

– personalized recommendations for your travel schedule, e.g. including time for acclimatization at a given location.

How can effective business travel planning impact a company’s success?

The right approach to jet lag in business travel management can bring tangible benefits to companies. The most important include:

– greater employee efficiency during business meetings,

– appropriate concentration during negotiations,

– reducing stress associated with international travel,

– cost optimization through better planning,

– higher work comfort translating into significantly better business results.

Smart solutions for international business travel

Jet lag is a significant challenge affecting employee efficiency during international travel. worktrips.com’s integrated business travel management tool helps minimize the negative impact of time zone changes on team efficiency. Proper technological support combined with an understanding of the challenges faced by employees makes long-distance business trips less burdensome and much more productive. Want to optimize business travel in your company? Schedule a free presentation of the worktrips.com system and see how to quickly, easily, and effectively plan an international delegation.