New workplace norms encourage different business trip factors
Business travel is about more than just moving from point A to B – for women, it is pivotal for visibility, opportunity and leadership development. In today’s fast-paced business world, career advancement can often hinge on one essential factor: visibility.
For women in corporate roles, gaining that visibility – especially with executive leadership, international clients and strategic decision-makers – has historically been a challenge. But there’s one powerful and often underappreciated tool that is changing that: business travel.
Business travel is no longer just about attending meetings in a boardroom across the country or presenting at a global conference – it’s about being in the right place, at the right time, making things happen. And for ambitious, future-facing women, corporate travel can be a gateway to growth, leadership and influence.
Business trips put professionals in front of crucial people – whether it’s partnering with colleagues in other regions, seeing customers or networking with suppliers.
In the age of Zoom calls and online meetings, in-person experiences allow you to get to know people in their own environment and build deeper levels of trust. Travel gives you a chance to live in their world for a bit, which isn’t always possible to do virtually. It gives that personal touch, which is so important, especially in South Africa. We are a community – we learn and grow from each other.
Different considerations
There are extra challenges at play for women who travel for work. People don’t ask men on business trips about who is looking after the family or the kids. It’s not always as easy for a woman to drop everything.
Gender parity in the workplace requires a culture of inclusion and diversity, with strategies in place to support women. This means consideration of safety, flexibility and optimal travelling times; for example, booking the 7am flight means that women need to leave their homes while it’s still dark, even though it’s not always safe for women travellers to have an early flight or get home late at night.
Women are also more likely to juggle family commitments right up until the last minute, leaving them exhausted by the time they get onto the aeroplane. As a mom, you already feel like you’re trying to manage everything at home. It’s only when you get to your destination that you think, “Ok, now I’m in work mode.”
In addition, it’s important to plan for travel delays and interruptions. Choosing flights outside of the peak hours means there’s less traffic, meaning moms can get to the airport later and spend more time at home. Flying overnight rather than on a day flight means a day can be gained in both directions. Arriving on a Sunday morning and spending the day seeing a city means being fresh and ready for Monday, with enough time factored in to avoid rushing.
When reaching a destination, it’s advisable to speak to the locals to get first-hand information instead of trying to figure everything out yourself. If you don’t ask, you don’t know. Asking people at the airport is cost effective but also helps you be more aware of your surroundings. This collaborative attitude extends to leadership: asking questions rather than assuming.
Changing perceptions
It’s all about being ‘hard on the process, soft on the people’. Being soft on people is often seen as a weakness for women. Their attitude is often misconstrued as ‘too emotional’, while men are simply seen as ‘passionate’. For decades, workplace biases and stereotypes assumed women were less likely – or willing – to accept roles involving travel. This assumption still quietly shapes who gets selected for client visits or multi-location projects.
But more women are realising that corporate travel is about more than just professional obligation – it’s an opportunity to reposition themselves as mobile, ambitious and leadership-ready.
Own your travel experience – figure out which travelling times work best for you and plan around that. Ask a local – when you land in a new city, don’t be afraid to speak to the locals and ask questions, as this can only elevate your learning and travel experiences. And ditch perfect – there is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ way to travel (or do business), but there is the right way for you.
Text | Mummy Mafojane
Photography | Candy Retriever
Mummy Mafojane is the General Manager at FCM.
For more information, go to fcmtravel.co.za.
