As a business leader, it’s likely that you’ll have a packed agenda, with many calls and conversations booked in. However, meetings can take place anywhere nowadays, and one way to make the most of the time you have is to arrange a conference while you’re on the move.
If you regularly embark on global business travel, you might find that you can maximise your time by conducting a meeting while in the air. It’s possible to make the most of your private jet interior and host effective business meetings as you head to your next destination.
Here at VistaJet, we arrange aircraft for entrepreneurs and business leaders to fly in and out of some of the hardest destinations to reach. So, no matter which country you’re heading to and who you need to speak with during the journey, allow us to take you to where you need to be in superior luxury. All our flights are tailored to ensure seamless travel, so you can attend a mid-flight meeting that neatly slots in with your schedule for the day.
So, how do you make your mid-air meeting a big success? Here are some tips to help you host effective business meetings wherever you’re jetting off to.
Arrange your meeting before you set off. This gives everyone involved time to make the relevant preparations. To do this, you’ll need to brief your PA about your plans to maximise your meeting time. Try to give them plenty of notice so that they can book everyone onto the flight. It’s likely that those you meet with on board will also be doing business with you when you land, so this early stage in the process needs to go smoothly.
As with any meeting, you’ll also need to ensure the agenda has been sent around before you board the jet. This will give attendees the opportunity to think about what will be discussed, along with an indication of timings. After all, your flight will take a certain amount of time, so breaking everything down into the key action points before you take off is a great way to establish how long you want to spend on each point before moving on.
Additionally, if you are taking any junior members of your team with you, the agenda will help to let them know what the plan is. If this is the first trip that you’re taking them on, it’s likely they won’t be used to global business travel, so use this time before you board the jet to provide your employees with key information.
Let them know about the dress code both for the in-flight meeting and what they’ll need to wear when you arrive at your destination, as well as how you want them to interact during the meeting, and your expectations of them when you land.
Once you’re on board, make the most of the private jet’s interior by sitting where you can see the people you need to do business with. This will help you to use the space in a productive way and will put you all in the right frame of mind for a meeting. Also, make sure that any screens you’re using can be easily seen by everyone involved.
During the meeting itself, be sure to keep everything on track. If this is the first time you or your business partners have had a meeting mid-flight, it might be easy to become distracted, so try to keep the topics you’re covering concise and easy to follow. It may be that you shorten each section so that you hold everyone’s attention.
As you are all travelling to the destination together, it’s likely this meeting on the jet is the precursor to further discussions when you land. Bear this in mind, as having this pre-emptive catch up with key players might put you in a good position for when you arrive.
You’re on the move so there’s a chance you’ll hit turbulence. Think ahead to how this might become an issue and secure any paperwork so that you don’t lose important documents midway through your presentation.
Similarly, any devices you have, such as your laptop or phone, will also need to be secured. You don’t want them to slide off the table if your jet hits a rough patch.
Whether your fellow passengers are used to global business travel or they’re new to visiting different destinations for business, it’s important that you allow everyone to have a break. This is different to typical breaks that you account for in the office, as you’re all in a new setting.
Try to draw the meeting to a close early or split the time up. This allows everyone to enjoy the a la carte dining selection or relax and take in the private jet’s luxurious interior.
Wherever you’re jetting to, allow us to provide the perfect setting for your mid-flight conference so you can host effective business meetings. Simply get in touch with us and we will help you organise your trip.
