Every market visit starts here and ends here. Before you go, lay out why this market needs you in person, who you're seeing and when, and what should look different when you leave. After you're back, open the resume link from your confirmation, fill in the recap with real expenses and receipts, and the finished report goes to your manager as a PDF. Takes about ten minutes each way. Submit the plan at least a week before you need to book.
Run every plan through the same four questions. Reply with one of three answers: approved, approved with changes (say what), or not this time (say why).
| Question | Push back if | Approve if |
|---|---|---|
| Is there a real reason to go? | "Why in person" is vague, or this could be a call | A specific distributor, account, or event that needs face time, and a clear "why now" |
| Is the schedule set? | Few stops listed, key meetings unconfirmed | Distributor and buyer meetings confirmed or near-confirmed before booking |
| Are the objectives measurable? | "Build relationships," "check in" | "What should be different" names doors, cases, placements, or a commitment you can verify |
| Is the timing right? | Overlaps a bigger priority or leaves the territory uncovered | Nothing critical slips while they're out |
After the trip: hold them to the recap. Accomplishments vs. the "what should be different" line, plus problems and next steps, is how the next plan gets judged.