Blacklane’s new ‘Finding Flow’ report shows how executives stay focused, productive and in control | News

Nine in 10 business leaders and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) believe travel stimulates their most valuable thinking, according to new data revealed at the Business Travel Show from global chauffeur service Blacklane.

The report ‘Finding Flow – How Executives Excel on the Move’ – commissioned by Blacklane and conducted by Censuswide to investigate the business travel habits of 2,000 executives in both the UK and the US – shows that in reality travelers struggle to achieve optimal performance when on the move.

While most respondents know they can achieve a flow state – the deep focus, clarity and purpose that drives creativity and performance – while traveling, 86 percent find it difficult during a business trip.

The research makes it clear that seamless travel significantly improves productivity and decision-making. When trips are smooth, 93 percent say they are more productive – while 44 percent say so to a significant degree.

However, when travel is disjointed and uncomfortable and achieving a flow state is therefore elusive, the costs extend across the entire journey as well as far beyond it. It is worrying that more than eight in ten (81 percent) believe that this will require additional catching up work upon return. 79 percent say this reduces the quality of their decision-making, 79 percent report a reduced ability to fulfill their role, and more than three-quarters (77 percent) say not reaching the deep-focus zone disrupts productivity throughout the journey.

Dr. Jens Wohltorf, Founder and CEO of Blacklane explains:

“Any frequent traveler knows that it is difficult to find focus within a busy itinerary. This new report highlights the high impact of friction and frustration when traveling; when travel is not calm and controlled, leaders simply cannot function optimally during the trip and often afterwards. Itineraries must include the experiences that enable quality thinking, well-being and recovery. This includes paying close attention to every aspect of the journey and not leaving elements such as land transportation to chance. Blacklane’s chauffeur service takes care of every detail to ensure the highly valuable thinking time that makes success possible is protected.”

To get the most out of business travel, the research identifies the highly nuanced set of requirements that create a flow state. The top three factors influencing intense focus during business travel are feeling calm (86 percent), feeling in control (84 percent) and traveling with a trusted provider (83 percent), demonstrating that both emotional and practical needs must be met.

When any element of the balance is disrupted, travelers lose productivity opportunities. Crowded or noisy environments with a lack of personal space pose the biggest threat to clarity on the road (cited by 31 percent), followed by inadequate technology (29 percent), delays or uncertainty (28 percent) and sensory overload or overstimulation (28 percent).

The research was unveiled at the London edition of the Business Travel Show and will also be brought to life on stand H53, where guests visiting Blacklane can step into an immersive ‘Pause Pod’. The pod is tailor-made to help them relax, focus or re-energise and is designed to create a sensory reset within the busy ExCeL venue.

The research results will be published in a downloadable white paper from Blacklane. The ‘Finding Flow’ report was commissioned by Blacklane, as the global chauffeur service continues to sharpen its efforts to reduce friction at every stage of a journey. Blacklane’s personal service and attention to detail ensure that discerning travelers arrive cared for, and in the best possible condition for what lies ahead.

To learn more about how Blacklane supports business travelers, visit https://www.blacklane.com/en/business/.