Vanlife is a movement that has been gaining momentum in recent years, and it's not hard to see why. With the rising cost of traveling, the desire for a more sustainable lifestyle, and the need for flexibility in work, vanlife offers a unique solution. And what better place to showcase the benefits of vanlife for business purposes than at Hannover Messe 2023, the world's largest trade fair for industrial technology? I am happy to share my personal experience from outside in and inside out of the SAP booth and the campground at Hannover Messe this year with you.
Sustainability
One of the biggest advantages of vanlife is the sustainability factor. By living and traveling in a van for a business trip, you significantly reduce your carbon footprint instead of driving back and forth or going by plane even for a short distance. With the ability to have your temporary home where you park, you will experience a new sense of personal development (see more why, in the mindful section). In most areas you can rely on infrastructure and energy sources especially if your business trip is just to another city. Many vanlifers use solar panels to power their vehicles, making them completely self-sufficient and independent. That would be for me a point to improve my van. At Hannover Messe 2023, visitors can also expect to see the latest in sustainable travel technology and products, as well as how our future develops sustainable products in different engineering disciplines.
Working inside after a great day at the SAP booth
New Work
Vanlife also offers the flexibility to work from anywhere, which has become increasingly important in today's world. As more companies, so SAP, adopt remote work policies, vanlife provides a wonderful opportunity to work from lovely places around the world or even within Germany. At Hannover Messe 2023, I used our flex work model at the first time outside of a customer office building or business hotel, in my VW Bulli. Vanlife also provides the opportunity to start a business on the road, whether it's an online store or a mobile food truck if you want. At SAP we established long time ago a “mobile work guideline”, which we as employees are very proud of and happy for this modern management decision. This means that there is a lot of flexibility in your individual working mode. Check out posts from our German Head of HR Cawa Younosi on that topic on LinkedIn.
Cost Saving
Another benefit of vanlife is the cost savings. With this mode for a business trip, you can significantly reduce your costs, in this case travel expenses. Instead of paying expensive prices for hotel rooms at “Messe-time”, you are only paying for your vehicle’s consumption and the campground fee of parking. At Hannover Messe 2023, visitors can learn about the latest solutions for different business areas from affordable van conversions to sustainable products that save money in the long run and have a lower impact on the environment.
Mindfulness
Finally, vanlife offers the opportunity for mindfulness and a slower pace of life. Living in a van means you're forced to simplify your life and focus on the essentials. You are also living in closer contact with nature, which has been shown to have numerous mental health benefits. Even if it brings you just some days out of your typical business routine, whether in the home office or on-site offices, you are experiencing something new. New surroundings, new people, new way of getting organized at a minimal household. And that is the whitespace where you can grow. For me it made it special to combine business with kind-of-vacation to calm down between long and exciting days at our booth from SAP in the halls of Hannover Messe and having phone calls while sitting in the sun in front of my car or inside and have it cozy.
Working outside
In conclusion, vanlife is a lifestyle that offers numerous benefits, from sustainability and cost savings to flexibility in work and improves your mindfulness. At Hannover Messe 2023, visitors can expect to see the latest in manufacturing technology and sustainable products. Whether you are interested in sustainability, new work, cost savings, or personal growth, vanlife has something to offer. So why not join the movement and discover the benefits for yourself on your next business trip?
morning coffee with love to start the day right
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