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4 ways for businesses to level up the travel experience for their employees
Business travel can be a great way for employees to learn new things, meet new people, and represent their company on the global stage. However, it can also be stressful and time-consuming. Businesses can play a role in making business travel a more positive experience for their employees by following these tips:
1. Work with the right travel management company (TMC) that wants you to succeed!
To set your team up for the best possible experience on the road, you need to start with a map to success before they even leave the office. The starting point is the people who'll be booking and supporting your travellers. If you’ve been doing it on your own, it might be time to think about working with travel experts who know (and love) travel and can help develop and implement policy across the whole trip. Planning travel should feel easy-breezy. Your travel requests and arrangements should be handled quickly and efficiently. Plus, your teams should have plenty of options for airlines and accommodation with added perks that make them actually look forward to the trip. When selecting the right travel management partner, you might need to do the homework. Look for a provider with tons of experience in the travel industry, who also has a great track record with other clients in your specific industry. Your most successful travel partner is one who is just as invested in your success as you are.
2. Don't underestimate the value of a great travel policy
A travel policy is the ultimate guide for your travellers to follow from the time of booking to the time of their return. Building a travel policy for your organisation might seem overwhelming, but let’s put your mind at ease. Rather than hastily coming up with something that may not cover all scenarios, take into consideration that your policy is not only a rule book. It’s a tool to guide your team in making sound decisions regarding your corporate travel program and help avoid future problems. Having a comprehensive company travel policy helps protect both travellers and organisations. It should cover everything from acceptable expenses to guidelines around what is ok to book. You can even set policies around advance notice for booking flights or hotels, if necessary. A great travel policy is all about making sure that everyone knows what is ok to book, and how to book. Once your policy is locked in (and communicated), make sure each traveller has the necessary support for each trip. This starts with the booking process (whether it’s a real-life travel expert or some cutting-edge tech) but also extends into their travels. Employees should feel that the trip has been arranged specifically for their exact needs. Plus, they should have access to 24/7 customer support lines or emergency contact information in case of any problems along the way.
When developing a travel policy, businesses should consult with their employees to get their input. The policy should also be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that it is still relevant and effective.
3. Make travel planning simple with the latest travel technology
Not everyone wants or needs to use a real-life human being for every booking, so a seamless self-serve technology to book flights and hotels, manage expenses, and track employee travel itineraries is essential. For example, if a simple point-to-point flight takes more than 5 minutes to book, it's costing you money.
When choosing travel technology, businesses should look for tools that are user-friendly and that integrate well with their existing systems. The technology should also be able to provide businesses with the data they need to make informed decisions about their travel program.
Savi offers personalized options that are set by your team through the onboarding experience. Plus, each traveller or travel arranger can personalise their profile so the platform remembers them for next time. Your travel technology should serve up specific hotel options that are part of your company's travel program - ensuring that you're getting the best rate and reaping the rewards (like free breakfast or early check-in). We can help negotiate those sweet corporate rates on your favourite hotels, too!
An additional exclusive within Savi is the approval tool for those booking travel. This tool summarises itineraries, sends them to nominated contacts for approval and is responsive on approvals to alerting bookers. Itineraries are also held for 24 hours while approval is confirmed.
4. Give your team personalised and dedicated service!
If something goes awry while your team is on the road, you need to know that someone is behind the scenes working on the solution. The advantages of tailored and specialised service, and access to someone who can help with any problems encountered, such as flight cancellations or lost luggage, is undeniable!
Businesses can provide personalised service to their business travelers by working with a TMC that offers dedicated travel consultants to oversee all arrangements. These consultants can help travelers with everything from booking their flights to getting around their destination city and booking hotels that are close to where meetings are. This makes it simpler to navigate any unforeseen issues or changes, and reduces stress related to business trip hiccups. All travel is personal, even when it is for work and it should never feel like a chore. Instead, let's make sure it’s uplifting and effortless. Because when your team arrives rested and ready to roll, that’s when the magic happens.
By following these tips, businesses can make business travel a more positive and productive experience for their employees. This can lead to increased employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention.