In the modern-day businesses are travelling more frequently than ever before. This is because it seems that companies are having more opportunities to expand into national and even global markets. However, if travel is not managed properly then it can prove to be a great expense and exceedingly difficult to organise. That is why you need to seek the aid of a business travel management company.
Developing your corporate travel program
If you operate a business where employees have a frequent need to travel then you will need to have an effective company travel program in place. If you do not have a system in place to organise your travel then you will undoubtedly be running at high levels of inefficiency.
This is because your travel costs will be high, you will spend too long organising trips, and you will miss out on the best deals.
It is always recommended to take advantage of one of the travel management companies out there at the moment. They will be able to provide you with a single-source solution whereby you can search for the cheapest travel and accommodation deals, view all of your important data, create itineraries, and set up tracking and alerts.
These companies have access to great deals and global knowledge and thus their input is imperative. Not only is this beneficial, but the savings they provide will prove to be invaluable for everything from saving costs on airfares to conferences and events to hotel costs.
Also read: A Guide On Team Building Activities For Diverse Remote Teams
What are the benefits of using a travel management company?
Before we take a look at the factors to consider, let’s reveal why using a travel management company makes sense:
1. They make travel easier to manage
Companies offering business travel management provide you with the full solution. Through a single-source platform, you will be able to view all information related to your company’s travel; no matter how many places you visit.
This means you can view key information, such as itineraries and travel times. This makes everything much easier and more efficient to manage as it is the only way to centralise all travel data.
2. Reduce travel expenses substantially
Not only this, but business travel agents have a wealth of contacts in the industry. They know how to save you money on everything from rail travel to hotel bookings to car hire. They also provide strategies for saving money, such as using localised data from worldwide countries and suggesting prepaid cards to use too.
They ensure your money goes as far as possible, which is obviously imperative when looking to keep business expenses as low as you can in order to reap mass monetary gains.
3. Global support and advice
Aside from the points that have already been mentioned, top business travel agents supply their customers with frequent support. They are able to use their expert knowledge to provide clients with any information or advice they may need no matter whereabouts they are in the world. This also includes medical support from some of the top travel management companies as well.
These three benefits aptly display why any business that travels frequently must have an effective travel agent by their side to help make sure they are reducing travel costs as much as possible and managing their trips effectively.
Also read: Best 50 virtual icebreaker games for remote teams
How do you choose the best travel management company for you?
Now that you know the benefits of a travel management company, let’s take a look at the factors you need to consider when selecting the right business. A lot of people like to use Concur, but some of the Concur competitors may actually be better suited to you based on your needs and requirements.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the different factors you should consider when looking for the best travel management company:
1. How experienced is the company?
You should definitely go for a company that has some years of experience in their locker. After all, you do not want to be someone’s practice project.
Moreover, if a company has not been in the industry for very long, it is unlikely it will have built up the contacts that other businesses have. Consequently, you will not gain access to the best deals and such like.
2. Does the company help you to lower your carbon footprint?
Most businesses are conscious of their responsibility when it comes to looking after our environment. This is a duty that they cannot shy away from.
Companies that travel on a frequent basis are often responsible for a significant amount of carbon emissions and damage to the environment. But, you cannot simply cancel your plans in order to reduce your carbon footprint.
The best solution is to align yourself with one of the leading travel management companies that have unique features for you to make the most of, such as a carbon calculator. This allows you to determine the carbon footprint you are responsible for with every journey you make.
The software should then provide you with some other options that will be less harmful to the environment. This ensures you have the ability to take the greenest route possible.
3. Is 24/7 support provided?
It is definitely recommended to go for a company that offers 24/7 support. If a company merely works to UK office hours you could find yourself experiencing more issues than benefits.
If you are abroad and experience a situation whereby you require urgent help, unless the travel management company offers 24/7 support, it is unlikely you will be able to get the assistance you need.
4. How easy is it to use the software they provide
It is vital that the software in question is easy to use so that you can make the most of it. Can you plan your itinerary for your business trip? Can you easily find the best deals and the information you need? It is vital to consider this.
After all, if the software is not easy to use, all you are going to be doing is halting productivity rather than improving it.
5. Do they have access to exclusive discounts so you can maximize ROI?
How does the company save you money? This is something you need to take a look at. All of the best travel managers have exclusive relationships with various companies, from car hire businesses to airlines. This is how they are able to offer you deals and discounts that you would not be able to get anywhere else.
Nonetheless, do not merely assume that this is what your travel manager is going to provide you with. You need to discover how they are going to lower your business expenditure.
6. What do past customers think about the travel company in question?
You need to make sure the company in question has a good reputation. What is their standing in the industry? Have they won any awards? Do they feature in any top ten lists?
You should also read the reviews that have been left by previous customers. What do they have to say about the service they experienced? Would they recommend it? This is the best way to get an honest assessment regarding the level of quality you are likely to benefit from.
Also read: Top 50 problem solving activities, games & puzzles for remote teams
Final words on choosing the best travel management company for you
So there you have it: everything you need to know about choosing the best travel management company for your business.
There are lots of advantages to be gained by choosing to use a travel management company. You will be able to lower your business expenditure, plan your travel with greater ease, reduce carbon emissions and so on and so forth. Nonetheless, the only way you are going to reap these rewards is if you choose your travel manager with care.
It is important to take the time to assess your options so that you can select a company that best aligns with your travel goals.
With more and more travel managers entering the market all of the time, it can be quite overwhelming. However, if you choose wisely, your travel management company will be able to ensure you travel in the most affordable and efficient manner while keeping your eco-efforts at the forefront as well.
Leave a Reply