Corporate travel can be a major expense for businesses, but when managed properly, it can also be a great way to build relationships with clients, meet new prospects, and stay connected with remote team members. In order to operate efficiently and effectively, companies must have a streamlined process in place that optimizes corporate travel while still keeping costs down. Here are some tips on how to do just that.
Choose the Right Online Booking Tool
The first step in optimizing corporate travel is selecting the right online booking tool. It’s important to find one that offers comprehensive features such as automated email alerts when flights or hotels change status, integration with your calendar app, and easy-to-use mobile apps. A good online booking tool should also make it easy to track flight and hotel costs so you can stay within budget.
Set Clear Guidelines for Employees
Once you’ve chosen an online booking tool, you will need to set clear guidelines for employees who will be traveling on behalf of the company. These guidelines should include policies for lodging preferences (e.g., which hotels are acceptable), airfare preferences (e.g., what type of class is acceptable), and other relevant information related to corporate travel (e.g., meal allowances). Having these guidelines in place will help ensure that everyone knows what is expected when traveling for business purposes.
Utilize Automation Where Possible
Automating certain tasks can save time and money by eliminating manual data entry errors and streamlining processes such as invoice reconciliation and expense reporting. For example, using an automated system like Concur makes managing employee expenses easier by automatically tracking receipts and creating detailed reports on spending patterns. Additionally, many online booking tools offer automated workflows that allow users to quickly select flights or hotels without having to manually enter all the details each time they book a trip.
Utilize Technology
Technology has made planning corporate travel much easier than it used to be. There are now websites like Expedia and Hotels.com that allow businesses to compare different hotels, airlines, and car rental companies side by side so they can get the best deal for their budget. There are also apps available that let travelers track their flights in real time as well as check into their hotels without having to wait in line at the front desk. Using technology can help streamline the process and make it much easier than it used to be.
Choose Flexible Options
When booking flights or hotel rooms, always look for flexible options like refundable tickets or free cancellation policies so that if something comes up, you won’t be stuck with a nonrefundable ticket or room rate that can’t be changed or canceled without incurring additional fees or penalties. Also look for ways to maximize efficiency while on the road by renting cars with GPS navigation systems or taking public transportation instead of relying on taxis when possible.
Conclusion:
By selecting the right online booking tool, setting clear guidelines for employees who are traveling on behalf of the company, and utilizing automation where possible, businesses can optimize their corporate travel procedures for maximum efficiency while still keeping costs low. With a streamlined approach in place, companies can focus on building relationships with clients or meeting new prospects without worrying about overspending or wasting valuable time on tedious administrative tasks related to employee travel management.
