Executive business travel: business travel for large contracts
Although sales people are among the most frequent travelers, company managers and senior executives can also decide to meet with customers and partners. But for some occasions, it's necessary for an entire management team, or just a few members of the management team, to make the trip. In this case, we're talking about executive business trips.
This type of executive business trip is recommended when a company is called upon to attend an international conference or symposium. The main aim is to increase contacts and forge partnerships, even if this is done unofficially at the outset. It also helps to build confidence with potential partners. Indeed, when a management team, or part of it, travels to a conference, it gives an idea of the company's importance.
Executive business trips: good preparation is the key to success
You don't go to war without having sharpened your weapons, and you don't go to a major event without being prepared. As you can see, when it comes to group business trips, it's important to work together to find out who's going to be on the trip, and to be efficient on the ground.
Preparing a group trip is not very different from preparing an individual trip. To begin with, you need to glean as much information as possible about the event, the partner who will be hosting you or the convention. In the case of a conference or convention, it's important to obtain a list of participants to get a feel for the event. Who are the potential customers you can approach? Don't forget to find out what these customers expect and what they do.
Then plan your trip. Make hotel reservations, buy plane tickets... In short, make sure you have a way of getting there and staying put.
Finally, draw up a field deployment plan so you know who's doing what, so you don't get tangled up.
Executive business travel: how to make it a pleasant experience for everyone?
Although work is the primary objective of your trip, it must also be pleasant so that the team can work in good conditions.
- It's important to adapt to the group, talk to everyone and foster team spirit. To do this, it's important to avoid subjects that could cause arguments.
- Try to help others by lending a phone for a call, or helping out a colleague who needs a charger, for example.
- Making conversation is essential. Of course, work will be one of the most talked-about topics, but you can also find other subjects. Try not to get too involved in the other person's private life. As far as possible, avoid irritating subjects such as politics and religion.
- Take the lead when it comes to relaxing. If you know the city or the country, during free time you can suggest restaurants or tourist sites to visit.
- When you're on the move, even in your spare time, it's important to always look your best. Although suits are de rigueur in certain circumstances, it's important to choose comfortable clothes.
Organize your business travel to save time and money
Executive business trips are also a major source of expenditure. CTA Business Travel can help companies avoid a big hole in their coffers.
Depending on your needs, the agency prepares a personalized follow-up. A dedicated account manager is at your disposal. The account manager's main objective is to find the best solution for your company's travel policy, while effectively meeting the needs and expectations of your staff and management.
What's more, a business travel agency optimizes your spending costs. This means that the agency offers you quality services at affordable rates. This includes access to one of the largest inventories of hotels and car rentals on the market, as well as an ultra-competitive fare database updated in real time. Not to mention the centralization of all your data, such as airline tickets and invoices.
In addition, the executive business travel agency offers its customers a reporting service. This is a powerful analysis tool that includes an extensive list of data, including the evolution and breakdown of business travel expenditure, analysis of fare classes and more. This service provides a global view of all expenses, the different areas of expenditure, travel habits, different opportunities, etc., and thus enables the company's travel policy to be fine-tuned.
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