Business travel, a necessity for company growth
Whatever your profession, there comes a time when you need to travel. Business travel, also known as business trips, is necessary to visit customers or suppliers, to take part in meetings, symposia or seminars, but also to seek out new partners or suppliers, or to visit construction sites or branches.
For a business trip to pay off, the company must be able to follow certain rules and agree to certain expenses. However, the pursuit of profit must not be at the employee's expense. Although the obligation to achieve results is a duty for the employee and collaborator, the company employing him or her must also look after his or her well-being, and above all, his or her safety. It's a win-win partnership.
The travel policy, an essential part of travel planning
To make business travel more efficient, many companies have set up a travel policy. While smaller companies can do without one, managing each trip on a case-by-case basis, for larger companies it becomes something of an obligation. These larger companies may have several trips per day, week or month at the same time. If the department in charge of travel manages each employee on a case-by-case basis, there's a good chance of making mistakes. Travel policy is to apply the same principle to all trips.
Before implementing this travel policy, you need to start by setting it up. In creating this policy, several elements are important:
Air travel.
Some companies choose to use a single airline or travel agency to benefit from discounts or special offers.
Accommodation.
In order to benefit from a loyalty card, and therefore reduce costs, the company may decide to place its trust in a hotel chain or travel agency.
Transportation once on site.
Will the employee travel by metro? Will he hire a chauffeur-driven car? Or will he take a cab?
Other expenses
Other expenses that can be reimbursed by the company. These include, of course, meals, telephone bills, etc. It's up to you to specify the expenses to be reimbursed, and, of course, the maximum amount that may not be exceeded.
Once the travel policy has been established, it needs to be put into practice. The application of the travel policy should be neither so rigid as to hinder the employee's movements, nor so flexible that the employee feels he or she has a free hand.
To ensure that it is understood by all, it is important for the company to communicate this new travel policy. It is also important to provide for sanctions in the event of non-compliance during business trips.
Expand your business through business travel
Today's means of communication enable professionals to prospect, make contact and meet potential customers or partners, without leaving their desks. But nothing beats human contact. When prospecting, it's easier for a customer to trust someone they've seen and spoken to, than to trust an e-mail they've received. It has to be said that, while technology has made exchanges easier, it has also brought its share of disadvantages.
Business trips are necessary to attend conferences, training courses, symposia, seminars and conventions. These are all opportunities to find partners working in the same field. In addition, travel is essential for on-site verification of work or to carry out inspections.
Travel agencies, the companions of choice for all business trips
It's not always easy to manage the various reservations and follow up on employee business trips. If the company doesn't know its way around, chances are it's going to lose a lot of money on every business trip.
CTA Business Travel takes care of all these aspects. Reservations for plane or train tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals... Not forgetting other aspects such as obtaining a visa and insurance to cover lost luggage, plane delays or even repatriation in the event of illness.
What's more, with a help desk open every day, travelers can contact an advisor who can assist them with tasks such as car rental, flight cancellation or destination change...
CTA Business Travel also assists companies. Each company has a dedicated account manager who, by respecting the company's travel policy and needs, helps it to find the best solutions for managing its employees' travel. A whole system designed to help companies manage their business travel more effectively.
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