Brave New World of Business Travel
Due to the global pandemic shutting down all corporate travel in early 2020, the role of a travel manager has changed drastically. Unfortunately, many have been laid off or completely lost their jobs while others have been re-purposed to other areas of their company to assist with other projects during this travel downtime. This pandemic has caused havoc across the travel industry, so we do not have any precedent in modern times to handle this in the corporate world.
Although in the past senior leadership as made policies based on duty of care or company culture, in these times many in the C-suite are seeking more guidance from their travel managers to prepare for the new world of business travel. Whether it be tracking all the protocols set in place by suppliers, taking the pulse of their traveler’s feelings about traveling again or collaborating with other travel managers to share strategies to eventually lift these bans – travel managers are needed more than ever by senior leadership to guide their travelers back on the road safely.
– Chris Brockman
Stronger Than This Crazy Virus
As a travel director whose position was dissolved due to the collapse in travel and events, my thoughts could be a little different from others. Being a travel advocate and subject matter expert in the field is more important now in the midst of these changes, not only to your C-Suite but also to your travelers, your risk department, human resources and all your company’s employees.
My career path completely changed this year, but that’s even more reason for me to sharpen my skills as a travel advocate. Knowing my resources as well as cultivating my network are assets that have opened doors to consulting and speaking opportunities, and who knows? Maybe to a new company and a new position. The changes in 2020 have taught me so many lessons. Most importantly is that my love for travel is not diminished and my circle of friends and my network are stronger and more supportive than this crazy virus.
– Gloria Gonzalez
Navigating an Unsure Future
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel has changed for the foreseeable future. Suddenly duty of care is front and center for corporate travelers and management. Travel managers are actually being consulted about their expertise in determining what the future holds for travel and getting back to ‘normal.’ Relationships cultivated by travel managers with their peers and suppliers matter. They are being asked to prognosticate how to navigate an unsure future.
Other than managing unused ticket funds, extending supplier agreements and navigating service for the little travel that is happening, it seems that a newfound respect is due travel managers for way they have shown flexibility in shutting down travel and communicating to their constituents. Technology has become ultra-important and it remains to be seen how travel managers will integrate new ways to use it in travel.
– Mark Ziegler
Look Beyond the Crisis
Regardless of the global environment – either in COVID or the ‘before times” – it comes down to being prepared and carrying yourself with confidence to speak up. Data needs to be timely and accurate. While this was once just about your travel data, this has now expanded to encompass knowledge of where the plague is on the rise, what your vendors are doing to keep travelers safe, and what governments, whether national or local, are doing about it.
Like other travel managers, I’ve pushed my leadership teams to take duty of care seriously. It took this crisis for it to hit home that taking care of travelers was more important than savings (or at the very least, of equal importance). Advocating to the C-Suite on travel should not just be focused on the immediate post-COVID return. Travel managers should be using this exposure to ensure that going forward, they are seen as experts in their field throughout their company.
– Rosemary Maloney
