When flight disruption occurs –
approximately one in ten flights – travel- ler stress increases and productivity is impacted. Technology is critical to soften the pain points travellers experience, but also to proactively and quickly find alternative options.
The TMC VINCENT LEBUNETEL,
vice-president, corporate innovation, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
COMPANIES ASSESS TRAVEL SUPPLIERS IN MANY WAYS, with the ticket price the main focus for travellers and travel managers alike. However, there are several other factors that should be looked into if we want to lessen pain points and improve productivity. For air, for example, these include carriers’
on-time performance, luggage delivery times and legroom between seats. For hotels, traveller reviews are critical – it’s especially helpful to look at those from colleagues – as well as the hotel’s proxim- ity in relation to any meeting location. Technology is an enabler of a wider
cultural change. When organisations consider travel as an investment rather than a cost, they will see traveller wellbeing as an asset that can foster greater productivity.
Another important factor when looking at the economy-versus-business class de- cision is the trip purpose. If an employee is travelling to negotiate a critical piece of business, it will likely require more preparation than an internal meeting or training. It follows that in this situation, comfort and support are critical to achiev- ing the company’s business objectives, as the employee will be able to walk off the aircraft rested and more prepared. We know that happy employees stay with a company for longer, but this doesn’t just relate to the travel policy – working conditions, daily commute and other organisational aspects are all factors. Travel can be one of the key components in this equation, especially in industries where companies are fighting to attract and retain the best talent.
The TRACEY RANDELL,
nutritionist, Healthy Aspirations (former travel buyer for Viacom)
IT’S IMPORTANT TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF STRESS. There are many varied stresses on the human body, but stress is very subjective – some people thrive on it and others are laid low by being a bit stressed. With travel there are a lot of poten-
tial stress points, such as getting to the airport and then to the departure gate on time. Class of travel may help to mitigate
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
point is, travel plays a part on top of these other life stresses. Make sure you have a wellness policy in place, which looks at work-life balance. Help travellers to de-stress naturally by giving them advice on nutrition and how to travel healthily and safely – exercise done properly can also mitigate stress. In an ideal world, the company would
CONSUlTANT
the effects and, if you have access to a lounge and emails, then that can stop you feeling like work is building up while you’re travelling. The key is being prepared for the trip
and having knowledge of the destina- tion. Factors such as the effect of different time zones and sleep-deprivation should be considered. Women are particularly affected
by business travel because of other obligations in their lives, such as looking after children or elderly parents – though, of course, this can apply to men, too. The
promote a culture of health – if people don’t have access to a canteen, you could still give them healthy eating guidelines and information about where to eat in the local environment. You could also encourage exercise though subsidised gym membership, and run initiatives about weight loss. From a travel point of view, more consideration should be given to the effects of travel on an individual. You could give employees a duvet-day when they arrive back from a long-haul trip or have a policy that they are not expected to look at any work emails for at least six hours after arriving. If they go on holiday, then there could be a policy that they turn their company phones off. Ultimately, it’s about treating travellers as valued human beings.
BBT MARCH/APRIL 2016 45
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