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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - DECEMBER 2011
EXPECTATION
Few companies have and manage a proper
travel policy so when looking at including
travel you should first consider what
expectation(s) you have and how these will
be perceived. Though travel has proven to be
a great motivator, what does the company
hope to achieve and how will this showcase
and enhance the corporate image? There are
both positive and potential negative aspects
and these should be well considered before
any perk is added into the remuneration
program.
EXPERIENCE
A
broad
and
variable
category
covering not only the reputation of the
destination but also the employee’s
personal feedback after the travel has been
completed. That feedback and comments to
fellow workers can have a positive or
negative impact on the program and it’s
longevity. It is not just the experience of the
travel supplier that needs to be considered
but also the results from a very positive or
equally negative itinerary that requires
consideration. This is where the planning for
an appropriate travel program is vital. Aside
from circumstances that are out of your
control (strikes, delays etc.) it is essential to
ensure the proper value-for-dollar-spent
when determining what experience the
package will achieve.
REWARD
Reward: another broad category but more
clearly defined as we are discussing a
remuneration program. In a corporate mix
travel is used to encourage, bolster and as a
gift for exceptional performance. This does
not include the management of employee
meetings that may be multi-nights outside of
the corporate environment but destinations
away. Most deal with incentives for
performance and this is more common in
industries that reward based on sales, targets
or commission only. Some of these include
insurance, real estate and financial, though
non-traditional industries have also seen the
benefits derived from using travel as an
employee spiff.
EXECUTION
When considering travel there is no better
place to start than with individual knowedge
coupled with a travel professional. Personal
knowledge is always a great beginning, for if
you have experienced a specific destination
or resort that was exceptional this can be a
great base from which to start the
budgeting process. Planning the ideal get-
away for your employees should also be a
joyous and exciting event. That planning is
enhanced when you use your travel
professional as they provide hands on
management and experienced staff to sup-
port your company’s objectives. In this case,
we go back to the start of this article – is it
worth your time and efforts to rely on the
internet for information and rates that may
or may not meet your objectives? When
dealing with expectation you must also
appreciate that a travel professional has
access to many resources that are not
available to the individual. These include,
but are not limited to, preferred supplier
relations, industry-specific booking tools
and years of experience dealing in vacation
and group travel. This is a one-stop, painless
process with the discussion, availability/cost
analysis and proposal(s) often provided at no
charge to the company.
Though we have briefly discussed
expectation,
experience,
reward
and
execution there are a few more realities to
consider when dealing with group or multi-
individual travel. Group travel can be more
expensive than individual travel given
identical products. This is traditionally
because group travel is planned farther in
advance than most individual vacations,
provides for greater flexibility (especially
when dealing with deposit, final name lists
and cancellation terms) and also commits
the end supplier to contracted space. One of
the most frustrating issues a travel
professional encounters is the comparison
between a typical “last minute” price, which
may be available for only two travelers, and
a pre-established group travel program
booked many months in advance.
Whether the executive planning the
reward travels with the group or not, the
employee’s time away is valuable and they’ve
worked hard to earn it. Whether a quick
weekend for two, or an extended journey
with other staff members, the corporate
expectation is that the vacation goes
smoothly
without
any
unnecessary
interruptions
or
inconveniences.
The
anticipation of arriving at your destination
can quickly turn into disappointment and
frustration when you discover what’s
involved in the planning process.
There are endless opportunities for travel
plans and activities so consider the four
basics and leave the hassle of navigating
through the endless options to someone with
experience. Travel professionals quickly
navigate the internet, travel the world, and
keep themselves updated with education
provided by the industry. A travel
management company has the information,
products, tools and services dedicated to
effectively execute your travel programs in
the most convenient and cost-efficient
manner.
In the final analysis, it is the difference
between an effectively managed corporate
program and unmanaged travel.
TRAVEL
Scott Allen, CTC, is a corporate travel
expert and has been providing travel
guidance for over 35 years.
He is co-owner and manager of
Worldwide Central Travel Ltd., a company
that in June 2009 was the Gold Medalist in
the Waterloo Chronicle’s People’s Choice
awards for a travel agency. To contact Scott
visit www
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