Renew Your Passport Online: A Big Win for Business Travelers
Traveling for business often means juggling many details, and keeping your passport up to date is critical. That goes double when you’re managing...
In the market for a Travel Management Company (TMC)? Selecting the right partner can be daunting, considering options available.
A good TMC plays a critical role in managing corporate travel, ideally saving you money while keeping your travelers safe and happy. To help you find a partner that truly understands and meets your needs, we’ve outlined five challenges you want to address in choosing a Travel Management Company, along with strategies to find the best match for your business.
Before you wade in too deep, it’s essential to clearly define your organization’s travel management priorities. Is it cost control, traveler safety, convenience, or a combination of all of these? In the discovery phase, engage with key stakeholders, including finance, HR, and frequent travelers, to gather their input and ensure that everyone’s needs are considered. When you establish clear priorities it can serve as a guide for how to best evaluate potential TMCs and make informed decisions.
Once you’ve identified team priorities, the next step is alignment across your organization. Different departments often have varying needs and perspectives on what is most important. For example, your finance department will prioritize cost savings, while HR may focus on traveler safety and satisfaction. Get discussions on the calendar to align priorities and create a unified approach. Lay the groundwork to choose a TMC that meets the collective needs of the organization and avoid conflicts later.
When choosing a TMC, technology and service are essential. Today, a lot of companies and their travelers prefer self-service options that allow you to manage bookings quickly and efficiently online. Other companies still prefer a more hands-on human travel advisor service for complex itineraries or high-level support. Ensure that the TMC’s technology aligns with your requirements, whether that’s a robust online booking tool with high online adoption or a more personalized service approach. Assess their technology stack, mobile capabilities, and user interface to determine if they meet your standards.
Some companies prioritize strict control over travel policies and maximum cost savings, requiring a TMC that will enforce compliance and negotiate the most favorable rates over other considerations. Others may prefer a more flexible approach, trusting travelers to make their own decisions within certain guidelines. A good rule of thumb is to evaluate potential TMCs based on their ability to align with your control and savings goals. Are they too restrictive or too lenient? Do they offer flexible travel policy options you can adjust yourself? And do they provide reporting capabilities to monitor and manage travel policy compliance and expenses effectively?
One of the biggest challenges in selecting a TMC is ensuring that what you see and hear during the evaluation process translates into actual performance. To mitigate this risk, follow these three steps:
Choosing the right TMC doesn’t have to be painful. If you’re vetting potential TMC’s, we invite you to consider AmTrav. We have over 1,000 delighted customers who have come to rely on our pioneering online business travel booking software and personal service.
Traveling for business often means juggling many details, and keeping your passport up to date is critical. That goes double when you’re managing...
Every organization is different, with its own unique needs, culture, and goals. Naturally, your business travel program should reflect that. A...
Thank you to our presenters and everyone who joined AmTrav’s Supplier Sourcing Insights webinars. The video recording of Part 1 featuring Southwest...