Streamlined and consolidated global travel management

Objective

Our challenge was to create a consolidated travel programme that would adhere to local nuances while aligning with a global travel policy. This ambitious plan was set to benefit over 5,000 travellers and contractors.
At FCM, we were up to the challenge.

Significant challenges

A global travel consolidation of this scale brought its share of hurdles: 

• 14 varying and conflicting travel policies across global markets.
• 150 preferred hotels in the APAC and EMEA regions identified that did not exist in the corporation’s hotel programme.
• 100 global hotels that didn’t know they were selected as preferred and were loaded into the GDS incorrectly.
• Diverse payment methods across markets, with company credit cards not available to all travellers, which would require a tailored yet aligned approach.
• Significantly higher-than-forecast travel volumes in one APAC market requiring immediate upscaling of staff and resources.
• Resistance to change among travel administrators due to job security fears. 

Meeting these challenges would require a thorough plan that addressed each issue, while offering booking support and reduced administration work.

A well-designed plan

A highly skilled FCM global account manager led our efforts, supported by regional and national account managers. Here are some highlights of our strategy:

• Consistent but market-tailored change management and implementation plans across all locations.
• Centralised service solutions in key regions, and removal of unnecessary implant services.
• Implementation of FCM’s travel management technology as a single point of entry across countries.
• Localised, local language roadshow presentations for travellers and bookers.
• Rigorous auditing and implementation of preferred airline and hotel rates:
  • 21 preferred airlines and 1,400 client fares.
  • 7,500 hotel rate audits completed in 40 days.
• Comprehensive travel handbooks in English and the local language where required.
• An end-to-end booking process for air, hotel, car, visa, and leisure travel.