INSIGHT
Pairing global capabilities with local solutions
Global travel programmes often have to strike a balance. What might seem easy enough to roll out globally often becomes tricky when technology isn't available in a region, or a country requires a tweak to the usual processes to meet compliance or cultural demands. It's in those times when you have to source a more local solution, or make allowances in your corporate travel policy.
Here are four areas of your travel programme where pairing the global capabilities of a travel management company (TMC) with local solutions benefits everyone.
1. Global travel policy
Standardisation is important for a global organisation. But then the local questions come in, from visa requirements and preferred payment, to accommodation options. They all look different around the world, so your travel policy has to adapt.
Take the time to review your travel policy and assess how feasible it is in each of the regions your business operates in. A workable travel policy needs to be agile, flexible and locally informed. You could have one global policy that in theory applies to everyone, then create local versions where you feel there needs to be a variation. Your TMC account manager can support you in assessing what to do.
2. Global service standards, local knowledge
Many would argue you can really only understand a destination if you've lived and breathed it. That's why real human support from local offices is a big advantage for your organisation. You can then benefit from global standards and frameworks for travel services, but with the local, nuanced knowledge that you can only get from being on the ground.
For example, when booking patterns in China started to shift from air to land travel for shorter journeys, companies needed the insights and travel content to support that shift. There's more examples here that demonstrate why local insights are important.
3. Consistent processes and technology
Consistency is key when you're rolling out a travel programme, but it's not always easy to have the same tools or flows in place in every country. Using one consolidated TMC that understands global frameworks with local nuances can help you overcome those challenges.
For example, FCM Platform provides a single user interface for everyone at your company, regardless of which online booking tool (OBT) they're using. It makes it a lot easier to communicate that there's one go-to tool for everyone.
Additionally, FCM Platform's approval flows break barriers by working for any country and any online booking tool - even if the approver and requestor are using different tools. It's just one of the ways that having a global and local mindset can remove those barriers and create a more seamless experience for everyone, and doesn't alienate those using a different tool or process from others.
4. Cost control
One of the biggest benefits of a large-scale travel programme coupled with a large travel management company (TMC) is global buying power. Volume equals savings and a whole lot of perks, such as early check-in late check-out or flexible cancellation terms.
By capturing and analysing all your travel data in one place, you can identify whether a trend or pattern is the same globally, or only in one region/country. If local, it could lead to a new supplier or policy change in that country to ease the budget or stress. Custom-built dashboards and question-based data search allows you to track, interpret and translate your data into savings, improvements, and local benefits.
That's why for so many enterprises, consolidating to one TMC is so important. Stories from multiple multi-national companies consistently demonstrate how streamlining suppliers and processes has delivered cost and time savings. When that time is freed up, it enables you to focus on making those regional or country-based tweaks, or perhaps identify suppliers for a region that you may not have had time to focus on before.
FCM has offices in over 95 countries worldwide.
Think local knowledge, on-the-ground support from dedicated travel consultants, and after-hours assistance wherever you find yourself in the world. Synced with easy-to-use technology and relevant global and local travel content, for the best business travel experiences.