In a context where companies and business relationships are becoming increasingly globalised, corporate travel plays a key role in the growth and success of any organisation, allowing, among other things, to establish connections, close business deals and strengthen relationships with international clients and partners.
Efficiently managing a business trip can be a costly and complex task for any company. However, in the case of business groups, where several companies of different types are brought together, it can be a particularly challenging process.
In this regard, with the constant increase in corporate travel being recorded in the sector, many business groups have found the need to centralise the management of their business travel.
There is no doubt that having a centralised organisation in a single platform for the entire business group not only allows companies to optimise their resources in the organisational processes of any trip that is carried out, but also to improve the traceability of the entire management, obtaining greater visibility of everything that happens before, during and after the trip, and guaranteeing that the established travel policies are taken into account and complied with by each of the companies that form part of the business group, thus maximising the profitability of the companies.
At Consultia Business Travel, as experts in business travel and specialists in comprehensive corporate travel management solutions, we have prepared this article to show you all the advantages of centralising the business travel of an entire corporate group. Read on!
How to manage business travel in corporate groups?
As we told you, managing business trips can be a challenge for corporate groups, especially if they do not have an appropriate travel management tool; an aspect that we will go into in more detail later on.
The difficulty in organising a business trip in this type of company lies in the fact that, as well as involving several organisations, practically all departments are involved in the process: finance, HR, sales, marketing… a factor that can complicate both the sharing of information and decision-making.
Given this context, streamlining and coordinating all the employees involved in a corporate group’s business trips is crucial for the efficient organisation and management of all corporate trips that take place.
So, what are the key aspects to take into account when organising a business trip in a corporate group?
Consolidate and unify the purchasing policy for the whole group.
Business groups need to have a well-implemented purchasing policy that makes it possible to automate and digitise tasks, thus simplifying the entire financial management and gaining an overview of their corporate travel.
Centralise all management in a system that allows for this.
With the aim of centralising all travel management on a single platform, as well as adapting and customising the entire organisational structure and defining the individual needs of each unit of the group.
Technology and humane touch
In third place, business groups need a comprehensive technological service that allows them to digitise and automate all the processes involved but without dispensing with the personalised and humane treatment of a Personal Travel Assistant, thus providing professional service for travellers while avoiding having to contract two different suppliers.
Personalised and immediate assistance
In line with the previous point, it will also be necessary to consider an assistance service for emergencies and last-minute incidents. In other words, a team that has the appropriate means to be able to resolve any unforeseen event and is capable of keeping the team safe.
Integration with the company’s ERP system
Finally, due to the large amount of data that needs to be handled by all the units that make up the group, many business groups may require the integration of technology into their own management system (ERP).
Advantages of centralising business travel in corporate groups
It is common for each company within the corporate group to have its own partner to assist in the management of the corporate travel that takes place. However, isolated management in individual companies usually makes it difficult to implement a uniform and common corporate travel policy.
In order to facilitate management, optimise resources and guarantee compliance with the travel policy, more and more corporate groups are deciding to centralise their business travel. The advantages of this type of management are many, but above all they stand out:
Resource optimisation
Taking into account all the people and processes involved in organising business travel for corporate groups, centralising the organisation saves both time, by streamlining coordination, and costs, by providing complete visibility and traceability of budgets.
Increased compliance with travel policies
Centralising the organisation of business travel allows full traceability of the entire travel process, ensuring compliance with corporate criteria and purchasing policies set by the group. This provides better oversight over corporate travel and ensures consistency in decision making.
More satisfaction from travellers
In addition to the benefits achieved both at an organisational level, in terms of greater efficiency in management, and at an economic level, with better traceability in budgets, the centralisation of business travel has a direct impact on the emotional salary of employees. Undoubtedly, a coordinated management of business travel processes reduces stress and increases the personal well-being of travellers.
How to implement centralisation of business travel in corporate groups
As we have been saying, the centralisation of business trips in corporate groups seeks to optimise the management of employees’ business trips within an organisation.
This objective involves consolidating the planning, booking and monitoring of corporate trips in a single system, so that all the information relating to the trip is available immediately and on a single platform.
In response to this need, at Consultia Business Travel we have developed Destinux; the comprehensive corporate travel management software. Among some of its most outstanding functionalities, this all-in-one digital tool allows you to:
- Centralisation of reservations.
- Systems for analysis, measurement and management of all data generated.
- Access to the best transport and accommodation providers.
- Automation of authorisation processes.
- Creation of unified, flexible and personalised travel policies.
- Integration with the companies’ ERPs.
- Attention and accompaniment during the trip with human and 100% personalised treatment thanks to the Personal Travel Assistants.
There is no doubt that centralising business travel for corporate groups is a winning strategy for optimising resources, improving efficiency and providing an exceptional experience for travellers.
At Consultia, as a leading company in business travel solutions, we know how crucial it is for corporate groups to have an efficient and centralised management of their corporate travel. Thanks to tools like Destinux, the centralisation process can be carried out smoothly, quickly and efficiently.
Want to know more about our integrated travel management software? Contact us!