Acendas Navigation
  • About Acendas Travel
    • Our History
    • About Acendas
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Clients
    • Recognition Worth Mentioning
    • Work for Us
  • Our Solutions
    • Cost Savings
    • Data and Analytics
    • Client Strategies
    • Crisis Management
  • Technology Tools
    • Concur® Mobile
    • Concur® Desktop
    • Reporting and Analytics Tool
    • Mobile App
    • Airline Fare Savings
    • Hotel Rate Savings
  • Videos
  • Travel Pain Points
    • For the CFO
    • For the Travel Manager
  • Cost Benefit Analysis
    • Client Impact Stories
    • Impact Analyzer™
  • Travel Insights
  • Contact An Expert
  • Meetings and Incentives
    • Meeting and Event Planning
    • Site Selection Services
    • Self-Service Hotel Sourcing
      • Self-Service Hotel Sourcing Tool Resources
    • M&I Resource Library
  • Vacations
  • Privacy Policy
  • Search
  • About Acendas Travel
    • Our History
    • About Acendas
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Clients
    • Recognition Worth Mentioning
    • Work for Us
  • Our Solutions
    • Cost Savings
    • Data and Analytics
    • Client Strategies
    • Crisis Management
  • Technology Tools
    • Concur® Mobile
    • Concur® Desktop
    • Reporting and Analytics Tool
    • Mobile App
    • Airline Fare Savings
    • Hotel Rate Savings
  • Videos
  • Travel Pain Points
    • For the CFO
    • For the Travel Manager
  • Cost Benefit Analysis
    • Client Impact Stories
    • Impact Analyzer™
  • Travel Insights
  • Contact An Expert
  • Meetings and Incentives
    • Meeting and Event Planning
    • Site Selection Services
    • Self-Service Hotel Sourcing
      • Self-Service Hotel Sourcing Tool Resources
    • M&I Resource Library
  • Vacations
  • Privacy Policy
  • Search
Travel Insights Is it time to shift your paradigm for travel policy compliance?

Contact Us: 800-722-6602

Is it time to shift your paradigm for travel policy compliance?

By Brent Blake, President, Acendas Travel

Are you one of those travel managers who has all too frequently beat your head against the wall because employees are not complying with policy?

If insanity is defined by doing the same thing repeatedly, but expecting different results, perhaps it is time for a change. Since the constant preaching has not worked, the next step might be to create an incentive to drive adherence to the policy – even if it goes against traditional norms.

This concept of “behavioral economics” has recently become easier to implement thanks to new technologies that integrate with existing marketplace tools to foster travel policy compliance. Essentially, travelers are rewarded with gift cards or other items of value for coming in under budget for travel. I believe more and more companies will be implementing aspects of this in their travel programs. It is an option that we are discussing with our clients.

If a company rewards its employees for complying with the travel policy, there are many other benefits other than savings including traveler satisfaction and employee retention. The incentives should not be created to promote compliance; however, they must encourage exceptional behavior. One method to enhance the concept of policy compliance is to inspire employees to decide what is more important given an option – would they switch to coach from business class to receive a reward that can be exchanged for a gift card or a donation to a charity in one’s name? While this trend in travel programs sounds exciting, it might not be appropriate for all companies, cultures or travel programs.

My key takeaways for companies in considering whether to implement such practices include:

  1. New technologies are changing the traditional thinking in corporate travel. Our approach is that we are open to evaluating all newcomers and will support those that help our clients.
  2. Though it’s not for all companies, we believe these new “disruptors” have merit, and do offer a fit with travel programs for some companies.
  3. The best application for “behavior economics technology” is with companies that have discretionary travel; i.e. internal meetings, scheduled or routine visits for travel.
  4. The worst application is for companies that must travel at the last minute (i.e. 2-3 days out), for client immediate needs or service technicians.
  5. All new technologies must be properly vetted, have a well-designed roll out, and be endorsed with executive buy-in.  All of these are components of a well-managed travel program.

If your company displays the characteristics for using behavioral tactics, then education and engagement should also be part of the implementation. Education provides the traveler the budget to beat, including steps to take if a trip changes. This could be accomplished simply by creating a frequently asked questions document. Traveler engagement can be accomplished with screens displayed in office or other communications recognizing the highest point earners.

Think this might be a successful program for your company? Call Acendas Travel and we can evaluate your travel program and recommend suitable solutions.

Recent Posts

  • Is it a Train or Sunshine?
  • A Look at Air Travel in 2021
  • Travel in the New Normal
  • Case Study: Technology Creates Efficiency for Partners in Leadership
  • Technology is Changing the Business of Travel

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • February 2019
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • June 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • January 2016
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012

    Categories

    • Account Management
    • Acendas Announcements
    • Articles
    • Awards and Recognition
    • Blog
    • Corporate Travel Management
    • Cost Savings
    • Global Travel Management
    • M&I Resource Article
    • Meetings and Incentives
    • Risk Management
    • Supplier Negotiation
    • Technology
    • Travel News
    • Travel Policy
    • Trending Now
    • Uncategorized

    Contact Us: 800-722-6602

    ©2019 Acendas. All Rights Reserved.

    Toggle the Widgetbar