I jumped on the train, wearing a face mask like I was supposed to. There were a few reasons why I went to the office. First and foremost, we are in the travel industry, so I need to put my money where my mouth is. And let’s be honest – a train ride is far less scary and dangerous than a grocery store visit. Also, I’m not the most productive person when working from home (which I’ve told you about in my last blog. No need to say I loved my train ride. Sure, it was a tad nerve-racking. But overall, it was fun, and I did feel safe.
The trip: from train platform to office
The train station was well prepared for commuters like me. I grabbed a coffee and the barista remembered my order. So far, so good. But on the platform, I put on my face mask and realized there was no way I could bring my coffee to my mouth. So, I got rid of that delicious cappuccino and stepped onto the crisp-and-clear train. There wasn’t an anxious bone in my body. I was gasping a little, though, because how on earth do people breathe wearing a face mask? It’s not easy – I can tell you that. But in unusual times like these, we’ll just have to find a way to cope with that predicament.
When I arrived at the office, I was surprised. Gaby and Micha had cleaned the place, and I went straight to the coffee machine (see a pattern there?). And I have to admit I’m really happy to be back. I can’t wait for things to go back to normal – that is, the ‘new normal.’
Back to business: doubling down on productivity and support
Like the entire world, Roadmap is changing. But we’ve observed a positive transformation. We are more productive than ever, which I think stems from the fact that our product can help companies get back to business.
Here’s what ‘doing business’ means to us: meeting people, connecting with them, and providing each other with help and support. Roadmap is a travel platform that helps corporate travel programs connect their travelers, providing them with information and help while they’re on the road for business reasons. General COVID-19 news? Check. Local health and safety information on COVID-19. Adhering to corporate guidelines and policies? Check.
Our team works very hard to help travelers feel as safe as I did when I was on the train earlier today. Want to know more about our approach? Request a meeting with my co-founder Koen Bavinck, who works for Microsoft, Nike, KPGM, Pfizer, and a lot more companies.
So, you’re definitely not the first. And you sure won’t be the last…!
Markus Emmer
