September is knocking on our doors, so let me start by welcoming you back to reality — though our reality has undeniably changed. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed some well-deserved time off. I did, and I loved it. But I have to say, our preparation was unprecedented. We got our vaccines, downloaded the Dutch corona app, and created a corona passport. The kids who had not yet gotten their vaccines took all kinds of tests throughout our vacation, and we brought more than 100 face masks. That’s the new way of vacationing.
If you’re skeptical towards it and felt that staying home was a better option, I completely understand. Going on a vacation to explore the world has become a more complex endeavor. The same goes for taking a business trip.
In that spirit, let’s have a look at 5 lessons we can draw from our summer vacation!
1. Prepare carefully for your trip
Documents, documents, documents. These days, you can’t take a trip without them. Make sure you bring all the paperwork you need. Additionally, make all the reservations you can think of: from restaurants and transportation to hotel gym access. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth the effort. We tried to get into a restaurant and were sent away because we hadn’t made a reservation. You don’t want that to happen on an empty stomach. Trust me.
2. Adhere to the latest COVID-19 regulations
COVID-19 regulations vary from one country to the other, and they change every day. If employees embark on business trips, you should know exactly which forms they have to complete. And you need to help them get through the big stack of (virtual) paperwork. They’re not all 25 and tech minded. Creating a corona passport is not easy. Filling out the Spanish travel app is downright difficult. So, lend your road warriors a helping hand!
3. Put safety first
Traveling has always been stressful. But now, it’s considered to be dangerous. COVID-19 news hasn’t turned everyone into adventurers. If anything, people have grown more cautious. So, make sure your travelers feel as safe as possible. Duty of care providers — like International SOS — as well as any of your partners that can provide safety information can significantly contribute to that.
4. Make sure employees can pay for additional expenses
I spent over 500 euros on tests, vaccinations, and other supplies I required for my vacation. If your employees hit the road during the pandemic, they’ll need to incur additional costs. Provide them with a (virtual) credit card and ensure they don’t travel more than necessary. It’s about the journey — not about the process. I recommend Emburse, which aims to humanize expenses and payments. It’s exactly what you need to avoid frustration among employees.
5. Ask how your employees are doing
Empathy is key. You need to show employees that you care. And when they come back, allow them some time off to reconnect with their loved ones.
How to put these lessons into practice? Just make sure employees always venture into unexplored territory with the one thing they need: the all-in-one business travel app created by Roadmap (an Emburse company).
Have a great week!
Markus Emmer
