Business travel is slowly returning, but it looks different. Eight in 10 companies are currently reworking their travel policies.

In-person meetings can help drive growth. The majority of employees report work travel is critical for increasing sales, even in the era of constant videoconferencing.

The future of work travel is all about maximizing the value of each trip. That's why it's so important to have corporate travel partners like Enterprise and National.


Raise your hand if the thought of joining one more video call gives you an urge to drop your laptop into a lake.
Kerplunk.
Don't worry. You're not alone.
Videoconferencing technology has been a godsend throughout the pandemic. It has empowered many of us to connect with teammates, clients, and vendors from the comfort of our living rooms. But facing an endless brigade of virtual talking heads can be exhausting, and a lot of nuance is lost over 1,500 miles of ethernet cable. For many companies, in-person meetings still have a critical role to play. So, what will meetings look like in the new era of work?
Business travel is slowly returning, but it looks quite different
According to a 2021 BTN Group survey of business travel decision-makers, 80% of respondents are reimagining what travel looks like at their company, including who goes, when they go, and how they go.
Corporate travel policies are evolving to reflect new business realities and behavioral trends. For example, many employees now expect to drive rather than fly: Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental report that the average length of their business rentals has doubled over the past year. Respondents say they're more likely to hit multiple cities in a single trip, too.
Meeting face-to-face is a critical sales tool
Anyone who's started a presentation with the mute button on understands that face-to-face meetings are generally less awkward than video chats. But more importantly, survey respondents said the benefits of in-person encounters are good for their bottom line: 75% report work travel is critical for increasing company sales, and more than half said it is important for building relationships and achieving their company's goals.
"We continue to hear from our partners and customers that they still find value in face-to-face meetings," said Don Moore, senior vice president of global business rental sales. "So now more than ever, and as business travel continues to evolve, it's critical that transportation partners provide the flexibility and support to help people reconnect with the people they need to see."





BTN Group / Enterprise Holdings Inc. Value of Business Travel online survey of 101 executives responsible for managed travel, conducted in May and June 2021


Face-to-face interactions, particularly between different offices, are a benefit for employee morale, too: 65% of respondents are planning to revive company culture by finding ways to get together with their colleagues in real life.
For companies and employees, it's important to make the most of every trip
Simply put, the future of business travel involves more red tape.
That's why the right travel partner is so important to a company's bottom line. With budget concerns top-of-mind and more employees potentially traveling by car, it's important for businesses to have access to an expansive network of neighborhood locations and a wide variety of vehicles. Negotiated rates matter — especially when they're honored at 100% of locations.
A seamless travel experience benefits companies in more subtle ways, too.
Enterprise and National provide customized car rental programs and exceptional customer service to businesses navigating a brand-new world of travel.
"As companies continue to navigate the dynamic business travel environment, their partners need to remain flexible, as well," Moore said. "We understand it's more important than ever to partner closely with our clients to ensure we're providing the benefits and value that match the evolving needs of business travelers."
Learn more about how your company can reinvent business travel with The Combined Power of Enterprise and National.
This post was created by Insider Studios with Enterprise and National

Source: Business Insider

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