Information is the best way to protect employees on the road, says BCD Travel Senior Vice President Kathy Bedell. In her role at BCD and as a member of the Global Business Travel Association’s Risk Committee, Bedell encourages companies to take a proactive approach to travel risk management. She says doing so has never been more important—or straightforward—than it is right now.
“Duty of care for business travelers has gotten more complex because once ‘safe’ destinations no longer feel that way. At the same time, technology tools have simplified and streamlined traveler communications, creating new ways for companies to easily provide relevant, timely information that can keep travelers safe,” Bedell said. She breaks the information cycle into three parts.
Pre-trip engagement
Robust booking data tells companies which employees are headed where, enabling targeted messages to prepare travelers for potentially risky situations. “Messages delivered via platforms like BCD’s TripSource® give travelers the information they need to improve their safety. Destination-specific messages can explain what to pack, what to leave home, which ground transportation options are safest, reputable hospitals—anything that might increase traveler safety and comfort,” Bedell said.
In addition, she said, messages that assist travelers are great for engaging them—helping them understand the value of the travel program and the company’s interest in their welfare. “They can see that the company is there for them.”
Crisis-level alerts
When an incident reaches crisis level, it’s time to inform travelers who could be affected about the risks, Bedell advised. BCD has put some parameters around its recently launched TripSource risk alerts. When an incident is serious enough to have potential impact on many travelers, BCD clients’ travelers in the area automatically get an alert advising them of the situation.
After a fatal bombing at a pop music concert in Manchester, England, in late May, BCD clients’ travelers in and near Manchester received an alert within minutes and got updates for the next several hours. But travelers elsewhere in the world did not receive these crisis-level messages—a demonstration of the pinpoint power of TripSource risk alerts.
Post-crisis reports
In the minutes and hours immediately after an incident, real-time reports of traveler locations—enabled by data intelligence platforms like BCD’s DecisionSource—are critical, Bedell said. But even after a crisis has passed, the data that emerged from it is valuable.
“Reports about how quickly a company located and connected with travelers; how well travelers followed internal duty of loyalty policies for checking in; and whether there was a steady flow of information and communication between travel, security, human resources and other departments enable a company to fine-tune duty of care and travel risk management policies and procedures,” Bedell said. “It’s important to treat every crisis as a learning opportunity, so your company will be better prepared for the next one.”
Want to know more about how to reduce travel risks for your employees and company? Talk to your account manager and download Travel Risk Management: Keeping Business Travelers Safe and Secure.
