Seamless communication has always been an important part of a travel manager’s job. But now, travellers expect the same level of professional communication strategies marketers use to influence consumers. As a result, travel managers must up the ante with their communication to unprecedented levels of professionalism. They must inform travellers and influence them to make the right decisions on the road.
This is a daunting task for the best communicators, so we’ve compiled some practical tips to help you transform the way you connect, converse, and convey your travel management plans with these actionable insights:
Focus on building targeted communications. Set goals like reducing average hotel rate by 5%, achieving 70% adoption with online booking tool, etc. Then, develop messages to support your goals. For example,
Goal: Achieve 70% online adoption
Message: Use the online booking tool to get the best rates
Cover the core areas of your travel programme. Travellers must know about air, hotel, ground transportation, agency support systems, Online Booking Tools (OBT), meetings and events messaging. Give them the essential information they need to help them make decisions and ensure that it is timely and relevant.
Understand your audience. Know who to communicate with and what their different needs are. Consider divisions, business units, or groups and how their travel patterns and needs differ.
Align your communication channels. Consider every touchpoint in the travellers’ planning and booking experience. This could include intranet, social community, email, OBTs, mobile tools, and apps.
Every channel you choose to communicate through has its own strengths. Leveraging these strengths can dramatically improve your outreach.
- Email: While emails remain a primary mode of professional communication, timing and content can determine efficacy. For best results, aim to send emails between Tuesday and Thursday mornings, when they’re more likely to be opened.
- Intranet & Social Community: These spaces foster community discussions and share company-wide announcements. Ensure the content is regularly updated and encourages employee interaction.
- Mobile Tools & Apps: Share links to the Rennies BCD App so that travellers have it downloaded on their devices. It is user-friendly, offers real-time notifications and provides access to the 24/7 support behind the app.
Utilise visual communication. You know the old adage – a picture says a thousand words. Use it to your advantage to create impactful communication. After all, we’re all time stressed.
Visual aids simplify complex information and capture attention more effectively than long paragraphs.
- Infographics: These are perfect for breaking down travel stats, policy highlights, or travel trends visually engagingly.
- Charts: If you’re sharing data on travel expenses, savings, or other quantifiable metrics, use pie charts, bar graphs, or line charts to make the information easily digestible.
- Graphics: Use custom graphics for announcements or reminders. For instance, a graphic reminder of a booking deadline can be more effective than a plain text email.
Incorporate video content into your comms library. A “how to” guide for new business travellers. A “what to pack” or “document list”. Keep them short and sweet to improve engagement and lighten the load by communicating more effectively. It boils down to giving people the information they need in the preferred format.
Evaluate your communication impact. Ensure your messages reach your intended audience and have the desired effect. 65% of companies have issues with low or suboptimal employee engagement due to poor communication.
Efficient communication can unlock employee engagement’s potential, driving personal growth and organisational success to greater heights. Remember, it’s not just about conveying information but also about building relationships and trust. As we journey ahead, let’s ensure every connection is meaningful and impactful. Safe travels and successful communications to all!
