Negosentro.com | How Business Travel Is Likely to Change in the Future | If you’re a small business owner, then you’ve certainly been through a lot of unexpected changes this year, whatever industry you might be in. And it’s likely to continue to change even more, once the world begins to fully recover and look back on the impact of the global epidemic.
Businesses have learned to adapt in all kinds of ways, from embracing virtual meetings more fully than ever, to finding creative solutions to overcome restrictions. One area of business life that is likely to see a huge change in the future is corporate travel. Read on to find out more about why.
Domestic travel will likely be more common than international travel
While small businesses have learned about the effectiveness and cost-saving benefits of virtual and remote working, recent months have also highlighted the disadvantages of this approach. Although it can make it easier to work from anywhere, the lack of contact with other team members, direct exchange of ideas in person and opportunity to collaborate mean that traveling to see other colleagues or clients will still be a possibility in the future.
As restrictions between countries may continue for some time, domestic travel, including flights, can be expected to bounce back sooner. If you’re planning to fly for work any time soon, make sure you simplify the process by booking in essentials such as Orlando airport parking, or parking for any other major city, before you go.
Hygiene will take priority over tradition
The classic handshake has long been an important tradition in business, establishing trust and communication, and giving both parties the chance to size each other up. A shift towards robust hygiene in all aspects of daily life however has meant that it may be time to retire the move.
This doesn’t mean that corporate meetings will become absent of rituals and friendly gestures. Instead, a greater concern for everyone’s well-being might encourage a more considerate and open atmosphere in business travel, encouraging people to be a little more patient to allow time for extra measures and distance between everyone.
Business travel will count for more
While it’s too soon to rule out retiring business travel entirely, you can expect corporations of all sizes to be a little more judicious when it comes to planning corporate travel, and only use it when it is deemed really necessary.
That might mean that unnecessary meetings, conferences or even interviews are more likely to take place over a remote connection. Other important events, such as presentations or team meetings, may be prioritized for travel instead, taking place less frequently but with better planning.
While business travel is bound to change beyond all recognition in the near future, this does not have to be a negative impact for small businesses. In fact, it may just pave the way to greater opportunities for smaller enterprises, as they will be able to meet larger organizations on a more even playing field of talent.
