Month: September 2013

Categories
Business Travel Travel Management

Making Successful Business Changes: An Essential Part of Sustaining Company Growth

jcurveChange must occur in order to stay relevant. True–but then what? According to John Kotter, Harvard professor and change leadership guru, 70% of all “change efforts” fail. His 8-step process for leading change teaches us how to be as effective as possible and attempt to climb into the 30%.

Change, simply for the sake of change, is not our goal at Christopherson Business Travel. And over the past year, we have made the following changes:

  • Relocated our Denver office and completed renovations/expansions in our Salt Lake City and San Francisco offices, allowing for more team members to support our customers
  • Purchased new hardware to speed up our technology backbone, which in turn allowed for faster speeds at which business travelers can access their travel
  • Completely re-engineered our proprietary technology from the ground up, including the release of the first ever mobile app specifically for travel managers and planners, allowing for easier and more insightful client interactions with their transactions
  • Implemented Agresso, a new ERP system for our travel and accounting back-offices, providing greater real-time clarity in our travel and financial data
  • Converted many of our agents to a single booking tool in order to systemize the way we interact with our clients, allowing for a better customer experience
  • Made a series of management changes to stay ahead of the continued growth that we, as a company, are experiencing

Each of these huge changes were made in an effort to stay ahead of our competition and to provide our unique competitive advantage to our clients more reliably and with greater speed. We’re learning quickly what the J-Curve is and how to navigate it effectively, but there are continual improvements to be made. We do everything we can to minimize the trough and maximize the trajectory. This methodology allows us to develop technologies and improve processes for our clients that makes their travel easier, cheaper, and more insightful.

Christopherson Business Travel loves change. Again, not just for the sake of it, but because we know it’s necessary for our continued growth, relevance, and success. If you have ideas or solutions that can help improve your travel management experience, we invite you to let us know.

Categories
Business Travel Travel Industry

United Airlines and Marriott Hotels Join Forces

Get even more perks with United and Marriott's RewardsPlus program.
Get even more business travel perks with United and Marriott’s RewardsPlus program.

As business travelers, we are always looking for ways to enhance our travel experience. And this summer, United Airlines and Marriott Hotels joined forces to provide just that–an enhanced, and “rewarding,” experience.

Recently, United’s MileagePlus® and Marriott Rewards® combined to become “RewardsPlus.” The newly linked loyalty program offers the following:

  • Status in both programs for select United Premier and Marriott Elite Members
  • The ability for MileagePlus Premier members to convert miles into Marriott Rewards points
  • More value when converting points between programs

By joining forces, United MileagePlus and Marriott Rewards are able to provide their most loyal members with unprecedented travel benefits. RewardsPlus grants United Global Services, Premier 1K, Premier Platinum, and Premier Gold members Marriott Rewards Gold Elite status and the array of benefits that come with it. Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite members will receive MileagePlus Premier Silver status, featuring some of United’s most popular elite perks. Status offerings will be effective until January 31, 2014.

Marriott Rewards and MileagePlus members also now receive added value when transferring points into miles and will get additional miles for vacation packages. Also, MileagePlus Premier members will be able to convert their miles into Marriott Rewards points.

In addition, all MileagePlus and Marriott Rewards members will receive a 20% discount when converting Marriott Rewards points into MileagePlus miles and a 10% bonus for MileagePlus miles on Marriott Rewards travel packages.

For more information, or to sign up, visit marriottrewards.com/rewardsplus.

Categories
Business Travel Travel Technology

Is there Wi-Fi on your next United flight? Plan ahead to stay connected.

United is adding Wi-Fi to more and more of their planes. A Wi-Fi installation progress chart as well as additional details about United’s current Wi-Fi equipped aircraft can be found on United.com.

To determine if a flight offers United Wi-Fi, you can check the Inflight Amenities tab on the Flight Status & Information page for an upcoming flight, look for the Wi-Fi logo on the side of the plane as you board, or listen for the announcement by your flight crew once your flight has reached 10,000 feet.

You don’t have to stop being connected just because you are on a plane!

Categories
Business Travel Travel Industry

Why Use a Travel Agent?

People who book travel regularly, often assume that using a travel agent is obsolete. And, in fact, there are many websites available for the sole purpose of booking one’s own travel: Orbitz, Travelocity, Kayak, Airline Direct, etc. So why, with all of these resources, would any one need to use an agent and how are they even still in business?

Why use a travel agent?

Travel agents still serve, and are quite important, to a large majority of travelers, especially business travelers. Agents are able to apply discounts, identify and monitor savings, adhere to corporate travel policies, and give personal, customized, one-on-one service.

In a recent SKIFT article, it was stated, “Travel agents are alive and well and they do a robust business by providing expertise and advice to millions of travelers every year, using a combination of new and old technologies.”

How are travel agencies still in business and growing?

For Christopherson Business Travel, the answer, I think, lies in a recent post written by our CEO Mike Cameron, wherein he identified our unique competitive advantages and explained how we use them to grow our business and leverage our services against our competitors–including the online websites.

By using our competitive advantages, such as our proprietary business travel technology, Christopherson is able to continually support our travel agents and service all of our customers globally.

If a travel agency is willing to do just that–support their agents, stay on top of the changing trends in travel, provide invaluable and incomparable service for those clients who book with their agents, and lead the way with technology advancements and online services–then that agency, in my opinion, will not only survive, but thrive.

Categories
Business Travel Travel Technology

When it comes to business travel–what is the value of timely information?

Screen shot 2013-07-08 at 4.57.04 PMRecently, I traveled to our San Francisco office, where I followed my typical routine. I flew into the Oakland airport, rented a car, and headed north towards the Bay Bridge. While driving, I received a mobile travel alert from SecurityLogic®, one of Christopherson’s business travel technology tools, letting me know that the Bay Bridge was closed for several days while they connected a new section.

Receiving this information in a timely manner allowed me to modify my schedule and avoid the traffic jams I knew would result from the closure of this key artery in and out of San Francisco. Later, when I spoke with other business travelers I learned that they had been stuck in these traffic jams for hours–I just smiled to myself!

As the COO of Christopherson Business Travel, I have the opportunity to work closely with our talented development team as we create products and services for our clients. We focus our efforts in three core areas: traveler safety, cost savings, and accurate reporting.

While all three of these areas are essential elements of a successfully managed travel program, we feel particularly compelled to provide our clients with tools that support the safety, security, and comfort of the many thousands of travelers that we have on the road at any given time. These road warriors play an essential role in growing both the U.S. and global economies on which we all rely. So, we will continue our commitment to provide our clients and their business travelers with the information they need to make their travels safe and secure.

If you have not activated your SecurityLogic traveler alert system, contact your Christopherson Account Manager to discuss your configuration options, then flip the switch, and start providing your travelers with the timely information they need.

While the alert I received was simply a low, caution level alert that spared me from spending several hours in traffic, it may well have been informing me about a much more serious situation.

Safe travels,

Matthew J Cameron

Categories
Business Travel Travel Industry

Business and Inbound International Travel: What it means to the USA

What do you know about the economics of travel to and within the United States?  In a study conducted by Oxford Economics titled The Role of Business Travel in the U.S. Economic Recovery, this topic is summed up in two areas: 1) Business activity generated by the traveler, including all facets of corporate spending such as air travel, hotel stays, car rentals, taxi’s, and restaurants, and 2- The effect of business travel on the company performance and improved productivity. This can take on various forms including new sales, customer retention, and networking.

Direct spending on business travel by domestic and international travelers, including expenditures on meetings, events, and incentive programs (ME&I), totaled $259 billion in 2012.

  • ME&I travel accounted for $103 billion of all business travel spending.
  • U.S. residents logged 460 million person?trips* for business purposes in 2012, with 21% for meetings and events.
  • For every dollar invested in business travel, businesses benefit from an average of $12.50 in increased revenue and $3.80 in new profits (Oxford Economics).

*Person-trip defined as one person on a trip away from home overnight in paid accommodations or on a day or overnight trip to places 50 miles or more [one-way] away from home.

Inbound USA international travel facts and figures: 

In 2012, international traveler spending (export receipts) totaled $128.6 billion and travel spending abroad by Americans totaled $83.7 billion (travel import payments), creating a trade surplus of $45 billion in favor of the U.S.

  • The U.S. received 66.6 million inter­national arrivals in 2012. Of those, approximately 29.6 million were from overseas markets and 37 million were from Canada and Mexico.
  • The United States’ share of total international arrivals is 6.4% (down from 7.5% in 2000).
  • International travel spending directly supported about 1.1 million U.S. jobs and wages of $27.7 billion.
  • Each overseas traveler spends approximately $4,455 when they visit the U.S. and stay on average more than 18 nights.
  • Overseas arrivals represent 44% of all international arrivals, yet account for 78% of total international travel receipts.
  • Greatest challenges facing international visitors: burdensome visa process; unwelcoming entry experience.
  • Top leisure travel activities for overseas visitors: (1) shopping; (2) dining; (3) city sightseeing; (4) visiting historical places; and (5) amusement/theme parks

One more tidbit with regards to travel within and to the US:

In 2012 direct spending by resident and international travelers in the U.S. averaged $2.3 billion a day, $97.7 million an hour, $1.6 million a minute, and $27,125 a second.

For more on this and other statistics regarding the economic impact of travel to and within the United States by the US Travel Association a nonprofit organization representing all components of the travel industry, visit USTravel.org.

Source: US Travel Association. Used by permission.

Categories
Company News and Announcements

2013 Fast 50 Companies

UTAH BUSINESS | SEP 10, 2013

2013 Fast 50 Companies

Categories
Vacation Travel

Destination Highlight: Iguazu Falls, Argentina

I recently visited Iguazu Falls, prior to attending the Virtuoso Symposium in Buenos Aires. (Isn’t it nice when you can add some leisure travel to your business trip?) Iguazu Falls is on the border of Brazil and Northern Argentina, and consists of numerous waterfalls varying from about 200-270 feet high. It is divided into upper and lower Iguazu and is so large that there is no vantage point that allows you to view the entire falls at once, unless you are in a helicopter. The upper falls are called the Devil’s Throat, where about half of the rivers flow falls. The Devil’s Throat is about 270 feet high, 490 feet wide, and 2,300 feet long. It is incredible to see the amount of water flowing through it!

About 20% of the falls are on the Brazil side and 80% are on the Argentina side. The Argentina side takes you almost the entire day to visit, because of the numerous catwalks along the entire top of the falls. It also takes you to a great vantage point right in the middle of the Devil’s Throat. I did not visit the Brazil side, but it seemed that the Argentina side got you much closer to the falls overall and had a lot more to see, where as the Brazil side gave good panoramic views from across the river.

The best place to stay is the Sheraton Iguazu Resort & Spa. It is the only hotel inside the park. You can literally walk out the back side of the hotel and you are at the falls. The other hotels are in Puerto Iguazu, which is a small town about 20 minutes from the falls. The Sheraton is more expensive because of its proximity to the falls, but it’s still the best option.

We spent a day at Iguazu Falls and I believe it was the perfect amount of time. Two days would have allowed for us to take our time, but much more time would have been excessive. The only thing to see is the falls, but they are definitely worth the trip. Even though Iguazu is packed with tourists and far away from anything, it is still absolutely amazing and completely worth seeing.

Categories
Travel Industry

Christopherson Business Travel to Sponsor Two Industry Events in September

Christopherson is the proud sponsor of two business travel industry events this month. The first is the Utah Business Travel Association’s Annual Trade Show and the second is the Society for Collegiate Travel and Expense Management Conference and Trade Show.

Screen shot 2013-09-09 at 1.50.55 PMThe Utah Business Travel Association Annual Trade Show is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City. Attendees can see what the Wasatch Front has to offer by visiting exhibitor booths from the top travel, entertainment, and food vendors. Attendees will also enjoy complimentary registration, fabulous raffle prizes, and delicious food. The event is free and open to travel buyers of any size company.

Screen shot 2013-09-09 at 1.49.57 PMThe Society for Collegiate Travel and Expense Management Conference and Trade Show will be held September 29-October 2 in Tampa, Florida. The organization focuses on travel and expense solutions for higher education. Christopherson is the dedicated travel management company for 12 colleges and universities, with the most notable being the University of Utah and University of Colorado.

If you are planning to attend either of these events, we invite you to stop by Christopherson’s booth to learn more about our business travel services and solutions.

Categories
Business Travel Travel Industry

The Science of Maintaining a Unique Competitive Advantage

competition_advantageWhen in business, whether you own the company or are an employee of it, it is important to understand the difference between “unique competitive advantages” and “business strengths.” Many companies will tout their “advantages,” but what they’re really presenting are just their basic strengths and most cases, are likely are only spouting clichés. An example of a common and overused business cliché is: “we will exceed your expectations.”

While business strengths are important, they are not differentiators. You need strengths just to stay in business. You need unique competitive advantages to grow and prosper, faster than your competition.

At Christopherson Business Travel we have approached the development of our unique competitive advantages as a science. This is the only way you’re able to succeed in a highly competitive marketplace.

In order for something to be defined as a “unique competitive advantage” we require that it pass a four-part test:
1.    It must be objective.
2.    It must be quantifiable.
3.    It can’t be a cliché.
4.    It can’t be claimed by our competitors.

An example of one of our unique competitive advantages is the recent introduction of AirPortal 360™ Mobile, the first comprehensive mobile app to provide corporate travel managers the ability to manage their company’s travel program from the palm of their hand. Read about it here.

The introduction of this newest unique competitive advantage garnered a great deal of media attention (see here), which is objective and quantifiable.

Can we objectively say that our unique competitive advantages have helped us grow faster than our competition? During the last five years we have more than doubled in size, growing from a $160 million company in 2007, to a $341 million company in 2012. Christopherson was recently ranked #11 in size, in the U.S., by Business Travel News (BTN). We were also the fastest growing of all the top 20 Travel Management Companies in the U.S., in terms of percentage growth. Read more here.

The BTN ranking and applicable growth rate are objective, quantifiable, not a cliché, and can’t be claimed by our competitors. Thus, Christopherson Business Travel can present our technology to be a “unique competitive advantage.”