Continued virtual working from home is expected to result in a different business travel model.
However, when business travel reanimates, the importance of clear mobility policies, processes and options that support employees as they transition to remote or home working will be increased – especially as we all work together towards over-arching climate change goals.
An absence of clear guidance means employees may be more likely to drive a vehicle that is not actually insured for business, for example, exposing their employer to risk.
Accelerated government decarbonisation targets are requiring corporates to rethink the employee travel plan from every angle, and especially to reduce unnecessary business miles and encourage a shift to low- and zero-emission vehicles.
The context of business mobility is therefore a wider conversation around how communities can stay mobile.
With new fuels and technologies driving the development of many community-based travel options, planning future travel policies and provisions today will ensure that employees make the right choices when selecting routes and transport types for business journeys. It will also enable employees to make a decision that’s convenient and effective for their needs.
Many businesses have already transformed their traditional account management approach as an opportunity to drive innovation and ensure their travel policy is fit for the future.
They’re aware that remote working raises the priority for guiding employees to better mobility behaviours that will perfectly meet their needs and also deliver against the business agenda.
Mobility account managers are experienced rental strategy analysts and consultants. Booking platforms are sources of rich data that can reveal where, when, who and how people within your organisation are travelling – or enable data capture so you can get a better picture of your business.
Carefully planning and auditing employee travel provision to ensure that pre-Covid policies and travel options remain adequate is essential and is a continuing process.
With change likely to continue, use this as the opportunity to set the controls in place that ensure that employee choices actively contribute to safer travel and a greener environment on every business trip.
Adrian Bewley is assistant vice president of business mobility for Europe at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
