Becoming an expert in a field leads to good things career-wise, including for corporate travel planners. It justifies their salary packages and earns them additional perks.
Plus, demonstrating expertise increases department efficiency, which most companies will acknowledge with pay bumps, bonuses, or promotions.
Most management positions consist of establishing processes to streamline and automate checks and balances. It optimizes busy work and makes professionals available to deal with emergencies.
Corporate travel planners earn an average salary of $55k annually. With experience, corporate travel managers make just shy of six figures annually.
We outline seven ways to become a corporate travel planning expert.
1. Own the Position
Successful business professionals and entrepreneurs committed to their endeavors 100%, even in the face of adversity. Becoming an expert in any field also requires 100% commitment.
After the training period, own the position. Celebrate the wins and learn from the missteps. Observe how things have worked in the past and use your fresh eyes to improve them.
Respect your peers, team members, and executives, but speak from a place of authority when addressing your work.
2. Develop a Passion for Corporate Travel Planning
Next, develop a passion for corporate travel planning – that’s the beauty of having the freedom to pick a career path.
Ideally, professionals will find their passion on the first try or reasonably quickly after a couple of shots. But those who pick planning travel as a career benefit from enjoying it.
Some individuals won’t find booking flights, hotels, and ground transportation for others enjoyable. Others will find reviewing expense reports and vendor agreements tedious.
Experts in the field will appreciate the administrative aspects of the job and establish processes that make them less tedious.
3. Learn from Others
A degree in corporate travel planning does not exist. However, companies who hire for this position require a 4-year degree in business or related studies.
Then, it’s up to professionals to pick up the tricks of the trade through curiosity and research.
For example, read what others in the industry write about the corporate travel planning position, like this guide from Hotel Engine.
Next, network with others in the travel planning field and pick their brains.
4. Listen to Team Member Feedback
Most business travelers will jump at the chance to fly first class, stay in 5-star accommodations, and eat at Michelin-rated restaurants on every trip. However, every business destination doesn’t offer high-end hospitality options.
Nonetheless, solicit team member feedback and use it to find areas that need improvement.
For example, a hotel’s service quality can change if its management changes or the check-in process could become challenging.
Travel planning experts are the first step in making business travel stress-free.
5. Identify Areas for Improvement
After listening to team member feedback, identify areas for improvement. Maybe it’s time to switch to a different hotel in some locations. Other times it’s necessary to renegotiate current rates.
You can improve the expense report review process so that it arrives at the finance department ready for its seal of approval. The improvement could speed up the reimbursement process, making team members happy.
6. Establish Solutions
Next, establish solutions. Finding solutions to issues that hinder processes doesn’t go unrecognized very long. Most solutions positively impact the bottom line, and eventually, the decision-makers will notice.
Problem-solvers are far and few in between. If you establish yourself as a problem-solver, you raise your professional value and make yourself indispensable to the organization.
Once you become an expert corporate travel planner, you can become the manager and parlay it into a VP position at some organizations.
7. Incorporate Software
Lastly, incorporate software. In 2023, a software version exists for most fields, and it no longer threatens humans and their jobs. Instead, the software improves productivity and helps eliminate careless mistakes.
Travel planning software offers several features, such as compiling reports, tracking travel, and booking reservations.
In some ways, the capabilities offered by software will make you look like a better expert.
Conclusion
Since most corporate travel planners work at corporations and companies with travel budgets, the position offers gainful employment with salaries and perks to match. Become an expert in your position by owning it, developing a passion for it, and leaving your mark on it.
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