A line I sometimes cross....

It’s taken me a while to put pen to paper on this, but the time is now.  There is a line out there between supplier and buyer and I, proudly, cross it at times. 

If you become a trusted supplier, I get to know things about you.  I ask about your Dad who is ill or who has recently had surgery.  I ask about your kids and applaud their recent dance recital or sports win.  I ask about your vacation and plans for the upcoming holiday.  I am friends with you on Facebook and connect with you on Linked In. 

Does this mean that when it’s time to chat about strategy, savings and expectations that I back down?  NO!  Does it mean that when we talk, I trade insider secrets or give you the inside track on how to get more business?  NO!  Does it mean that when it’s time for business, it’s all business?  YES! 

Last week, the world lost a great person, a great supplier and to me, a wonderful friend.  She and I had an interesting bond.  We joked that when we were together in a room or on a call, we thought better.  We played off each other’s ideas and pushed the other to think about things differently.  She is someone I crossed the line with because I wanted to know more about her, how she was doing and to encourage her in her battle with cancer.  When I got the call about her passing, I wept, not because I lost a trusted supplier, I lost a friend.

So, yes, I cross that line at times but I won’t apologize for it.  God’s speed my friend and know that you are missed everyday!  While crossing that line, I will also, keep going. 

What DO you do?

I know I am not the only one who gets asked this question....What DO you do for a living?  I think I get asked this question at least once every other week.  It's an interesting question because the answer changes daily, but I am okay with that.

My degree, Communications (Broadcast Journalism and PR) was chosen, by me, because I wanted to do something different every day.  I wanted to cover a different story or event everyday.  I never wanted to be stuck doing the same thing day after day.  That's why this travel gig works well for me. 

One minute I might be looking at spend patterns over India and how are best leveraging our contracts.  One minute I might be looking at a hotel on a heat map to understand where is the hotel and do I feel safe suggesting someone stay there.  The next might be working with an internal team who is trying to save money on travel costs/events but can't get their hands around what they should be looking at. The next call I pick up is looking to understand our emissions, tracking of those and how we can effectively report them.  (This is a recap of my last 4 conversations TODAY.)

So, when I am asked what I DO for a living, I try to keep things simple because I know it won't make sense to anyone else who doesn't live in our world.  So, in this crazy world of ours, I simply, keep going. 

It's out there.

I like to think of myself of a logical person and I also like to think I am not the only logical person, but what am I missing here?

My husband works for a company and is a GPS specialist.  He works with companies to ensure they are using GPS effectively to do things like building roads, highways and bridges.  BUT, his company, like many others, also has a GPS tracking system on his work vehicle.  Why?  Because if something goes wrong, they can find the vehicle.  FedEx, UPS, armored car companies all do it to ensure their products are protected. 

Let's talk money.  My husband's work vehicle is worth about $20K with nothing in it.  A FedEx truck could have millions of dollars of merchandise and precious material.  An armored car, again, could be millions.  An airplane costs millions and can carry millions. 

Let's talk people.  My husband's work vehicle carries precious cargo (him) and maybe 4 more people max.  A FedEx truck, don't know, maybe 2-3.  Armored car, probably about the same.  A plane, anywhere from 2 to 239 to even more people. 

WHY on earth, in an industry that transports millions of PEOPLE, aren't systems like this in place?  We have airlines fighting to have the best in flight entertainment (IFE) services...heck; there is even an award for the best IFE.  How about an award for the airline who can find their own lost planes?  You can't tell me that the technology doesn't exist.  You better not tell me it’s too expensive. Trust me, its out there! 

I pray for those families who are still looking.  I pray for those who are lost.  I pray for change in an industry that touches the world, makes business happen, brings families together and makes everything possible.  In prayer, I simply keep going. 

In like a Lion!

March, that time of year when people can feel, smell and sense spring in the near future.  The time of year when people eat and drink green things that normally aren't green (I don't get that!)  The time of year that basketball fanatics are in their glory. 

For corporate America, March is a time to roar like a Lion!  Think about it...January, people are getting back into the swing of things, some get new goals and new budgets, some are focused on their resolutions to be better at their jobs or to spend more time with family and some may find themselves halfway through a fiscal year trying to sort out what is ahead.  February is a short month filled with storms, prospects and getting your teams and opportunities in line.   

In March, most corporate travelers are not thinking about vacations (we leave that up to the spring breakers) and summer is still far enough off that it's too early to worry about that, so it's time to focus in and buckle down. 

In my old Rosenbluth days, we called it March Madness for a few reasons, many that still hold true today!  Corporate Travelers have their swagger back.  They are back into the swing of their schedules.  They have sales in their pipeline.  They have customers needing them and wanting to buy their wares.  They have new products and solutions to sell.  The wind is at their back and they know this is their month.  This month sets the stage for the next 8 months. 

So, come on in March, come on in and roar like a Lion!  Corporate America and all my peers in Corporate Travel are ready for you!  As for me, who knows what March will bring, but in any case, I, like all of you, will keep going! 

The almighty dollar

It was recently announced that Delta was changing their frequent flier program to move away from accruals based on miles flown, to accruals based on how much you paid for the ticket.  This is an obvious lean toward the business traveler, or even more importantly, the business CLASS traveler.  What does this mean for corporate programs?  We may see:
1 - People gaming the systems to make their reservations closer in to pay more for their travel?
2 - People finding ways to still meet their status accrual needs?
3 - People finding another carrier that will give them a point for a mile?

Only time will tell.  

Airlines are making profits now on the business traveler because they know when and how they are booking.  (Anyone who is searching for leisure travel rates Mon-Fri 8a-5p is crazy!)  They are making money on the leisure traveler with no status by charging for things like bags, seats, etc.  I love seeing the airlines profitable, we can't be successful without them.  Will be interesting to see where the money flows with changes like this. 

The almighty dollar drives decisions and in the meantime, we simply, keep going! 

Perfect Storm

In this season of snow storm after snow storm, I sit back and think, "Hmm, this is the open/managed perfect storm."  Let me explain.

Last week, I myself was in the DC area and was impacted by the "storm" that halted traffic and closed airports.  (I have it storm in quotes because I didn't think it was all that!)  I spent time in the airport and hotel watching and listening to travelers around me. 

Managed - Those operating in a managed travel program were maybe calling their agency.  Their glimmer of hope that someone on the other end of that phone can get them home and away from the madness.  The agencies, struggling with the onslaught of calls, took the calls and did what they could to help the travelers with ever changing inventory and options.

Open - Those operating in an open environment found themselves calling the airlines, searching apps, standing in line at the counter in order to get the help they needed.  In this situation, the airlines are the keepers of the seats.  The guardians of the sacred space needed to get people home. 

Who fared the best?  Who got home the fastest?  Who got the best rate?  Who got their waitlist cleared more quickly?   Who got that last seat on each plane? 

Maybe more interestingly, what happens when they collide?  What happened to the woman who lives in a managed program called the airline because she knew her status would help to get her taken care of.  What happened to the man who lives in an open environment but called the agency to help because the airlines hold time was 45 minutes? 

Ideally, the company would get all the information.  The changes, no matter where they were made, were fed back to their respective companies so the companies travel management team can make sure their highest priority, safety and security tracking, is met.  Hmm, novel idea...I know.

Because its only February, there are more storms coming...some from the sky, some from the industry.  Either way, let just keep going! 

I'm a Belizer!

I am not a good vacationer.  I very rarely can sit in one place and have things done for me.  I like to be moving and doing things all the time.  That could be working, cooking, cleaning, coaching, watching sports, etc!  Even in church on Sunday morning, I am doing things all the time.  Last week, I went to the dark side.  I took a full week off and with a great group of friends (no kids), traveled to San Pedro Island, Belize.  It was AMAZING! We rented a house on the beach with two amazing caretakers.  We snorkeled, swam, fished, ate, gambled, danced and shared a cocktail or two. 

Now don't get me wrong, I have taken time off before, but never completely unplugged for a week!  Sure, I read the "Urgent" emails and the ones that you have to read when you know you are away, but nothing more than that.  Is my inbox a horrible disaster?  YES!  Will it all get resolved in time?  I am sure it will.  Did I love vacation?  Yes.  Was a ready to come home?  Absolutely, I missed my kids horribly!  Will I do it again?  Sure. 

In a week, I became a Belizer and know that someday I will return.  Until then, I better get back to work and, as ever, keep going!