Scroo It, Let's Do It

I take the inauguaral title for this 2011 blog from one of the titans of the travel industry: Richard Branson.

An icon of change - someone who has never been daunted by the challenge to do things differently because they deserve to be done (he's going into outer space for heaven's sake!) - Branson has used this slogan when he knows in his gut he and his teams have a chance to change the way things are done for the better -- even though many may think them crazy.

I have to say that American Express Business Travel Global Advisory Services eXpert insights research practice was launched in 2009 under similar circumstances - it started with the idea to invest in primary market research on the business travel industry at a time when many were questioning the value of managed travel -- and even travel itself (given the massive cutbacks that happened in travel budgets during the Great Recession).

But since that time we have been able to identify not only best practices in managing travel today - but also to establish the impact that travel has on a company's top-line growth, a crazy concept to many CFOs that are still sharpening the T&E line item pencil.  This month we have released an update to the ROI of Travel study started in 2009 and invite everyone in the industry to read it here.

We think we are really entering a new era where travel and travel management will get the respect they deserve as competitive differentiators for businesses (in an increasingly flat and commoditized world) so we welcome the opportunity to share and discuss this information with you throughout the year. Viva travel!