Business trip planning “left too late” – poll shows
Bosses leave it until the last minute to get their secretaries to make business travel arrangements, a poll shows.
Almost half the those surveyed are only given two-three days notice between instruction to book and day of travelling when their preferred notice period would be a week or more.
The poll of more than 1,300 secretaries and PAs on their booking procedures was conducted by hotel and conference booking agent First Option.
It found that the majority of instructions are received on a face to face basis, with email instructions only registered in 17% of situations and by telephone a mere six per cent.
Kevin Wayt, general manager of First Option Corporate, said: “Unsurprisingly, the results showed that secretaries require more lead in time for a booking.
“Secretaries and PAs still like to receive instructions in person possibly because it enables them to ask questions. Although email is proving more popular for them to receive instructions from their bosses – perhaps this is because it can act as a future reference source to resolve any issues.
“We understand the pressures secretaries and PAs face when making travel, accommodation and conference arrangements.
“Our suggestion for small to medium sized businesses is to create an email booking form which can record all the necessary details. This could then be sent to the secretaries – hopefully in plenty of time.”
Phil Davies
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