Greeley Koch, managing director, 490 Consulting
The corporate travel industry is changing faster than ever,
and travel managers in 2025 are rethinking how they deliver value—not just for today,
but for the rapidly evolving future. AI-driven booking tools, integrated
book-pay-expense platforms and new ways of accessing travel content provide
new opportunities to revolutionize the digital traveler journey. Today's
business travelers expect a frictionless, personalized experience that meets
their needs at every step, from booking to expense reconciliation. This
transformation demands more than incremental changes; it requires bold
innovation led by travel managers who think like intrapreneurs.
What's That?
An intrapreneur, defined by the Oxford English
Dictionary, is "an employee given the freedom to work independently within
a company with the objective of introducing innovation to revitalize and
diversify its business." In the context of corporate travel, intrapreneurs
act as visionaries within their organizations. They don't just adapt to
change—they drive it. Intrapreneurs break down silos between suppliers,
technologies and policies to create a cohesive, future-ready journey that
delivers measurable value for both travelers and organizations.
Rethinking the Digital Traveler Journey
Becoming a travel manager intrapreneur starts with
rethinking the digital traveler journey as a connected, end-to-end experience.
Imagine shifting the focus from individual components—like booking platforms or
expense tools—to a seamless flow where every step supports and enhances the
next. Piloting this journey-centric model in one department or region allows
travel managers to test ideas, gather insights and demonstrate how an
integrated approach benefits both travelers and the business.
To execute these pilots successfully, travel managers must
adopt traits and methods that empower them to lead with purpose.
Traits and Methods of Intrapreneurs
By weaving these traits and methods into their approach,
intrapreneurs turn bold ideas into meaningful improvements that redefine their
travel programs.
- Curiosity
to explore new possibilities and a desire to challenge the status
quo.
- Risk
tolerance to push boundaries with the support of senior leadership.
- Focus
on traveler productivity with redefined success metrics such as time spent
booking, making journey changes and achieving seamless data flow in the
book-pay-expense process.
- Innovative
mindset with a drive to design a program built around the complete
digital traveler experience using these new success metrics.
Unlock Your Superpower
Corporations and travelers are
ready for a more productive, integrated digital journey—one that prioritizes
cost savings, traveler tracking and compliance while also enhancing the
traveler experience. However, relying on compliance and cost savings as shields
to resist improving the traveler experience is no longer acceptable.
The future of corporate travel belongs to leaders who act
decisively and innovate with purpose. Start today by evaluating your travel
program through the lens of the digital traveler journey. Identify gaps,
redefine success metrics and collaborate with stakeholders to pilot solutions
that enhance every step of the process.
By unlocking your intrapreneurial superpower, you can lead
the way in transforming corporate travel. The question isn't whether you can
think like an intrapreneur—it's whether you're ready to take the lead on
strategic transformation. Are you?