Securewest’s top 10 resolutions your organisation should make to improve your travel risk management programme and increase your traveller’s safety.
- Keep safety at the top of your agenda
Are your policies and procedures up-to-date, relevant and meet the requirements of legislation and best practice?
- Get buy-in from senior management
A travel risk management programme without backing from senior managers will fail because it won’t be seen as a high priority. The culture within your organisation is just as important as the processes you have in place.
- Make duty-of-care your priority
You are responsible for the health, safety and security of your employees from both a moral and legal perspective. Making this a priority for your organisation could avoid negligence further down the line.
- Prepare for the worst-case scenario
Ever heard of the saying… “by failing to prepare you are preparing to fail” well this is undoubtedly true for travel risk management. Make sure your strategy includes a Crisis Management Plan.
- Do your research
Looking at trends and forecasts for the year ahead will inform your organisations approach. For example, does your policy consider “bleisure” (combining business travel with leisure time)? This trend is here to stay!
- Be inclusive
A comprehensive programme will support all individual travellers and may even go as far as having specific travel policies. Safety requirements vary according to the individual, with some groups being at greater risk than others in certain places.
- Communicate
Effective communication is essential to the success of your programme. Ensure your staff know what to do in an emergency and how to access support and assistance wherever they are in the world.
- Invest in the tools and resources to support your personnel
What does your programme offer? Pre-travel training, advice, country assessments, risk alerts, tracking and access to a 24/7 response centre can make your personnel feel safer on their travels.
- Embrace technology
Developments in technology are changing the way organisations are protecting their people, assets and reputation worldwide. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and smart systems can help to immediately establish where travellers are and highlight emerging threats.
- Raise awareness about cyber security
Cyber criminality is on the increase and fraudsters are using more sophisticated tactics. Threats include; theft or loss of equipment, identity theft, viruses and hacking, insecure wi-fi networks and payment fraud. Mitigate these risks by incorporating cyber protection into your programme and raising awareness to employees on basic cyber security.
Regardless of what stage your organisation is at on their travel risk management journey these practical top tips will help you improve your traveller’s safety in the New Year!