Food, Groceries, and Takeout
Whether it's sit down meals, takeout, or groceries, all expenses regarding food have increased this year. What does this tell us and how can we lower expenses while still improving guest experience?
Because our apartments include fully-equipped kitchens, we have a big advantage. Our travelers are able to cook their own meals, store leftovers, and have more freedom with food over those with other accommodations (ie: hotel rooms). Our variety of grocery packages allow travelers to move-in with a fully stocked fridge, providing solutions the minute they arrive.
We'll work with travel managers to choose the right grocery package for their teams, or we'll talk to the travelers themselves and see which packages, even beyond groceries, fit their lifestyle best.
Our full kitchens, grocery packages, and ability to provide additional kitchen accessories upon request gives travelers affordable solutions when it comes to food - bettering their experience and lowering overall expenses.
The Future Of Remote Work
Another huge shift in expenses involved work-from-home environments. Employees have been shopping around to set up their new home office areas, increasing the category by 82 percent compared to the first half of 2019.
Knowing that most people, including our travelers, will be working remote due to the pandemic, we were able to adapt our offerings and apartment spaces to fit their new needs. We created 'home office' packages for residents who have to work from home throughout their stay.
Our team will work with residents to build their ideal home office setup. If they need an extra monitor, desk, or office supplies, we'll made sure to have everything set up for them prior to arrival. This helps both companies and travelers save money when it comes to purchasing expensive office equipment themselves. See more on our Home Office Packages.
PSA: WORK FROM HOME BURNOUT
A lot of individuals have been calling us in need of a change of scenery - dealing with "work-from-home burnout" of sorts. I guess you can take the man out of the office, but you can't take the stress and burnout mentality out of the worker. This is a PSA for anyone who feels burnt out working from their dining room table and could use a change of pace. Our apartments are available for you to get away, work efficiently, and act as a 'recharger' from your everyday routine. Explore our Hotel Alternative Program.
Having The Time To Rebuild
Our last noticed fluctuation in expenses dealt with corporate travel programs. At the start of uncertainty, traveling employees were left with unanswered questions, not knowing how or when they'll get back to their families. At-home employees were left worrying about their job security, all due to the lack of structure that was in place. Of course, no one can truly prepare for the unknown, but 2020's craziness showed us just how many companies were almost "too" unprepared.
Employers had two directions they could go in. They could agree to spend more on their travel programs, partnering up with professionals, and prioritizing future preparedness and protection. Or, they could halt most travel expenses immediately and leave their team on their own until the dust settles.
For additional guidance and help with your duty of care/travel program, we have more than enough resources for you to check out. Here's some of our favorites:
Calling Our Your Duty Of Care Policy. Why Your Company Was Unprepared To Handle Coronavirus.
5 Things To Help Build Your Trust In Travel Again
How To Build The Best Corporate Travel Program: Step by Step Guide
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hey, guys! It's Maddy, the Content Creator at Compass. I don't know about you, but my Amazon, takeout, and home decor expenses are WAY over budget at this point. Find me here on LinkedIn and we'll connect!
