UK Enterprise 2017

WORLDWIDE BUSINESS REVIEW / UK Enterprise Awards 2017 67 , Best Bespoke Corporate Travel Company 2017 Easy Avenues is an innovative travel management services provider, based in Essex.We spoke to Founder, Michelle Roughan, to learnmore about the firmand the services it offers. Founded in 2009 Michelle created Easy Avenues to provide bespoke corporate travel and event services. Here, she outlines how she has drawn on her personal experience to create a business that offers the services her clients need. “Having spent over 20 years in the city in the travel and events industry, I wanted to create an environment for both staff and clients that was fun and creative, with a focus on delivery. Arranging business travel can be very stressful for both the company booking and the traveller. Our motto is “There’s always a way” and we focus on delivering stress-free travel for every client. “Our clients range from large corporates and charities through to SMEs covering all industries. 90% of the Easy Avenues team are women, all of whom have a passion for travel and are dedicated to delivering quality client service. Having a team of empowered women has enabled our business to grow year on year. Our strengths in multitasking and client management are always at the forefront.” As with any service-based industry, staff are crucial to the success of a travel management business. Michelle works hard to support her team and create a collaborative and inclusive WUK17062 internal culture, as she is eager to emphasise: “When recruiting, we like to share with our potential employees our focus on delivering accountable, sustainable cost savings and processing efficiencies, backed-up by outstanding service. We offer women a range of contracts, from employed to self-employed, and cater for mums who want to return to work part time. Working as a team is key to both the success of our business and to every traveller using our service. We have specialists in flights, trains, car hire, hotels - every type of travel imaginable. “Drawing on my time in the city, where I worked in various blue chip corporates, I wanted to offer a service to the corporate world that was both personable and professional. Having spent so much time in highly stressed and busy environments I understand key trigger points in terms of frustration, stress and workload, and used this to enhance our business offering. Dealing with highly stressed and emotional travellers is part of our normal working day, along with sometimes having to refuse travel requests if they do not meet the client’s travel policy criteria.” Overall, Michelle is exceptionally proud of the success her firm has enjoyed over recent years and plans to build on this as she looks towards a bright and exciting future. “Looking ahead, the plan is to continue to grow the business over the next five years and shape it ready for a sale in which we will all share. To do this, our focus will be on our client base and the profitability of each travel transaction. With margins totally disappearing, our model will change further, and we will continue to educate travellers on when to travel to get the best value for money from their journeys. “It is very exciting times for us, with a real shift in what a client is looking for from their travel partner. Procurement teams focusing on strategic, flexible accountable substantial cost savings coupled with experience, capable and enthusiastic individuals are placed high on the briefs we receive. A company that take full control of a project and take the time to understand the issues and the ideal outcome. We can then deliver a return on investment - in many cases, ahead of a deadline. In the last six months, we have won some major clients as a result of being open, honest and completely transparent. We have been up against some serious players in our market, led by strong characters – but our focus on the detail and task at hand has led to us securing the clients. “Ultimately, the future for the travel industry looks very exciting. With continuous development and launches of new apps, it’s never been easier to track passengers from start to finish on their journey. Concerns are pricing, particularly air and rail. Increasing fares are now part of the everyday challenges. Air fares in particular tend to increase in price throughout the working day. At Easy Avenues, we will continue to enhance our automated systems and electronic portals whilst still being visible and transparent to our clients.” Company: Easy Avenues Ltd Contact: Michelle Roughan Email: [email protected] Phone: 020 305 82310/ 07939 502518 Address: The Courtyard, Wyldingtree Farm, Wealdbridge Road, Epping, Essex, CM16 6AS