American Express Business Travel has reported more than $1 billion in new business won globally in the first 100 days of 2007. (5/8/2007)
“The sales success signals strong demand for the company’s innovations in global servicing, data management and online technology, as well as business travel procurement and process management expertise,” stated an official release.
It also shared plans “for an organisational investment that globalises and expands its internal field effectiveness unit.”
“The enhanced infrastructure will enable American Express to more readily cultivate and share its best practice disciplines for client relationship management across geographies and within localities, thereby delivering a more consistent program management experience to clients. The newly global field effectiveness team, headed by David Herrick, General Manager, Business Travel Europe, Middle East and Africa , follows recent moves to form global Account Sales and Advisory Services units,” stated the company.
Also, the company shared info on progress made by that its web-based commerce platform, AXIOM (350 clients signed since its US launch in November 2006).
“As decision-making moves to C-level finance and purchasing executives, companies worldwide have become more sophisticated in their approach to travel; to maximize ROI, ensure traveler care, strengthen corporate controls and capitalise on business growth. And they are looking to accomplish these aims with a global partner,” said Charles Petruccelli, President of American Express Global Travel Services.
“Some years ago we ‘globalised’ our service delivery and supplier relations units to enhance the traveler’s experience and augment American Express’ travel procurement expertise. More recently, we introduced the global Advisory Services consultancy to help companies rationalise and exert greater control over traditional travel purchasing (air, hotel, car rental, meetings). And with AXIOM we now enable companies to more effectively purchase across a host of additional business services. The global field effectiveness team further ensures we deliver on our value-creation promise as corporate travel purchasing appetites go global,” added Petruccelli.
AXIOM helps employees purchase standard travel services (air, hotel, car rental) in addition to business services such as ground transportation, dining, entertainment, and package shipping from a Web-based commerce network of more than 135,000 suppliers based on personal preferences and corporate policies.
