CEOs believe having a chauffeur who can run private errands for them can save them a lot of time on business trips (Photo: Blacklane)
Poor planning in business trips even for CEOs, senior managers and business owners leads to significant productivity losses, says a report by Blacklane, a chauffer company. In a press statement, Blacklane says that it surveyed over 3,000 adults who travel for business across the United Kingdom, the United States and the United Arab Emirates in September 2024.
Blacklane says that the stand-out finding was that nearly nine in 10 or 87 pc of top executives lose at least one hour of productivity due to stress from their journey. It adds that among C-level executives, business owners and senior managers, almost one in two lose four to eight hours of productive time during a business trip.
Poorly planned trips were cited as the primary cause for travel stress. The survey also found that travellers are getting less quality for their money as the cost of airline tickets has risen, but the service has not.
Blacklane says that to remedy the problem, it seems greater investment into business trips is needed and 94 pc of C-level executives in the UK said that premium experiences would positively contribute towards their productivity and success.
Suggested methods to reduce stress included pre-booked private airport transfers at both ends with chauffeurs who speak English, and private chauffeurs to assist with in-city travel or personal errands for the duration of the trip, which which was most popular among C-level executives.
Jens Wohltorf
The statement adds that other suggestions included access to wifi throughout the journey, flying premium or business class, bringing a family member, and extra luggage allowance. Just over half, or 54 pc of business travellers also said they would be more productive if time for leisure activities was integrated into work trips.
“As this report has shown, poorly planned business travel is a source of stress for employees and especially executives, causing harm to their productivity, and therefore costing businesses valuable time and money. Those in charge of travel bookings should consider how premium experiences and leisure might help to make journeys seamless, time-efficient, and comfortable, in order to make each trip a success for the business and individual,” says Jens Wohltorf, Founder and CEO, Blacklane.
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