Face-to-face meetings have regained prominence in today’s workplace, and with this resurgence comes a growing demand for efficient event management solutions. But while companies are increasingly organizing multiday in-person gatherings to foster collaboration and connection among employees, many are still manually managing the process. Relying on manual management of internal meetings and travel logistics instead of an automated solution can prove cumbersome and costly, burdening organizations with unnecessary complexities. Join Jeanne Dion, Vice President of the Value Experience team at SAP Concur, and Alisa de Gaspe Beaubien, cofounder and CEO of Groupize, as they explore the intersection of internal meetings, travel management, and technology. Together, they discuss the rising popularity of internal company meetings, the impact on travel, and the pivotal role that technology plays in simplifying the process. From identifying potential cost savings to gaining visibility into spend, Jeanne and Alisa share insights into how automated event management solutions can revolutionize internal meeting planning. Listen in to learn how the right technology can help organizations save both time and money and streamline travel management, enhance productivity, and optimize the face-to-face meeting experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), can be powerful anti-fraud tools. So can clear policies and rules. But the savviest organizations also recognize the crucial role that people play in the anti-fraud equation. That’s because “fraud is a human problem. It’s not an accounting or a financial or a transactional problem,” says Andi McNeal, the Vice President of Education at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). In fact, in her experience, an ethical and compliant corporate culture “may be the most critical component of an entire anti-fraud program.” In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Andi joins Jeanne Dion, Vice President of the Value Experience team at SAP Concur, to discuss how to protect your organization from fraud. Together, they explain how cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robust policies serve as formidable defenses, and underscore that the true linchpin in fraud prevention is an ethical corporate culture built on trust. Listen in for research-backed strategies for safeguarding your organization against fraud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a transformative impact on the finance industry, and with rapid advancement on the horizon, financial professionals are faced with both excitement and uncertainty about how this technology will reshape their roles and organizations.In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Nathanael L’Heureux, Chief Solutions Ambassador at Oversight, joins host Jeanne Dion to explore the pivotal role of AI in revolutionizing financial functions and empowering professionals to excel in their roles. They discuss key questions surrounding AI's impact on finance, including how AI is transforming financial functions, how professionals can become AI champions, and how individuals and organizations can embrace AI to elevate their contributions and drive business success. Drawing on Nathanael's deep expertise, they highlight practical strategies for leveraging AI to elevate financial performance and mitigate risk. Listen in as they share actionable advice and thought-provoking perspectives on the future of finance in the age of AI and discuss how to navigate this paradigm shift to tap into new opportunities for innovation and growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this two-part episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, host Jeanne Dion and executive producer Kelly Moorman reflect on the transformative trends that emerged in 2023 and look ahead to how they're shaping the future of travel and spend management in 2024. From future-proofing organizations to embracing digital adoption, change management, and sustainability, we dive deep into the key themes powering businesses to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape. Plus, get a sneak peek into what's in store for 2024, including discussions on AI innovation, fraud prevention, IT strategy, and more. Tune in for valuable insights and actionable strategies to elevate your organization's travel and spend management practices.(Note: this is Part Two of a two-part episode) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this two-part episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, host Jeanne Dion and executive producer Kelly Moorman reflect on the transformative trends that emerged in 2023 and look ahead to how they're shaping the future of travel and spend management in 2024. From future-proofing organizations to embracing digital adoption, change management, and sustainability, we dive deep into the key themes powering businesses to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape. Plus, get a sneak peek into what's in store for 2024, including discussions on AI innovation, fraud prevention, IT strategy, and more. Tune in for valuable insights and actionable strategies to elevate your organization's travel and spend management practices.(Note: this is Part One of a two-part episode) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As organizations amplify their travel initiatives, a pressing need arises to redefine employee health support beyond conventional wellness programs. This imperative particularly targets the distinctive health challenges faced by business travelers.By exploring innovative avenues, organizations are uncovering evidence-based strategies to confront this multifaceted issue. From fortifying workforce resilience to reengineering core business processes and modernizing travel policies, these strategies not only alleviate employee stress but also yield tangible benefits by enhancing satisfaction and bolstering the bottom line.In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Dr. Myles Druckman, Senior Vice President and Global Medical Director for International SOS — and a leading expert in international employee and traveler health management — joins Jeanne Dion, Vice President of the Value Experience Team at SAP Concur, to explore the not-so-perfect storm of overwhelm today’s business travelers face. Together, they delve into the ways organizations can proactively cultivate a robust culture of health tailored to meet the unique needs of travelers and share strategies for navigating the complex landscape of employee well-being in an era of global business travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the ever-evolving world of corporate travel, significant changes are reshaping the landscape. As business travel suppliers distribute an explosion of content across a growing number of channels, the days of booking through a single or limited channels are quickly becoming a thing of the past. At the same time, employees want access to multiple channels and the flexibility to book travel directly. While some organizations are steadfastly resisting these changes, others are embracing the fundamental shift that is underway and smartly adapting their travel strategies to keep up with this multi-channel reality.In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Paul Tilstone shares independent insights provided by FESTIVE ROAD alongside Charlie Sultan, President of Concur Travel, as they explore today’s multi-channel reality and its impact on travel managers. Together, they share how organizations are navigating the complex world of multi-channel travel while maintaining program control, ensuring their adaptability and success in this dynamic and highly complex landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s a fascinating transformation happening within procurement. For decades, procurement teams have been a tactical cornerstone of their organizations. But with the growth of digital technologies, their role has evolved into something far more strategic. Today's procurement leaders are at the forefront of digital transformation, enabling smart business buying. In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Satya Mishra, Director of Product Management at Amazon Business, sits down with Jeanne Dion, Vice President of the Value Experience Team at SAP Concur, to explore how procurement teams are transcending their tactical origins to become true digital transformation evangelists, and leveraging the power of procurement and expense management integrations to make their organizations more efficient, agile, and competitive than ever before. About Amazon BusinessAmazon Business combines the selection, convenience and value customers have come to know and love from Amazon, with unique benefits and integrations designed for businesses of all sizes. From purchasing professionals to occasional buyers, Amazon Business has hundreds of millions of items to help meet the needs of your organization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The average employee uses 29 applications a week to accomplish their job. Meanwhile, the average company has 1,900 unique business processes — many digitally-driven — that need to be followed. Our work lives are dominated by technology and technological processes, and yet organizations grapple with a fundamental question: Are these digital investments truly delivering on their promises, and are they user-friendly enough to be embraced across the workforce?That’s where digital adoption technology comes into play. In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Keith Bendy, the Vice President of ISV and Technology Alliances at WalkMe — a pioneering digital adoption platform — unravels the complexities of the return on investment (ROI) of digital adoption and shares how digital adoption transforms the way we work, learn, and thrive in the digital era. Join us as we explore how digital adoption transcends functionality, offering key advantages such as heightened visibility into software usage patterns, elevated user engagement, and strengthened compliance — all of which empower organizations to run at their best. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Developing a high-performing travel and expense (T&E) program and getting employees to adopt the technology that comes with it can be challenging. That’s because most companies must design their program for a wide variety of employees whose needs are always changing, and whose familiarity and comfort with business travel and technology varies. It’s a tall order for sure, but fortunately, one that can be filled.In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Lisa Simpson, Travel and Card Services Specialist at JM Huber, shares the strategic approach JM Huber took to driving digital adoption of their T&E program and how the company was able to build and maintain a 95–97% adoption rate for more than 10 years (and counting). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Digital Revolution is transforming today’s business landscape at an accelerated pace, forcing businesses to embrace new technologies to gain a competitive edge, or risk falling behind. This is driving a move away from digital innovation solutions with long implementation timelines towards short-term digitalization wins, especially for companies in the early stages of growth. While CEOs and CFOs are left with the challenge of identifying quick-to-value technologies that make the most sense for their business and navigating intricate relationships with vendors whose solutions can help them scale smartly, venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) firms similarly navigating the startup space — and vendor relations — are pressured to add value while reducing complexity and costs.In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Bailey Dickey of GGV Capital and Phil McNamara of Proven explore the challenges and opportunities within the startup space and detail various aspects of the startup journey, diving deep into vendor relationships, cost management, digital transformation, and the role of technology in scaling businesses. They highlight the importance of trust and collaboration with vendors, the need for real-time reporting to monitor spending, and the potential of AI and digital tools to streamline operations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the fast-paced world of business, success often hinges on the ability to adapt, innovate, and optimize. Yet, many organizations find themselves stuck in the rut of conventional travel and expense (T&E) programs, oblivious to the untapped potential to streamline and optimize their T&E systems and processes.In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Meysam Foroughi, Senior Travel & Expense specialist at Roku, shares how he simplified and optimized Roku’s T&E program by harnessing a growth mindset, and why he believes “we’ve always done it this way” is the single most dangerous phrase for organizations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Data is one of the most powerful tools your organization has to monitor its health, plan for its future, and effect real change. But data is nothing more than rows of numbers unless you can interpret what those numbers mean and see the stories the data tells. To do this, data must be accurate, available, and actionable — and beyond that, it’s up to you to know the right questions to ask to extract meaningful answers.In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, CJ Cohick, a Product Manager (and recovering math major) at Motus explores the important role data plays in storytelling, how to provide data so it can be leveraged in strategic ways, and how automation and AI are shifting the roles of data in the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most companies today know they can decarbonize and become more sustainable. But they don’t know the best way for their company to become more sustainable — or how to balance their sustainability initiatives against other business priorities. That’s because sustainability isn’t just about a company’s carbon footprint. It’s also about diversity, equality, inclusion, biodiversity, circularity, plastic packaging, and so much more.In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Sammy Lakshmanan, Principle, ESG at PwC, and John McCormick, a Partner at PwC, explore how businesses can report on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards with a high level of trust. They delve into the use of sustainability data for growth, recent shifts in the world of corporate sustainability and the impact of those changes, and how businesses can leverage data and reporting to make sustainability decisions and deliver on those commitments.Learn more about how to leverage technology to better track, manage, and analyze your ESG data. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

92% of business travelers believe the future of their careers depends on successful business travel. And yet nearly two-thirds (62%) feel they haven’t had equal opportunity to travel for business compared to their coworkers, and they attribute this primarily to their age, accent, or gender. These are some of the staggering findings from the SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey, which serves as an annual touchpoint to lay bare the realities of today's business travel landscape. Now in its fifth year, the survey explores some of the most pressing challenges facing business travelers and travel managers today, such as the lack of equal opportunity for travel among marginalized travelers, how that denial of opportunity can stunt professional growth, and how this impacts travel managers and informs their decisions. Nathan Richter of Wakefield Research joins us in this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast to explore key findings from the 2023 Global Business Travelers Report and 2023 Global Business Travel Managers Report, and to share data-backed insights into the current state of business travel and what the next year will bring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Change management is hard. And digital transformation can be overwhelming. So being tasked with the job of guiding employees through the changes digital transformation brings might feel nothing short of intimidating. But with a commitment to meeting your employees where they are and a game plan that considers the current state of your T&E systems and processes and maps to the desired end state, the change can be seamless.In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Jenny Chen, Senior Accountant at Dermalogica, and Jeanne Dion, Vice President of the Value Experience Team at SAP Concur, discuss Dermalogica’s recent digital transformation, the smart approach the company took to change management, and why intentionally taking a long-term view in creating scalable systems and processes was crucial to Dermalogica’s success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Only 10% of businesses have fully automated their accounts payable (AP) processes, which means most businesses aren’t fully taking advantage of the visibility, control, and savings that AP automation affords. And while it’s not uncommon for most AP processes to be heavily manual, it’s certainly a major organizational disadvantage. Between better visibility into spend, more time back in the workday, fewer errors and costly mistakes, and empowered employees, the benefits of AP automation far outweigh the time and monetary costs to automate processes and effectively drive change across your organization. In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Grace Swain, Senior Consultant at TCG Consulting, shares how, where, and why to start automating your AP processes, what the journey to full automation entails, tips for driving change across your organization, and the benefits AP automation brings to your business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Organizations with an eye towards tomorrow are increasingly incorporating sustainability not just into their travel practices, but into their broader business strategy. But any business leader working towards sustainability goals will tell you it’s a balancing act. After all, sustainability and other business priorities such as cost containment don’t always go hand in hand.How can organizations appropriately prioritize their sustainability initiatives? How can they best understand their sustainability baseline and make the decisions that make the most sense for their organization? And as business travel regains momentum, how can organizations take action to reduce the inevitable carbon footprint of their business travelers?In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Nina Birger, Vice President of Climate Solutions for CHOOOSE, answers these questions and more as she explores how leaders can balance sustainability goals against other competing demands to build a more sustainable business, and how they can effectively promote sustainable business travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The traveler journey, traveler personas, and providing an optimized traveler experience…these haven’t historically been areas of focus for many businesses — especially during times of economic hardship where cost containment is often priority number one — but according to Hansini Sharma, who leads the Travel Practice at Acquis Consulting Group, they certainly should be.“When I think about these personas and how we build programs, I think we want to think about how to build them without creating additional friction. How can we be creative in leveraging the tools that we have? How can we leverage our online booking tool solution to provide the maximum number of options to our travelers? When you give someone just a little bit of wiggle room, the likelihood of them adhering to the new policy or the new update is exponentially higher.”In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Hansini discusses how and why travel managers and business leaders should change the way they approach their travel programs and policies to reflect the expectations of their travelers and explains why she believes the traveler experience is “the next big thing” in corporate business travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Change is hard. But what if the pain of the same was greater than the pain of change? When it comes to accounts payable (AP) automation, this is the question businesses should be asking.Automation is arguably one of the more controversial topics of recent times, evoking visceral reactions and strong opinions alike. Perhaps that’s why although AP automation has the power to increase operational efficiency, visibility, and control, all while reducing complexity, fewer than 20% of businesses have fully automated AP processes, and 70% of all invoice processing globally is still paper based. So, what’s stopping businesses from going all in on AP automation, or at the very least taking the first step towards automating their time-consuming AP processes?In this episode of the SAP Concur Conversations podcast, Chris Elmore, Chief Evangelist of AvidXchange, explores this question, and provides colorful commentary about how the AP profession has evolved, the optimization opportunities AP automation opens for organizations, and how automation forces organizations to be more strategic and intentional with where and how they spend their time and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.