For our business trips, we look for the best value for money," says Thierry Fabre, head of the family firm Sénidéco.
You don't have to be an official heavyweight to travel all year round. CEO of Sénidéco, an SME based near Marseille, Thierry Fabre travels every other week.
Specialising in decorative paint, his family business works on virtually every continent, often opening up new markets with the help of Ubifrance.
Of the company's 3 million euros in annual sales, 60 % comes from exports, particularly to Japan, Russia and Ukraine. Its business travel budget is around 85,000 euros a year. Of this total, international air travel accounts for around 50,000 euros. Sénidéco employs around twenty people in France, and has seven travellers: the director and six employees. Three travel within France by TGV or low-cost train, two travel within Europe and two others travel by long-haul aircraft. For this company, travel is vital. Exhibiting at the Batimat show in Moscow using telepresence is out of the question.
Or to take part in a virtual prospecting mission on the other side of the world. Thierry Fabre is also banking on the emerging BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Last year, he even received an ecology award in Sao Paulo from Brazilian President Lula. Until now, his assistant booked his tickets directly. But he has just signed an agreement with an agency to save time and obtain more competitive fares.
A specialist agency is also invaluable for obtaining business visas for countries such as Russia, India and Saudi Arabia. Although an online booking tool is about to be installed in this SME, loyalty cards are still appreciated. "The miles accumulated on my Flying Blue American Express card give me access to business lounges in airports and an upgrade when I travel long distances", explains Thierry Fabre. When it comes to accommodation abroad, Thierry Fabre entrusts reservations to his local subsidiaries. In Brazil, for example, he prefers to stay in a Mercure, and in Russia in an Ibis... This family-run company is concerned about its "wallet", and has a knack for combining comfort with a fair price.
