Jewcan_Sam81

Account Executive

Post-COVID Work Travel: how do we all feel about it?

WFH has been just an absolutely pleasure, really would prefer to never ever go back again ever for all time.

We got some buzz internally that work travel is sanctioned for those comfortable with it, and is now being encouraged (which means obviously, that if you don't do it, you're a tool and we're not happy about you as a person for your poor and actually extremely responsible choice).

What say you, team? Is anyone really, genuinely excited to start traveling for work again? Or does the prospect of being send all over the place for sales call and meeting that have seemed to be going just fine over Zoom seem like a whole thing?

How do we feel about work travel?

Attached poll

Get me the #@%^ back in the field Eeew, why? True indifference

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

🏡 WFH

🏙 Corporate Experiences

32 comments

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CoorsKing

WR Officer

Retired King of the Coors Knights

I think I hit the wrong button. I like having the option, I definitely think meeting in person for big ticket deals with decision makers is important, but calls leading up to that for example can 100% be virtual.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

That's my take as well, perhaps I also hit the wrong button.

I do like having the option to travel, and miss it, but agree that being in person for every single meeting makes no sense.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

I agree, I kinda feel like unless it's a deal with no less than 80% close possibility we should just stay home

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

There's no travel required for my role, and I'm happy with that. I think that travelling for work is going to eventually (and should) become a thing of the past except in specific situations.

With all of the technology available to us now, why should a rep need to spend hours in transit and the company spend thousands of dollars on flights/accommodations just to have a few hours worth of meetings and maybe a dinner? The ROI just doesn't appear to be there most of the time.

I can see it still being a thing for high value ENT deals and in very relationship based industries, but that's about it.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Agree. Travel takes time away from time spent working with other customers. It has to make sense and the rep has to be given discretion to decide when it does make sense.

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

Yup. It's mind blowing to me that a company would spend thousands sending reps to talk to prospects that haven't even been properly qualified yet...

I'd be fine traveling in my next role, but only when the potential commission is worth the time suck and energy spent.

CoorsKing

WR Officer

Retired King of the Coors Knights

In my old role I was traveling 4 days a week between multiple states, all for early stage meetings. Pretty sure It almost neutralized the value of the business coming in lol.

To me, the commission when one of those closed was great but I’m not sure how accounting was OK with any of that

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

That's insane. Really makes you wonder what's going through Finance's head when they approve that shit.

CoorsKing

WR Officer

Retired King of the Coors Knights

Probably the same thing that goes through marketing’s head when they think blasts work

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

Or what goes through an SDR's head when they book a meeting with a receptionist for a six figure expense.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

There was a role I had been offered to consider at my previous employer. On the road 4 days out of 5, most of it stuffed on a plane, because this role was vertical FSI, and you had to go from metro to metro crossing the country, sometimes back and forth to make it to "key" meetings. I declined; that role is for people who don't like their family or their home.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

That's like traveling vacuum salesman crap. Maybe starting a bunch of different families in 4 different cities could fancy some people (not sure if Facebook would eff that up for people though)

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I'm only comfortable with virtual right now.

CoorsKing

WR Officer

Retired King of the Coors Knights

Can’t drink claws in the clients office anyway

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

I agree, if I'm gonna catch the plague it's going to be doing something worthwhile...like a Motley Crue concert or something

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

As I’ve aged, I’ve realized I hate work travel. I hate sitting in coach. I hate shitty rental cars. I hate not being in my element for a week and missing out on training and decent nutrition.

I truly do not look forward to the next conference I’m invited to.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

Yeah, I agree. Not sure how to explain to executive leadership that I really don't wear pants anymore and they should reconsider sending me places

dwightyouignorantsale

Politicker

Account Executive

I do miss traveling but I really like having the option. Being forced to go to shitty tradeshows sucks.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

Some trade shows really shouldn't exist, totally agree. There's should be a quality control board for trade shows to make sure the ones focused around, like, efficiency of uses a pen and paper with Xerox and Canon as the corporate sponsors at a Holiday Inn in Bakersfield are banned forever

Igrowcoachingbiz

Member

Growth Consultant

Post-Covid or not my boss fall in love with working from home and cancelled the office lease. Nothing makes me happier than that.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

That's one of the most legit power moves I've seen in a dog's age

Mobi85

Politicker

Regional Sales Manager

I have been in the field the whole time but honestly I could care less if I am in front of a prospect at their office or on a zoom call. I am more productive in the office and can touch more people than I ever could in the field but in person visits typically have resulted in a higher return than a zoom call.

At the end of the day my company can put whatever directive they want on travel but it is up to the customer/prospect if they feel comfortable with in person meetings and if they will accept those meetings.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

I mean, that sounds intense to me, but if it works for you, do you boo

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

I miss it.

I like airports (Pre-COVID), I like wining and dining leadership, I like touring plants and learning about a prospect's products.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

I honestly do miss extended hours on an airplane, child-free to binge watch some kind of vampire show. Feel you on that haha

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I never signed up for a "desk job" when I got into sales. Sure, travel has its own issues, but I know I am 1000% more effective face-to-face than just on the phone or on a zoom call.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

Can totally see that being a thing. I know a lot of people that are charming in person, I feel like i'm not a charming human being so it might be best to have more of a "face for radio" presence in this career

SaaSMaster

Politicker

Strategic Partnerships Manager

Been to a few trade shows in the last 6 months and it’s been nice getting out of the office and meeting people in person. Have a good time and get some good prospects

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

Trade shows...I actually kinda do miss those. All of my promo pens from companies that failed in COVID have died and I need replacements

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

I hate traveling for a multitude of reasons, more than anything though I hate flying, not because I'm scared to fly but more because the process and how uncomfortable it is to fly. I don't think there is any replacement for in person interactions with prospects though, so all that considered I think business travel is going to come back in full force.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

My husband hates the process too. I don't mind it. It's inconvenient, but I get through it. I can always entertain myself when I am waiting, however, and he's never been good at that, so he gets bored pretty quickly.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

Feel like that'll happen. Personally I hope it's not required like it was before, but if it is I'll just suck it up and put on actual pants for a change

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