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Marriott International launches program to ease travel management process for SMBs
Marriott International has launched Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy , a comprehensive online travel booking program designed as a direct channel for small- to medium-sized businesses . The program combines an expanded booking experience with benefits and rewards available only through Marriott Bonvoy ’ s award-winning travel program and portfolio of brands . Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy is available to SMBs based in the United States , Canada , Europe , the Middle East , Africa , the Caribbean and Latin America and is anticipated to expand to other regions .
According to a global survey commissioned by Marriott Bonvoy and conducted by Wakefield Research among business travellers at SMBs in the US , UK , Canada and Mexico , 75 % report experiencing frustrations with their travel booking platforms . Fifty-six percent say they are difficult to use , 27 % are unhappy with the inability to book travel and hotels from the same place and more than a quarter ( 27 %) express disappointment with the platforms ’ lack of integration with their travel expense programs .
Collaboration to launch entrepreneur accelerator programmes
British entrepreneurship ’ s rich history has been imparted to some of the world ’ s most dynamic young and female entrepreneurs in South Korea thanks to a collaboration between Kickstart Asia and the Social Enterprise Academy .
SEA has become the largest Institute of Leadership and Management Centre in Scotland working with over 1,000 adults per year while sharing its model internationally .
Neil McLean and Jess Kemp from SEA and Taeje Park from Kickstart Asia have come together to transform British entrepreneurial principles into acceleration programmes tailored for Korean and Asian startups . These programmes emphasise ethical innovation and have supported countless young entrepreneurs in Korea , providing the tools and inspiration needed for success .
As a result , numerous Korean entrepreneurs have been influenced and inspired by these initiatives . Additionally , many British entrepreneurship experts have established valuable connections with Korean startups , fostering a robust network of international collaboration .
Xero Beautiful Business Fund now open for entries
Xero , a global small business platform , has announced the return of the Xero Beautiful Business Fund for 2024 – an initiative offering more than £ 350,000 in funding to support small businesses and nonprofits with their growth plans .
Entries for the Xero Beautiful Business Fund are open to Xero small business customers in Australia , Canada ( excluding Quebec ), New Zealand , Singapore , South Africa , United Kingdom and the United States . Entries close on August 27 , 2024 .
Xero small business customers need to complete an online form and record and submit a 90-second pitch video to the competition website for as many categories as they would like to enter : Innovating for environmental sustainability ,
Trailblazing with technology , Strengthening community connection and Upskilling for the future .
The prize pool of more than £ 350,000 will be shared among 28 winners . There will be four winners from each country , each receiving £ 10,000 . Of those , four will become global winners and receive an additional £ 25,000 .
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