"This Could’ve Been a Zoom"💬

CFOs Reimagine the ROI of Travel

Author

Vanessa Carter
July 10, 2025

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Hey there, CFOs! 💼

This week’s edition might make you think twice before booking that flight. CFOs are cutting travel, and the ripple effects are just beginning.

As virtual meetings take center stage, companies are reassessing what travel is truly worth—financially and strategically. We're breaking down what this shift means for budgets, culture, and the future of face-to-face business.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

  • 💼 Virtual Meetings Gain Ground: CFOs Reevaluate Business Travel ROI

  • 🧠 Responsible AI Starts with the C-Suite: Leadership's Role in Ethical AI Deployment

  • 📘 AdviserSoftware Launches Comprehensive Guide to AI Tools for Financial Advisers

💼 Virtual Meetings Gain Ground: CFOs Reevaluate Business Travel ROI

A recent SAP Concur survey reveals that 43% of CFOs believe over half of their company's business travel could be replaced by virtual meetings. While travel budgets remain steady or are increasing, there's a growing emphasis on assessing the return on investment for in-person engagements.

Key Takeaways:

  • 🧳 Shift Towards Virtual Engagements: A significant portion of CFOs are considering virtual meetings as viable alternatives to traditional business travel, aiming to optimize costs and efficiency.

  • ✂️ Subtle Budget Adjustments: Companies are implementing quiet cutbacks—termed "travelscrimping"—such as reducing premium flight options and limiting overnight stays, reflecting a cautious approach to travel expenditures.

  • 🛡️ Employee Concerns Impacting Travel: Safety, health, and social concerns are leading 90% of business travelers to consider declining trips, influencing CFOs to reassess travel policies and budgets.

  • 🤖 Monitoring AI-Driven Expense Risks: With 70% of U.S. travelers suspecting colleagues of using AI tools to fabricate expenses, CFOs are increasingly vigilant about potential fraud and the implications of emerging technologies on expense reporting.

🧠 Responsible AI Starts with the C-Suite: Leadership's Role in Ethical AI Deployment


As artificial intelligence becomes integral to business operations, C-suite executives must lead the charge in ensuring its responsible and ethical use. Shane Buckley, CEO of Gigamon, emphasizes that without proactive governance and employee education, organizations risk privacy breaches, intellectual property loss, and erosion of trust.

Key Takeaways:

  • 🔐 Data Risks Require Vigilance: Large language models (LLMs) can inadvertently expose sensitive data, contradicting Zero Trust principles. Organizations must implement strict data governance to mitigate these risks.

  • 👥 Internal Threats Are Significant: Employees may unknowingly input confidential information into unsecured AI tools, leading to potential data leaks and compliance issues.

  • 🛡️ Vendor Accountability Is Crucial: As AI integrates into third-party systems, businesses must ensure their partners adhere to responsible AI practices to prevent cascading risks across supply chains.

  • 🏛️ Governance Must Be Board-Level: Establishing AI governance committees, including roles like CEO, CISO, and General Counsel, is essential for defining risk appetites and maintaining compliance across jurisdictions.

📘 AdviserSoftware Launches Comprehensive Guide to AI Tools for Financial Advisers

AdviserSoftware.com, a division of the Financial Technology Research Centre (FTRC), has introduced the "Adviser Tech & AI – Everyone You Need to Know" guide. This resource aims to assist financial advisers in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of advice technology solutions, services, and suppliers.

Key Takeaways:

  • 📚 Comprehensive Monthly Resource: The guide serves as a central hub, simplifying the process of selecting appropriate tech partners by breaking down key considerations and showcasing various solutions available in the market.

  • 🌍 Global AI Tools Assessment Framework: AdviserSoftware.com has developed an AI Tools Assessment Framework, analyzing key functionalities from leading adviser AI propositions across the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

  • 🧠 Empowering Informed Decisions: The framework identifies operational areas where AI is increasingly utilized, highlighting solutions that offer support in each area, thereby aiding advisers in making informed decisions about AI adoption.

  • 📈 Growing Adoption Among Advisers: At the inaugural Artificial Intelligence in Financial Advice (AIFA) conference, 97% of advisers indicated plans to increase the use of AI in their advice journey, underscoring the significance of resources like this guide.

Why It Matters

This shift isn’t just about saving money—it’s redefining how relationships and deals are built. Stay ahead of the curve in this new travel-light economy.

As expectations evolve, so do the rules of engagement. Knowing when to show up in person—and when to log in—could be the key to building smarter, more agile partnerships.

Vanessa Carter
Editor-in-Chief
CFO Executive Insights

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