Running a business comes with many perks, such as being your own boss and setting your own schedule. But any business owner knows that scheduling time away from work requires diligent planning and trust in your team. Taking time for yourself can seem difficult, but it’s important for your health and the health of your business. With some good planning and strong communication, you’ll find that keeping your business afloat while on vacation is easier than you imagined! Check out our tips below to make sure your business is prepared for your time off.
Plan Ahead
The key to taking a vacation as a business owner is by planning ahead. When it comes to scheduling your vacation, plan three to six months in advance so you have plenty of time to prepare for your absence. If your business has a busy season, it’s smart to plan your vacation during a time when business is slower. Being strategic about the timing of your vacation will result in fewer issues while you’re away.
Another way to plan ahead for your vacation is by pre-scheduling any marketing efforts for your company. Taking a vacation doesn’t mean your marketing should as well. Pre-schedule your emails and social posts to ensure there isn’t a gap in your business’s promotion. If you need help scheduling your marketing efforts, Amplified Digital has your back! Reach out today.
Set Boundaries for Yourself
Even with all the advanced planning in the world, you may still feel obligated to be involved in your business while away. Remember why you are taking a vacation in the first place and set boundaries for yourself on how involved you want to be from afar. If you spend your whole vacation sending emails, micromanaging, and solving emergencies, it won’t feel much like a vacation. Do you want to dedicate one hour a day to checking emails and handling urgent matters? Or would you rather check-in at the beginning and end of each day? Make these decisions ahead of time and let your staff know what to expect from you to prevent working throughout your entire vacation.
Keep Your Clients in the Loop
If your business requires you to keep in regular contact with clients, keep them in the loop on your upcoming out-of-office plans. Make sure they know when you will be gone and that they will be taken care of while you’re away. Put them in touch with the team member who will handle anything they may need during your absence. Not only will this allow you to plan ahead and work through any potential issues together, but it also makes your clients feel valued and important.
Empower Your Team
If you have a team around you, use them! Your team is the backbone of your company and will be the most equipped people to handle anything that pops up while you’re out of the office. Delegate tasks to them before you leave. Training your team to take over certain operations while you’re away will give you peace of mind that things are being handled correctly. You may even want to appoint one team member as a second-in-command during your absence. Fellow employees can turn to this person to help navigate decisions and situations that they would normally bring to you. This will help guarantee that you will only be contacted in actual emergencies – allowing you to have a more relaxing vacation!
Prepare for Unexpected Issues
When planning to take time away from work, try to anticipate issues that could arise while you’re away. Taking the time to review these potential problems with your staff will allow your team to prepare ahead of time and know exactly how to handle the situation if it occurs. If you do appoint a second-in-command, they could troubleshoot any unexpected issues and handle problems without disrupting your time away. Issues are going to come up, so preparing for them ahead of time will empower your team to solve them efficiently and give you peace of mind during your vacation.
Owning a business, although rewarding, can take its toll. It may seem difficult, but taking time off work to relax is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your business. Use these tips to ensure your business is prepared for your absence so you can unwind and enjoy your vacation.