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You Too Can Take A Vacation Surveys are interesting. I took note of this one done recently by American Express because it backed up some data I learned at(National Association of Female Executives) NAFE National Conference in May. According tosurvey, fourzero% ofsmallest business owners - those with less than $twozerozero,zerozerozero in annual revenues - are planning no vacation whatsoever this summer. But even business owners with higher revenues aren't doing much better - only sevenfive% of them expect to get away from business this summer. As we were told atNAFE Conference, even those business owners who do get away fromoffice, will not truly get away. Rather, one in three will link their vacation time tobusiness trip and fivezero% will still check in withoffice at least onceday. Why can't business owners let go? What areconcerns that keep them tied tobusiness? According tosurvey: * An important client or customer will not receive appropriate service
Such concerns are not surprising. It is hard forbusiness owner to take any type of vacation worry-free. But with planning, preparation and good leadership you can boostenjoyment level of your time off to come back refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges and opportunities. Here are eight steps to prevent vacation angst. one. Makeplan - To avoid surprises, createlist of scenarios on your current projects and brief your staff onpossibilities and your major concerns about each client. Assign specific staff to each client/account so there is someone that clients can speak to who understands their concerns when you aren't there. two. Brief your key clients or customers - Offer them advance notice of any extended absence you are planning. There's no reason to keep your vacation schedulesecret. Introduce them to your deputy and convey your confidence in their ability to handle any issues that may arise. If appropriate, consider letting them know how to reach you shouldtrue emergency arise - not that one will because of all your pre-planning. three. Leadership is beingdelegator notdictator - If you never delegate important tasks to others, you can't expect them to be ready to fill your shoes when you want to take time off. To createsaner situation and build confidence that good things will happen when you aren't there, learn to delegate responsibilities - divvy up those pieces that must still happen in your absence and postpone those that can wait for your return. four. Strategically schedule your vacation time - Most businesses have slow season or times ofyear whenpace is slower, or at least bit less crazy. Plan your vacations to coincide with those lulls. five. Mini-Vacations - If you just can't let go ofbusiness for whole week or two, or you can't bear to be too far away fromoffice, try takingfew days out of town, or extendweekend somewhere else. Evenbrief escape from routine withchange of scenery can do wonders for your perspective and re-energize you. six. Disconnect entirely - When you do takevacation: turn off your cell phone, do not bringlaptop, do not check your email, do not bring work with you and avoidtemptation to call or visitoffice to "check up" on what's happening. If there'semergency they can't handle, they will find you. seven. Take time off to sharpen skills - If you just can't justify taking time off to kick back and relax, then take time off to learn something new - business or personal. Taking continuing education courses atlocal college or business school islow-cost and effective way to break from your office routine, be with new people and try new things. Some programs are three-five days off-site if that fits your schedule better. eight. Keep your priorities straight - When you go throughexercise of listingthings you really care about, is your business really #one, two, and three? Outside of work, your priorities might be connecting with family and friends, spending time with kids, cultivating personal interests, staying healthy or pursuingavocation. To regain balance in your life, you need to keep work, family and personal time in perspective. Those other priorities help you find more enjoyment in your time away from business. Let me know if these tips help you takewell-deserved vacation (or two) this summer. About The Author Kerri Salls, MBA runsvirtual business school to train, consult and coach small business CEO's and entrepreneurs in onezero key strategies to make more profit in less time. Learn more at http://www.breakthrough-business-school.com/products.html or sign up forfree weekly newsletter at http://www.breakthrough-business-school.com/newsletter.shtml. |
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