Many people choose to run their own business because of the freedom that this offers. Self-employment allows you to make the important decisions yourself and for some this can be preferable over standard employment. However, with this freedom comes a lot of responsibility and often a high workload. This is particularly true for smaller businesses, many of which are run by a single person. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why many people believe that those who run their own business can’t take a holiday. What happens to the business when the boss isn’t around?
Fortunately, we now live in a time in which technology has completely changed the way in which we work. Business owners can be on the other side of the world and still complete their daily tasks to ensure the company continues to run. Considering we now have the means to both enjoy a holiday and still work, it makes sense that many business owners are taking advantage of this. Time off can be extremely important for mental health and general energy levels, especially for those small business owners who are overworked and struggling.
So, how should we approach the holiday season and what tools are available for those who want to take a little break and still keep their business afloat.
Prepare
One of the ways you can ensure that your business continues to thrive, even when you’re away on holiday, is with the right preparation. In the weeks leading up to your time away, let the relevant people know what’s going to happen, whether that’s clients, suppliers or employees. Maybe your contactable hours will change or product turnaround could be slower, this is all important information to convey.
Will you be leaving someone else in charge of the business, while you’re away- if so, they will need to prepped. You may instead choose to run things remotely but again you will need to let people know that your physical office will be closed. The more information that you provide, the less disruption the holiday will cause.
Virtual Meetings
Video calls, using programs such as Skype, has been popular for many years but it wasn’t until the pandemic that it was truly embraced by the business world. One of the many lessons that has come out of lockdown is that it is possible to work remotely, thanks to tools such as video conferencing. The ability to get everyone together virtually, has completely changed the way in which companies work. Virtual meetings allow you to communicate directly with your team, without stifling creativity or that unique spark that comes from group settings. Business owners who are thinking about taking a holiday, should look no further than tools such as Skype, Zoom and Teams.
Wi-Fi
We all know how important the internet is, especially if you’re planning on running your business remotely. Of course, many holiday destinations offer good Wi-fi but faults can happen and it’s better to prepared. Therefore, travel with a dongle- ensuring that you always have access to the internet and therefore your business.
Use the Cloud
The way in which we record and access information has completely changed in recent years. Many businesses moved from physical documents to disks and then USB drives- however, the future is in the cloud. All records, whether they be employee information, invoices or contracts, can be stored in the cloud and accessed from anywhere in the world. You don’t have to worry about carrying any extra equipment or files, a device with access to the internet is all you need. If you don’t already use the cloud, it can be particularly useful when travelling.
One particularly important aspect of running your own business is dealing with finances. Fortunately the team of experts at Salhan Accountants can offer comprehensive financial solutions.
