How can I take a vacation when running a business?
July 3, 2008 by ShannonCherry
Filed under Business
Yesterday, I asked the question, “Do startups take vacations?”.
Mike’s comment made me realize how attached I am myself to my iPhone, which gives me access to my business as much as I want.
So this weekend, I have decided to test if I can ‘live’ without my iPhone for three days.
Here’s how I am planning to do it:
- I’m setting up an email autoresponder to let people know I’m unavailable and to contact my assistant in case of emergency. (I’ll be letting her know this, of course!)
- Luckily, we already have in place an online operations manual with FAQs, so she can take care of practically anything.
- If she can’t, I want her to live by the rule,”Is anyone bleeding? Then it’s not an emergency!”
- I’ve also contacted another publicist I know and trust to handle calls from the media in my absence.
Look, if you feel you can’t afford to take a vacation then you’re long overdue.
I know it’s going to be hard. Three days without my iPhone.
Or maybe not…
I’m realizing no matter what happens, life goes on. Sure, I may miss a lead or lose a sale, but there will be others. And this much needed break will certainly help me gain more creativity and energize me to help my business grown even more.
Can you implement something like this to give yourself some days of R & R? Why? Why not?
What if I am getting Sales emails as well ? Autoresponders shouldn’t work in that case right ? I have sales and personal emails coming at same email address :(
It is really important to take a break and also run the business at the same time. Why not outsource your tasks during the weekend and takem a refreshing well deserved break?
Dev,
There are a couple of options I can think of:
1) separate those emails (even if you use gmail). Then use an autoresponder for both. Your personal one can say you’re away. The sales one can say when they will get what they purchased.
2) have someone monitor your email while you are away.
#1 way to determine if you have your own business or just a J.O.B. — if your business can run with or with out you!
3 keys to making sure your business can run without you:
1. leverage the power of a virtual team (make sure you have back up in place)
2. systemize key processes so ANYONE can do them while you are out
3. automate everything that doesn’t need a human to do it!
I’m pretty convinced most entrepreneurs who don’t take vacations are trapped in a job of their own creation, which pretty much defeats the purpose, right?
Melanie Benson Strick
Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach
& Virtual Team Building Expert
Unlock your hidden gold by outsourcing your high payoff activities with this free report at http://www.successconnections.com/101ways
Melanie,
You know that I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your help! Thanks so much!
Shannon
When I first started my business, an errand and concierge service, I never took vacations because this is a personal service. After several years of no vacation, I decided to put a few procedures into place so that I could.
1. I gathered a great team of independent contractors to run the errands while I was gone.
2. I created a manual so that I could have someone run the administrative side for me while I was away.
3. I personally introduced the IC’s to my clients on the last visit before my vacation so that the client did not feel surprised.
4. I let all of my clients know that I would be gone.
5. I did not take a laptop with me, but still took my cell phone with me for emergencies.
I have tweaked the processes a little bit, but now I can leave for vacations with little to no worries about my business continuing to run.
Angel Wilder
The Errand Guru
http://www.angelatyourservice.com
Great tips Angel!