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Self Employed? Tips on managing a business when on holiday
by Startacus Admin
Self Employed? Tips on managing a business when on holiday...
Holiday season is upon us. The kids are off school - the sun is shining and the weather is sweet. Makes you want to move those dancing feet (as I digress!). However as a self employed person (often working alone), the thought of a summer holiday can fill you with dread.
We have previously written about the importance of taking a holiday if self employed, but how can you have a holiday when there is no one to manage the work, the emails, the 
financial responsibilities and necessities that being self employed can bring. Yes - there are many advantages in working for yourself, but managing a business during a holiday period and when you are on holiday, can seem like a nightmare. With this in mind, here are a few tidbits of advice and pointers that at least might mean you can not only book that well earned break from work - you can learn to enjoy it too!
Forward Plan
If you expect everything just to nicely fall into place - think again. Planning for the time you have off is as important as the plans you have in place for when you are actually in the office. If you leave it until the last minute - the chances are you will not only end up working until the last possible moment, you will end up worrying, stressing and working throughout your holiday too.
Don’t rely on “out of office”
With forward planning in mind - it is a good idea - in fact essential that you make contact with all your valuable clients, businesses, suppliers etc. to let them know what you intend to do and when you will be on holiday. Valuable clients who also value your work and service, will want to also go out of their way to try and respect the break / holiday you are looking to have. Therefore if you know that in two months time, you are taking a two week holiday - then start the process of speaking and communicating to your clients now. Relying on setting up an “out of office” email alert is at best short in preparation and at worst can be damaging to your business. Yes - an out of office email should work for new and prospective clients and customers, but in no way should it be an appropriate way of speaking to your existing client base and business customer.
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Once you do let all your existing businesses, customers, clients etc know that you are taking a well earned break, you then need to work out what they and you should expect during that period. You can only manage expectations if you set them yourself first - so work out how much you are either uncontactable, working or not in the office during the holiday period you set. We can’t tell you what is best for your business - only you will know on this and for some taking a two week break will be easier - for others this might be totally unrealistic, whether you like it or not.
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