While it certainly has its perks, owning a business is also a major responsibility and requires your daily attention. You don’t really get to take a day off. So how do you manage to go anywhere and not allow your business to fall apart in your absence?
Talking to business owners, we got their best tips on how you can manage the smooth running of your enterprise while traveling.
It's important to maintain a sense of normalcy while traveling. If you don't do that, there's a good chance nothing will get done. If you know you work best in the mornings, you should schedule your business tasks around that time. Do not travel or schedule any non-business activity during such times. Even if you're on the road for months at a period, this will help you keep on track with growing your business.
Adam Garcia, Founder of The Stock Dork
“You must prepare your coworkers and employees. Keep them informed about what's going on and let them know when they can readily contact you. Communication is key in this situation. Your employees must be able to reach you at scheduled intervals and in a predetermined manner.
“You'll also need a centralized center where you can all communicate. To be honest, this is crucial even if you're all at work, but it's really necessary if you're taking a trip. Remember that you can always take a detour (which you are currently doing). Employee apps such as Teams, Slack, and Skype are available. It's possible that you just require something fresh, something that better fits your organization's and corporate culture.
“You'll need to restructure some areas of your business once you've put a system in place. Take on tasks that you can complete from afar and delegate as much as possible. Think long and hard, brainstorm with your team, and figure out what you need to get done immediately now and what duties they should be doing. This can be a terrific learning opportunity for both them and you.”
Jason McMahon, Digital Strategist Bambrick
“I believe that things happen on the road, and it's nearly impossible to predict them. When a plane is delayed and you arrive a day late and a dollar short, it will affect your workload. The most important thing is to make a plan in case the worst happens. If you're traveling at night, double your morning shift. Then there's buffer time in case of a miscalculation. Pre-write content, or have it done by a content writing agency, and post it ahead of time if you're going to be offline for an extended period of time.”
Edward Mellett Founder/Co-Founder WikiJob.co.uk
“This could appear tough to create a timetable that you can stick to while traveling, but it is essential. You'll find that you won't be able to stick to your plan 100 percent of the time, but it will provide you the direction you need to stay on track with business-related chores.. Make sure you have time set aside for yourself and that you are getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can make it difficult to perform well at work and enjoy your vacation. After all, you're on vacation, so you'll want to be able to explore your surroundings from time to time.”
Sep Niakan, Managing Broker Condoblackbook
“The manner you communicate with your team is determined by your company's and industry's needs. While some organizations are accustomed to working with a distributed team, local businesses are frequently formed on the basis of face-to-face connections. If you're managing a business remotely for the first time, you'll need free chat and audio/video software that everyone on your team is acquainted with. Skype or WhatsApp are excellent options for small groups. Because they're so popular, there's no need to learn anything new or download any additional apps.
“While more advanced programs like Slack, GSuite, or Microsoft Teams are useful, keep in mind that they are best used by teams that are already familiar with them. Avoid introducing any new technology just before leaving for your travel/vacation, regardless of whatever communication app you use to stay in touch with the team. If in doubt, use the most basic tools available, such as Skype. It will almost always provide the quickest communication. If you need any more information, I’m happy to reply as soon as possible.”
Naomi Stone, Development Manager at Room Service 360
“A blog and social media post scheduling tools are two other tools that might assist you to run your business while you're away. In today's corporate world, staying active on your blog and social networks is critical. Even modest periods of inactivity over a number of days can result in a drop in search ranks and revenue.
“You should use one of the numerous accessible internet programs to schedule your blog posts and social media postings for the most effective periods of the day to be productive and effective. These tools are utilized on a regular basis by business owners who aren't even traveling to better plan out their days and duties ahead of time.”
Amber Morland, CEO & Founder of WinCope
“This is the most crucial aspect of operating a business abroad. You must understand when you work best and produce the most. You can plan your day for optimal productivity if you know yourself. Mornings are when I am most productive. As a result, I try to get as much work done before lunch as possible, then go sightseeing and enjoy happy hours. I save my busy-work, such as emails and comments, for after dinner, when I have a few minutes to kill before heading out for the night.”
Adam Fard Founder & Head Of Design Adam Fard' UX Agency
“As someone who helps facilitate the growth of a SAAS company, I sometimes have to travel and be out of the office even prior to the travel restrictions. What's important is having a good internet connection even when you're not in the office. Zoom or Hangouts are only a few of the great tools you can use to communicate with your staff or clients. Of course, you also have to be mindful of your time zones. As long as you're reachable during business hours, you can successfully manage a business even when you're on the go.
“But please remember, even if you're in a different place and are savoring memorable moments, you still have to work hard or efficiently when needed.”
John C. Simmons is the CMO of InboxAlly
