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Getting away, holidays, travel it’s easy for some, simply, plan, book, pack and go!  

But what does it mean for Family Business owners. How do they take time off, get time away from the Business to take a much-needed holiday! 

Who takes care of Business when you and family members are all away!   

It's never easy, particularly if you are an enterprise that can’t simply shut up shop and head off.  

And there never seems to be a right time to take a well-deserved break. Always needed, Family Business operators tend to be the Business, investing time, hardwork and their passion. Exhausting and consuming! 

But evidence shows we all need time to get away, to recharge, re-energise and gain a fresh perspective. Owners like employees need work-life balance, with longevity and the health of self, Family members and the Business critical. 

When and how to plan and take vacations will depend on circumstances. 

For example, factors including, business structure, type of Industry and location are key considerations. Some Family and small Business owners may decide the Christmas or Easter periods are family value special times and choose to close shop.   

This arrangement will be widely advertised in advance, with pre-orders taken and delivered to counter time-away. Importantly, customers are warmly acknowledged thanked for their patronage, present and future. Other operators may take their vacations during slow or off-peak periods. 

If you are one of the other Family Businesses it might be a balance of getting away with some check-ins. Importantly it’s about planning what your ‘accessibility’ is or isn’t! 

Getting away! How to make it happen? 

Try these 9 Simple Steps  

1. Pre-Plan leave with Family and Staff 

2. Prepare your Team  

3. Delegate Responsibility  

4. Have a Backup Plan   

5. Arrange Check-ins   

6. Schedule Media Posts 

7. Advise Customers in advance 

8. Ideally, take leave in slow time 
9. Speak with your Accountant

Read on, follow the Steps, 

• Pre-Plan leave with Family and Staff: Consult with all affected parties. Check leave rosters, key ‘peak’ holidays and other variations. Everyone needs to be onboard to keep things running smoothly. Communicate to family and colleagues about how work will and won't fit into your holiday time. 

• Prepare the Team: Plan in advance, including arranging any required training. Ensure roles and responsibilities, duties and deliverables are clearly articulated and understood. Consult, meet with all members to answer, and hear any concerns or issues. Let go, this is an opportunity to empower your team. Let them step up and accept the challenge.

• Delegate responsibility to lead Staff/ Manager: This may already be the operational structure, where a Manager is responsible for day-to-day activities and overall management. Importantly, promote to all, the need for, and efficiency and effectiveness of Team, and team-work for 'business as usual'!. 

• Have a Backup Plan: If you will be out of contact, assign a stand-in, a trusted person to be in charge while you are away. Importantly, they are trusted and capable ‘to act’ in your place. This may be an independent Business advisor, Accountant or similar. 

• Arrange Check-ins: If your Business model doesn’t support you being completely out of touch, pre-arranged scheduled check-ins are the answer. Staying connected this way is easier for both you and staff to address any issues should they arise. This approach means you don't have to be on your phone 24/7.

• Schedule your media Posts: Your Business is still operating while you're on vacation, pre-scheduling posts is a means of staying connected to your customers.  

• Advise Customers in advance: Give clients and customers advance notice. Depending on your Industry will determine how this translates. Being proactive allows you time to resolve any issues before you go, promotes goodwill and helps build strong relationships.  

• Ideally, take leave in slow time: Most Businesses will have peak and slow times. If you are a key player, taking leave in a slower period will benefit you and the Team. Your absence won't affect peak period activity, and you are less likely to be needed by either staff or clients. 
• Speak with your Accountant: Prior, check finances and financial systems are in order and reporting is up to date. Need advice, Blackburn Accounting is well-placed to help keep your Business running smoothly while you are away. Take that well deserved break, relaxing on a beach or skiing in the snow! Let us take care of checks and balances.

Takeaway: 

Family, small Business operators are usually driven and consumed by dedication to the enterprise, they sleep, eat and live it! You could say the Family unit is the Business. 

That’s why, just like other ‘humans’ they too need work-life balance. It's about planning and preparation then taking the first step.

Where the Business structure allows develop a well-trained Team, equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate as, ‘it’s Business as usual’.  

Taking regular holidays are a must!

The benefits are numerous including in helping prevent burnout and high stress levels. Family members return refreshed, re-energised and rejuvenated physically and mentally, ready to meet the next challenge.