Taking Time Off

Real Small Business: Management

Taking Time Off

From the Editors of Real Small Business

Sometimes the hardest part of running a small business is knowing when it's okay to take a break. After building the business from the ground up, it's hard to separate where work stops and the rest of your life begins. Nevertheless, it's safe to say that taking some time away from work will make you more productive in the long run.

Exit strategy. Before you go, you'll need to make sure that everything is in order. Plan vacations during periods where you know that there will be a lull in the business. Plan far enough in advance that you can be sure not to schedule any appointments during the time you'll be away. If you're not the sole employee, make sure that whoever is around has a clear idea of what is expected of him or her during your absence, and knows when it's necessary to contact you.

Your time away. It would probably be best for your sanity if you could forget about work during your time off, but this isn't always practical. Try to schedule any work you must do in short, discrete blocks of time - an hour in the morning before you start the rest of your day might be a good time to make essential phone calls or answer crucial e-mails. If you'll be changing time zones, the late afternoon might turn out to be a better time. Do your best to think about work only during these times, and you'll find that you're more refreshed when you return.

Getting back in the swing. Getting home from a 2-week vacation on Sunday night and heading into the office on Monday morning can be a little overwhelming. With some advanced preparation, your re-entry into the business world can go smoothly. First, it might be better to arrive home with a day to spare before you have to go back to work - for instance, fly home on Saturday instead of Sunday. That way you can take care of things around the house on Sunday, and mentally prepare for the workweek. Take a copy of your work calendar home, and leave it at your house so that you can refer to it when you arrive back from your vacation. If you can, quickly scan your voice mail and emails on Sunday evening so that you know what to expect in the morning.

If you plan carefully, and devote the same concentration to rest and relaxation as you do to your business, your time off will provide a much-needed change of pace.

Meet Ellen Bochner of Leo's Department Store, who discuss the difficulties of taking even a little time off from her retail business. Click on your preferred video format in the 'Watch the Video' area on the right.
Access articles on your pre-vacation checklist, learning to delegate, getting away when you can't get away, and how to take a vacation.
Find out Deborah Keary's answer to the question, "As the owner of a small business, I'd really like a vacation, but I don't dare take the time off. How do other owners manage to do it?"
Read a profile of Daniel Saul, CEO of Smarter Living, a travel information service based in Cambridge, MA.

We talk about Taking Time Off with Ellen Bochner of Leo's Department Store.

	Real Player	Bandwidth: Low \| High
	Quicktime	Bandwidth: Low \| High
	Media Player	Bandwidth: Low \| High

Wholesale/B2B
When you set up your first lemonade stand as a kid, you probably didn't think about how much your supplies cost - the 50 cents a glass you made per glass was pretty much pure profit. But in a wholesale or business-to-business operation, Mom and Dad aren't giving you the ingredients for free. Your relationships with suppliers can have serious impact on your bottom line, your cash flow, and your sanity. Bearing in mind some basic considerations can help to create a satisfying collaboration.

Small Business Insurance
Shopping for stylish office furniture is fun. Designing a clever business logo or a storefront neon sign is fun. Purchasing business insurance is decidedly not one of the fun things to do when starting your small business.

Your Company's PR
There's a popular saying that there's no such thing as bad PR. For your business, bad PR is, in fact, a bad thing. PR, or public relations, is how your business interacts with the public, frequently via media outlets. Large companies often make PR a subset of their larger marketing efforts, but for a small business, PR can be especially important because it may be the only marketing available.

Pricing Right
The last time you were on an airplane, you were likely sitting near someone who paid twice as much as you did for a ticket. You were probably just as close to someone who paid only half your fare. Airlines have complicated algorithms for pricing their seat: business travelers are willing to pay more on short notice, while leisure travelers plan ahead and deal with travel restrictions to pay much less.

Starting Up
More than one business venture was first hatched as an idea casually discussed among family or friends around the kitchen table. But actually starting a business requires more than inspired scribblings on a paper napkin. Even the most straightforward idea calls for a disciplined approach before putting up your shingle.

Global 3D Medical Imaging Industry
NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: Global 3D Medical Imaging Industry This report analyzes the worldwide markets for 3D Medical Imaging in US$ Million by the following Product Segments: MRI & CT, and Ultrasound.

Hiring Staff
As a small business owner, every employee you hire is a crucial part of your team. Employees who dodge responsibility, fail to address customer concerns, or just don't care are significant liabilities to any enterprise, all the more so when the company is small. Companies only succeed when everyone works together as a team --whether it's to help make products, deal honestly with suppliers, or interact with customers.

Protect Your Computer From Disaster with FindTheBest
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to computers, whatever can happen, will happen. So how can you find the right software to protect your computer in case of disaster? FindTheBest's unbiased data-driven comparisons of antivirus software, online backup software and file recovery software can help you make the most informed decision when it comes to protecting your computer.