8 Ways to Keep Your Business Running Smoothly While You’re Away
Use these practical tips and tools to enjoy a well-earned break knowing your business is in good shape
We all know how important it is to step away from work every now and then – not just for your mental and physical wellbeing, but also to gain some perspective on how you’re doing. But when you’re an architect, designer, builder or contractor running your own business, the idea of taking a break can be fraught with worry about what state your business will be in when you get back.
Fortunately, these days you have digital tools available that allow you to stay on top of projects, even when you’re sunning yourself on a beach. Combine these with some effective client and team communication before you step away and you’ll set yourself up for a stress-free break. Here’s how to go about it.
Fortunately, these days you have digital tools available that allow you to stay on top of projects, even when you’re sunning yourself on a beach. Combine these with some effective client and team communication before you step away and you’ll set yourself up for a stress-free break. Here’s how to go about it.
Houzz Pro software makes it easy to communicate with your clientele. Send messages through the app or use the personalised client dashboard to add a daily log, timelines or important files.
With Houzz Pro, you can also handle projects and track orders and invoicing from anywhere at any time, whether that’s at work, home or on holiday, so you never lose track of what’s going on.
With Houzz Pro, you can also handle projects and track orders and invoicing from anywhere at any time, whether that’s at work, home or on holiday, so you never lose track of what’s going on.
2. Change your message
Update your business voicemail with a clear and informative message.
Clearly state when your office will be closed, provide the dates of your return, and leave a contact number or email address for any urgent matters. This ensures clients feel informed and can reach the appropriate person if necessary.
Update your business voicemail with a clear and informative message.
Clearly state when your office will be closed, provide the dates of your return, and leave a contact number or email address for any urgent matters. This ensures clients feel informed and can reach the appropriate person if necessary.
3. Delegate
If the office is open while you’re on holiday, identify a capable team member to take charge during your absence. Delegate specific responsibilities, empower them to make decisions, and establish clear lines of communication, so they can work efficiently while you’re away (and not trouble you with minor issues).
If the office is open while you’re on holiday, identify a capable team member to take charge during your absence. Delegate specific responsibilities, empower them to make decisions, and establish clear lines of communication, so they can work efficiently while you’re away (and not trouble you with minor issues).
4. Make the most of technology
Today’s cutting-edge project management software is designed to streamline operations and keep your team members connected, wherever they might be, so be sure to optimise its full potential during your holiday period.
Make sure everyone in the team is up to speed with Houzz Pro software tools so you can collaborate remotely, track the progress of projects, manage tasks and stay connected.
Learn more about Houzz Pro software.
Today’s cutting-edge project management software is designed to streamline operations and keep your team members connected, wherever they might be, so be sure to optimise its full potential during your holiday period.
Make sure everyone in the team is up to speed with Houzz Pro software tools so you can collaborate remotely, track the progress of projects, manage tasks and stay connected.
Learn more about Houzz Pro software.
5. Have an emergency contact plan
Establish an emergency contact plan for any unexpected situations that might arise while you’re away.
Get everyone on your team to share their phone numbers and provide them with a list of contacts who can address urgent matters in your absence. This ensures critical issues can be resolved promptly without disrupting project timelines or budgets.
Establish an emergency contact plan for any unexpected situations that might arise while you’re away.
Get everyone on your team to share their phone numbers and provide them with a list of contacts who can address urgent matters in your absence. This ensures critical issues can be resolved promptly without disrupting project timelines or budgets.
6. Schedule online catch-ups
If you’ll be away when the office reopens and you’d like to check in with your team, use Houzz Pro to schedule regular online check-ins. These virtual meetings give you an opportunity to stay updated on project progress, address any issues and offer guidance.
If you’ll be away when the office reopens and you’d like to check in with your team, use Houzz Pro to schedule regular online check-ins. These virtual meetings give you an opportunity to stay updated on project progress, address any issues and offer guidance.
7. Automate routine tasks
Set up automatic email responses, pre-schedule social media posts and schedule newsletters in advance. This allows you to maintain a consistent online presence without requiring constant attention.
The Houzz Pro Email Marketing tool helps you save time with newsletter and promotional outreach by allowing you to set up standardised emails for things you do repeatedly, such as contacting clients and creating mailing lists from your leads. It offers email templates or you can design your own.
Set up automatic email responses, pre-schedule social media posts and schedule newsletters in advance. This allows you to maintain a consistent online presence without requiring constant attention.
The Houzz Pro Email Marketing tool helps you save time with newsletter and promotional outreach by allowing you to set up standardised emails for things you do repeatedly, such as contacting clients and creating mailing lists from your leads. It offers email templates or you can design your own.
8. Get ahead with your financials
Ensure that bills, payroll and any other financial responsibilities are handled before you head off for your break.
It’s also a good idea to review any upcoming financial commitments, so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises on your return.
Ensure that bills, payroll and any other financial responsibilities are handled before you head off for your break.
It’s also a good idea to review any upcoming financial commitments, so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises on your return.
Finally, remember to relax and enjoy yourself.
Running your own business is no mean feat. You deserve time off, so you can reflect on progress and recharge your body and mind for the months ahead.
Tell us…
How do you prepare for time away? Share your tips in the Comments.
Running your own business is no mean feat. You deserve time off, so you can reflect on progress and recharge your body and mind for the months ahead.
Tell us…
How do you prepare for time away? Share your tips in the Comments.
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Communicate with your clients well in advance of your holiday. Let them know the dates you’ll be away and, if your office will be closing, the dates it will close and reopen.
Set clear expectations regarding project timelines, updates and any potential delays. Assure your customers that a designated team member will be available to answer any questions about their project and keep things on track while you’re away.