A 2023 study reported that 70% of UK small business owners take fewer than 20 days off each year. That’s eight days below the UK’s statutory annual leave entitlement. It will be no surprise to fellow business owners that we are such a hardworking group, often working more hours and taking fewer breaks. However, how sustainable is this?
Many of us start a business to have more autonomy and strive for a better work-life balance. But if this isn’t happening are our businesses really doing what we hoped? We often think of business success in terms of turnover, targets, and growth. However, we need to remember those other metrics: our well-being, our working hours, and our time away from the business. It is possible to run a business and still have those things, and today I’m going to share with you how.
What a difference a half-decade makes
I understand that to some people reading this, taking time off feels like a luxury their business won’t allow. I’ve been there. In the early days, I’d worry about taking a single day off in case the business needed me. Five years on and I’m taking three weeks off to visit Australia. I’m not planning on working whilst I’m away, it’s a holiday and I will be treating it as such. If you’re wondering how, well I guess the first clue is in the heading – it’s not a quick fix or an easy one, but it IS possible.
Number 1: You need to change how you think about your business
I’ve shared a quote by business mentor Michael Gerber before that is so critical:
“If your business can’t run without you – if you can’t safely leave your business for a few weeks – you don’t really have a business; you have a job – with overheads!”
It’s a hard lesson to accept but nothing else that follows will be possible without this step. If you want a successful business, then it can’t be 100% dependent on your personal input to succeed, you’re going to have to learn to delegate.
Outsourcing: The key to changing your business for the better
The solution to how to free up more of your time whilst still growing your business is relatively simple. It’s outsourcing. We’ve all heard of it and probably already use it in some way (if you use an accountant, a marketing agency, a tax advisor, etc. you’re already outsourcing). However, to really benefit, you need to outsource the parts of the business that are taking up your personal time. Often, this starts with admin, but it could also be tasks like marketing, data entry, diary management, taking minutes, or transcription.
At its most advanced, outsourcing can also see you delegating your fee-earning client work to another resource. It’s what I do myself, with associates directly supporting clients. Outsourcing is what enables me to take time away from my business and work continue. When you outsource, you free up your own time, for other work, business development, or (most enjoyably) time off.
However, outsourcing is only half the story….
Planning and delivery: The mechanics of changing your business for the better
Outsourcing enables you to have more freedom…but only if it’s supported by proper planning. I believe there are five critical activities that need to underpin outsourcing, and these are the areas I’ve had to focus on to make sure I can take this time off.
- Planning – My holiday has been in the calendars of my PA, team, and clients for over six months. Everybody has had time to do their own planning and preparation and is clear on how long I’m away and when.
- Responsibilities – Work must continue, for my business and the businesses we support. I’ve identified who is responsible for completing the tasks I normally do and made sure that they know what is expected of them.
- Documentation – Process guides, handover notes, video walkthroughs…whatever your documentation of choice, these are critical safety nets in the world of outsourcing. Documentation enables other people to pick up tasks you normally complete and do them correctly.
- Preparation – There’s always some initial work to do, and I’ve had to work extra hours in the lead-up to my holiday. This is the same with outsourcing, there is some set-up; defining and explaining tasks and putting processes in place to help someone else complete tasks you normally do. However, the long-term payoff of the ability to delegate is worth the effort.
- Teamwork – This is the single most important element. You need good people supporting you. When you outsource, you’re putting your treasured business in the hands of others, so you have to be able to trust them. I have a fantastic team of associates – I trust them to represent the business positively and do a great job. I also have Emma, my amazing PA. Emma has access to my calendar and inbox, can field enquiries on my behalf, respond to emails, arrange meetings and deal with any emergencies. The team make taking time away possible and that’s the result of years of hard work finding the right people.
You too can benefit from outsourcing…
If you’re still unsure, here’s one final secret I want to share with you. This blog that you’re reading now was published after I started my holiday. My PA, Emma, updated the website, meaning the business is still being promoted while I’m away. It’s a great example of how a business can continue even in your absence. Your business could benefit from this model too.
We support busy business owners and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. You too can outsource your time-consuming admin, business support and routine activities to our experienced virtual assistants.
Interested in what we could help with? Check out our services – I think you’ll be surprised to learn just how much we can support you with. We can also offer sector-specific expertise in our Zones of Genius of legal, medical, and property.
To find out how your business could benefit from outsourcing, and maybe make time for that much-needed break, book a call.
