Taking a vacation from business
Eighty-five percent of respondents to a recent Angie's List CompanyConnect poll say they take vacation time throughout the year. Here are tips to prepare for a vacation from business:
- Divide the power. Before you leave, take some time to delegate your day-to-day tasks. By giving one or two extra assignments to a few employees, you're not overwhelming one person with the workload.
- Network. Several poll respondents say they network with similar companies so there's always someone around to cover the work, especially in case of emergencies.
- Make a plan. Have an "In case of emergency" file in the office, and make sure employees know where it’s located. Be sure to include your vacation itinerary and emergency contact numbers.
- Remember your phone and laptop chargers. Forty-nine percent of poll respondents say they check both business calls and e-mails while they're on vacation, and another 39 percent check one or the other—be prepared so you don't miss anything important. Inform any regular customers that you'll be out of the office, and set your phone and e-mail messages to inform people that you're temporarily away.