By following these tips, you’ll be able to manage your business with ease.
When you decide to start a business, everyone talks about the freedom that comes from being your own boss and not having someone else tell you what to do every day. But what they don’t tell you about is how often it feels like you’re tied to your desk.
Traveling? Try these tips for remotely managing your business
While you certainly do play a key role in keeping your business running, you should never structure your business in such a way that you’re required to be there for the company to make money. You should be able to step away for several days (or even a week or two) and still have the company be profitable.
The key to making this work is to know how to manage your business remotely while traveling. And while every business structure is going to be a little different, here are a few ideas for how to make this work:
Leverage technology
When it comes to managing a business on the move, technology is your best friend. Thanks to apps and online tools, staying connected to your team and clients is actually fairly easy. You just have to make sure you have the right tools in place to keep everything running seamlessly.
Our suggestion is to begin with communication. Apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom make it simple to stay in touch with your team. You can host virtual meetings, send quick messages, and collaborate on projects in real time. If you have clients or customers who need attention, you can use scheduling apps like Calendly to manage appointments and ensure you’re still available when they need you. For managing tasks and workflows, tools like Trello, Asana, or ClickUp can help you keep projects on track.
Delegate responsibilities
One of the most important skills for any business owner is learning how to delegate. When you’re traveling, this becomes even more essential. You can’t be everywhere at once, so you need to trust your team to handle day-to-day operations in your absence.
Before you leave, assign specific responsibilities to each team member. Make sure everyone knows who is handling what, and be clear about deadlines and expectations. If you have key tasks that need extra attention, assign them to team members who are reliable and experienced.
It’s also a good idea to appoint a point person – someone who can handle any issues that arise while you’re away. This person should be able to make decisions and solve problems. They should also keep you updated on anything major that requires your input.
If you don’t have someone in-house, you might be able to outsource some key responsibilities that you would otherwise manage on your own. For example, if you’re a real estate investor, hiring a property management company to oversee the day-to-day of your properties would be wise.
Automate what you can
Automation is a powerful tool for any business owner, especially when you’re traveling. By automating routine tasks, you can save time and ensure things keep moving – even when you’re not actively managing them.
- Start by automating your marketing efforts. You can use social media scheduling tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to plan and schedule posts in advance. (Or, if you do a lot of design work and already use Canva, they now have native scheduling features baked into the paid version of the program.)
- You can also automate email marketing campaigns using platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit. Set up drip campaigns, promotional emails, and newsletters to send out while you’re on the go.
- For customer service, consider using chatbots or automated email responses to handle common inquiries. This ensures that your customers receive timely responses, even if you’re not available to answer questions immediately.
Stay organized with cloud-based tools
When you’re traveling, it’s easy to lose track of important documents, files, or information. That’s why using cloud-based tools is so important. By storing everything in the cloud, you can access what you need anywhere, anytime.
Google Drive and Dropbox are all excellent options for storing and sharing files. These platforms allow you to collaborate with your team, edit documents in real time, and ensure that everyone has access to the most up-to-date information. You can also use cloud-based accounting software like QuickBooks or FreshBooks to manage your finances on the go. This makes it easy to track expenses, send invoices, and keep tabs on your cash flow while you’re out of the office.
Set boundaries (and stick to them)
Before you travel, establish clear working hours. Decide when you’ll be available for meetings, calls, and responding to emails, and communicate these hours to your team and clients. Outside of these hours, give yourself permission to unplug and enjoy your trip.
It’s also helpful to create a daily or weekly schedule that outlines your top priorities. Focus on the most important tasks and avoid getting bogged down by smaller, less urgent items. By setting boundaries and sticking to them, you’ll be able to manage your business efficiently without burning out while traveling.
Final thoughts
Running a business is all about balance. You don’t have to be tied to your desk to keep things moving. By following these tips, you’ll be able to manage your business with ease – no matter where you’re traveling to or how long you’re gone.