Travel season is here! Whether you decide to totally unplug yourself from your business or choose to check in on things while you’re away, you will surely face some challenges. With this article, we want to point them out and give tips on how to run a business while traveling.
So, why should you minimize the time you spend working and enjoy the holidays? Because you can. By taking advantage of the virtual solutions available to you, you can run and manage a small business successfully while you’re on vacation…
1. Prepare your business operations in advance
The first of these travel entrepreneur ideas is to set up your systems and check off the things that need to get done so nothing gets dropped in your absence. You don’t want to be dealing with issues and last minute requests when you want to be packing and getting ready to leave.
If you’re in professional consulting services working with individual clients, alert them in advance to your vacation schedule and that you will be unavailable to do your regular sessions. Similarly, if you’re selling products online, update your website / shopping apps to inform your customers that you’re currently traveling and will have other customer support to deal with their needs.
2. Have an internet backup plan and external storage ready
When you have to check on your business from a different location or need to manage a whole team across time zones, it helps when you have an internet connection ready. It’s great if you have a stable network in your hotel, or can get WiFi hotspots nearby for free or rent. But if not, you can buy a local SIM card so you can access data.
It’s also recommended to bring an external storage device like an external drive or even a smaller one such as a USB stick to store all your important business files—in the case of a hard drive crash that you need to use a laptop other than yours.
3. Manage a small business online using virtual help
A real online entrepreneur must be able to manage all aspects of his or her business from their computer and/or smart phone. Help abounds thanks to various online tools and software than can be accessed anytime, anywhere.
Hiring a virtual assistant will do the trick. With the help of a VA, you can ensure that your marketing, lead generation, making sales, and appointment setting activities are up and running.
Great communication tools like GoToMeeting, Skype, and Trello make it possible to stay connected and organized. Furthermore, you can easily find the way to boost your brand exposure through social media marketing, video, email, and mobile marketing.
4. Develop routines to keep focused and balanced
Not everyone can be productive between 9 to 5. Certainly not if you’re indulging in your travel time, right? What you need to do is decide on a certain huddle time where you and your team or clients can discuss matters, updates, and issues pertaining to your business.
It’s also necessary to adjust schedules to their time zones. Have a single file on your computer or phone of all your important contacts and their phone numbers. It can be helpful to have a paper copy available as well in case your battery dies.
5. Leverage the tools and systems at your disposal
There are so many time-saving and easy-to-use scheduling tools today that you almost don’t need to do anything in real time anymore. Use these tools and online help ahead of time so that things still get done while you travel.
No need to spend hours hunched over your laptop while you’re on the beach or take endless business calls because a virtual assistant can take care of the real-time work. It’s now a matter of managing your time and finding a good internet connection to touch base with them. For a more comprehensive list of VA services, read our blog about 137 tasks you can outsource to a virtual assistant.
6. Use the cloud for file sharing and updating tasks
The cloud system has created a technology revolution for the small business and entrepreneurs, especially for those who are working remotely and always on a move.
Cloud-based programs such as OneDrive, iCloud, and Dropbox allows you to share files with virtual employees, or for outsourcing a certain task. Regardless if you are on a flight/train, or in your hotel room on a different island, with cloud services, you can easily get updated and arrange a meeting with your staff.
7. Invest in good technology and upgrade your device/software
Running a business while traveling can be challenging especially when you visit a new country that uses super high technology. You might run into problems like software incompatibility or inability to connect to the Internet. Good and upgraded device or software is paramount if you plan on working while on the road.
Rachael Kay Albers, a web designer and digital strategist who has run her business from anywhere she happens to be says that, “Finding tech support when you’re in a new place can cost you weeks or month’s worth of work if the tools you use aren’t up to date.”
8. Outsource tasks for a worry-free vacation
Entrepreneurs and small business owners can now take the help of virtual assistants to handle customer support and book client appointments or meetings. It doesn’t just take away all the worries and frustrations but also makes sure things are taken care of in a timely and effective manner.
While it’s true that you can find virtual assistants anywhere nowadays, it’s important to get the qualified ones. See these tips to successfully hiring and working with a virtual assistant.
Don’t try to be at two different places at a single time. The VAs can help you run your business by handling all the activities hassle-free.
9. Make sure your team is ready
The more you travel the more you may be relying on your staff members when you are not as as available as you normally are. Be sure to have all account access and passwords checked and updated because you don’t want your virtual assistant calling you when you are already 30,000 feet in the air.
Map out everything, delegate all the necessary daily or weekly tasks, and make sure your team knows exactly what they need to do while you’re on vacation. Set the expectations before you leave and just create a plan.
10. Streamline communications and collaboration
For many years now, online collaboration tools have changed the way businesses are conducted and transactions are made. Our favorite tools are Skype, Trello, and Google Drive which are all great when you are working on projects and collaborating with other virtual assistants.
Such programs help you to conduct global meetings, streamline communications, share documents, and chat with others.
Running a successful business management while traveling requires a lot of preparation and readiness to embrace new methods and technology. What’s your major takeaway on these tips? Let us know in the comment box below.
Get a chance to harness the power of global virtual talent pool so you can relax and enjoy the time away from your business. We hope you have a fantastic vacation!
Virtual Assistant Talent is a top-notch virtual assistant staffing agency helping professionals from different industries such as the real estate, insurance, small business, coaching/consulting, and executive leadership.
If you need assistance with managing your business and increasing your leads this holiday season, CALL US at 1-866-596-9041 and discover how our highly qualified and trained virtual assistants can help in your everyday tasks and objectives.
Reference:
www.inc.com
www.businessknowhow.com
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