We personally have a hard time finding time away from GB Plumbing. We have 4 on staff, and we find it tricky to try and book something for ourselves. Do you book time off whenever you’d like or do you try to book something during your slow season?
Sounds like a simple fix!
Build a system, so you can go away for a week. Im serious!
The world keeps spinning and your team learns to succeed without you holding their hand with every move they make. Let them make mistakes!
I once told a guy to have his Mom answer his phone while he went away on vacation. He laughed, but he ended up with (2) extra jobs to estimate when he got home because when customers called and she answered, they LOVED talking to her. She knew only to call him with an ABSOLUTE emergency.
She didn't answer the phone Full-time for the company, but only when he went away on vacation. He felt good knowing Mom was answering the phones, and his team took care of the rest, so he could enjoy some time off and rest.
I don't have a staff to run my business for me. But I still take my vacations and time off when I need to. I live on the east coast, and my kids and grandkids live on the west coast. And I'm not going to miss out spending time with my grandkids just because I own a business.
When I'm able, I spend half an hour, even when on vacation, to respond to phone calls and emails. At least, when I am someplace I can find cell service. I've returned calls and booked work while on a cruise ship, on a transcontinental flight, on a fishing boat 3 miles off shore in the Atlantic and in innumerable hotel rooms, airport lounges and resort swimming pools.
I have no qualms at all about doing a few minutes of work when on vacation. This is my business and I'm the one responsible to make sure my employees have enough work to keep the cash flowing so I can pay their salaries. Plus, I don't want my customers to look for someone to take my place.
