8 Ways to Keep Your Business Running Smoothly When You’re Away
Use these practical tips and tools to enjoy a well-earned break knowing your business is in good shape
We all know how important it is to step away from work every now and then — not just for your mental and physical well-being, but also to gain some perspective on how you’re doing things. But when you’re an architect, designer, builder or contractor running your own business, the idea of taking a break can be fraught with worry about what state your business will be in when you get back.
Fortunately, these days you’ve got digital tools available that allow you to stay on top of projects, even when you’re sunning yourself on a beach. Combine these with some effective client and team communication before you step away and you’ll set yourself up for a stress-free break. Here’s how to go about it.
Fortunately, these days you’ve got digital tools available that allow you to stay on top of projects, even when you’re sunning yourself on a beach. Combine these with some effective client and team communication before you step away and you’ll set yourself up for a stress-free break. Here’s how to go about it.
Houzz Pro software makes it easy to communicate with your clientele. Send messages through the app or use the personalized client dashboard to add a daily log, timelines or important files.
With Houzz Pro, you can also handle projects, track orders and invoicing from anywhere at any time, whether that’s at work, home or on holiday, so you never lose track of what’s going on.
With Houzz Pro, you can also handle projects, track orders and invoicing from anywhere at any time, whether that’s at work, home or on holiday, so you never lose track of what’s going on.
2. Change Your Message
Update your business voicemail with a clear and informative message.
Clearly state when your office will be closed for the holidays, provide the dates of your return, and leave a contact number or email address for any urgent matters. This ensures that clients feel informed and can reach the appropriate person if needed.
Update your business voicemail with a clear and informative message.
Clearly state when your office will be closed for the holidays, provide the dates of your return, and leave a contact number or email address for any urgent matters. This ensures that clients feel informed and can reach the appropriate person if needed.
3. Delegate
If you’ll still be on vacation when the office reopens, identify a capable team member to take charge during your absence. Delegate specific responsibilities, empower them to make decisions and establish clear lines of communication so they can work efficiently while you’re away (and not trouble you with minor issues).
If you’ll still be on vacation when the office reopens, identify a capable team member to take charge during your absence. Delegate specific responsibilities, empower them to make decisions and establish clear lines of communication so they can work efficiently while you’re away (and not trouble you with minor issues).
4. Make the Most of Technology
Today’s cutting-edge project management software is designed to streamline operations and keep your team members connected, wherever they might be — so be sure to optimize its full potential during the holiday period.
Before you and your team head off, make sure everyone’s up to speed with Houzz Pro software tools so you can collaborate remotely, track the progress of projects, manage tasks and stay connected.
Learn more about Houzz Pro software
Today’s cutting-edge project management software is designed to streamline operations and keep your team members connected, wherever they might be — so be sure to optimize its full potential during the holiday period.
Before you and your team head off, make sure everyone’s up to speed with Houzz Pro software tools so you can collaborate remotely, track the progress of projects, manage tasks and stay connected.
Learn more about Houzz Pro software
5. Have an Emergency Contact Plan
Establish an emergency contact plan for any unexpected situations that might arise while you’re away.
Get everyone on your team to share their phone numbers and provide them with a list of contacts who can address urgent matters in your absence. This ensures that critical issues can be resolved promptly without disrupting project timelines or budgets.
Establish an emergency contact plan for any unexpected situations that might arise while you’re away.
Get everyone on your team to share their phone numbers and provide them with a list of contacts who can address urgent matters in your absence. This ensures that critical issues can be resolved promptly without disrupting project timelines or budgets.
6. Schedule Online Catch-Ups
If you’ll be away when the office reopens and you’d like to check in with your team, use Houzz Pro to schedule regular online check-ins. These virtual meetings give you an opportunity to stay updated on project progress, address any issues and offer guidance.
If you’ll be away when the office reopens and you’d like to check in with your team, use Houzz Pro to schedule regular online check-ins. These virtual meetings give you an opportunity to stay updated on project progress, address any issues and offer guidance.
7. Automate Routine Tasks
Set up automatic email responses, pre-schedule social media posts and schedule newsletters in advance. This allows you to maintain a consistent online presence without requiring constant attention.
The Houzz Pro Email Marketing tool helps you save time with newsletter and promotional outreach by allowing you to set up standardized emails for things you do repeatedly, such as contacting clients and creating mailing lists from your leads. It offers email templates or you can design your own.
Set up automatic email responses, pre-schedule social media posts and schedule newsletters in advance. This allows you to maintain a consistent online presence without requiring constant attention.
The Houzz Pro Email Marketing tool helps you save time with newsletter and promotional outreach by allowing you to set up standardized emails for things you do repeatedly, such as contacting clients and creating mailing lists from your leads. It offers email templates or you can design your own.
8. Get a Jump on Your Financials
Ensure that bills, payroll and any other financial responsibilities are handled before you head off for the holidays.
It’s also a good idea to review your upcoming financial commitments for the early part of the new year so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises upon your return.
Ensure that bills, payroll and any other financial responsibilities are handled before you head off for the holidays.
It’s also a good idea to review your upcoming financial commitments for the early part of the new year so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises upon your return.
Finally, remember to relax and enjoy yourself!
Running your own business is no easy feat. You deserve time off so you can reflect on the year that’s been and recharge your body and mind for the one ahead.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Running your own business is no easy feat. You deserve time off so you can reflect on the year that’s been and recharge your body and mind for the one ahead.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Communicate with your clients well in advance of your vacation. Let them know the dates you’ll be away and, if your office will be closing for the holidays, the dates it will close and reopen in the new year.
Set clear expectations regarding project timelines, updates and any potential delays. Assure your customers that a designated team member will be available to answer any questions about their project and keep things on track while you’re away.