Archives

More than 70 per cent of small business owners in the Uk are unable to switch off from work while on leave, according to a survey by Bibby Financial Services. Almost 40 per cent check their e-mails and take business calls when they're supposed to be relaxing and around 5 per cent have even cut holidays short to deal with a problem.

Financial managers are also failing to get the best out of their fortnight in the sun. Tri-band mobile phones, laptop PCs and resorts with fax and internet facilities are encouraging them to treat the beach as an extension of the office. So how can busy professionals ensure that they get a worthwhile break from the rat race?

* Plan ahead effectively so you're not worried about leaving the office. Inform key suppliers, customers and contacts about your absence.

* Brief your staff so that they can take responsibility for decisions in your absence.

* Appoint someone to open your post and e-mails, and respond to your telephone messages, to ensure that you don't come back to a huge pile of correspondence. Keep good records and leave detailed notes so that anybody dealing with your projects will know what needs doing.

* Leave your laptop and mobile phone at home to give yourself a proper chance to recharge your own batteries. If you can't do without them, use your voicemail and check e-mails as infrequently as you can. Don't sit on the beach with your mobile switched on. Allow time at the end of your holiday. Give yourself a day or two at home to get back into the swing of things and to reacclimatise before you venture back to work.

Source: Bibby Financial Services

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager