As an employer, you can feel pretty helpless when you’re away from the office and your employees are slacking off or getting into trouble. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to improve your communication while you’re travelling so that everyone stays on the same page and your business keeps running smoothly. These five tips will help you manage your staff while travelling, saving you time and stress so that you can have a successful trip without having to worry about work piling up in your absence.
1) Delegate
When you’re out of the office, it’s important to delegate tasks and trust that your staff can handle them in your absence. This can be a difficult thing to do, but it’s necessary if you want to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Here are five tips for delegating while you’re away 1) Ask an employee who is already familiar with the task to take on some extra responsibility when you’re away.
2) If no one is available, find someone from outside your company who might be able to help.
3) Create a detailed list of what needs to get done before you go on vacation so everyone knows what needs to happen before and after you leave.
2) Accept They Will Make Mistakes
As the saying goes, to err is human. And your employees are human too, so accept that they will make mistakes while you’re away. The key is to set expectations before you leave and give them the tools they need to succeed in your absence. If a client needs an urgent reply from you, for example, let them know how best to reach you. Set up a regular time each day for staff members to report on their progress or any issues that have arisen since your last meeting. Keep an eye on their work remotely if possible so you can offer guidance when needed (this also means taking care of any daily tasks yourself before leaving).
3) Keep Lines of Communication Open
One of the most important things you can do while travelling is to keep lines of communication open with your staff. This means being available when they need you and being responsive to their questions or concerns. Additionally, make sure you touch base with your staff regularly, even if it’s just a quick check-in via email or text. It’s also helpful to share your travel plans in advance so that your team has some warning about how often they’ll be communicating with you over the next few weeks. If possible, consider hiring an assistant to help out on shorter trips so that you don’t have to feel like you’re neglecting those back at home.
4) Consider Their Personalities
When you’re managing a team, it’s important to consider each individual’s personality. Some people may be more independent and require less supervision, while others may need more guidance. It’s important to find a balance that works for everyone. Don’t Forget To Communicate: Communication is key. Have regular check-ins with your staff and establish an open line of communication by setting up Slack channels or Facebook groups.
5) Notify Them About Your Schedule in Advance
One of the most important things you can do when preparing to travel for business is to notify your staff about your schedule in advance. This way, they can plan their work around your absence and know when they need to be available to answer any questions or take care of any issues that may arise.
