Author: RC-Admin1

We live in a world in which most of us travel a lot. Chances are you’ve been on a holiday involving a long-haul (or at least medium-haul) flight in recent months. And if, like me, you’re at the stage of life when your children are providing you with grandchildren, you may be used to dropping everything and driving a fair distance to help out.

And then, of course, there are the journeys we make for our customers.

The Growth of Business Travel

It’s really only a few generations since, from where I work in Ware, travelling to London on business would have been a major event. Going much further afield was rare indeed — unless you were a travelling salesman, that butt of many questionable jokes.

Business is far more mobile today. A journey of thirty or forty miles each way to see a customer or attend a business networking meeting is unremarkable now. And, in a more joined-up world, many of us see nothing unusual in paying regular trips to visit clients or colleagues in another country.

Of course, in some ways there’s also less need for journeys, with video conferencing able to take the place of many face-to-face meetings. But that just seems to have increased contact, rather than replacing now routine business travel.

Going the Extra Mile

Unfortunately, for some business owners it’s one thing to travel forty miles each way to a business meeting, but another to go the extra mile for their customers. In the end, though, that can be what makes the difference between a successful or unsuccessful business.

Unless you’ve found a really unusual niche, the chances are you have plenty of competitors. More to the point, the chances are that most of them do the basics as well as you do — or almost as well, at least. So that’s where added value comes in.

Keep in Touch

Keeping in personal contact with your customers and prospects can make a big difference. While a mass email is a valid marketing tool, phoning up periodically or arranging meetups will help them feel much more valued. Similarly, while you might send your loyal customers a gift at Christmas, it’ll have far more effect if it comes with a handwritten note.

A certain amount of give and take will make all the difference, too. Although you don’t want to routinely give work away, adding the odd free extra now and then for one of your regular customers can show how you value them. You’re likely to eventually reap the rewards, both in loyalty and spreading the word.

Do you want more suggestions on ways to travel further for your customers? You’re very welcome to get in touch with us for a chat.

As we are now in June, summer’s unmistakably on its way, although not if you look at the weather outside! Summer means a whole range of things, from barbecues to strawberries and cream at Wimbledon, but for most of us it means going on holiday.

If you own a business, perhaps the main connection between that and vacations seems making sure everything’s covered. But does your choice of holiday reflect the way you run the business?

Your Choice of Summer Holidays

There’s no wrong choice of holiday, as long as it’s something that appeals to you. Whether your taste is for the pool and the clubs in Ibiza or for trekking in the Himalayas, it’s your holiday.

Of course, most of us are creatures of habit, and that’s not always a bad thing. It was originally a survival strategy, and in the modern world it can help us be efficient and productive. However, it can also leave us stuck in a rut, if we don’t challenge ourselves. Even the same Himalayan trek, year after year, would become unadventurous.

That’s why sharing a holiday with someone can be both a challenge and an opportunity. As long as you’re reasonably compatible and willing to meet each other halfway, you might end up trying things you’d have never thought of otherwise.

Your Choice of Business Approach

So what does this have to do with your business? Well, here too you can opt either for being safe and familiar or for being adventurous — and, just like your summer holidays, that can work in two different ways.

Your business itself can follow a well-ploughed furrow or strike out in an unexpected direction. Again, there’s no right or wrong. If you’re an accountant or a solicitor (and we’ll always need those) you might reasonably take the view that if the model’s not broken, you don’t fix it. Or you might have a new, unexpected business model no-one’s thought of before.

Whichever you go for, though, you’ll develop ways and habits of running your business. They’ll help you run it more efficiently, but every so often it’s good to be challenged to try something new. Whether or not you choose to take up the challenge — well, that’s up to you.

Changing Directions

If you do feel it would be a good idea to try something new — whether that’s a different angle on something familiar or a bold new direction — you’ll need planning and maybe help. You’re very welcome to get in touch with the Resource Centre if you think we might help you.

On the other hand, we don’t make any guarantees about our advice on your summer holiday.

The period from late March to the end of May seems to be the season for bank holidays. Two at Easter, one at the beginning of May, one at the end — it almost seems as if a five-day week is the exception.

It can be disruptive, but bank holidays were originally introduced for sound reasons that benefitted everyone. And the same principles can help your business grow.

The Origin of Bank Holidays

Traditionally, workers in Britain were given certain religious days off work. this was primarily for going to church, though the rest of the day could be used for relaxation. In 1834, however, all these holidays except Christmas Day and Good Friday were abolished.

During the 19th century, a movement gradually gathered strength to introduce new holidays. Although the initial impetus was from campaigners for workers’ rights, many enlightened industrialists realised that they’d actually gain more than they lost through refreshed workers with a more positive attitude.

The Bank Holidays Act 1871 created four statutory holidays in England and Wales (Scotland had slightly different arrangements). Easter Monday, Whit Monday, August Bank Holiday and Boxing Day joined the two “from time immemorial” holidays, and the list has grown and changed since then.

The Benefits of Holidays to Business

Just like in 1871, business owners recognise that giving their employees enough time off is more than just an unwelcome obligation. Besides providing adequate rest, employees who have a good work-life balance are far more valuable than those who don’t.

For one thing, they’re less stressed, and consequently less likely to make mistakes. For another, a fully-rounded life plays an important role in creativity. If you want your staff to be popping with great ideas, you need them to spend time with their family, playing sports, making music — whatever’s important to them outside work.

You and the Work-Life Balance

It’s not only your employees who need a great work-life balance, though. Running a business can be stressful and full time, especially if you’re on your own. Because it’s so vital to make a success of your business, you may be tempted to devote all your time to it, at the expense of your personal life and relationships.

It doesn’t have to be either/or. Whether you hire staff to take on some of your responsibilities or outsource the tasks you don’t enjoy, it’s crucial to get your balance back.

You’re very welcome to get in touch for a chat about possible strategies. And, if you’re tempted to work through one of the upcoming bank holidays — why not do something fun instead. Your business will benefit.