I just got back from the tropical north, and despite a few bits and pieces I had to work on, this was my best work holiday ever. Why? Because there was someone back here who I could completely rely on to keep the business going as we like to go.

I am really enjoying the chance to take the odd week off to do things that I simply haven’t had time to do in years. This is the first time I really feel like things are getting under control and I have to keep pinching myself because i can’t quite believe it (seriously, I still wake up panicking about cashflow or overdue work etc etc only to realise we’re ok at the moment).

I’ve talked a bit about employing the right people, and how important I think it is to hire people who have the same work ethic and who you can trust to sort things out or tell you if they can’t. It’s hit me just this week after this holiday where I was all but cut off from internet access for a week, just how important it is, and here’s what Kelle did to make it happen:

Stay in constant contact

I know that sounds weird when you’re on holiday, but I do enjoy my job and I really don’t mind being kept up to date if something has gone wrong or right or if anyone just has a question. I love knowing that when I arrive back at work, I don’t have a million things on my plate, I’m still on top of it all.

My biggest fear is finding out that someone agreed to commit to something, then couldn’t make it, and didn’t bother to tell me. That has happened to me a lot in business, especially from people who didn’t quite understand the importance of ensuring we had constant and good communication. That fear has all but ended now, because I know it will be done or I will be told with a lot of warning. It’s such a simple, stupid thing, but man does it hurt when communication breaks down.

Be flexible

Thankfully Kelle is used to working random hours. In this business, especially with overseas clients, working weekends is sometimes a necessity. While I was away, I knew that she wouldn’t leave the office at 5pm friday for the week, she’d keep ticking away until stuff is done. I’m not saying I have slaves, we all benefit from this, but it is extremely valuable for me (especially when I am unable to connect to the internet thanks to Vodafone) to know Monday morning wont start with frantic phone calls from customers.

Assume control

The best piece of advice I’ve received recently is to give your employees the maximum responsibilities they can handle. Previously, due to various circumstances totally unrelated to her, Kelle hasn’t been left totally in charge. Even in the year with PlanHQ, I was still on hand every day keeping an eye on things, even if not actively doing anything much. While I totally respect her abilities (just wait until you see her latest design work), It’s a big step from respecting to handing over full responsibility for the success of your business, even if only for a week.

Not only did all my emails go through her and new work need to be sorted and delegated by her, she took on crazy projects right at the end easily and without stress. I’m thinking I’m going to up the pressure round here! (Just joking). But I think when you get into business, after a while you start to underestimate the abilities of others or because you’ve battled so long and know every intimate details of the business, you can’t quite imagine someone else just stepping in. But turns out they find that step pretty easy.

Be supportive

I need to mention Emma here, who arrived and then was abandoned by me 2 days later. It’s been cool seeing what an all-female work-place looks like, and I must say, so far, I love it. I imagine joining a business like this can’t be easy (especially with some of the office antics that go on!!!) but upon my arrival home, both Kelle and Emma had their work under control and have a really cool workflow going on where most stuff is checked over by all three of us, simply because it’s good to get feedback.

In a small business, you don’t always have the best official communication channels in place, you kinda rely on calling out over the office, but it’s really nice to see in my absense, Kelle and Emma have started to build on what we’ve got to make an even more efficient work flow.

All this while I was lying at the beach!