Interim management: enabling small business owners a proper break
How to go on holiday when running a small business is hard – do you try to carry on as usual from the sun lounger? Schedule meetings around it, still answering the phone and emails, doing what you can? Set an out of office and go cold turkey?
There is another way. This case study describes one example of when Bramley Business Solutions ran a successful small business on behalf of the owner whilst she went on holiday, so that she could finally take a break from working every day for five years.
The Challenge: how to go on holiday when running a small business
Business was extremely busy, with many clients and lots of work to deliver. Several contractors and freelancers contributed to the projects, all adding their expertise and skills. The particular industry meant that rapid turnarounds were required, and the many moving parts needed to be carefully orchestrated to align. The business owner, Sarah, had worked hard to achieve this thriving business – so hard, that she hadn’t taken a proper holiday in years.
Sarah wanted to go on a holiday, stop working, enjoy her family, and not worry that her business would suffer. So, she approached Bramley Business Solutions.
“Emma at Bramley Business Solutions stepped in to help Gatehouse Inventories with management during our very busy summer period…”
The Solution
We were very happy to help Sarah. We spent a few days together, understanding her service, learning how projects were delivered, who did what to make them happen, who their clients were, what the business values and priorities were – vital in being able to make decisions on behalf of the company. Bramley Business Solutions ran things for a couple of days with Sarah still on hand to answer questions, just to be absolutely certain we were as prepared as possible. Then Sarah went on holiday.
“…Emma is incredibly fast, capable and professional. I felt confident leaving the running of the business in her hands…”
How it Went
Bramley Business Solutions took responsibility for the running of the company for two weeks. Sarah’s team were helpful and supportive, and we all pulled together to keep projects on track. There were unexpected challenges – there was so much work on during the holiday that we needed additional freelancers, so Bramley Business Solutions sourced and trained them. Only once in two weeks was it necessary to contact Sarah, for a file saved locally on her computer.
“…Emma is proactive and a problem solver. I have no hesitation in recommending her.”
The Outcome
When Sarah returned from holiday, she was so pleased with Bramley Business Solutions running the business that she extended the contract to give herself some time to settle back in at home and catch up on jobs she’d been meaning to do for ages.
Sarah returned to managing her business – refreshed, relaxed, with more energy – and went back to enjoying her business.
From our perspective, it was an amazing insight into an entirely new industry for us. Making such a massive difference to a business owner’s life was incredibly satisfying.
What does this mean for other small businesses?
- You can go on holiday
- You can take a break
- Your business will benefit from you coming back to it with a fresh outlook and more energy
Contact me, Emma, and we can talk about how to go on holiday when running a small business
“Emma at Bramley Business Solutions stepped in to help Gatehouse Inventories with management during our very busy summer period. Emma is incredibly fast, capable and professional. I felt confident leaving the running of the business in her hands. She is proactive and a problem solver. I have no hesitation in recommending her.”
Sarah Williamson, business owner of Gatehouse Inventories
Gatehouse Inventories do extremely high quality, detailed inventories for properties being rented out. One estate agent commented that disputes reduced 80% after switching to Gatehouse Inventories.
www.gatehouseinventories.co.uk
office@gatehouseinventories.co.uk
Handing your business over to someone else is so much easier if you have systems, or even better automations, in place. Learn about how to create your systems in our blog Your Brilliant Business Overview
If you’d like to receive our weekly email with tips and articles for small businesses, as well as notifications for new articles, please sign up below:
