Getting Away

OK, so maybe you’ve only just come back but as we’re just coming out of the holiday season, I thought it would be interesting to think about why and where we go on holiday. Did it have the desired benefit?

We work hard on or in our business all year round and need to take time out every now and then. Do you prefer to get away for a few weeks each year and do something totally different or do you just want to spend time with family and friends, sitting on a beach relaxing? Often there are different needs to be met – relaxing with your partner, activities for the children. Whatever your reason, make sure you get the most out of your holiday time.

When I went travelling for a few months, several years ago, it took me about six weeks to totally unwind from work. As you probably know yourself, if you go away for the traditional two weeks in the summer, you spend the first week unwinding and then only have a few days to really relax before it’s time to come home. Always assuming you left the mobile and laptop behind and really did get away from it.

Have you also noticed that you often get ill when you go on holiday? This is usually a good indicator that you’ve been under stress and you’re working too hard. As soon as the source of the stress stops (work) your body now has permission to be ill! Avoid this by not letting the stress build up in the first place!

Relaxing on holiday gives you time to think and reassess. Coming back you quickly find yourself back in the same routine and the holiday becomes a distant memory far too quickly. Don’t let all those thoughts and ideas drift away and get forgotten. Think about what you want to change and do something about it.

Taking a break and giving yourself time to relax on a regular basis is important to your mental and physical well-being. As well as your main holiday, plan a few long weekends or a weekend away every now and then. Take a longer break – an extra long weekend or a week, every few months. Even having a day out at the weekend can be a refreshing change – go somewhere new, try something different.

Plan your next break – don’t leave it too long.

Staying In Touch

How many times have you been to a network meeting and come away with a handful of business cards? That might be some people's sole purpose but what do you do with them all?

You're unlikely to make a sale on the first contact. Customers and clients need to get to know you first and build up a relationship and the time needs to be right for them to buy. It takes approximately seven contacts before a prospective client will buy from you.

How are you going to build a relationship with your potential customers? What do you need to know about them - what do they want and need? Do they need your services or do they know someone else who might?

If your initial contact was brief - follow-up within a day or two of the first meeting. Send them an email, make a phone call, send an article or information that might be of interest or relates to something you discussed. If they expressed an interest in something you had to offer, arrange a meeting with them so that you can get to know them better and find out more about their wants and needs. This is the start of building a relationship. You don't yet know if they're either the right customer for you or if they're ready to buy.

Set-up a system that enables you to stay in touch with them on a regular basis. They are then more likely to come to you when they need your product or services.

How do you stay in touch today?

Welcome!

Do you feel that you’re spending too much time at work and there must be more to life – perhaps you need to improve your work life balance or just want to make a difference.

Check in here for a weekly dose to help you make a difference to your little piece of the world.

Clare