Top 5 Tips for Business Owners on Holiday
Let’s be honest, while owning a business means you can – in theory – take a holiday when and where you like… the reality is somewhat different. You are often limited to shorter breaks because of important things that are going on in the business, and you probably find that you are caught between relaxing and checking emails, or even taking calls.
Taking a holiday as a business owner may seem challenging, but with proper planning and management, you can enjoy a well-deserved break while keeping your business running smoothly. Here are five essential tips to optimise your holiday experience:
- Time Management for Peace of Mind
It might sound counterintuitive to talk about time management when you are trying to relax on holiday but stick with me. If we operate on the assumption that you’re unlikely to go through the entire holiday without hearing from the office, and if you did, you’d probably be concerned about what was waiting for you on your return, it’s wise to plan in some interaction time.
The way to prevent this from totally disrupting your holiday is to schedule a specific time, or times, in the day when you will check emails and anyone with a concern or query knows it’s ok to call you. This requires discipline of course, not to answer the phone or check your emails outside of this time, but hopefully the knowledge that you have set this time aside each day will help you to relax and make the most of the times in between.
How much time and when during the day will depend on you, the demands of the business, and your family or whoever you are on holiday with. Communication is key here, I would suggest agreeing this with your employees before you go away to make sure everyone is aware of your wishes and are therefore more likely to stick to it.
- Deputise to Empower Your Team
One of the biggest challenges to getting a relaxing break as a business owner can be the amount of people that need you to make decisions or resolve issues. This could be a great opportunity to develop your management team – after all, a strong management team is a great asset when it comes to selling your business. Putting one person in charge in your absence can be a great way to see how they get on and give them useful experience. Of course, you will want to put some controls in place, for your own peace of mind if nothing else. This could take the form of a daily briefing phone call either at the beginning of the day, or the end. As a result, decisions that need to be made can still be made and the business continues to function, difficult decisions can still be referred to you, but you have only one person contacting you and at a pre-agreed time.
- Schedule and Plan Ahead
If your diary is anything like mine it may often feel as though it has a life of its own, and that doesn’t always match with your capacity, or the number of hours in a day. This can make taking a holiday difficult and daunting – but all the more reason to schedule, plan and take back some control.
Make sure your holiday dates are blocked out in your diary well in advance and clearly marked as holiday – this should reduce the number of people trying to book you into meetings. A week before you go, make a list of everything you need to do before you go – and either make sure you get them done, or hand them over to someone else. If this is a long list, it is also worth going back over it and critically evaluating whether anything can be left until you get back. Make sure anything you are leaving until you get back is properly recorded and scheduled in, so you don’t worry about forgetting it on your return.
- Be Proactive with Communication
Most people, clients included, feel really bad about disturbing you on holiday and would happily wait until you are back – but only if they know you are away. Make sure you have your out of office set up for your emails and consider adding your upcoming holiday dates to your email signature – a really good low-key way of letting people know. In some circumstances it may be sensible to proactively tell people that you are going to be away, they are more likely to respect your time off or may raise some issues you can deal with or delegate before you go.
- Embrace the Importance of Rest
There is a temptation for business owners to get wrapped up in the day-to-day demands of the business and they can only see the potential problems of not meeting those demands, this leads to a feeling that you can’t possibly take a break. But everyone needs a break to function at their best, even business owners. You need to give yourself permission to take a break and recognise it as just as important, if not more important, than all the other competing demands on your time.
In conclusion, taking a holiday as a business owner requires effective time management, delegation, and proactive planning. By adopting these five tips, you can enjoy a rejuvenating break while ensuring your business remains on track. Remember, taking care of yourself ultimately benefits your business in the long run. Happy holidays!
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FAQs – Selling Your Company
How do I sell my business in the UK?
Selling a business in the UK typically involves preparing financial information, obtaining a valuation, identifying suitable buyers and negotiating the terms of a sale. Most owners work with an M&A adviser to manage the process confidentially, approach qualified buyers and maximise the value achieved.
At Entrepreneurs Hub, we talk about five key areas that make the difference between success and failure when selling your business. Read more…
What is my business worth?
A business is typically valued by applying a multiple to its sustainable profit, often EBITDA or adjusted net profit. The appropriate multiple depends on factors including growth, recurring revenue, customer concentration, management strength, owner dependency, market conditions and buyer demand.
Determining what your business is worth involves more than applying a simple formula. Use our Business Valuation Calculator to obtain an initial valuation range, or read our simple business valuation guide to understand the factors buyers consider.
How long does it take to sell a business?
Selling a business in the UK typically takes around 12 to 18 months from initial preparation to completion, although some transactions may be quicker or take longer. The timeline depends on business readiness, buyer demand, deal complexity, due diligence and how quickly the legal terms can be agreed.
Preparing accurate financial information and organising key documents in advance can help reduce avoidable delays. Read our complete business sale timeline to understand what happens at each stage.
When is the best time to sell a business?
The best time to sell a business is usually when it is performing strongly, its future growth is clear and you are not under pressure to complete a sale. Buyers are generally more attracted to businesses with rising or stable profits, reliable financial information and credible opportunities for further growth.
Business owners are often in a stronger position when:
- Revenue and profits are growing or consistently strong
- Financial records are accurate and up to date
- Future growth opportunities can be clearly demonstrated
- The business is not overly dependent on the owner
- There is a capable management team in place
- The owner has started preparing well in advance
Market conditions can also affect buyer appetite and valuation. Factors such as sector growth, access to finance and competition between buyers may support stronger deal activity, but preparation and business performance are usually more important than trying to identify a perfect month to sell.
Ultimately, the best time to sell is when both you and the business are ready, and the company can demonstrate sustainable performance and future value to potential buyers.
Use our Exit Readiness Tool to assess how prepared your business is, or read our guide on when to sell your business for further guidance.
Do I need an adviser to sell my business?
You are not legally required to use an adviser to sell your business, but many owners appoint an experienced M&A adviser to help manage the process. An adviser can prepare the business for sale, identify and approach suitable buyers confidentially, coordinate negotiations and support the transaction through due diligence.
The right adviser can also help create competitive tension, protect your time and reduce the risk of avoidable mistakes. Read our guide to choosing the right business sale adviser to understand the different types of support available.
How do I prepare my business for sale?
Preparing a business for sale involves strengthening its financial performance, reducing risk and making sure it can operate successfully without heavy reliance on the owner. Buyers will also expect accurate financial records, clear contracts, organised documentation and evidence of future growth.
Preparation should ideally begin well before approaching the market, giving you time to address weaknesses that could affect value or delay the transaction. Use our Exit Readiness Tool to assess how prepared your business currently is.
How is confidentiality protected during a sale?
Confidentiality is protected through controlled information sharing, anonymised buyer approaches and non-disclosure agreements. Potential buyers usually receive limited information at the start of the process and must sign an NDA before commercially sensitive details are released.
Prospective buyers should be assessed before receiving further information, with documents shared gradually according to their level of interest and credibility. A well-managed process also allows the business owner to retain oversight of who is approached and what information is disclosed.
What documents do I need to sell my business?
The documents needed to sell a business commonly include financial accounts, management information, forecasts, customer and supplier contracts, employment records, tax information and evidence of intellectual property ownership.
Buyers may also request details of property, insurance, legal disputes, regulatory matters and company ownership. Organising this information before due diligence begins can reduce delays and help maintain buyer confidence. Our Business Sale Due Diligence Checklist explains the main information buyers are likely to request.
What’s the quickest way to sell a company?
Selling a business quickly is possible, but speed shouldn’t come at the expense of value or deal security Read more…
What’s the best way to sell a business online?
Yes, you absolutely can sell a business online. Many platforms specialise in connecting business sellers with buyers. Read more…
How can I increase the value of my business before selling?
You may be able to increase the value of your business by improving sustainable profits, developing recurring revenue and reducing reliance on individual customers or the owner. Buyers also value capable management teams, reliable financial reporting, scalable operations and clear opportunities for future growth.
The earlier you identify the factors affecting value, the more time you have to make meaningful improvements. Use our Business Valuation Calculator for an initial indication of value and our Exit Readiness Tool to identify areas that may need attention.