When You are Down a Set of Hands
This month’s journal has required a fair amount of discipline to sit down and dedicate the time to writing. My priorities have shifted a bit in recent weeks with the arrival of my first grandchild. What a wonderful blessing and joy! Now, I am so easily distracted by morning cuddles rather than sitting in the office to gather my thoughts to start on this journal or for that matter any other activity. What can possibly beat morning cuddles with a newborn?
But alas, duty does eventually call, and I must spend at least some time on the tasks at hand. When my business partner, daughter, and now the mother of my first grandchild wrote 3 Tips to Prepare for Maternity Leave in her journal last month it framed the things that she did prepare to leave on maternity leave.
But hey – what about those of us left behind? What do we do when we are short a set of hands? I feel it is my turn to have a couple of tips on how to manage the absence of a business partner.
When you have the luxury of knowing when a business partner or team member is going to be absent this is a reflective and methodical process. If you are responding to an unexpected absence the steps are still important, albeit you have to move quicker through them and likely take a slightly different approach
Tip #1 – Identify the Gaps
As an entrepreneur you are well aware that there are many logistics that get managed on a daily basis. Identifying the gaps that have occurred due to the absence and the required skill set to do the work is the first task at hand. Next, reflect on the balance of the team and/or the collaborators that you work with on a regular basis. Can any of the tasks be shifted to them? What can you absorb? What remains on the list?
Everything you do on a daily basis could be delegated to someone brilliant who is already on your team or hiring someone in fee-for-service. This part can be scary. But I believe with strong organization practices, well thought out systems, open communication, and deep trust—that magic will naturally unfold.
Let’s consider this under a few key business areas.
What impact will the absence have on the revenue of the business? Will someone be able to assume their clients?
Focus on revenue generating activities. This is the time where some projects may need to be parked for a while.
Consider other income streams and collaborations that could generate additional revenue. Is there a relationship that you have been considering that could create revenue? Is there a service that you could introduce that would generate passive income?
What role does the absent person have in financial management? Do they do regular review and/or reporting? Who has the talent for this work? Can you rely on a collaborator?
If circumstances allow, create a cash reserve in the business to fund any increased costs that may happen for the new increased support. If you need some guidance to work through this you are invited to connect with me - Jacquie: Costron + Co Finance Strategy Specialist, to work through strategies to create the financial reserve.
When possible, develop the marketing strategies and social media content prior to the departure. This should include advanced scheduling – or securing the support to do the scheduling. Costron + Co. has the privilege of working with a collaborator, Taylor Rae who provides support for our social media, newsletter, and marketing campaigns. If you are looking for this kind of support, you are invited to connect with her for a consultation.
If responding to an unexpected absence, reflect on the strategies in place. Determine if the strategies are still appropriate. Consider scaling back or even pausing your marketing activities, but not without considering the impact to your page’s algorithms as well as your community seeking support from these online spaces.
Tip #2: Allow Yourself Grace and Ease
Always remember to be kind to yourself. Come to your work each day with the intention of doing your best. But also remember that your best will vary from day to day – give yourself the same grace and understanding that you would if you witnessed someone else bringing their best each day. Release any emotion on trying to do the work of two people. Instead – go back to focusing on doing your best each day. When we live amidst dominant colonial narratives of productivity that prioritize and glorify hard work, we can constantly fall into hustle and striving.
When you are feeling extra busy the most important thing is to maintain your self care practices. It would be counter productive to let the activities that ground you lapse. This is the time to double down on your commitment to yourself. Remember to practice ways of being and connect to Loving Kindness, Compassion, and Resilience for yourself.
This is a time to trust your inner wisdom.
