Current at: 02 September 2008
Holding The Fort
Many people believe that falling sick when you are self employed means you aren’t at the mercy of a demanding manager and don’t have to deal with feelings of guilt at not being able to get to your desk. But what are the real consequences of being sick when you are your own boss?
It is important to have some business planning in place. The following steps are also useful in the event that you want to take a break and have that well deserved holiday.
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Seek out someone reliable who can hold the fort if you have to take some time out. Remember this might be a big task so, if possible, have a few options.
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Have a list for your helper/s of useful contact details for your suppliers and clients i.e. relevant phone numbers and addresses.
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Work out the important tasks that would need to be done if you were off sick, and have a plan of action for each of them. This could include reading and responding to emails, taking calls, following up with clients, invoicing, debt collection, paying bills, faxes, sales, scheduling, mail, etc. You might find that you will need more than one person to cover all of these different tasks.
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Have all your business processes well documented and set up in a folder so it is easy for someone else to follow.
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Make sure that your computer filing system is in order and it is easy for your helper/s to find any important documents they may need. Also your helper/s may require passwords to access your systems.
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Organise a call or answering service to manage your calls, especially if option one is not possible. It is important not to miss calls.
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If being sick means that you will miss deadlines, make sure you get someone to call your clients or suppliers well in advance. You will be surprised how easily deadlines can be moved or alternatives can be found.
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Don’t overlook a back-up strategy for invoicing and chasing debtors. If you are off sick you will need to keep the revenue coming in to cover expenses.
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Have a friendly competitor who you can outsource emergency work to, ideally under your own banner.
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Make sure your website is up-to-date and has plenty of useful information in case you need to direct potential clients to your website.
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Have an automated email response that can notify clients and suppliers that you are off sick or unavailable, and who to contact in an emergency, especially if you are unable to respond to emails yourself.
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Make sure you have all your customers’ and suppliers’ phone numbers – both office and mobile – in your mobile phone so you can quickly call and make arrangements if you are sick.
And remember, whether returning from a holiday or getting back on your feet after an illness, the more prepared you have been ahead of time, the easier it will be to pick up where you left off. Most importantly, your clients will still be happy.