Yasmin Walter of KMD Books is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, international bestselling author and modern publisher based in Australia.
My husband and I both own small businesses, and, despite the demands of entrepreneurship, we’ve discovered that it’s possible to explore the world with our two daughters while maintaining the success of our ventures. Here are five tips to help entrepreneurs successfully balance business and travel.
1. Embrace The Power Of Flexibility
As a business owner, you have the freedom to design your work schedule. Embrace this flexibility to create a balance between your professional and personal life. Plan your trips strategically, taking into consideration your business commitments and other commitments, such as your children’s school breaks. By aligning these two aspects, you can maximize your time spent traveling while ensuring your business operations remain uninterrupted.
2. Leverage Technology And Remote Work
The digital era has transformed the way we conduct business. With the emergence of cloud computing, collaborative software and high-speed internet access, it has become more convenient than ever to oversee your business operations from virtually anywhere on the planet. Invest in a robust remote work infrastructure, including secure VPNs and cloud-based project management tools, to help ensure your business’s ongoing productivity.
Regularly maintaining communication with your team is crucial for setting expectations and upholding accountability. While many hotels offer decent internet speeds, reliability can be an issue. For instance, during my travels in Vietnam, I found high-speed internet and widespread Wi-Fi availability, whereas in Malaysia, the internet frequently experienced interruptions, particularly in the areas where I stayed. To address this, I recommend obtaining a local SIM card to ensure you’re always reachable and have consistent internet access.
3. Empower Your Team
Successfully managing a business from abroad while traveling hinges on the art of delegation. Place your trust in your capable team to oversee day-to-day operations and take important actions in your absence. Empower your employees by furnishing them with clear directives and ensuring they possess the requisite resources to excel. By assigning responsibilities to others, you’ll liberate your time to concentrate on strategic planning and pivotal decision-making, enabling your business to flourish even while you’re on the go.
Personally, I’ve found that utilizing a platform like Trello facilitates the assignment of tasks and the monitoring of progress without necessitating frequent check-ins, which eliminates the need for micromanagement. Additionally, I host weekly Zoom meetings, scheduled after the kids are in bed, to catch up with my team. Furthermore, I remain accessible via WhatsApp for swift responses, ensuring smooth communication even while traveling.
4. Set Boundaries And Prioritize Quality Time
Balancing work and personal life on the road requires setting clear boundaries. Establish dedicated work hours and communicate them to your team and fellow travelers, and then be fully present during those times. I prioritize quality time with my children during non-working hours so we can explore the local culture and create lasting memories together.
5. Network And Collaborate
Traveling can also be an opportunity to expand your business network globally. Attend conferences, workshops and industry events in your destination to foster new connections and collaborations.
As a business owner, you have the autonomy to create a lifestyle that accommodates both your professional ambitions and your personal needs. I’ve found that traveling with children while managing my business abroad is not only possible but can be an enriching experience for my family and a growth opportunity for my business.
Moreover, exposing children to diverse cultures, landscapes and traditions at an early age fosters open-mindedness, cultural awareness and a broader perspective on the world. It also promotes valuable life skills for creating mini CEOs such as adaptability, problem-solving and resilience. Young travelers learn to navigate unfamiliar environments, adapt to varying routines, tackle unexpected challenges and interact with people from different backgrounds—all of which contribute to their personal growth and development.
By embracing flexibility, leveraging technology, delegating effectively and prioritizing quality time, you can achieve the delicate balance between business success and personal fulfillment. Remember, as a business owner, you make the rules, so design a life that works for you and your loved ones.
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