By: Frayed Passport
Do you want to travel without putting your career on hold?
It’s the dream for a lot of our readers—and we write a lot about exactly that subject.
If you’re starting to think about longer-term travel, then whether and how your career is affected has certainly crossed your mind. And while it may sound like a fantasy to balance an established professional life with a new adventure in your personal one, there are a lot of ways in which you can succeed in the business world while still exploring the world.
Now if you run a business of your own, this article is for you. If you’re unsure how to plan for smooth operations while traveling, read on!
1. Be willing to hand over the reins
One of the easiest ways to continue to run a successful business while being able to travel frequently is by handing over the reins to others that you trust. They can be responsible for the day-to-day operations while you’re away, which is easier said than done—it requires a certain level of trust and communication, which could mean refining your hiring and training strategies well ahead of your travel dates. This will allow you to develop a strong relationship with your team, and to ensure that everyone’s on the same page.
2. Sort out your finances
One of the biggest challenges associated with working while traveling is paying taxes. While you could hire an accountant to help you with your tax prep needs, it is also important that you understand the basics of taxes on income earned abroad, and other situations that may apply to you.
- Read more articles about budget and finance here
3. Be easy to contact
While you should allow yourself some time off while traveling, you’re still a business owner. This means that you shouldn’t go off-grid for days or weeks at a time without ample preparation. We’re not saying you should be available to answer customer inquiries immediately, but you should be available to your team should they have questions or get stuck.
- Read our article on the top mobile apps for savvy travelers
4. Bring in experts
Another way in which you can ensure your business grows from strength to strength in your absence is by bringing in the experts for help and advice. For example, if you run an investment company and are struggling to leverage growth, you may want to work with a gips consulting team. They can help you to improve your investment performance through practical advice and guidance, therefore helping your business grow.
5. Refine your business plan
Reviewing and refining your business plan before grabbing your passport and jetting off into the sunset is also essential. Defining new strategies for growth that your team can follow without you being physically present each day will do wonders, whether it’s in marketing, customer acquisition, product development, and so on.
6. Travel outside of peak business times
While you may be keen to spend as much time as possible abroad, you should plan your travel strategically—traveling outside of peak business periods, for example. Say if you work in the retail industry, this could mean that you avoid traveling during the festive period when sales and consumer demand are likely to skyrocket. Of course peak business periods depend on the sector you’re in, but trying to travel during quieter times will give you a bit more peace of mind about your company’s operations—not to mention support for your team!
What are your tips for running a business while traveling? Share your stories and advice with the Frayed Passport community!
Featured image by Jordan Opel on Unsplash