Online business software solutions can help minimize the impact of the summer school holidays
The school holidays are upon us – a whole six weeks in which parents are challenged to find ever more inventive ways to entertain the children. Small business owners who are also parents often face the toughest challenge of all—because the idea of an extended vacation is something many simply can’t afford. So how can you manage the childcare problem without letting your business suffer?
We don’t assume for a second that we have all the answers—after all, work/life balance is something that every parent, whether they’re an employee or a business owner, has struggled with forever. However, with the increasing penetration of telecommuting and technological advancements in cloud computing systems in areas such as online accounting software, it is now possible to work from home more efficiently than ever before.
Here are just a few ways you can free up time this summer for childcare without losing focus on your business:
1. When you’re housebound – organize your home office
There’s no doubt about it – when the school holidays are here, getting to the office is going to be a headache unless you have a really good childcare support network. Be smart and set up your home office ahead of time so you’re ready to go as soon as the holidays roll around. Find a quiet room (or a quiet corner if you can’t set aside an entire room) to set up your computer, bring home important files, and make sure office workers know how to transfer calls to your cell or landline. Make sure the whole family knows this is a work area so your papers don’t end up covered in well-meaning crayon drawings or sticky jam sandwiches! Finally, make sure your essential business software is accessible from home. The easiest way to do this is to make the best use of cloud computing solutions that store your software remotely rather than on your computer – such as online accounting software and remote file storage. Make the most of this innovation and you will be able to work as efficiently from home as in the office!
2. Out with the kids? Make the most of being mobile
We know that during the school holidays, parents are called upon more than ever to transport their children to events, parties and trips. Although many of these are family occasions, it is often the case that parents spend a lot of time sitting around, either waiting for the events to end or simply watching the proceedings. Why not take your laptop and wi-fi dongle with you and use the time to answer emails and keep track of your finances, which you can do with online accounting software
3. Find time to make your working hours more flexible
As hyper as kids are on vacation, they need to sleep sometimes. It’s the perfect time to catch up on your day’s work—and with the right software, you can do it at home. Online accounting software is designed for quick entry and instant access to all your financial information, so even if you can only grab a few minutes of precious time before the little ones wake up again, you’ll be able to make the most of what time you have – like for example, accessing the latest debtor information and sending follow-up emails to keep your bank balance in good standing.
We know that running a business is often a twenty-four-seven-day job – so adding bored kids to the mix will prove to be even more of a challenge. However, with the right tips, online software solutions, and a little planning, it’s achievable to keep your family happy and your business viable during the holidays. Happy Holidays!
Accounting software from online accounting provider Fusion Accounts
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