Taking annual leave at the "right time" can sometimes be stressful. You may have targets you feel you're a million miles away from, important projects with clients that are at their busiest phase, family issues... the list goes on. I have just taken 3 weeks off at probably the busiest time in my sales career.
Below, I run through some things you can do to plan effectively for a stress-free time off...
We all have many different priorities within our professional careers. Identifying a top 5-10 before you go away is crucial. This might be your biggest value deal; it might be tying some loose ends on projects that are near completion etc.
Understanding a priority list means you will go away on leave knowing your most important tasks/customers/projects are dealt with, setting you up for success when you return feeling refreshed!
Particularly in summer, people like to take annual leave... this is normal. Sometimes, customers have tight deadlines and want to ensure things move as quickly as possible, regardless of the time of year.
Informing my customers a month in advance really helped me manage their expectations and facilitate internally for alternate resources to cover. This allows us as a company to continue meeting the customers' demands, keeping them happy whilst you are away enjoying some sun, sipping a Piña Colada!
Don't forget that out-of-office button too!
Quick tip – Edit your email signature and slot in somewhere 'Advance Leave – Between X date and X date'. This gives every email you send out, both internally and externally, a notice of your upcoming leave. They are then aware and can plan for this leave with you to ensure any urgent tasks are actioned prior to the leave.
A sales individual's life lies within their CRM. It tells them everything they need to know about the opportunities in the pipeline, the essential customer information of the opportunity and the revenue they bring to the company.
Before you leave, make sure the following are as up-to-date as possible:
An up-to-date CRM will score you some points with your sales manager. This makes their life easier when reporting on the performance of the company and which sales reps are bringing a good pipeline to the business. It's within your best interests to ensure the CRM is spotless!
Most companies have an employee handbook that outlines policies and procedures related to various aspects of employment, including time off, benefits, and workplace conduct. Start by reviewing the handbook to get a general understanding of the policies that apply to you.
If you have any questions or concerns about company policies, reach out to your HR department or supervisor for clarification. They can help you understand how policies apply to your specific situation and provide guidance on any steps you need to take.
Company policies can change over time, so make sure to check for any updates or revisions that may have been made since you last reviewed them. Check your email, company intranet, or other communication channels for any announcements or updates related to company policies.
It's important to follow the proper procedures for requesting time off or addressing any issues related to company policies. Make sure you understand the process for making requests or raising concerns and follow the steps outlined in the employee handbook or by your supervisor.
Choosing the right dates for your annual leave can be important to ensure that you can make the most of your time off and enjoy your break from work. Remember to consider the following factors when selecting your dates for annual leave:
Consider the time of year when you are planning to take your leave. Some seasons or months may be busier than others at work, so choose a time when your absence will have the least impact on your colleagues and clients.
Think about any personal events or commitments you have coming up, such as weddings, family reunions, or vacations. Try to plan your annual leave around these events so you can attend without having to worry about work responsibilities.
Take note of any important work deadlines or projects that may be due around the time you are considering taking leave. If you have a lot of work to do, it may be best to wait until after these deadlines have passed before taking your break.
Consider your budget and any travel plans you may have. Depending on your destination, the time of year you choose to travel can greatly impact the cost of flights and accommodations.
Before you go on an annual leave, be sure to set up an out-of-office message. It is an important step to take to divide the workflow throughout the year when you're absent. Here are some tips for creating an effective message:
Your message should clearly state the dates you will be out of the office and when you will return. Make sure to include any contact information for colleagues or other resources that people can turn to while you are away.
While your message should be professional, it's important to use a friendly and approachable tone. You want to make sure that people feel comfortable reaching out to your colleagues for assistance while you are away.
Depending on your role and the nature of your work, you may want to include additional information in your out-of-office message. For example, if you are a salesperson, you may want to include information on how to place orders or contact customer service in your absence.
Avoid using a generic out-of-office message that does not provide specific information about your absence. Instead, customise your message to reflect your personality and the needs of your job.
Before you go on leave, make a list of tasks that you will need to complete when you return. This will help you stay organised and ensure that you don't miss any important deadlines or meetings.
Take a look at your calendar for the first few days after you return to work to ensure that you are aware of any meetings or appointments that have been scheduled.
Review any emails or messages that you have received while you were away to catch up on important updates and stay informed about any developments at work.
Don't try to tackle everything on your first day back. Instead, prioritise your to-do list and take on tasks in a manageable way so that you can ease back into your work routine without feeling overwhelmed.
I hope this blog provided you with some tips and tricks to ensure you plan as best as you can for your next break. Be sure to connect with me on LinkedIn to keep up-to-date with new blogs! Bye for now...
The amount of notice required may vary depending on your company's policies or employment contract. Generally, it's recommended to provide at least two weeks' notice so that your employer has time to make necessary arrangements.
It will depend on your company's policies or employment contract. Some companies require employees to take their leave in smaller increments throughout the year, while others allow employees to take their leave all at once.
If you don't use all of your annual leave before it expires (often at the end of the calendar year), you may lose those days off. Check with your HR department or employment contract for specifics.
