Vacation Tips for Busy Small Business Owners

If you're a small business owner or "run the shop" at work, you understand the pros and cons of being your own boss. Sure, you can generally make your own schedule, but along with that freedom is the reality of being an entrepreneur: the responsibility, the accountability, and the long hours that can lead to burnout very quickly.

With all that falls squarely on your shoulders, you may feel uneasy about taking a vacation. Don't stress. Here are tips and to-dos to help the worrisome entrepreneur take a much-needed and rejuvenating vacation.

More bosses are breaking away

According to a 2012 survey by Robert Half Management Resources - a Menlo Park, California-based senior level accounting, finance and business recruiting firm - 51 percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) said they didn't or don't plan to check in with the office at all while on vacation. That number is nearly double the percentage from a similar poll in 2010 (26 percent), and up significantly from a 2005 study (21 percent).

Why business owners stress

In 2007, an OPEN from American Express Small Business Monitor survey titled, "Employers Skimping on Vacations" asked business owners what concerns them most about being away from the office. The top concerns included:

    The fear that an important client or customer will receive inadequate service
    Missing an important new business opportunity
    Staff will make a poor judgment call
    Not knowing who will manage the business in their absence

While these concerns are valid, it's important to your physical and mental health to take a break and re-energize yourself - you'll return with renewed creativity, energy, and enthusiasm that should translate into more sales and greater enjoyment of your work.

So, start planning your vacation keeping these tips in mind:

    Notify clients in advance and be sure that they have your contact information if they need to reach you. Be sure to ask if there's anything you can handle before you leave.

    Ask a trusted colleague to be in charge while you're away.

    Prepare your employees by discussing potential scenarios that may arise and how they should handle them. Clarify with your staff and colleagues what situations require your immediate attention, and what can be handled by the team at the office. If you expect to be notified of emergencies, provide a way for people to reach you quickly, such as your cell phone number.

    If you're not planning on working on your vacation, don't send mixed signals by checking in and returning phone calls and emails. Unless it's an emergency, relax!

    When you return from vacation, take time to acknowledge the good work of the team, especially those who helped the office run smoothly in your absence. Make note of their efforts in their next performance review.

    Take advantage of out-of-town business trips by adding a few days for some relaxing time.

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Business Fuel Cards: Discovering The Options Available

For many businesses there are regular, daily costs to uphold with fuel often being one of the biggest charges faced. Whether a fleet of vehicles, a small team regularly travelling around the country or a few members of staff expected to move from one office to the next; fuel expenses are always incoming and can always add up.

As a result some of the largest fuel providers in the world now offer business fuel cards. In the style of a credit card, business fuel cards are strictly used for the payment of fuel which, complete with a pin can be used by drivers at specific locations. Businesses will, with fuel card services receive regular invoices, often weekly; which they can pay off within an agreed time period. As an efficient way to manage costs, fuel cards provide security and control over the amount spent on fuel which can make life easy for any business.

Whether you have a small team of drivers or large; all invoices will be organised together, you can control how much your drivers are spending and can even use the data provider to potentially plan shorter and more fuel-efficient routes for your drivers.

From Euro Shell to Texaco, UK Fuels and Esso; the biggest names in the fuel world have their own cards with their own benefits but which one is right for your business? With different savings, different fuel locations and different fuel management services; finding the right fuel card will require knowing what to look for.

Looking for the right business fuel card? Below are a few of the key points to consider when attempting to discover the options available...

    Savings- A fuel card is only of benefit if your business can make real savings so consider the deals that each card offers. From set pricing to competitive and two tiered pricing and additional features which include M6 toll payment options; depending on your needs you should be able to find a card that can provide some benefit.
    Options- As mentioned, different cards will have different options available so consider these before you make any decision. How many fuel locations are there? Are you able to get several cards on one account? What about your choice of fuel company, will they be able to provide constant support should you need it?
    Services- Fuel management services are a fantastic option for any business, a dedicated service will help you manage every being spent on your card, invoices and any other issues. This level of control is fantastic when looking to better manage business spending.

For those businesses reliant upon drivers, rigorously managing those regular fuel costs can make a great deal of difference to finances which is why fuel cards are now used by some of the biggest corporations in the world.

Not every fuel card is the right one however so if it is time to find the right one for your business, do your homework and ask all the right questions in order to start making savings and better managing those out-goings.

Wearable Technology And the Business Traveller

The analogy between Athletes and Frequent Fliers is a strong one to make, but a valid one when you consider how gruelling global business travel can be. Athletes take the time to train for fitness and competition. Frequent fliers, especially road warriors should take time to train for fitness and the journey. The serious athlete is well aware of the value of feedback, to that end they employ a coach and technology to keep them progressing and competitive. While frequent fliers may not have access to a coach they can leverage technology to help them stay journey fit and healthy. This is made even easier today with the explosion of Wearable Technology. Wearable technology, specifically of the health monitoring variety means any frequent flier can get real time feedback on their health status and adjust accordingly.

What was once the preserve of the elite athlete and out of reach and price range of your average person has now become available to all and sundry. In this respect we are witnessing the sexing up of the humble pedometer. Wearable technology (wearable tech for short) comes in all shapes and sizes with simplicity and sophistication in equal measure. Wearable tech gadgets can do anything from helping you reach daily physical activity goals to measuring sleep quality and duration, track water consumption, calorie consumption, weight gain or weight loss, as well as power napping and helping you monitor your exposure to ionising radiation.

The wonders of wearable tech are made possible because of advances in technology and the simplification of the UI (User Interface) all you need is a smartphone and your chosen gadget that is equally easy to wear on the wrist, in the pocket or around the neck and you are all set. Bluetooth and plug and play syncing options will do the job of keeping track of your progress.

All of these gadgets are available and useful to the frequent business flier and can make a worthwhile contribution to staying healthy while jetting around the world and encountering different time zones. In addition to this new crop of gadgets there are also some other items on the horizon or that have been around for a while which qualify as wearable tech which are also indispensable to healthy fliers. Include magnetic insoles which massage your meridian points on the soles of your feet in this category although you might want to call it low-tech wearable tech. You can also include a soon to be released power napping eye mask which will allow you to power nap to perfection, its timer wakes you by simulating a natural sunrise wake sequence. Another low-tech offering (yet to be released) is a silicon wristband which monitors pollution you are exposed to. Fliers concerned about Aero-toxic Syndrome and fume events when they fly could for instance use the band to monitor exactly what they are exposed to.

The options to get valuable feedback through wearable tech are increasing with the uses technology is being put to, it is only a matter of time before its use becomes the rule for frequent fliers instead of the exception. Apple's reported acquisition of Beats Electronics seems to be drawing criticism from the financial markets, but it could just be that Apple has acquired the last piece of its technology puzzle before it launches the iWatch. Whether Apple can turn the iWatch into that must-have wearable tech gadget we didn't know we needed remains to be seen. In the meantime frequent fliers without wearable tech will seem like astronauts in space without space suits, future generations will wonder how we ever managed without it.

Works Cited

Wearable Technology, wikipedia.com, Wikipedia Foundation, Web, Accessed May 18th 2014.

Steven G. O'Connell, Laurel D. Kincl, and Kim A. Anderson, Silicone Wristbands as Personal Passive Samplers, Environ.Sci.Technol., 2014, 48 (6), pp 3327-3335, Publication date (Web) February 18, 2014. Accessed May 18th 2014.

Mark DeCambre, Beats might just be the best platform for Apple's wearable tech, qz.com, May 12, 2014, Web. Accessed May 18th 2014.

Christopher Babayode is a flight attendant, nutritional therapist and frequent flier with over 15 years worth experience flying for British Airways on their long and short haul fleets.

Christopher's own need to stay healthy while flying led him to try most of the jet lag remedies available today. He found them to be impractical and health destroying or incomplete. Taking his nutrition training and work experience Chris now coaches others to fly healthy by design instead of by chance.

NoJetStress.com's mission is to help eliminate jet lag in a healthy manner while building vitality for all airline travellers.

Top Reasons Why Baby Boomers Venture in Online Business Travel

Nowadays, a lot of businesses have targeted baby boomers, and they are doing this for a good reason. Since most baby boomers are retired, and are living off their pension, they make up that part of the society with indispensable income, and with a lot of free time at their hands. Some businesses that benefit from this are travel businesses, airline businesses, and of course, home-based businesses. It seems like boomers are constantly looking for leisurely things to do and if they run out of ideas, they turn to business.

One of the most attractive options for them is home based travel business. For them, the time after they have retired is the peak of their lives, and they want it to be as worthwhile as they can make it to be. Many boomers have already traveled for business or for fun, and for them; this equips them with the necessary requisites of running this venture. However, this does not fully encompass the underlying reasons why this type of business is a common preference for them. So to answer the perpetual query as to why boomers prefer home based travel business, we came up with a list.

    The FOMO mentality not only exists in millennials, but also in baby boomers. FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out. Ever wondered why you see a lot of them spending days at the coffee shop holding an iPad? Most of them have become tech-savvy because it allows them to stay on top of what is currently hot and what is not. This is also one of the defining factors why baby boomers choose to venture in online business, particularly online travel business. They want to feel like they are updated in the current trends, or make sure that they are exposed to enough culture, so whether it is by getting a timeshare or putting up a home based business, they are almost always willing to do it.

    Most baby boomers are inclined to travel. As mentioned before, most part of this generation is already retired and finds themselves with more free time than they are willing to admit. They also feel the need to see something "before it is gone," and this drives them to travel all around the world. With the looming threat of global warming and what not, they feel like traveling tourist attractions all over the world have a deadline, and they do not want to miss out on anything. What is stopping them, anyway? They have all the time in the world. Moreover, this gives them the excitement of exploring new horizons. Without the everyday challenges of their previous work life, they look of a sense of adventure, and more often than not, they find this in traveling.

    A lot of baby boomers live in a household that is an "empty nest." A great bulk of this demographic live in a household wherein the kids are married, off to college, or have simply moved out. A lot of them have even resorted to getting pets. These pets do not really make up for the absence of other family members, but somehow, gives them comfort. Most boomers claim that this makes them bored-they were used to a life of coming home to a house full of kids, and now that it is not the case anymore, they want to venture into something that will keep them preoccupied, like a hobby, but is also financially sustainable, like a business. So, they turn to something that could offer both, which is home based travel business.

Having a regular source of income and unlimited free time is not just the reason why baby boomers are enticed to venture in home based travel business. This is not just about them, having nothing better to do, but it is because of the industry's risk-free nature, especially for those who are new in the business industry. Aside from the topline reasons mentioned earlier, we are sure you can find more motivations to mount your own home based travel business.

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Staying Connected While Traveling in the 21st Century Mobile World

The 21st century has become quite hectic. Our careers take us to more places than ever before to conduct business, whether we are in business for ourselves or for companies for whom we work. As hectic as that is, though, what makes traveling in business the most hectic is the fact that we are never far away from the office thanks to the power of the mobile Internet and our mobile devices.

Our smartphones and tablets are almost as essential in this day and age as are the luggage that carry our belongings from one city to another and the clothes we wear from place to place and meeting to meeting. Without our mobile devices, we cannot stay in constant contact with our superiors and with our companies to ensure we are getting critical business done. This is usually critical to ensure we have real-time data and updates on important business matters that often pertain to the meetings we attend and deals we are attempting to complete for the profitability and sustainability of our companies.

Thus, it's vital that we ensure that our mobile devices are in good working order and that we always have them powered up to ensure we can stay in constant contact with headquarters and our superiors. Therefore, know where there are power outlets where you can charge up your devices if you need to. Whether this is in the hotel room, in the conference room, or elsewhere, plan ahead of time to ensure you have plenty of juice when that critical meeting or interview takes place so your mobile device doesn't run out of power at a critical moment.

It's also prudent to have one or more external battery packs to power your mobile devices. Oftentimes, there is a delay or situation that occurs that you don't plan for. It could be a delay at the airport, a delay in the start of a meeting, or even getting caught in a traffic jam on the way to the meeting that could cause you to be away from a power outlet longer than you planned. While these situations often can't be planned for ahead of time or avoided, you can mitigate their effects on your day by having one or more fully-charged external battery packs you can plug your mobile device into to ensure it is functioning and ready to go when that important meeting starts.

Before you head on an important trip, take some time with your mobile device to ensure you know exactly how long it will last doing normal functions (such as calling, texting, searching on the Internet, etc.). The stated times the battery will last and how long your battery will actually last are not often the same, especially if your device is older, runs on 4G LTE (uses up more battery power), or if you are doing several tasks at one time. It's important to know exactly what your device is capable of doing and not doing before you actually go out on that important business trip.

Twenty-first century business usually involves us traveling and staying in contact with our superiors and our businesses via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It is virtually impossible to conduct business nowadays without such devices being at our disposal and ready to use. It's important we have our devices charged and ready-to-go, no matter what delays or challenges may come our way. Knowing exactly what your device is capable of battery-wise and having one or more fully-charged external battery packs handy can help to ensure that your mobile devices will help you to conduct the critical business meetings and negotiations that need to be done while you're away from the office.

The Importance Of Staying Hydrated On The Road

As a truck driver the last thing that you want to have to do is make a bunch of scheduled or unscheduled pit stops along the road. Many truckers intentionally curb or control how much they are drinking during the day limiting their intake of liquids often by less than half of what is recommended.

It is important to realize that dehydration can cause serious health issues over both the short and long term. It is also important to realize that not all liquids actually hydrate your body in the same ways and some can actually lead to an increased risk of dehydration.

Symptoms of Dehydration

In addition to health issues, which will be discussed later, people that are dehydrated also have various issues that can impact your ability to be a safe, effective driver. One of the key symptoms of dehydration is increasing drowsiness and fatigue, both issues that are problematic when you are driving professionally.

Other symptoms of dehydration include:
• Dry mouth
• Excessive thirst that may come and go
• Chronic types of acute or low grade headaches
• Stiffness and cramping of the muscles
• Confusion and disorientation
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded
• Difficulty urinating or strong urine
• Chronic lower back pain (kidney area) as well as chronic urinary tract infections (UTI)

It is really important to keep in mind that while these are the common symptoms of dehydration, they are also the symptoms of a lot of other health issues as well. It is always a good idea to get these types of symptoms checked out by your doctor to make sure there isn't another underlying health issue that could be detected early to ensure you have the widest possible range of treatment options.

The longer that these symptoms are present, or the more chronically dehydrated you are, the greater the load that you put on your kidneys and circulatory system. This can lead to an increased risk of specific types of kidney disease as well as poor immune response of your body.

Decreased water content of the body, particularly the cells of the organs and the blood, decreases their ability to work, repair and function. Low concentrations of water in the blood can led to a condition known as hypovolemic shock that can be life threatening. This can happen when the blood volume drops suddenly or over time and your blood pressure falls dramatically. When this happens the blood is not circulated through the body, oxygen supply to the cells is cut off, and the brain and central nervous system can stop functioning leading to coma and, if not treated immediately, death.

How Much Is Enough And What Counts?

For the average person drinking about 8 full glasses, which are at least 8 ounces in size, per day is typically enough if you are not exercising or in hot conditions. However, if you are sweating or if you feel thirsty you should drink more. For those that excise regularly or are in hot or dry conditions drink more water and more frequently. This would include driving in a hot truck or running with the window down if the air conditioner isn't working.

If you are trying to stay hydrated or experience the symptoms discussed above when you are driving, don't count beverages such as coffee, energy drinks, sodas or anything else with caffeine as part of your 8 glass total. The reason you don't want to count them is because they contain stimulants and, in the case of soda and some energy drinks, a lot of sugars. Drinking these types of drinks may help with hydration, but you will then have to deal with the symptoms of over consumption of caffeine and sugar, which are often very similar to the symptoms of dehydration. Also, next time you are tempted to reach for a soda in the truck stop take a minute and read the label. You will be surprised at the chemicals and additives in your favorite drink that you may not even know what they are.

Water, either bottled or tap, is a great option to just sip as you are driving. If you aren't a water fan try some of the new single serving sugarless sports drink mixes or water flavoring packets that are generally well liked by most people. You can also drink sugar free types of sports drinks that have extra electrolytes which can help prevent cramping and many of the physical symptoms of dehydration.

Food, especially high moisture foods like apples, watermelon, oranges and grapefruit as well as raw vegetables can all help to boost your water intake throughout the day. These wouldn't count specifically towards that 8 glass goal but they are a great way to add extra water and also give you a healthy snack.

A good habit, and one that many athletes, sports doctors, coaches and trainers recommend is to drink a large glass of water just before going to bed and immediately when you get up. This simple habit ensures that you are always going to have at least a quarter of your water intake requirements covered and it helps to allow your body to function effectively.

Sunny Jamaica Beckons

Irie Irie. Every little thing's gonna' be all right, Mon. And so it will, especially if you take your next Caribbean vacation to the lovely island of Jamaica and kick it up a notch by chartering a private jet to take you there. Home to Usain Bolt, the fastest man on the planet and the legendary Bob Marley, the island has something for everyone under its tropical skies.

Located just 145 miles south of Cuba, the country of Jamaica is a fantastic blend of culture, food, sparkling waters, soft warm sand, fascinating natural attractions and a history that is just waiting to be explored through its forts, historical buildings and plantation past. With three international airports, large enough for the commercial jets with long runways and modern amenities, to the local commuter airports and private landing strips strewn throughout the island, a charter has plenty of options and allows you a tailor made vacation to the sun.

Dunn's River Falls is just one of the highlights as you stand below and marvel at the water cascading down the rock formations. The climb up to the top may look complicated, but with an expert guide you will marvel at the lovely views while relaxing in one of many tide pools along the way. If the falls are just too commercial, you won't want to miss Blue Hole, a still largely undisturbed natural attraction where you can swim, explore caves, watch cliff divers and explore the many formations, waterfalls and trails in the area. Not to be missed is Dolphin Cove, where visitors swim and play with the beautiful bottlenose dolphins, take boat rides, check out what's beneath the surface in a glass-bottom kayak or see the displays of other marine life that lives onsite. For the true adventurer, Jamaica is also home to Mystic Mountain, where you can take a bobsled ride, yes, in the Caribbean, or take to a zip line through the lush tropical rainforest.

If all you want to do is laze on the beach, take to the water with a variety of watersports or go sailing, the island has all of that in spades. Beautiful stretches of palm tree lined warm sand complete with crystal clear waters beckon families and couples alike. Take a sunset cruise, dine under the stars or have a day of pampering at any number of spas; the island is a true respite from the world and one that will have you longing to return.

Charter your next trip to Jamaica and have your vacation your way, amid the beauty, history and culture that make this nation a fantastic place in the sun.