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17 August 2011 – 72% of small business owners who go away on holiday are unable to leave work behind when taking time off, an online survey for Intuit, makers of QuickBooks financial management software for small businesses, has found.
Despite being on holiday, nearly three quarters (72%) of small business owners work when they are away while one in seven (14%) indicated that they spend as much time or more time working than relaxing.
This could be down to small businesses worrying about leaving their business behind. Over a third (35%) of small business owners worry about leaving their business behind when on holiday and 22% feel more stressed during their first day back at work than before they left for their breaks.
The survey found that women feel more anxious about their business than men with 43% of female small business owners saying they worry about taking a break from the business. In addition, small business owners in the retail and hospitality & leisure sectors worry more than most about leaving their businesses behind when going away (47% and 49% respectively); highlighting the tough economic conditions they face at present. 35 – 44 year olds are more likely to be more stressed when they return from holiday than before they went (29%).
As a result of these concerns, small business owners are resorting to ‘work-cations’ to ensure they can still have a holiday but keep an eye on the business at the same time. Mobile devices are allowing them to do so with half (49%) of holidaying small business owners using their laptop for work while 70% take advantage of their mobile phones for work purposes whilst on holiday.
Pernille Bruun-Jensen, managing director, Intuit UK said:
“Everybody needs to take time off now and then but our findings show that small business owners never switch off, even when they could really do with switching off. Rather than not taking a break at all, many of them are choosing to take their business away on holiday with them. Technological advancements have made this possible with many small business owners being able to run and manage their business anytime, anywhere.
The key is to work as efficiently as possible when on holiday so these entrepreneurs can spend more time nearer the pool than by the laptop. While small business owners feel it necessary to work on holiday, there are ways in which they can keep on top of the business but still make the most of their break.”
How can holidaying small business owners ensure the business is running smoothly and still have fun in the sun? Here are the top 10 mobile business tools and applications that small business owners can utilise while enjoying their break:
1. Skype.
Need to make business calls but worried about dialling out internationally and racking up a huge phone bill? With this popular tool, you can make free Skype to Skype calls no matter where you are as well as engage in instant messaging and video chat – what better way to gloat about your holiday destination than have the picturesque setting in the background!
2. QuickBooks Online.
Keep one eye on your finances and the other on your pina colada with this web-based financial management tool. Accessible via any desktop or laptop with internet connection or even a mobile phone with a web browser, this handy application will allow you to keep tabs on your cash flow and track your VAT returns while soaking up the sun’s rays.
3. Uber Social.
Don’t worry about being unable to engage your customers through social media channels while on holiday. With this cool app, you can still update and manage your Twitter and Facebook accounts from anywhere and keep tabs on what your followers and friends are saying about your business.
4. PDF Notes.
We’ve all been there when an important PDF document comes through to your mobile but you can’t open or edit the file. These frustrating moments can now be avoided with PDF Notes, which lets you view and edit PDF documents – even on the beach!
5. ProOnGo Expense.
Never lose money through lost receipts and missed expense claims again! This handy app allows you to photograph your receipts, safely store them on your phone, and then upload the details to your company’s accountancy software.
6. Analytics.
If your business has a website and you are worried about how it is doing while you are on holiday, then not to fear. With this app, you can check how much traffic is being driven to your website and make sure that you are always in the know, even on the plains of the Serengeti!
7. Weave.
Have a stress free holiday by making sure you never miss a trick with this nifty multi-functional app. You can track to-dos, income, projects and even time spent, all from the comfort of your sun-lounger.
8. Evernote.
From the Alps to Down Under, the Nile to the Grand Canyon, all of these wonders of the world can be a source of inspiration for many entrepreneurs. Be sure to jot these thoughts down rather than wait to return home with this note-taking app.
9. LinkedIn.
Need to contact a business client but don’t have their details while on your break? With LinkedIn you can access your professional network and find out how to best make contact with them from wherever you are in the world.
10. GoogleDocs.
Planning on working on business documents while on holiday? Well no need to worry about taking USB sticks with you everywhere. Simply create a document in GoogleDocs and as long as you can access the internet you’ll be able to open and edit those all important files.
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Notes to editors
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov. Total sample size was 504 small business owners. Fieldwork was undertaken between the 29th July and 2nd August 2011. The survey was carried out online.
About Intuit UK
Intuit UK is a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small organisations and their advisors including accountants and bookkeepers. Intuit’s solutions are based on the simple principle of ease-of-use, backed by the highest levels of service and support. The flagship product QuickBooks is designed to help small businesses succeed through taking the worry out of managing business finances. Intuit works through its QuickBooks ProAdvisor Programme and Intuit Developer Network to partner small businesses nationwide, saving them time so they can focus on running and growing their businesses. Intuit UK is a subsidiary of Intuit Inc. For more information please visit www.intuit.co.uk.
For more information, please contact:
Ben Walker / Mapara Fernandez
Hotwire
T: +44 (0) 20 7608 4628 / 4687
E: intuit@hotwirepr.com
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