The Edge for July 2019
It’s vacation season, so we asked New Jersey business executives whether they actually do work while they are on vacation with friends and family, or whether they put the office behind them and get some rest and relaxation. The answers revealed practical ideas on how to manage work so your next pleasure cruise doesn’t turn into a business trip. Here is what they said:
Check Email Three times a Day – And then Put the Phone Away
I am a full-time mom, full-time wife and full-time market executive - and privileged to be all three. The roles don’t change during certain hours or days of the week. I am each of those things all of the time. As such, I do work on vacation but I am also plugged into my kids and husband during the workday. I have simple rules while on vacation:
*I check email three times per day - when I wake up, at lunch and at 5pm. Otherwise, email is out of sight and I am focused on my family.
*I am available by cell phone for critical client issues in between and trust my teams to be able to define critical.
– Kathryn M. Carlson, Managing Director-Market Executive, Bank of America
For Public Relations Execs, Phone is Always On and Laptop is Nearby
Many communications professionals, especially ones that deal with reputation matters, are most often expected to stay in touch with the office, even on vacation. When I am away, I check my emails frequently and always keep my phone with me. I also never leave my laptop at home. You never know when a reporter might call on deadline or an issue will arise that needs immediate attention. Some might perceive this as a burden, but for most public relations executives, it is what we have signed up for and what we enjoy doing. As Hyman Roth said in Godfather II, “This is the business we’ve chosen.”
– Kevin Friedlander, Northeast Corporate Communications Manager, Wells Fargo & Co.
You’ll be Back to Your Desk Soon Enough
It seems that the higher one goes up the corporate ladder, the less time he or she spends away from work. When that rare vacation comes along, you certainly don’t want to spend it glued to your phone or iPad. It’s so easy to give in to technology, which allows 24/7 access to your place of business. My advice is – don’t do it. Hopefully your organization has managers in place to handle day to day issues. Use technology to your advantage by being available for emergencies or major decisions. If you were to suddenly disappear down a manhole, your company would go on. You’re not indispensable, so take time to relax and enjoy your family. You will be back at your desk soon enough.
– Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President & CEO, Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Manage Expectations: Inform People That You Will Be Away
Early in my career, there was a need to find a pay phone to quickly respond to clients or colleagues, which limited the ability to work on vacation. Now, the temptation to stay in touch can be overwhelming. I have learned a few ways to minimize the need to be engaged constantly while away:
*Manage expectations by informing people before you go away that you will not be able to respond immediately.
*Ask a colleague to monitor communications and respond on your behalf, and to only reach out to you in emergencies.
*Check email or phone messages only once or twice a day and delegate responses to others.
*Remember that the work will be there when you return. Vacations are needed. Enjoy them.
– Dennis Toft, Chair of Environmental Group, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi
Get Back to people Within 24 to 48 Hours
I’m from the ‘old school’ of providing a personal touch to the calls and emails I receive, and that doesn’t stop on vacation. While away on vacation, I like to catch up with work early in the morning and at the end of day but, in the middle, there’s an important need for family time. When away, I have a policy of getting back to people within 24 to 48 hours.
– Ralph Albert Thomas, CEO and Executive Director, New Jersey Society of CPAs
Make Decisions and then Get Back to Your Vacation
I consider my job to be 24/7, 365 days a year. It is a function of a 21st century business, and 21st century devices make it convenient to stay connected while I’m technically on vacation. I respond to emails on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and, yes, vacation. The work I undertake on holidays is typically in response to emails. If something hits my inbox, given my position, that something is probably important and deserves my attention. Luckily, I do not suffer from paralysis of analysis – I make decisions and live with the consequences, so that I am not tied up indefinitely, and I can get back to my vacation.
– Patrick C. Dunican Jr., Chairman and Managing Director, Gibbons P.C.
