Kathleen Lawson Consulting’s Post

Are you guilty of checking your #Slack messages while you're on holiday? Perhaps for 2025, one good resolution to have might be to take your vacation days – and actually disconnect from work. Will you keep to all your workplace resolutions? Maybe not. But if you try some out anyway, you might be surprised at what sticks, says contributor Kelvin Kao. #newyearresolutions #workresolutions

Office bullies exist! But, you CAN beat them. They can raise your stress through the roof, make you second guess yourself, create doubt and toxicity, cause you to loathe coming in everyday, and eventually result in you questioning if you’re in the right industry… You can deny them that power. You can take back control of your workday. First step- DECIDE that’s what you want… Next step- we can take together.

🕒 Holiday Productivity Hack: Did you know delegating just 5 hours of administrative work can save you 20+ hours of personal time? Our virtual assistant services are like your personal productivity elves – working behind the scenes while you enjoy the holidays! Tip of the day: Batch your emails, automate your responses, and reclaim your time. #ProductivityTips #VirtualAssistant #WorkSmartNotHard #HolidaySeason

🌴 How to Keep Your Business Running When Your Staff Are on Holiday 🌴 Summer holidays can be a challenge for small business owners. Here's how to manage: 1. Use a holiday planner: Coordinate staff holidays to ensure key team members are available when needed. 2. Plan for emergencies: Have a clear plan for handling crises and ensure everyone knows it. 3. Consider flexible/remote working: Allow staff to work flexibly or remotely. Tools like Slack, DropBox, Trello, and Skype can help. 4. Brief clients: Inform clients about staff absences and any stand-ins. 5. Automate tasks: Use tools to help you (we use FreeAgent). 6. Organise handovers: Ensure proper handovers to keep projects and orders on track. 7. Take time for yourself: Your wellbeing is crucial. Taking a break can also empower your team. Keep your business thriving, even when the sun is calling! ☀️ #BusinessTips #HR #SmallBusiness #RemoteWork #Automation

Does the old "out-of-office" template need a revamp? #HolidayMode #LinkedInNewsUK I do not think that it's a definitely need to be covered but I'm always curious to see how habits are evolving. Another point is if I'm willing to adopt anyone of these changes. Generally I pick up what it's more interesting. Regarding the "out-of-office" I have been affected by my experience within an international organization decades ago. During a European meeting CEO said: "You have the right to have holiday and I have the right to reach you if needed, so please avoid to put yourselves in "out-of-office" mode". Now what I do: I inform my colleagues and daily contact about my vacation time but I do not use out-of-office. I do not bring with me mobile/pc 24/7 during holiday but I check them time to time and I give feedback if I think necessary. Time is changing and with smart working approach the balance between professional and private time is any longer what we have seen years ago.

It's end of year so we all know what that means.... More time out of office! Preparing to be out of the office during the holidays involves planning ahead to ensure your work is covered and everything runs smoothly in your absence. 👇 Here are some tips to help you get ready: 👇 📧Set an Out-of-Office Email: Let people know when you’ll be away, provide alternate contacts, and set expectations for your response time and return to the office. Updating your Slack status accordingly with the same detailed message would be a great idea too! 🗣️Notify Your Team: Inform colleagues and stakeholders about your absence and delegate tasks or provide clear instructions. Additionally, in the case of an emergency, be sure to identify someone to handle urgent matters in your absence and ensure important files are accessible. 🔺Prioritize Tasks: Finish or delegate critical work before you leave and update project management tools. Also ensure upcoming deadlines are covered and communicate who will handle them. 📎Finish Admin Tasks: Complete any remaining paperwork or approvals and tidy up your workspace. Leaving a clean and organized workspace is crucial to prevent feeling overwhelmed when you return! 😁Enjoy Your Time Off: Disconnect fully and enjoy a stress-free holiday! 🙌 By preparing in advance, you can ensure that your absence doesn’t disrupt the workflow and that you come back to a well-organized environment. Most importantly, this will help ensure a smooth transition and let you actually enjoy your time off!! ✨ #TimeOffTips #Holidays #OutOfOffice

🔔 Out-of-Office Season is Here! 🔔 It's that time of year when out-of-office messages flood your inbox. But which type resonates with you the most? 🤔 Short & Professional: 👍 "I'm out of office. My emails are not forwarded and will not be read. You can call my colleagues at [Phone Number]. I am back [Return Date]." Creative & Fun: 😄 "I'm excited to share that I am currently taking some time off to recharge my batteries and will be out of the office until [Return Date]. 🌴 During this period, I’ll have limited access to my emails and might not be able to respond promptly. However, logistics never sleep, and our dedicated archtects of transport are here to assist you! For any urgent matters, please reach out to [Alternate Contact Name] at [Alternate Contact Email/Phone Number]. Your support and understanding are greatly appreciated. I look forward to returning fully energized and ready to dive back into all the exciting logistics challenges and opportunities. Stay well, and see you soon!" Which one do you prefer? If it’s the short one, tap 👍. If you prefer the creative one, tap 😄. Got a different take? ⬇ Share your own "out-of-office" message in the comments below! ⬇ Let’s make our inboxes a bit more interesting this season. #OutOfOffice #Recharge #WorkLifeBalance #Productivity #Logistics #TeamWork #HolidayMode

GET ORGANISED AFTER THE CHRISTMAS BREAK WITH THESE TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS... It’s mid-Jan already (I know, I am thinking “how?!” as well) so it’s time to refocus and get organised. Whether you're back in the office or working from home, getting organised is the key to starting the year strong! Here are 4 simple strategies to help you get organised and maximise your productivity this January! 📧 Triage Your Emails The post-Christmas inbox can be daunting. Rather than reading emails one by one, scan your inbox and flag anything that’s urgent or time-sensitive. This helps you tackle high-priority tasks first without getting bogged down. Pro Tip: Set a timer for 15 minutes to keep yourself focused and avoid the email black hole. 🎯 Set Clear Goals for the Week Start with clarity by defining your key goals for the week. Break larger projects into smaller, manageable steps to avoid overwhelm and stay on track. ⏲️ Use Time Blocks Create time blocks for specific tasks to stay organised and minimise distractions. Whether it’s 30 minutes for emails or an hour for creative work, a structured schedule keeps you productive. 🧹 Declutter Your Workspace An organised workspace sets the tone for an organised mind. Start by tidying up your physical desk, sorting through paperwork, and decluttering your digital files. 🔥 What’s your top organisation tip for getting back into work mode this January? Share below! 👇👇 👇 Alice #organised #timemanagement

As the summer holidays end, refresh your workspace and gear up for a productive season with this checklist. Whether returning to the office or working from home, elevating your environment can make all the difference.

As the summer holidays end, refresh your workspace and gear up for a productive season with this checklist. Whether returning to the office or working from home, elevating your environment can make all the difference.