Can A Vacation Be Good For Business?

Good For Business? (NAPSA)—If you’re a small business owner, taking a vacation can be a stressful experience. Many entrepreneurs fear their companies will suffer while they are away. “The irony is that vacations can be a long-term investment in the success of the business by helping owners re-charge and return to work invigorated,” says Alice Bredin, small business advisor for OPEN: The Small Business Network from American Express. Bredin offers the following tips for business owners hoping to get away: Make a commitment. Once you decide to travel, make a finan- cial commitment by putting down a deposit or starting a vacation fund. Plan ahead. Schedule your time away around long weekends and other holidays. If your busi- ness is seasonal, take an off-season vacation. Mix business and pleasure. Tack a vacation to the end of a business trip. This strategy can also save you moneyonairfare. e Prepare your re-entry. Make sure that while you are gone, someone is in place to scan your mail, faxes and e-mail and organize them for your return. To learn more about vacation planning for small business, visit Wwww.open.americanexpress.com.