You're meant to be off today, but your phone keeps buzzing about tomorrow's jobs. Each schedule change needs your answer. That isn't much of a break, and your staff are stuck waiting.
Edition 6, Practical guidance on AI, operations, and building more valuable businesses.
Could your business run for two weeks without you?
Test one daily task before you take a full two weeks away.
By Michael R Garsow, November 12, 2026, 2‑minute readA current development
The Q3 2026 Justworks–U.S. Chamber survey found 75% of small businesses invest in staff training or growth opportunities. Yet 45% lack the time or resources to give employees the attention they’d like.
Source: Executive Summary, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, published 2026-09-30
Why it matters
I’d treat this as a prompt to test staff backup, not proof that owners can’t step away.
What it means for you
Before taking two weeks off, choose one task that waits for you. Write down the steps, name a backup, and test the handoff for one afternoon.
Put your scheduling rules on paper
Crew has room
Check travel and job length.
Access is clear
Confirm gates and entry arrangements.
Customer has agreed
Confirm the new arrival window.
Illustrative example
Separate permission from habit
Staff need to know which scheduling changes they're allowed to make.
Write down the choices you make when someone wants to move a job. Include what staff can approve, what must wait, and who handles a true emergency.
Keep this to one page. Put it beside the calendar your team already uses, not in a folder nobody opens.
I recommend using ChatGPT to help draft that page from made-up scheduling cases. Keep private details out, and check every rule yourself before staff use it.
Give someone room to act
Illustrative example: A landscaper wants the crew lead to handle rain delays during time off.
The owner allows routine jobs to move within the week. Work tied to an event needs a call to a named backup.
The crew lead doesn't need permission for every change. They need a clear line between their choices and someone else's.
Choose a backup who can make scheduling decisions.
Put it into practice
Try one quiet afternoon this week
1
Pick a lead. Choose one person to run scheduling during your test.
2
Ask for a walkthrough. Have them explain how they'd handle a past schedule change.
3
Step away. Let them handle routine requests without checking with you.
4
Review the gaps. Ask what felt unclear, then fix the page rather than blame the person.
My view
Staff are stuck waiting when every small choice needs your approval. Give them permission to make routine scheduling changes.
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Start a conversation and tell me which scheduling choice still lands on your phone. I'll help you think through what keeps it there.
P.S. Forward this to the person you'd trust to run the next scheduling test.
Sources
- Executive Summary, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2026-09-30
Michael R Garsow
Consulting, brokerage and AI for privately held businesses
Thinking about what AI could mean for your business? Schedule a time to talk at michaelgarsow.com.
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