Is running a business REALLY a 24hr job? I doubt it, but wtf do I know.

**Southern_Lenders** · 08-02-2010 07:24 PM

My business requires other business owners to be responsible so that I can get my "job" done on time. When these people don't respond to me in a timely manner I find it agitating. I often hear that running a business is a 24 hr job..but is it really? Unless your business RUNS 24/7 365 days a year, I really doubt a customer is going to call you at 2am with a complaint...I doubt a supplier or anyone involved in your business is going to call you in the wee hrs of the night. Maybe it was ment to just be methaphorical, who knows. I've sent several emails, and letters to business people, and have waited either DAYS, or sometimes I get no response at all. I find this unprofessional to say the least, especailly to someone who claims they have a 24hr job, when they cant even respond to me in a timely manner. Am I just not important?, are they too lazy- and just want to make excuses?... if they're not interested, the least they could do is let me know. It takes 5 seconds to write an email or drop me a voice mail. It's the least these people could do to take some time from their "OHHH SOOO BUSY DAY!!"

I'm done venting. OK haters, bring it on.

**Encrypted** · 08-02-2010 08:12 PM

Well you have to remember.. sometimes you have customers in different timezones. For example.. someone from California might be calling to make sure an order was shipped at 8pm. But if you're business runs out of PA or something, that's 11pm.

In addition to that, some customers are INSANE and you just have to deal with it. So yes, I do think running a business is a 24hr job.

To sum it up, I feel like many people are not very professional in handling their business within a timely manner.. but they're limiting their companies success by doing so. If you really want to push your business to it's full potential, you have to be dedicated to it 24/7.

**kalens99** · 08-02-2010 11:36 PM

I think the answer is yes and no. The business itself may never sleep, but you must be careful to plan and run it so that you do. Of course, it will always be a commitment but you need to find ways to make sure that you get to maintain your sanity. If you don't it will no only have effects on you but it will effect the productivity of your business. Would it be wise to have a system when customers are able to call you at 2 am? How could you function in meetings with your other clients the following day if you were being constantly woken up in the middle of the night?

If you are a global business where this is going to be an issue, you need to have someone else who can handle the stress with you. Even if you are in you and your partner are in the same timezone, you can distinguish who takes what kinds of international calls so that you can both have nights where you can minimize the risk of being disturbed.

Also, you don't HAVE to respond to every complaint you are getting at an unreasonable hour. If you are expecting an important call that may come in the middle of night, be ready for it. But otherwise turn the phone on silent. I can't think of a rational customer that would not understand that you didn't answer the phone because you were asleep even if they thought it was an emergency (unless you are in that type of business). If they are that unreasonable they are probably not important enough for them to be worth your time.

If you are successful and busy you should make sure to start hiring other employees to help you out in managing your growth.

**michael_terry** · 08-03-2010 06:26 PM

I think businesses do run 24 hours a day 365 days a year in one way or another. When it gets to the point you as the owner is working 24/7, it's time to bring in some help. It might be this exact situation that has got you so agitated. The business has become so overwhelmed with customers/fulfillment orders/contacts, whatever the case may be they can't pay the special attention to each customer that they need. Either that or the business works 24 hours a day and they really work on 2-3 hours and in that case, they shouldn't be in business.

It's okay to vent. This exact posting will help you in your ventures in what NOT to do.

**Southern_Lenders** · 08-03-2010 07:34 PM

Not sure what you mean by this -- "This exact posting will help you in your ventures in what NOT to do. "

There was nothing I did wrong here. It OTHER people that are the problem here in preventing me from doing my job. And its something that is out of my control too, which is the worst part.

**jdunmyer** · 08-10-2010 12:47 PM

While you may not actually be at work 24/7 I think as an owner of a business the business is always on your mind and your always thinking about it etc. When you work for another company you focus on your work/ the business while you are there, but once you are home and relaxing you are most likely not worrying about how the company is doing (as long as your not facing possible job loss). When you own a business I think that you are constantly mentally involved with it, even at night when you are dreaming.

**CKrecicki** · 08-10-2010 01:52 PM

You've got the wrong idea about, "You have to work 24 hours a day." If you want to be successful you will end up doing about 18 to 20 for the first year or so. If you don't have the patients go make minimum wage and do easy work. You hate your boss? Your gonna have to kick your own ass ten times harder.