What would happen if you decided to take an extended vacation? Would you still have the same business results when you returned?

I met a business owner recently who told me an interesting story. His business was 15 years old and he had approximately 50 employees. A couple of years ago, he decided to take a vacation to Europe for a month. After all, his business had turned a profit every month for 13 years. He deserved it.

Off he went to enjoy the fruits of his many years of labor. He had a grand time knowing all was well back home. But on his return, he discovered all was not well. For the first time in 13 years his company lost money while he was gone.

How could that be? He had 50 employees to keep things going while he was gone. Why did he lose money?

The sad truth is that even though he had many employees to accomplish the work of his business, he was such an integral part of everything that got done that the business couldn't run without him.

Think about it. Can your business run without you?

Whether you're currently a business of one or 100, now is not too soon to make sure it will. Identify the steps you can take to help your business be successful whether you're sitting in your office or relaxing several thousand miles away.

Denise O'Berry

With more than two decades of operational and management experience, Denise O'Berry has developed a sharp eye for how businesses get bloated with inefficiencies, cross-purposes and miscommunication -- and how they can retool for a sleeker, smoother, strategically focused organization.

An entrepreneur who quickly built her own successful consulting business, she helps other small business owners set priorities, take action to grow their business and create the balance they want between life and work. Her clients have ranged from telecommunications giants like Verizon to Mom-and-Pop retail shops with a primary focus on those having 10 or fewer employees and up to $2.5 million in annual sales.

Denise frequently speaks to professional organizations, is the author of three booklets, and several "how-to" manuals. She writes a weekly small business column, hosts an online small business owners forum and is called upon regularly by publications such as Entrepreneur, Bank Rate Small Business, Florida Trend, Inc., various newspapers, radio and television to provide expert comments on small business issues.