A recent survey featured in Forbes reveals that UK entrepreneurs work longer hours than their European counterparts, raising concerns about the sustainability of such practices. Many believe long hours are necessary for business success, but Michael Gould, founder of UK business planning software company Kaleidoscope.com, takes a different approach.
Gould promotes a balanced work-life culture within his fully remote company. “I generally stick to regular office hours and encourage all staff to do the same,” he says. “‘Out at five’ is a key phrase. I expect all staff to be focused and productive while at work, but to get proper downtime in the evenings and on weekends. Obviously, there are times when that isn’t possible, before a key product release, for example, but we believe that should be the exception, not the norm.”
He argues that sustainable working patterns contribute to long-term efficiency. “We’re building a complex platform that will take many years to come to maturity. We expect employees to be in it for the long haul, so it’s essential people don’t burn out. Keeping a tight rein on working hours forces us to think very carefully about priorities, which can actually contribute to getting a product out sooner.”
Balancing Work and Life in a Remote Environment
As the head of a remote-first company, Gould acknowledges the unpredictability of home life. “When working from home, things can crop up at short notice, such as a child taken ill and needing to be collected from school. One aspect of allowing for a good work-life balance is being understanding that these things happen and being flexible about when work is done.”
On a personal level, Gould credits his ability to maintain work-life balance to his large family. “Our birth children are now all grown up, but we have a large household with adopted children and fostered teenage refugees, one now with a new baby. As CEO of an early-stage tech startup, it would be easy for work to completely dominate, but one way to keep things ‘balanced’ is to have some big things going on, on the other side of the scales.”
While he remains available for urgent business matters, he is mindful of unnecessary interruptions. “I am generally available online 24/7, so I can respond quickly to anything urgent that crops up in the business. But with a lot going on at home, I keep those interruptions as brief as possible, always thinking: do I need to respond to this now, or can it wait?”
Gould also highlights the role of delegation in managing workloads. “Delegation is critical to managing working hours, but perhaps more importantly, it’s an expression of trust and ownership, which is vital for the long-term health of the company.”
