Examining the Work Culture: Should Entrepreneurs Prioritize Efficiency Over Long Hours?
Untamed Work Ethic: Why British Business Owners Outwork the European Competition
Data from a SumUp survey reveals a startling truth about small business owners in the United Kingdom: they're working themselves to the bone. In contrast to their counterparts in France, a staggering number of British entrepreneurs are clocking in more than 40 hours a week, with a sizable minority even exceeding 60 hours. Let's delve into the intricacies of this hardworking culture and assess its impact.
To put things into perspective, only 15% of French entrepreneurs report working over 40 hours a week, highlighting a stark contrast between the two countries in terms of work habits. The findings suggest a prevalent culture of long working hours and dedication among British entrepreneurs, with 12-hour days and weekend work commonplace.
But is this relentless work ethic a blessing or a curse? To answer this question, we reached out to a group of British entrepreneurs to get their thoughts on the matter.
Chasing Success, Sacrificing Health
Corin Carmenisch, Product Marketing Lead at SumUp, is well aware of the risks associated with long working hours. She acknowledges the need for balance, stating, "Running a small business requires hard work, determination, and dedication, but it's crucial to look after yourself to avoid burnout and potential health issues." However, the glorification of constant work can often create a misconception of what it means to be successful, which can negatively impact mental health.
Fun or Folly? The Allure of Entrepreneurship
Despite the potential risks, British entrepreneurs appear willing to embrace the long-hours culture, especially in the early stages of their ventures. Thom Groot, CEO and co-founder of The Electric Car Scheme, echoes this sentiment, confessing, "Starting a business calls for a large investment of time and energy. You'll likely find yourself working more than 40 hours a week to produce a significant output."
In some cases, this investment of time can be substantial. In the beginning, Groot and his co-founders were working 80 hours a week, a number they consider has since reduced to 60 hours.
Joanna Jensen, founder of Childs Farm skincare brand, adds her voice to the chorus, stating, "Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, but when you're driven by a goal and a sense of urgency to seize an opportunity, long hours spent in the office don't feel like work—they're fun!"
However, this dedication comes with its share of sacrifices. As Jensen candidly admits, time spent with family and personal care can become secondary to the pursuit of success. "Balancing work and family life isn't easy, but the pros—success, financial stability, and making a difference in people's lives—far outweigh the cons," she asserts.
Striking a Balance: Work Smarter, Not Harder
While the allure of long hours may be appealing to entrepreneurs, there's a critical juncture at which founders must consciously strike a balance between their work and personal lives. As Thom Groot points out, "Working long hours can be counterproductive—either leading to burnout or reducing the quality of work in the final hours of the day."
For John Mackin, co-founder of the Business Scale Academy, the key to achieving a decent work-life balance lies in leveraging other people. He stresses, "Delegation is essential—without a structured plan for expanding and delegating, pushing longer hours won't be sustainable." Regular workload reviews, switching off notifications during off hours, and building trust in those to whom work is delegated are crucial to achieving balance.
Claire Crompton, founder and commercial director of Manchester-based data search company TAL Agency, agrees. She argues that it's not just the amount of hours worked that matters, but also what's being accomplished during those hours. "Are you procrastinating by prioritizing less important tasks over urgent ones? Could you delegate your tasks to someone else?" she ponders.
Entrepreneurship is an exhilarating, demanding journey that requires a constant quest for balance. Striking the right balance between work and personal life can be challenging, but it's a necessity that every entrepreneur must navigate to achieve long-term success.
- Entrepreneurs working under the British business culture are notoriously putting in fewer hours of sleep compared to their French counterparts, with a considerable number surpassing 60 hours a week, leading to potential symptoms of burnout.
- The electric car scheme's CEO, Thom Groot, acknowledges the demanding work hours that come with entrepreneurship, but emphasizes the importance of self-care, stating, "Working long hours can be counterproductive—either leading to burnout or reducing the quality of work in the final hours of the day."
- As a part of the Scaleup Academy, John Mackin advocates for prioritizing work-life balance by leveraging others, promoting efficient delegation as a key strategy for entrepreneurs seeking a healthier work-life connection.
