#38: Unplug Without Dropping the Ball

In this episode of Online People Talking, Jen Barkan is joined by Chesapeake Homes’ superstar OSC team: Stephanie Moffett and Danielle Ross. These two powerhouses are not only crushing it on the lead front, they’ve also built a seamless backup system for time off, extended leave, and everything in between. Whether you're a solo OSC or working with a partner, this episode is full of practical tips to help you unplug without dropping the ball. Jen, Stephanie, and Danielle get real about the challenges of stepping away from the OSC seat and how to ensure every lead is still handled with care, even when you're not around. They share how they structured their team, developed emergency coverage plans, and even trained a temporary OSC for extended leave. Topic of Today (04:36) “Hey, I need a backup plan… what do I do with my leads when I’m on vacation?” The team dives into the most frequently asked questions about how to maintain lead coverage when stepping away. They cover: Building a backup plan from scratch Training internal team members for coverage Real-life examples of vacation and maternity leave handoffs Why even managers make great backup OSCs (in a pinch) The mental health benefits of truly unplugging Skills Check (38:20) “You gotta check yourself before you wreck yourself.” Jen lays out your step-by-step Skills Check to help you develop your own OSC backup strategy: 1. Identify your backup. Talk with your leadership team and determine who can fill in when you’re away. 2. Create a plan. Work out the logistics: call forwarding, CRM access, workflows, and lead ownership. 3. Document it. Consider drafting a short SOP for your backup plan. 4. Test it. Don’t wait until vacation. Run a trial to make sure it works smoothly. 5. Really take vacation! You deserve real time off, and your leads will still be there when you return.