LETTER FROM PRINCIPAL ADVISOR

November 2014

Just read an article the other day about the “Gen Y” generation taking shorter vacations. So short, it’s probably a getaway for the weekend. I then did my own homework, asking my children, their colleagues and friends about this shift from long vacations once in a year, to shorter breaks that keep everybody happy.

I had a set of questions. Are people actually avoiding long holiday breaks and taking shorter vacations? Are they doing this many times in the year? Is this a growing trend? All these questions got a very encouraging YES from all the people I spoke with.

In our business, which is timeshare and vacation ownership, we have already seen that happening. Our members and exchange partners have over the years made changes in the product offering to allow shorter, two or three day vacations – I think we spotted this trend early.

So what did the people I spoke to, really have to say about shorter vacation breaks?

Soumya Raghavan, IT professional
In India, unlike some of my professional colleagues in the US, we invariably have festive holidays closer to the weekend. It then makes sense to tag this along with Saturday and Sunday for a quick break. In our case we actually plan this well in advance, so it’s smooth sailing.

Krishna Kumar, banking professional
I usually have a difficult time taking a break for a vacation. Especially when I’m driving the team under me to achieve tough deadlines. What makes sense here is a quick, short break over the weekend. If the resort we have in mind is not too far, we drive down; otherwise we take a flight. This way everyone is happy and I don’t feel guilty about taking a break when the boys are working hard.

Pavan Patel, radio professional
My workdays start at six am, and sometimes end the next day at 6 am – so I’m practically working around the clock. These days I find that I can’t do this day in and day out, so the weekend gives me a very welcome refresher. I come back on Monday feeling really upbeat - and looking forward to another week of good work.

Kiran Kumar, advertising professional
Our field is probably the toughest in terms of energy spend and working hours. There have been days, when I haven’t rung the doorbell at home for maybe four days, consecutive – and this usually happens during campaign presentations. Come Friday, I see my wife with a face so long that it can cut any story short. So I make up by taking her and the kids out over the weekend. It’s a break that refreshes and tells my family that I still care.

Purab Prabhu, author
It may sound strange that I don’t have the kind of pressures that other people have on the job – from difficult bosses, tough deadlines, tricky targets and delivery schedules. I’m my own boss and choose to work as I please. I set my own deadlines and draw up my own work schedules. Having said that, I find that I am most comfortable taking the weekend off for a break. Especially because my wife has a regular work-day and we have two young children in school. The “weekend vacation” does not complicate our schedules and commitments – everyone is refreshed and happy.

This is a small cross section I spoke to, but their responses indicate a growing trend towards shorter breaks, largely over weekends. It’s a concept that does not upset the apple cart at work, and goes a long way in reconnecting with family and friends over the weekend. In today’s fast-paced world, the Nano Holiday is probably what the HR person also recommends.

By the way, my wife just walked in and asked me what we were doing over the weekend :)

Cheers!

B. S. Rathor
Principal Advisor & Member - Executive Committee

Please note: Names changed to protect the identities of the people interviewed