By the time I took the plunge and
joined the ranks as a home business owner, I had done my share of homework.
I read the books, the magazine articles, and talked with other home office
professionals. The message was the same…it takes discipline and structure
to be successful in a home office. My reaction was the same each
time…sure, sure, I understand, but I believe "thou dost protest too
much."
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The short of this story is they were right and I was wrong. I didn't
believe the things I heard in my quest for information on home business. So
after six months of a home office career what have I learned? I can honestly
say that being a small business owner is hard. And being a small business
owner in a home office setting is incredibly hard.
The good news is you can learn to be a good home business owner. I'm
still in the early stages, but this is a "sink or swim" situation.
There are bills to be paid and children to be fed - you waste no time
learning what it takes to survive! Here is my top ten list for home office
survival 101:
1. Define your space - Create an
office space that provides privacy and few outside interruptions.
2. Get prepared
- Telephones, fax
machines, and copiers are a given, but don't overlook the little
necessities. Make sure you have a good filing system, accounting software
that you're comfortable using, paper clips, staplers and all other mandatory
office supplies. Overlooking these little details can create minor
interruptions that really impact your productivity.
3. Set a work schedule - It's nice to
have flexibility, but you are running a business. Establish working hours
and designated lunch breaks to reinforce your business identity. This is
important not only for yourself, but for your family, friends, and customers
as well. Think of it this way: if you never knew McDonalds would be open
when you went by for a burger, you would probably start going to Burger
King.
4. Establish a routine - Most
employees have certain routines with work, such as playing a certain music
CD in the car on the way to the office, or taking ten minutes at your desk
first thing in the morning to determine your "to-do" list for the
day. A routine gives you a level of comfort that helps transition you into
your work day. Do the same in your home office. For example, I drive to a
local store for a cup of coffee and then back to the office - it makes me
feel like I'm part of the work scene. It also provides an adjustment period
before my home transitions to my office. And it's also something I don't do
on the weekends, so it further separates home and office psychologically.
5. Casual Friday - It's nice to know
you can lounge around in a bathrobe in a home office, but I don't recommend
it. Get dressed for work each morning to set the tone of a professional
office. Celebrate with the rest of the working world with a casual dress
code on Fridays.
6. Business line only - In the need
to watch costs with a new venture many home business owners are tempted to
share their home phone line with the business. If at all possible, invest in
a designated business line. It's difficult to be professional if you're also
juggling personal calls, or intercepting calls for other family members. At
the very least, consider some of the latest technology that allows you to
efficiently manage business and personal calls (the CyberGenie for the home
office, or special services through your phone company).
7. Turn off the distractions - This
seems like a given, but I'm a television junkie and I love having CNN as
background noise. However, this doesn't lend itself to a professional office
environment and it can make it difficult to concentrate. This same rule
applies to running the dishwasher or other home appliances that may be in
close proximity to your home office space.
8. Your conference room - Meeting
with customers or clients can be a challenge for a home office. If this
isn't a frequent occurrence, consider asking a friend to lend you
professional office space for such occasions. You can also rent conference
room space by the hour at office centers designed for this exact reason. If
all else fails, make sure your home meeting space is a professional
reflection of your business. The area should be clean and neat - this goes
for the outside of your home, as well. After all, that's the first
impression a customer will have of your business.
9. Write a press release - It may not
be appropriate to conduct a full-scale grand opening of a home business, but
there is nothing wrong with a press release to announce your new business. A
release to the business section of your local paper is a great way to make
the business known to the community and lets friends and family know that
this is serious, not just a hobby. Also remember to send press releases when
you receive a new contract or achieve other important milestones.
10. Forgive and Forget - Most
importantly, know there will be days when you give in to a load of laundry
or a round of golf. Playing hooky, as you may recall, is symptomatic of most
work environments - not just the home office. So give yourself a little
slack and then get back to work!
Yes, these are very basic principles of a successful home-based business.
Don't be fooled though, you may be surprised at how difficult it can be to
maintain them. Maybe I'll have an advanced version in another six months.
Oh, just in case you haven't heard enough, remember:
Discipline + Structure = Successful Home Office
Other Resources:
- Organize Your Home Office! :
Simple Routines for Setting Up an Office at Home by Ronni Eisenberg,
Kate Kelly (Contributor)
- Organizing Your Home Office For
Success : Expert Strategies That Can Work for You by Lisa A. Kanarek
- Bringing Home the Business :
The 30 Truths Every Home Business Owner Must Know by Kim T. Gordon
About the Author:
Ms. Belew recently left her job as
president of a regional multi-million dollar restaurant chain to join her
husband's successful home based business. "Having a corporate office
background, the change to a home office has been especially
challenging," as she says in her weekly column Today's Home Office. Ms.
Belew has over ten years experience in small business, including
franchising, marketing, strategic planning, and consulting. She and her
husband operate an internet business and also have two children. You can
read her weekly column at: http://www.bizoffice.com
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