Working at home can be a dream come true for many employees but telecommuting is often not an option. Many individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit will strike out on their own and start a home-based business as a result. There are common requirements such as getting a business license, procuring financing, opening bank accounts, creating a business plan and many other business related activities. However, there is more to being successful than running down a checklist. For people used to working in an office, making the transition to home can be another job in and of itself. Below are some important items to keep in mind when starting a home-based business.
More than just a tax advantage, creating a singular purpose workspace for a SOHO is important for productivity and sanity. Everything has its purpose and a room set up as a home office should be used only for work related activities. No personal conversations, no playing with pets or kids and no watching TV or other entertainment. An office is for work only and is realistically the only way to stay focused and productive.
As many families know trying to maintain a certain level of quiet can be next to impossible. It will be necessary to establish early that when you are working in the office everyone else needs to try and be quiet. Adults and teenagers should be able to follow this policy fairly easy. Small children however should have special time for reading, napping or watching their favorite movies consistently at the same time everyday. As long as everyone develops a routine then it should be easier to establish a tranquil environment more conducive to work.
Organization is not just important for home-based businesses but for life in general. Folder systems, spreadsheets, filing cabinets and a whiteboard should be part of any SOHO. The more organized you are the less likely you will be to miss appointments, deadlines and meetings. Set aside at least a half hour everyday to file paperwork and organize for the following days schedule. This should ideally be done at the end of business of the previous day.
Just like any retail operation or offices at a multimillion dollar company, office hours are crucial to maintain a professional atmosphere and productive schedule. Designated office hours benefit three sets of people. It establishes a fixed period of time for you the business owner to be productive. It creates a schedule for family and friends to understand work is being conducted and to save personal matters for off the clock. It allows other businesses to expect your availability during a set time to conduct meetings, place orders and handle other related activities.
Since starting a home-based business can be an overwhelming experience even for the most seasoned professional it will be necessary to use technology to your advantage. The more tasks and workflow you can automate using online CRM, accounting software, teleconferencing and order fulfillment the more time you have to focus on growing your business. Hardware such as tablets and cell phones allow you to stay connected even when away from the office allowing increased flexibility.
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