Top 10 Challenges to Working At Home
It sounds ideal, doesn't it? Conference calls in your pajamas,
doing laundry in between talking to clients, saving money on all
those work lunches! But is working from home always a perfect
situation? Here are some things to watch out for if you're
already working from home, or things to think about if you're
considering making the move.
This is work, this is home. Keep your office and house as
separate as possible. Create an office that you really enjoy
walking into and that has everything you want in one area.
Organization books call it a "zone": an area of the house having
one purpose.
Hello, is anyone there? Some home workers - both telecommuters
and independent business folks - report isolation as a
challenge. There's no one around to bounce ideas off of, or
complain about the boss! One way around this is to make an
active effort to get out - meet for coffee or lunch with
business associates or clients, attend networking meetings in
your area. You'll get your dose of adult company, and maybe some
good business contacts, too.
It's how much? Many home workers who own their own business are
surprised to find out how much "benefits"- health insurance,
sick leave, vacation time - actually cost. When you're
calculating prices for your services, don't forget to include
these items in your planning.
Do they take you seriously? Some clients may be predisposed to
view you as less than "professional" if they know you are
working from home. This is certainly changing, but just in case,
make sure everything about your company is "professional" -
voicemail, website, and marketing materials. And don't forget
your appearance!
Keeping yourself on track. It takes a certain amount of
discipline to work at home - either for yourself or as a
telecommuting employee. You are responsible for your schedule,
and while this is certainly a major attraction for many home
workers, you do need to make time to get everything done. Some
people split their days into a daytime block (4-6) hours and
then a nighttime block (2-3) hours, so that they can be with
their families.
Throwing your hats in the ring. As a home business owner, you
have to wear a lot of hats, especially when you're first
starting out. You'll be fulfilling all these roles: Human
Resources, Information Technology, Accounting, and Marketing -
and that's in addition to doing the "work" you're actually paid
for. Make sure you budget time, energy - and money - to take
care of these other functions.
Yes, I'm here, but I'm not here! The other side of the
"isolation" coin for business owners working from home is
boundaries. If you're not careful, work can "invade" your
personal life. Make a schedule and stick to it - know when
you're working and when you're being part of your family. Let
your family know that just because you're physically present
doesn't mean you're "available."
Save here, spend there. The good news is you'll probably save
money on automobile wear-and-tear, gas, and business clothing by
working from home. The downside is that you'll need working
capital to begin your business and also for unexpected
emergencies. (Remember #6 above - You're the IT person, and if
your computer dies - guess who's paying for a new one?)
Susan, let go of your brother's hair. One of the key reasons
many people give for wanting to work from home is to be able to
take care of children, but be realistic about what you really
can accomplish if you're caring full-time for one or more
children. When they're small, you're doing everything for them,
and that's time-consuming. As they get older, they can do more
for themselves, but may also want more of your attention. Yes,
you have flexibility with your hours, but if your plan is to
work full-time hours from home, you'll almost certainly need to
factor in some "non-you" childcare hours each day.
You have now entered the business zone. In many cities,
townships, etc., you can only legally run a business from your
home if your neighborhood is zoned for business. Many small
business owners are able to operate "under the radar" as long as
neighborhood traffic is not impacted. Others always visit
clients at the client's place of business, so the only
"business" they're conducting at home is the actual work to
produce their service or product. Check your local laws to see
what's needed.
By and large, most people who work from home really enjoy the
freedom and flexibility it offers. But not all. Before you quit
your "day" job, or get new business cards printed, make sure
working from home is the best choice for you, your family, and
your business!
About the author:
© 2005 A former Wall Street trader, Maria Marsala is a
nationally known speaker, consultant and author of Corporate
Secrets for Small Business Owners. She helps CEOs and Presidents
reach new levels of profitability in record time. Visit
www.CoachMaria to join SIMPLE Ezine and gain access to an
one-page business plan audio.
Written by: Maria Marsala
