Transforming from Home to Office

Many businesses today can be successfully operated from home. This may be a suitable option for you, and it will help reduce expenses in the early days of your business. But remember, it takes a special person to be able to work from home – successfully.

Are you disciplined enough to work from home? Do you have the necessary space? What about your family? If your partner is a shift worker, they may not appreciate the telephone ringing all day. Will you have staff or customers visiting your home? If so, is your home likely to always be presentable to clients and associates?

If working from home is an option for you, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Do the terms of my tenancy agreement or mortgage allow me to operate this business from home?
• Will my local council permit me to operate this business from home?
• Is my home easily accessible, and is there sufficient parking and facilities such as toilets and washbasins for my customers and staff?
• What modifications will be required?
• Will I be employing staff, and if so, will Health and Safety regulations and council permit this?
• Will I need to store any valuable or dangerous goods or chemicals?
• How will my present insurance policies be affected?
• Will my business cause excessive noise, dirt or smell?
• Is operating this business from my home likely to upset any of my neighbours?
• Can my storage and waste disposal requirements be met?

When you operate your business from home, some people may expect service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ensure you have clear signs stating your hours of operation – and stick to them. Similarly, friends and family may call or drop in anytime. You should be strict with them – and yourself – and explain that you must continue working.

Isolation can also be a challenge. To overcome this, try to network with other business people as often as you can. This is also a great way to promote your business.

Additionally, try to break the isolation by getting outside at least once a day, even if only to take the kids to and from school, go for a walk, check the post box or do the banking.

There is much to consider, but a home-based business can work if operated properly. Some golden rules to remember include:

• Endeavour to have a real office and / or work area, not just part of the dining table and the kitchen bench.
• Always sound and look professional.
• To help avoid procrastination keep focusing on your goals. Creating deadlines for those tasks that don’t currently have deadlines can also help, as can keeping copies of bills on your notice board!