Work From Home

Part and parcel of the payback from working at home, is those snippets of time you do not have to spend on a commute or traipsing to and from the mail room, copier etc. Collectively these little blocks of time add up to a whole lot more "me" and family time. Many of you who work for an employer virtually from home have an invisible tether that keeps you on task. Be it a program that monitors keystrokes or a phone application, knowing that your time is monitored, structures that virtual office.

Owning a home-based business is a different scenario altogether. What is so different about it? For starters, it is yours. That is where the motivation factor comes into play. We all want our businesses to grow immediately and reach maturity. However, unless you exist in utopia, it is time to face reality. Building a successful home business takes tenacity and patience, along with motivation.

To offer up a page from my experience: Hold on to your motivation, keeping the prize in mind keeps you on track; and treasure the small successes as they become the whole.

Posted in: copier, home-based business, mailroom, motivation, program, success, virtual office on Friday, May 22, 2009 at at 11:00 AM 0 comments    

Your desk is a mess with papers scattered willy-nilly; you're desperately seeking a pen and notepad while you're on the phone.

I've been there so, yes, I can identify with that. Getting organized does not have to carry a huge price tag. It's all about identifying the essentials and knowing where to shop. For basic organization the following items are suggested: a bulletin board ($27-$39), a calendar ($1), a pen holder ($3), pushpins ($0.99), binder clips ($2.50-$5), a set of hanging folders ($9-$15), and a plastic file bin ($10) if your desk does not already have a file drawer. The suggested prices are based on actual purchases at office supply and/or discount stores, and may vary. While you're discount shopping, grab a few Post-It pads and pens too.

To organize your activities, separate the calendar page with the current month. For each day fill in existing appointments and regular activities, such as pick up kids at 3pm. Detailing your social calendar will be critical to time management and scheduling clients, and will reduce the possibility of conflicts. Post the current calendar month on your bulletin board and check off activities daily. If you want to be even more detailed, use highlighters to indicate personal vs. business appointments.

Label your hanging files by clients or however best it suits you. Whichever option you choose be sure to have one labeled 'Follow Up.' This can be used to file paperwork on issues not yet resolved, thereby removing the clutter from your desk.

Posted in: bulletin board, calendar, desk, getting organized, home office, office, time management on Friday, May 15, 2009 at at 8:52 AM 0 comments    

"Going green" is a hot catchphrase today. It is used to describe a variety of environmentally-conscious choices, which range from choosing non-toxic cleaners and organics for personal use to more complex options such as energy choices. Initially costly, these energy choices are usually reliant on clean renewable resources such as wind, solar, and hydro power.

On a budget? You can go green in stages. Start by replacing the household products that are chock full of harmful pesticides. Instead choose products that are certified organic. However you might want to proceed with caution as many manufacturers are guilty of 'greenwashing', which defined by sinsofgreenwashing.org means "the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service."

Going green in your home office can be as simple as purchasing stationary with 30% or more recycled content or recycling ink cartridges. To encourage recycling Staples has a Rewards Program which offers incentives for recycling cartridges. Other retailers offer comparable rewards for recycling so check your local listings.

Posted in: going green, home office, ink cartridges, non-toxic, organic, recycled, rewards on Monday, May 4, 2009 at at 5:37 AM 0 comments    

If do not already have a basic office setup at home, start-up costs can make you cringe. A decent desk could run the gamut from $250 to thousands, new or used; depending on your requirements. The next and perhaps most important element is the chair, which can be a costlier investment than even the desk. Your chair should be adjustable and above all comfortable.

However you shouldn't be discouraged; there are other options. You could strike gold at a tag sale; get office stuff really cheap or when the activity winds down you may even get it free if you can haul it immediately. Or check out the used furniture stores in your area; several specialize in office furniture. Or even better go to Yahoo Groups and search for the 'freecycle' group in your area.

Now you need office supplies. Head for the nearest dollar store, they often carry the same brands as major office suppliers. For free stuff, you may get deals at online vendors. Vista Print online offers free personalized business cards and address labels, just pay shipping and handling. There are even websites that provide free hosting for work-at-home parents.

Posted in: at home, freecycle, furniture, office, tag sale, work-at-home on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at at 10:12 PM 0 comments    

So you want to work from home? The most important thing is scheduling, your time that is. It may sometimes mean making sacrifices such as doing laundry loads at night or having the phone attached to you while you cook, clean, etc. However, the commitment has great rewards. For the greater part you get to have a wealth of family time.

Your commute to your desk is usually a few steps or going from one room to another. You can be there for your kids when they get home or you can schedule your business around drop-offs and pick-ups from school or daycare. Ever felt frustrated when trying to schedule time off from work around your kids' appointments? Yes, I too know the feeling.

Or maybe I should say I knew that feeling. Being your own boss rewards you with a timetable as pliable as an elastic band.

Posted in: on at at 7:20 AM 1 comments    

"A recession may be upon us, which would mean fewer jobs, declining tax revenues, and sinking consumer confidence." This according to an article published by slate.com in Jan 2008 (http://www.slate.com/id/2181861/).

With the state of the economy gone from boom to bust, many people including myself fell victim to the joblessness caused by this recession. If this describes your situation or you just want to augment your income all is not lost. A genuine work from home solution offers the opportunity to multi-task as your own boss and a full-time mom, make a steady income and makes you eligible for multiple tax breaks.

If you are interested in finding such an opportunity visit: http://www.moms4netprofit.com/123success.

Posted in: on Monday, April 27, 2009 at at 7:44 AM 0 comments