NFIB

Home Sweet Home (Office)
03/ 12/ 2002


One advantage to having a home office is that it is located in your home. One disadvantage to having a home office is that is located in your home! The pros and cons can cause headaches . . . unless you follow a few basic rules. After considering your space and your personality, comfort is a top priority -- followed closely by efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In today's workshop Edith R. Helmich provided some basic rules for you home office space more efficient.

1. Define your office area. Shared space invites inefficiency and invariably results in distracting from the business at hand. Also, shared space does not lend itself to a professional atmosphere. A room (or separate space) set aside exclusively for an office is a statement that the business is more than a serious hobby or leisure activity.

2. Decorate to create a work environment. If your office doesn't look like a workplace, the odds are against much work taking place there. Of course, if you receive clients in your office, it is important to project a professional atmosphere. For both purposes, the decor should be attractive, comfortable and subdued.

Proper lighting is an important consideration. A window with a pleasant view to ease the eyestrain resulting from computer or desk work is healthy as well as emotionally relaxing. Blinds, shades or tailored drapes should be used to cut glare without sacrificing adequate light. Carpets can soothe feet and cut extraneous noise. Although family pictures and some decorative objects can create a cozy atmosphere, avoid knick-knacks and clutter. Cool soothing colors are more conducive to a professional atmosphere than hot colors or prints.

3. Provide adequate equipment and services. In addition to the standard desk, cabinets, etc., an adequate computer with updated software is a necessary expense. Consider trading in all your other office machines for a multi-function copier/fax/copy machine and a high speed modem to power the Internet related functions. The right equipment will pay for itself over time by establishing more efficient procedures and increased data accuracy.

At least one separate telephone line for the business is important for both appearance and practicality. Clients may become discouraged by busy signals during Internet connections or when the fax is receiving or transmitting messages. Voice mail or answering machine messages should reflect a business image.

When considering purchases of equipment or service, remember that these expenses are tax deductible!

4. Acquire a business mindset. Make your family aware of the importance of your work and set up rules for mixing business and homelife activities. Set aside blocks of time that will not be used for routine home activities or other family tasks. Acceptable reasons for interruptions during work periods should be defined. Establishing a schedule is very important (although the home office offers individual options that are not available in a standard work environment).

5. Treat yourself fairly. Working for someone else means vacation time, sick days, and a regularly scheduled lunch hour. Days begin and end on a predictable schedule. A home office should provide all these -- and more! Home offices can become a solitary prison that cuts you off from contact with the outside world. Use the voice mail to take messages while you have lunch with a friend. Take a nap in the afternoon if it recharges your battery. If you can't be your own benevolent boss, a home office is not the right choice.

workshop.microbusiness.fri
03.03.00

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