Organization Is The Key To A Successful Home Life And Home Business
Contributed
by Elaine Landau
Why do people decide to start a home-based business in the first place? Some people believe that by staying at home they will have more time for their family and be better parents. Some people hang a shingle out of necessity. If nobody is out there hiring, they create their own opportunities. Others start up home-based businesses because nothing out there tickles their fancy. Whatever the reason, organization is key to having a successful home life and home business.
Ready, set, stop and think.
You are going to rock the home-based business world, but first, follow this to-do list.
- Create an organized workspace. Clean up, clear clutter, and prepare a pleasing environment that will enhance your work process.
- Be computer ready. Enhance your basic computer education so that you are ready for any project that might come your way.
- Prepare lists of clients, prospects, contacts, and competitors.
- Sit down with family members and explain that you are interested in starting a home-based business. Discuss how this decision may affect the family.
- Obtain any city or state required licenses.
- Set realistic goals and expectations, professionally and personally.
Create an organized workspace.
If the carpet in your spare room is covered with piles of magazines, toys, unfinished projects, and purple sticky stuff that the dog won’t go near, it’s time to clean up. Set up a simple, clutter-free workstation with a desk, desk lamp, phone, computer, file cabinet and chair. Keep it simple.
Be computer ready.
Is your computer up to snuff? Clean up your computer. Give your keyboard a nice cleaning and dump any old files, e-mails, or documents that you haven’t looked at in awhile and don’t care about.
If you are concerned that your basic computer education is lacking, you can enhance your knowledge with basic Internet training. A free Internet lesson is a good start. With access to advanced tutorials in Excel®, Word, PowerPoint®, and Photoshop®, you will be well prepared for any projects your clients present to you.
Prepare lists of clients, prospects, contacts, and competitors.
Nobody should start a home-based business in a vacuum. You need to know that there is a need for your product or service. Talk to friends, family, neighbors, anyone who might be interested in what you’ll be selling. If there doesn’t seem to be a market for your idea, perhaps you need to take a closer look at what you want to do.
Investigate your competition. Perhaps you have a similar idea but yours is different enough that you will be a new choice for consumers, not just another choice. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from people in similar businesses. You might be surprised at how many own up to making costly errors and try to steer you away from those same errors.
Sit down with your family to discuss your home business.
Your family is sharing your business digs. You may be using the family telephone as your business phone. If that is the case, the kids should not answer the phone with “City Morgue.” Instead, they need to have a more mature approach. “Hello, this is the Jones residence and Joan Jones’ Juggling School, may I help you?”
If family members are being asked to take messages for your company, there should be message tablets and pens next to the phone at all times. If they are expected to make appointments, a master calendar is key to recording appointments. There should be some form of compensation for family members who help your business. If money is not a realistic option, find a reward system that works for both parties. Compensation of any sort is insurance that they will take their tasks more seriously.
Time will have to be allocated for your business, so set boundaries early on. For example, if you need a two-hour block, family members need to know that they cannot disturb you during that time. Try not to have your work overflow into family time. Resentment can grow from that sort of intrusion. If a project is taking more time than expected, finish it when family members are sleeping, doing homework or otherwise occupied. This is your business venture. It is your responsibility to make time for work and for family.
Check for city and state license requirements.
Home-based businesses are subject to many of the same rules and regulations as businesses with regular storefronts. Check with your city and state licensing offices to make sure you have covered all your bases.
Write down your goals and expectations.
Organize your time so personal and professional goals do not collide. If you promised your children that you will attend every soccer match, each match should be put on the family master calendar so no business appointment is assigned that same time slot. This may not always be realistic, but if you keep your priorities, you will feel much more accomplished.
By being organized, you will not cheat yourself or your family. Communicate openly; everyone will understand when it is time to work and time to play. With good organization, planning, and communication, you can have a successful home business and successful home life.
Excel and PowerPoint are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Photoshop is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Incorporated, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
About the Author:
Elaine Landau is a freelance writer, publicist, web site editor, and produced television writer with more than 15 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and publicity.
This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not provide legal or other professional advice. All trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Please read our disclaimer for additional terms and conditions governing access to and use of this article.
