The Home Office Dilemma: Not Being Taken Seriously

 

              by Ted Tate

 

              I don't get any respect!" A famous comic made this theme almost household words, yet on a

              serious note it often applies to the many thousands of men and women who have chosen to

              operate a business from their home! Even the publisher of Home Business® Magazine

              shared an uncomfortable experience with me not too long ago.

 

              He was at a party when an old friend asked how his magazine was doing. The publisher told

              him Home Business® Magazine is an established national and international publication

              circulated through newsstands and subscriptions. He described how the magazine is a

              substantial publishing business and yet many work on it from their home offices.

 

              To his surprise, his friend responded with a slight sneer, asking sarcastically, "I guess that's

              OK for a part-time effort, how's your regular job going?" The publisher bit his tongue not to

              say what was racing through his mind, "Since I make a lot more money than you, I can work

              full time from my home and give up that 'day job'."

 

              What many people don't know is that home businesses represent a $450 billion dollar

              economic sector in the American economy.

 

              Home based businesses are becoming more and more popular. Their advantages are many,

              such as no day care worries, commuting in heavy traffic, office politics… in short, no

              Dilbert-style existence.

 

              Furthermore, many traditional office-based businesses have started a trend towards

              decentralizing their operations. Employees perform work at home, with contact by electronic

              computer modem to the office. This permits companies to hire employees who could not

              work in a traditional office such as mothers with small children, handicapped individuals and

              many people just plain sick and tired of the rat race.

 

              Many home based business entrepreneurs earn full time incomes with part time, flexible

              hours. On top of that, no rush hour madness!

 

              This wasn't possible just a few years ago. Modern computer technology has made running

              a business from home a realistic consideration. Computers, fax machines, telephone

              modems, cellular telephones, voice mail systems, inexpensive copying machines and several

              other office electronics have made working from home both realistic and profitable!

 

              Many in the general public still, however, do not take home-based businesses seriously.

              Some, those who work in traditional offices, also may feel a bit of envy, a little frustrated

              that they still are in the nine to five rat race while the home based entrepreneur enjoys a

              better way of making a living.

 

              They also may feel being professional is only possible when you work in a store front or

              formal office and dress a certain way. Many people don't have the ability to separate in their

              mind the personal aspect of living in a home with the business aspect of working from a

              home. Here are some specific ideas on how to run a home business and be taken seriously.

 

              • Make it a point to tell people you have a home business and share the pride you feel.

 

              • Run your home business professionally, like any business.

 

              • Have specific hours you are available to answer your business phone. There are many

              people who won't leave messages on voice mail.

 

              • Don't try to do business on the phone with kids screaming or playing noises in the

              background.

 

              • Don't use a tape answering machine, they scream amateur. Get connected to professional

              voice mail or invest in the new answering machines that sound like voice mail.

 

              • Have a separate phone for business, always answer professionally and never let kids

              answer it. Return calls promptly.

 

              • Network by joining your chamber of commerce and also by joining any professional trade

              associations for your industry. See if you can form a sub-group for home-based businesses.

              (You'll be surprised at how many there are.)

 

              • Be sure your business cards, letterheads, brochures and other printed matter look

              professional. Many potential clients will judge you not by where you work from but by the

              image you project.

 

              • Dress professionally when you meet people. Casual around the house is fine but never

              when you are doing business in person.

 

              • Have a specific work space or room where you do business from.

 

              • Invest in a computer if you don't own one. It doesn't have to be the newest, just current

              and one you can operate.

 

              • Invest in good accounting software and keep your financial records up to date so you can

              easily apply for loans, credit or set up merchant accounts for taking bank cards. There are

              several excellent programs available; Quickbooks by Intuit is by far the most popular with

              small businesses.

 

              • Invest in a fax machine. In day to day business they are invaluable.

 

              Finally, if you are going to be taken seriously by others, take yourself seriously.

 

              • Invest in the basic tools any home office should have in order to be productive, a

              computer, laser printer, fax machine, separate business line and professional telephone

              answering. I know you can start up a small business without these, but you immediately

              place yourself under a handicap. All of your competitors will have them and all the

              advantages that they bring.

 

              • Be willing to learn new skills. If you have to take a course in learning to use a computer

              or in learning to sell or anything else that will help you succeed. Colleges, universities and

              high schools have non-credit night classes. Libraries and book stores are loaded with great

              books and tapes. The only thing that holds you back is you.

 

              • Establish regular business hours and stick to them. There are all sorts of distractions

              working from home, but a professional learns to stay focused.

 

              • Never, ever apologize for working from your home! There are thousands upon thousands

              of other men and women all over the country who earn their living working from home. Be

              proud to be one of them. HBM

 

              Ted Tate is author of: Just Sell It: Selling Skills for Small Business Owners, John Wiley

              Publishing, NY in bookstores now. He also gives sales and business training seminars,

              workshops and speeches at conventions, meetings and in house training programs. He

              can be contacted at Tate & Associates, P.O. Box 954, Mentor, OH 44061