The Home Business Boom

The Home Office Boom by Robert Nixon The Home office is becoming more and more common. Small business is moving out of the expensive store front type of office and into offices with living quarters for the owner and converted rooms for a small staff. The owners are realizing that the change is actually better for their employees, as the relaxed atmosphere does not decrease productivity nor professionalism. Midsize and larger companies are allowing more and more of their staff to work from home also, with maybe a weekly meeting at the office or via web conferencing. They too are saving money by being able to downsize office space, parking costs and other associated problems. More employees are actually putting in more time doing their computer based work as they don't have to quit a task and put it off to be completed the next work day because of commute times, child care issues, or structured break and lunch times. They can tell from the results who is working and who is taking advantage. I won't go into those that take advantage but those that do, would do the same in their cubicles if not 'micro managed' anyway. The companies save money by learning who these people are and replacing them in what turns out to be a shorter time by giving them the option of working from home. The employees also save by being able to write off a percentage of their expenses for the home office on their taxes. Check with your tax person as various states have different requirements and allow different deductions, as do the feds. The one thing the small and larger companies have in common is that they treat the home based office as a real office, as do their employees. This is also the one thing that separates many 'newbie's' to the internet home based business arena. They just don't take it serious. Let's face it, work is work. Anyone that thinks you can make a living on or off line without putting in time or investments of money is not. Sure, your internet presence is your website but you must spend the time to do the other things necessary to make your business a profitable concern, and that takes time. Here are a few things that may assist you: 1. The major item often overlooked is a schedule. First you have to create one, then you have to stick to it. Dress for your 'work' hours as if you are in an office working for a larger company, maybe not in a business suit but 'casual', yet professional. Have a designated area for your office, with all you need handy, like paper, pencil, telephone, etc. Focus on the task at hand and work on it only until it is completed. 2. Realize you have to do things yourself. I have seen it happen again and again where 'newbie's' want others to do 'free' work for them. This just won't happen. What works a lot of the time is working on the 'barter' system. I had very expensive programming work done for me at no cost, but in return I gave classes on the proper use of the program in an internet chat room for the owners of the program. I have been giving presentations, adult training classes for half of my adult life, so it was not a big thing for me, as to the programmer is was not a big thing for them to do what their expertise is for me. Most people will do what is expected of them when they know what is expected of them ahead of time. There is a 'learning curve' that must be taken into account. I was amazed, however when I found out how many did not know what I consider simple. Things like how to re-size windows, copy and paste,( let alone how to set up an e-mail campaign, submission routines, things like that). I had to divide the classes into various sessions, basic novice, elementary and advanced. 3. Follow advice. If your asking for advice from people in order to learn from their expertise, then once you get the advice follow it. Over and over again, when people write me or call me to complain that things just are not working because they determined not to follow previous advice, I wonder about their lack of commitment. Maybe because I give the advice 'free'? Would they feel better if I charge a fee? They come to me in the first place because I have been in their shoes and don't want them to make the same costly and time consuming mistakes I have. We are all going to make mistakes and what may work for me may not work for you. I even try out new things I learn from my mentors. There is and will never be any guaranteed anything as far as being connected to the internet is concerned. Just as something may appear overnight it can go away. In conclusion: Play and work are both four letter words. One makes the other possible. You have to enjoy what you are doing. Get serious and as each item is checked off on your steps to success, you should get the feeling of accomplishment. If not, then don't waste your time but find something else to do with it that you can. Too many people think they will get in and make it big, and all will be done in a very short time. Work the program and the program will work for you. Stick to your schedule and know what will do what for you so you know what to expect in return. Robert Nixon http://www.cpucash.net/stepstosuccess.htm