Audrey okaneko
direct sales
expert/
Mom-trepreneur
Work Space - When You Work From Home
I?ve lived in about ten different homes over the last
twenty-five years. Each house had a different space for my home office.
Sometimes my office space was in a spare bedroom and other times my office space
was in a spare corner.
Regardless of where we lived, one thing has
remained consistent; I?ve always had a designated space for my home
office.
Speaking from a customer perspective, there is nothing more
frustrating than having a business conversation end with someone who has said,
?Oh I have to get off the computer, my child needs it now.?
Although
sharing a computer might be financially advantageous, when prospective customers
and business associates learn that your home business computer is shared with
children, you end up losing credibility in the eyes of the customer.
For
many reasons, home business owners are not taken ?seriously.? When customers are
spending their money, they want to know they are doing business with a true
business.
Space is equally important. If you share space with kids doing
homework, spouses paying bills and babies sleeping, it?s very hard to slip into
a business mindset.
Work time is work time. A home business relies on
customers. In order to properly service your customers, you need to have some
continuity in your working hours and work structure.
I?ve always managed
to find at least a corner of a room that was mine for work. At the bare minimum
I?ve had a small bookcase with basic office supplies such as paper clips, paper
and writing utensils. This is also where I store my catalogs and
envelopes.
I?ve almost always had at least a couple of notebooks that
I?ve kept important work related papers in. Sheet protectors are wonderful for
storing smaller pieces of paper, receipts and more.
It really is ok to
keep your work space in the common living area, just make sure that your work
space is a designated work space. It will keep you grounded and will let your
family know that when you?re in this space, it?s time for you to work.
More about Audrey
www.todays-parent.com
http://audreysspot.blogspot.com
www.recipe-barn.com
www.mydirectsales.com