Which Office Environment is Right For You?
Chances are you’ve already pondered this subject, and may already have a solution in mind.
When I started my business back in 1999, my decision to remain home-based was primarily based on my financial situation. I also wasn’t sure how quickly my business would produce a profit, therefore sustain me financially, and therefore, I wanted to avoid the financial burden of an office lease.
Here is a breakdown of some of the pros and cons to working from home or within an office:
Benefits of Working from HOME
» Quiet Work Environment (when small children are in school, of course)
» Low Overhead
» Independent Work Schedule
» No Office Politics
» Added Financial Liquidity
Cons of Working from HOME
» Sometimes Limited Space for Equipment, Supplies
» Possible Loss of Clients Due to Home Operation (applicable to those who plan on seeing clients within their home offices)
» Family Distractions
» Continuous Seclusion
» Possible Need to Make Special Arrangements for Meeting with Local Clients (applicable to those who DO NOT want to see clients in their homes, yet will offer in-person consultations)
¯_(ツ)_/¯
Benefits of Working from OFFICE
» Ability to Tap Building Mates; Ask Key Business Questions
» Professional Work Environment
» Work Buzz from Adjacent Offices
» Opportunity to Share Internet Access, Fax Line, and Other Operating Costs
Cons of Working from OFFICE
» Office Politics
» Professional Distractions
» Costly Overhead
» More Money at Risk
» Noise from Office Mates, Clients, and Staff can be Distracting
Whether you go with one over the other, it’s not too difficult to switch later; office to home or home to office.
Operating a business from home can be easy for some, difficult for others.
The laid-back setting of a home office can be an issue. Certain individuals need to hear noise from adjoining offices and have the opportunity to say “Good Morning” to others they meet in the office elevator or when walking down the hall between offices.
The pros of operating home-based can be sweet though…
At-home businesses run from a second bedroom, the corner of a living room, or a conveniently tucked away closet. Enjoying low overhead, a stay-at-home business owner can operate a small business from the confines of his or her home without shipping small children to daycare and without the stress caused from commuting.
These reasons coupled with the convenience of the Internet have caused millions to go online and seek a piece of the forecasted multibillion-dollar (or is it trillion now?) fortune expected from Internet sales this year alone.
Another major benefit of being a home-based business is the ability for sales to contract with less of a financial impact on the business owner.
Sales fluctuate for resume writing businesses, depending upon the month, time of year, and weather. Yes, weather!
If situated in an office, you’ll be required to pay your monthly expenses regardless of the revenue pulled in over a specific 30-day timeframe.
A home-based business, on the other hand, provides a lean way of doing business regardless of whether your sales are above or below average.
Can you tell I’m a little biased towards being home based?
My logic is simple.
Why spend thousands each year to rent an office when those same dollars are better spent elsewhere, on marketing for example, or kept in your pocket?
One huge downside to being a home-based business, however, is seclusion.
If cubicle confinement isn’t for you, well, running a home business might not be either. The continuous feeling of facing the world alone can be overwhelming to those who like to discuss and troubleshoot problems with others at arms reach.
I believe extroverts will struggle the most with a home-based business — although there are plenty of solutions available for those need continuous human interaction during a normal business.
For example, meeting clients in public places and joining executive boards and committees that routinely take you from your home office can be very helpful with dealing with home-office seclusion.
Also coming to the rescue of at-home professionals are online discussion groups, social networking, blogging, and e-lists that enable a person to speak/communicate with others from one side of the world.
Battling seclusion will require you to actively get involved with the “outside world” by scheduling mid-day lunches and meetings or calling a friend or family member for an impromptu laugh session.
Home-Based Obstacles & Solutions
Congrats if you’ve decided to remain home-based — the next few sections are for you.
No matter how much you have planned for this new venture, there’s always something to be missed. So, let’s review certain obstacles that come into play when mixing a residence with a business.
Seeing clients in your home (if you choose an in-person clientele) can be nerve-wracking — specifically for those first few.
Once clients begin flowing in, however, nervousness should subside and you’ll quickly discover clients are generally more uncomfortable with their employment situations than the layout of your office, or other small items you’re probably fretting over.
The key is to be confident and comfortable. If you reflect nervousness, prospects and clients will smell it.
One of the most important aspects of a “receiving” home business is ensuring the entire presentation is professional; starting with your prospective customer arriving in the driveway.
Be concerned with the quality of each document’s layout and the professionalism of written copy, of course, yet don’t forget about the importance of the surroundings each prospect/client sees when approaching and entering your home/home office.
Also, don’t forget about your guest bathroom! Be prepared for those clients who ask to use one.
Your home should be clean and well kept, the grass consistently mowed, and mudrooms or porches cleared of debris, shoes, coats, and storage boxes.
Spruce up unsightly walls with large green plants or filing cabinets and bookcases. You can pick these items up for less than $75 at any discount or used furniture store.
These items are well worth the investment, in my opinion.
Pets are great for security, but place your pets out of sight. If you have a dog ˁ˚ᴥ˚ˀ that persistently barks when someone knocks on your door, you may wish to place the pet in a secure, yet quiet, area of your home during business hours or just before someone’s arrival.
Once you feel your home is ready, enter your home through the eyes of your client — or ask a very honest friend to do it for you.
Conduct a critique of the initial surroundings including carpet, walls, and furniture, not to mention dust, furniture wear and tear, seating, and curtains. Review every crevasse as if you are seeing the home for the first time.
Remember, each client who walks into your home will make an initial assessment so don’t give anyone the opportunity to form a less-than-favorable opinion. Ensure your home exudes professionalism, from the driveway to your desk.
Beyond furniture, clients need assurance when they arrive. Don’t be surprised if visitors are uneasy or noticeably uncomfortable, and flinch at the slightest noise.
They are in a stranger’s home — don’t forget that.
Shaking a client’s hand can immediately relay professionalism, regardless of the informal setting.
At this point, you may say, “Hello, Mary. How are you? Did you have trouble finding me?” Conversation can make the client feel calm and place them at ease.
Tips for Converting Even the Smallest Space into a Home Office
When working with clients exclusively via phone and email, where your desk is parked is irrelevant to everyone except for you and your family. One of the latest trends amongst office design is to use under-used, ideal areas such as a closet.
After a bit of spring cleaning and dare I say junk consolidation, a person can free up an estimated 10 square feet of great office space — and with a little creativity, it will be a very functional space as well.
A great resource for finding ideas on how to turn small spaces into an office, an unused close for example, can be found on Pinterest.
Conducting a quick search using “convert closet to home office,” I uncovered these two gorgeous transformations:
How to Effectively Build Your Business With Kids in Tow
Raising children and building a business isn’t impossible.
In fact, it’s very doable … proven by the millions of moms and dads who are currently doing business online and raising small and school-aged children.
The beginning is where the most doubts “that you can’t” will surface.
I know they did for me.
After the birth of my grandson, Damien, my office was turned into a daycare center complete with playpen, diapers, toys, swing, and so on and so on. I’d say up until he turned 12 months, or maybe even 18 months, working alongside a child wasn’t too difficult.
Just before the age of two, however, everything changed.
My office turned into an all-out jungle gym … even my book case wasn’t off limits as you can see from the photo.
