Telephones, fax machines and the internet have made it possible for many of us to work from home. Whether we are self-employed or otherwise, there are a growing number of us who make only a 10-20 yard commute to our place of work. If you are self motivated and hard working, this is fantastic.
Several years of working out of my home have taught me well. I have learned the rules to being productive and the tools I need to get there. Depending on your field some of the tools may change, but there are five essentials to successfully running your home office.
1. Reliable Computer Setup
A computer probably seems pretty obvious. You can’t really telecommute without a computer. However, as you transition into the home office, remember that John from IT will no longer be available to run in and fix the glitches.
Invest in a good computer that has the capacity to do the work you need at the speed that is required of you. If your old Pentium has been with you for four or more years, chances are you need to upgrade. And, when you upgrade choose something you can adapt to quickly.
To really secure your success, find the software that best suits you and purchase it. Knock offs and pirated software will prove to be very frustrating. You can’t get the help you need direct from the vendor and you are at the mercy of the best copy you can snag. Just make the investment in yourself!
2. Telecommunications System
To truly run a professional and efficient home office, you need a separate telephone line and a solid telecommunications system. It goes hand in hand with your computer and is just as much of an extension of your physical self. I
n fact, the computer and telecommunications systems are so entwined that they can be integrated and controlled together. You’ll find SOHO PBX (I’ll talk more about this another time) and VoIP that can be controlled directly from your PC.
Long Distance services and phone companies aside, the equipment is the essential entity. Select equipment that will grow with you and serve you well in the long run. This is a vitality important consideration if you currently have or intend to eventually have others working with you from your home office.
The telecommunications system encompasses the physical phone, answering system and fax machine. Ideally, you incorporate your final selection into an Access Control System like the Phone Gate 102 for 2 Doors/Gates. The Phone Gate 102 is one of several such systems that allow you to control access at your home’s entrances with your phone. No more missing important business related house calls or deliveries.
When visitors arrive at your door and press on the Door Phone button, your office phone rings. You determine who is at the door and whether or not you want to give them access with the click of a button or run to the door to greet them yourself. Better yet, if you are out of the office visitors can leave you a voicemail message like any other telephone call.
3. File Storage
I am not referring to filing cabinets, because if you are smart, you’ll keep these to a minimum. In this day an age, we owe it to ourselves to go paperless. It’s better for the environment and it keeps the clutter down.
Since paperless is the goal, your computer will serve as the center of all information. So, back it up! External hard drives are readily available starting at about $50. Carbonite and Iron Mountain are two of the many online paid services that allow you to back up your computer daily. If you can expense it, or afford the fee of $50 per year (varies by vendor), this can be a great complement to any file back-up system you have at home.
4. Dependable Desk
As trivial as the desk may seem, you will become very intimate with yours. It must provide you with a sufficient work area and storage for the supplies you need close at hand. I searched high and low for my desk and it has served me well for the last few years.
Your desk and its placement within your office needs to take into consideration lighting, spatial planning with regards to electrical outlets and phone jacks, orientation to additional work areas and overall comfort. The bottom line here is: plan well. Measure your space and narrow it down to 2-3 options before you make your decision.
5. World Class Chair
Unless you are interested in keeping a chiropractor on speed dial, you will research and test until you find a chair that is suitable for your body and your office space. Not all office chairs are equal. I can’t recommend specific manufacturers, because in the end price and comfort are subjective. I can recommend that you take these factors into consideration:
· Wheels for mobility
· Comfortable material (Faux leather need not apply!)
· Back height for optimum support
· Adjustable height
· Adjustable arm rests
· Adjustable tilt
· Durability
Several years of working out of my home have taught me well. I have learned the rules to being productive and the tools I need to get there. Depending on your field some of the tools may change, but there are five essentials to successfully running your home office.
1. Reliable Computer Setup
A computer probably seems pretty obvious. You can’t really telecommute without a computer. However, as you transition into the home office, remember that John from IT will no longer be available to run in and fix the glitches.
Invest in a good computer that has the capacity to do the work you need at the speed that is required of you. If your old Pentium has been with you for four or more years, chances are you need to upgrade. And, when you upgrade choose something you can adapt to quickly.
To really secure your success, find the software that best suits you and purchase it. Knock offs and pirated software will prove to be very frustrating. You can’t get the help you need direct from the vendor and you are at the mercy of the best copy you can snag. Just make the investment in yourself!
2. Telecommunications System
To truly run a professional and efficient home office, you need a separate telephone line and a solid telecommunications system. It goes hand in hand with your computer and is just as much of an extension of your physical self. I
n fact, the computer and telecommunications systems are so entwined that they can be integrated and controlled together. You’ll find SOHO PBX (I’ll talk more about this another time) and VoIP that can be controlled directly from your PC.Long Distance services and phone companies aside, the equipment is the essential entity. Select equipment that will grow with you and serve you well in the long run. This is a vitality important consideration if you currently have or intend to eventually have others working with you from your home office.
The telecommunications system encompasses the physical phone, answering system and fax machine. Ideally, you incorporate your final selection into an Access Control System like the Phone Gate 102 for 2 Doors/Gates. The Phone Gate 102 is one of several such systems that allow you to control access at your home’s entrances with your phone. No more missing important business related house calls or deliveries.
When visitors arrive at your door and press on the Door Phone button, your office phone rings. You determine who is at the door and whether or not you want to give them access with the click of a button or run to the door to greet them yourself. Better yet, if you are out of the office visitors can leave you a voicemail message like any other telephone call.
3. File Storage
I am not referring to filing cabinets, because if you are smart, you’ll keep these to a minimum. In this day an age, we owe it to ourselves to go paperless. It’s better for the environment and it keeps the clutter down.
Since paperless is the goal, your computer will serve as the center of all information. So, back it up! External hard drives are readily available starting at about $50. Carbonite and Iron Mountain are two of the many online paid services that allow you to back up your computer daily. If you can expense it, or afford the fee of $50 per year (varies by vendor), this can be a great complement to any file back-up system you have at home.
4. Dependable Desk
As trivial as the desk may seem, you will become very intimate with yours. It must provide you with a sufficient work area and storage for the supplies you need close at hand. I searched high and low for my desk and it has served me well for the last few years.
Your desk and its placement within your office needs to take into consideration lighting, spatial planning with regards to electrical outlets and phone jacks, orientation to additional work areas and overall comfort. The bottom line here is: plan well. Measure your space and narrow it down to 2-3 options before you make your decision.
5. World Class Chair
Unless you are interested in keeping a chiropractor on speed dial, you will research and test until you find a chair that is suitable for your body and your office space. Not all office chairs are equal. I can’t recommend specific manufacturers, because in the end price and comfort are subjective. I can recommend that you take these factors into consideration:
· Wheels for mobility
· Comfortable material (Faux leather need not apply!)
· Back height for optimum support
· Adjustable height
· Adjustable arm rests
· Adjustable tilt
· Durability
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