Deborah OConnor August 6, 2013

The home office is becoming more popular everyday. About 25% of Americans have a home office and the benefits can be great, especially for working moms. You have the ability to create your own schedule and set your own priorities. But beware the pitfalls of the home office, for they can ruin many a business. Let’s take a look at both sides of the coin:

Benefits:

• You have the ability to set your own schedule and hours
• You have no outside demands from co-workers
• There is no dress code
• You can care for children and walk the dog
• You can be on call at any time you choose

Pitfalls:

• You have no one to talk to or to consult with on a regular basis
• Working at home can be lonely
• It will never work if you do not have self-discipline
• It is easy to be distracted
• You can easily forget about good manners and etiquette if you do not practice them on a day-to-day basis
• Maintaining and promoting your professional image can become a challenge when you are not in the workforce
• Most people act according to how they are dressed. Think about it, if you are in your PJ’s you just don’t act the same as you would when you are professionally dressed
• Professional phone calls can quickly go from great to not-so-great with a crying baby or a barking dog
• Ringing doorbells do not promote a professional image
• Eating your lunch while you are on a phone call might seem like good idea to you, but the recipient can hear every chomp, gulp and chew
• You can miss out on opportunities to network with colleagues and business associates
• If you see clients in your home office, is your home always neat, clean and up to professional standards? Do clients have to step over toys and games to get to your office?
• Do other family members appreciate strangers traipsing through your home?

As you can see the, the pitfalls far outweigh the benefits. Here are some tips to making your home office and business user-friendly and professional.

• Make sure your office space is quiet and off-limits to other family members when you are on the phone and working.
• You certainly don’t have to wear a business suit and heels in your home office, but do make sure you are dressed in appropriate street clothing and sitting in a chair at a desk where you are working. Just making an attempt to appear professional goes a long way to influence your actions.
• Make sure you have a professional wardrobe to wear to business meetings.
• Take part in networking events that are pertinent to your business. You want to keep up with the latest trends and keep in touch with colleagues
• Join a business club or take a seminar to further your professional growth.
• If your business calls for you to receive clients in your home office, are you prepared to do so in a professional manner? Perhaps you would be wise to hold meetings at the client’s office or at a local coffee shop, especially if it is a mixed gender meeting. Both you and your guests need to feel comfortable and safe no matter where you meet.
• Keep your home office organized, neat and clean. It will help you project a competent and professional image necessary for success.
• If possible, have a separate phone line for your business. You can always forward calls to your cell phone if necessary.
• Make sure you have business files properly organized and accessible. You want to be the consummate professional at all times.

With some forethought and strategy, a home office can be a successful reality.

Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skills necessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at:  [email protected]        www.successfulimage.biz