| With telecommuting becoming more popular, and | | | | much more, if you aren't familiar with all of |
| work hours always longer, even one to two | | | | this and it is reinventing the wheel to |
| days a week at home now requires the | | | | consider learning it, come up with other |
| establishment of a productive niche, if not a | | | | means. At the risk of sounding antiquated, I |
| room for career success. Whether you have an | | | | still have a hard copy fax, I don't scan much |
| extra room to devote, a basement you can | | | | and it saves time. All this equipment also |
| remodel and outfit, or you are remodeling an | | | | takes space, don't forget!Know that |
| unused closet for that office space, there | | | | ergonomics matters! Working out of a |
| are some important considerations you'll want | | | | breakfast chair or off a stool is not |
| to make. When you truly have a dedicated home | | | | generally comfortable. If you aren't |
| office niche, well designed for productivity | | | | comfortable you aren't as productive. Get a |
| you will earn more, get more done in less | | | | good chair, on a five star base if you need |
| time, and look forward to it. Call in a | | | | it (most of us do!). A high back is generally |
| professional if you don't know where to | | | | more ergonomic than a low back, and arms |
| start!Get organized, Get storage! Do take | | | | count.Light to get it all done! You wouldn't |
| stock of how much storage you need and what | | | | go to a professional office and work by |
| type. This is necessary for both old records | | | | flashlight, so don't do it at home! Overhead |
| and current records. While we'd love to live | | | | lighting is often harsh and glaring and |
| in a paperless world, it seems there is more | | | | creates eyestrain. The best is a combination |
| and more, instead of less and less. It has to | | | | of overhead, whether recessed or flush |
| be effectively stored for easy access and | | | | mounted (a central ceiling fixture), and task |
| preservation. A damp basement subject to mold | | | | lighting. Task lighting can be a halogen desk |
| isn't going to work well. Cruising through a | | | | lamp with a 2-way bulb. It is focused on the |
| place like the Container Store or at least | | | | task at hand. The right lighting will truly |
| Office Depot and Target will give you some | | | | make you enjoy the space more, and look |
| fresh ideas on how best to create a system | | | | forward to getting it done.Establish your |
| personalized and customized for your | | | | identity! This is particularly significant if |
| business. This may also be a good time to | | | | you have clients coming to your home office. |
| call in an organizer for a first hand look at | | | | It should represent your career field and |
| your storage needs by an expert.Create a | | | | showcase your accomplishments. This could be |
| dedicated work surface! No it isn't practical | | | | framed articles you have written or been |
| to think you can work on the coffee table or | | | | written about you. It also typically entails |
| dining table and have it all either put away | | | | diplomas and awards. (You spent a lot of |
| (ha!ha!) or shoved aside in time for dinner | | | | time, effort and often money earning these, |
| or kids to watch TV. You need a dedicated | | | | show them off.) If you want to incorporate |
| space, separate and private, that you can | | | | artwork, it should reflect your field. Graphs |
| close off. This can be another room, a closet | | | | and charts, or even a map with pins |
| transformed, or even an office armoire, but | | | | indicating business locations is appropriate. |
| you need the privacy. Remember every time you | | | | This also reinforces your credibility and |
| move your stuff something gets misplaced and | | | | reputation as much for you as for |
| since we already spend about 2 years of our | | | | others.Ready for clients! Do you have to |
| lives standing in line and looking for keys, | | | | entertain clients in your home office? If so, |
| can you afford to lose more time?Have the | | | | it needs to look professional. That means a |
| right equipment! Make a list of the equipment | | | | separate room with seating for clients as |
| you need and what you use the most. While it | | | | well as your desk and support pieces. It can |
| is easy to buy a four-in-one-machine, that | | | | be a residential feeling, perhaps a Country |
| isn't effective if you need it doing more | | | | French writing desk, or a contemporary glass |
| than one function simultaneously. Also, up | | | | top on a stainless base with appropriate |
| front consider your electrical demands. Do | | | | seating. It does need to emphasize business, |
| you need additional outlets? Do you need | | | | and not look like house leftovers. Be sure |
| dedicated phone lines?? Sure many folks can | | | | you have an extra table if needed to spread |
| just pull out a laptop and go for it, but | | | | out presentations or sales materials. The |
| others of us need a bit more. While computers | | | | floor is not a good resort! |
| can now fax, email, voice transcribe, and | | | | |