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