Keep an eye out for good business advice

So, you’re running a business from home? You need a little help? Sure you do. Because all that time by yourself leaves you a little lost for feedback and you’re merely hoping you’re still on the right track. Sound about right?

I read a fantastic book called “Your Home Business – Helen Chryssides”. I was a little sceptical about this book when I picked it up. I thought it may be one of those wishy-washy books and I was very pleased to find that it had some useful advice for small business in it.

Sections of the book are anecdotal evidence of how you might make your home business work. Helen has asked many successful home business owners to contribute tips and ideas which she then also utilises effectively when giving advice. Apparently, Peter Goldsworthy (South Australian author) also has problems with his fridge being a major distraction.. so I don’t have to feel like a failure for doing the same. *phew*

Helen has a very realistic view of the advantages and disadvantages of working from home. She really thinks about the disadvantages and how you might overcome them.

The main disadvantages of working from home are:

• isolation from peers
• friends and relatives not taking your business seriously
• people perceiving you as unemployed
• people thinking you are available for social calls
• loneliness
• lack of professional image
• distractions (Like the fridge and TV)
• not being able to stop working/turn yourself off
• lack of work or irregular income
• lack of capital to pull you through
• insufficient planning
• not separating work environment from home environment

Now, I’m not going to tell you all the secrets of avoiding or overcoming the down side of running your own business. You’d never buy the book and that’d be cheating. However, I will offer some of her more general tips for working effectively in a home business.

Things to help your business:

• Take regular breaks
• Keep a professional image
• Always be prompt and reliable
• Get good advice – see a local business centre
• Separate work from non-work (Perhaps by setting work hours)
• Get out and see people
• Deal with your stress
• Prioritise tasks in order of financial viability – keep the money coming in!
• Evaluate your progress
• Stay motivated
• Don’t procrastinate! Get on with it!

Remember, just because you work from home doesn’t mean you are to be taken any less seriously.

Don’t become a statistic. Make your business work. And enjoy doing it!