What are common success factors for home-based businesses? More than 200 owners shared their experiences in a recent survey.
"Working from home makes for longer business days actually spent in the office space," says JoAnn Laing, CEO of Information Strategies, Inc.
"Therefore learning how to deal with daily family issues and running a business at the same time is critical."
The top 10 success factors:
1. Do not work from the dining room table but rather from a separate space. A spare bedroom or den is best, but the key is having it separate from the general traffic area of the home.
2. Make the workplace out of bounds to those who would interfere with good work habits and leave things about.
3. Have a separate phone line. A customer needs to feel that he or she is dealing with a company, not a family.
4. Have a separate computer. Having only one computer in the house can be a disaster for a home-based business.
5. Set aside time during the day for family. Try scheduling in an hour of family time during the day where they will have unlimited attention.
6. Hiring someone to work alongside the home business owner is opening the house to strangers. Doubly check their references.
7. Make friends with all delivery and service personnel. Treat them as valued suppliers and earn extra services and support in times of need.
8. Keep duplicate records and tape backups off-premises. Every month, records and materials should be duplicated and placed offsite in a safe locale.
9. Dress for business every day. Becoming lax in your dress can lead to lax practices.
10. Keep outside activities to a minimum and do not arouse the ire of neighbours. They can make life difficult and annoying.
