Do you want to get off to a successful start for your home based business? I sure do and I assume you want the same thing to happen to you. Well, setting up your home office the right way makes a huge difference in the outcome of your business success. You may or may not agree, but it has had an impact on my experience and many others I have spoken to.
For example, you’re talking to a potential customer and you need your business partner to talk to them, but you don’t have a three-way calling setup on your phone system. Guess what, now you’ll be missing out on invaluable training because you won’t hear how your business partner handles questions from prospects.
8 Tips To Set Up Your Home Based Business For Success
1. A great phone plan is essential to your success, so make sure you have the following:
* UNLIMITED Long Distance
* 3-way call
* Caller ID
* Call waiting
* Voicemail
* Call forwarding
* Rejection of anonymous calls
* Call back
* Redial
2. You must have a calendar
Your calendar is the backbone of your office. Without her, nothing advances. You can choose an online calendar like Google or Yahoo or Outlook, or you can buy an appointment book at your local office supply store.
3. The software tools on your computer:
* High speed internet access
* Adobe Acrobat 8: Free Download
* Flash Player Plugin: Free Download
* Internet Explorer (Internet Explorer 6 is sufficient)
* JavaScript: Free Download
* Email Software – You may want to use Outlook or Outlook Express for your business email. Most people use one of these, so you’ll maintain consistency in your business organization.
4. A good filing system
Staying organized is extremely important because doing so will help you work efficiently. Organization is very personal, so I suggest customizing your folder names in a way that makes sense to you.
Here are some folder titles you can use for your own ideas:
* Your “Main Business” Folder
* Examples of commercial emails
* Training material
* Advertising
* Announcements and Promotions
* Faxes
* directs
* Tax records and payment receipts
5. Email signatures
Your signature must include a closing, your name, contact information (website, email address, and phone number), and a favorite quote or expression is optional. (always keep in mind if you use a quote to keep the message appropriate for a business setting)
Your signature can be a powerful method of advertising, use it wisely.
6. Stay Connected: Instant Messaging Service
Instant messaging services allow you to communicate with your online contacts, get answers to your questions, and take advantage of your time because your phone line will be open to receive calls from potential customers.
Be sure to get your Mentors and Business Partners’ IM IDs so you can always stay in touch!
* Yahoo instant messaging
*MSN instant messaging
* AOL instant messaging
* skype
7. Purchase of office supplies
Will need:
* Large 3 ring binder with tab dividers
* Plastic sheet protectors
* Calendar
* Pens and pencils
* Paper (printer paper and notepads to take notes)
* Fluid correction
* manila folders
* Plastic organizer to hold pens, clips, sticky notes, etc.
* Post-it notes
* paper clips
* Stapler
* 3 hole punch
* File cabinet
8. Set the mood: Your office environment:
Your office should vibrate with positive energy. Get motivated by posting your goals and the reasons “WHY” you started your home business. Family photos can help you keep your focus. Motivational slogans or an inspirational quote can keep you focused on your goals.
Decorate your office in a way that reflects your taste and personality. Create a fast-paced climate that motivates you to do your best. Your environment should promote a peaceful yet exciting atmosphere for you to work with, so use pictures or anything that will create this setting for you.
One of the biggest benefits of working at home is having the freedom to personalize your workspace, so be creative when setting up your ideal work environment.
These 8 simple tips we’ve covered can help you get off to a successful start in your business. By following these tips, you’ll be able to expand your business and keep it moving. You will be more focused on building your business and that is your goal, isn’t it? I wish you the best in your entrepreneurial adventure.
