Advantages of Working from Home

As the song goes, "the times they are a changing". More and more people are working from home now. With the onset of technology it is becoming commonplace. Whether they are setting up their own home based businesses or working for someone else but doing it from their own home, there are many advantages.

First off is the cost savings, this cannot be easily ignored. If you do not have to go into the "office", you are saving on transportation costs which include gas, parking and wear and tear, clothing costs, food and beverage costs and other expenses that just add up when you are commuting to the office.

As for the employer, there is also a cost savings of not having the extra work stations and with remote workers, a business can have minimum office space if its workers are virtual.

Let's not also forget the reduction of cars on our roads reduces the impact on the environment, so the benefit is felt not only for the individual and the employer, but for the community also.

Followed closely by cost savings is time savings. For those that have a long ride to the office, you can be saving two hours or more from your day. Instead of getting up at 6am and leaving the house at 7am to start work at 8am - you can roll out of bed at 6:45am and get a jump on the day by 7am!

If your children are old enough or are in school, you can also schedule work around the times that they are away or sleeping. Many work from home moms do a lot of work once the kids are in bed for naps or the night. This allows them the flexibility to spend quality time with them during the day and also save on child care - which can be really expensive especially with more than one child.

Another advantage is the flexibility of the work schedule. If you have appointments or other commitments, it is possible to work around them, work later or do some extra time on weekends. One must however be committed to getting the job done and not just let those non-work commitments take over.

Which brings us to the question, with all these advantages of working from home, is it for everyone? Only the individual can answer that question but generally, if you can work independently, are motivated and committed, then you too can enjoy all these advantages and work from home.

How A Handwritten Card Can Increase Business

If you are a small business you will know that a large part of your time is spent attracting new business and referrals and one of the most effective and best ways to do this is by sending out hand written notes and cards to customers.

At first glance this may not seem practical to a business owner for the following reasons.
1. You need to develop a system to track people's important dates/information, which can be overwhelming when you think about the number of people you meet.

2. You then have to go to the card store and find the right card. This can be a very time consuming and costly if you have to drive.

3. After that it's the writing and posting of the cards.

4. The cost of the cards could average between £1-2.00 per card depending on what you get.

However do not overlook this method. There is something powerful about sending a client or patient a hand written note or card. It conveys that you are thinking about them and that they are worth your time and effort to write. Believe me in an age where the personal touch seems to be missing from many aspects of our lives. It speaks a lot.
If you are just starting out you may be able to do this for every customer, if not provide this service to your very best customers.

You do not have to say much, even if it’s only to thank them for their purchase and offer some after care. People appreciate it and even if they do not contact you straight away, they are more likely to keep the card and come back to you eventually, providing you follow up. If you fail to follow up regularly you may lose that one customer that could turn your business around.

Out of sight is out of mind. Someone who may not need your services now, may need you in six months time, but will they think of you first before anyone else. By keeping in touch regularly and sending them a hand written personal card from you, they have no choice but to stop and think about you, even if it is only for a moment. Do this several times a year and you will be in the forefront of their minds.

So get into the habit of sending out at least three hand written notes or cards a day thanking clients for their custom and offering help.

A. Keep a stack of letterheads, cards, envelopes and stamps with you at all times.

B. Write the note immediately after seeing or interacting with customer while the details are still fresh.

C. Keep the note or card personal and sincere.

D. Keep the note short and sweet.

E. Be alert for any opportunity to send out a handwritten note or card.

Not only will you feel better about yourself and make a difference to others but see an increase in repeat business and referrals.

3 Simple Steps to Empowered Action

One major challenge to operating a home based business is overcoming the challenge of being in action everyday. Have you ever experienced being in a rut? Of ending the day without having done anything or having done very little? Do you tell yourself tomorrow will be different and then it's not? Have you had thoughts of quitting on your dreams because you are feeling helpless and less and less motivated?

These feelings are very common and are faced by most people who have the courage to begin a home based business. Taking action can be intimidating and scary but it can also be the most empowering thing you can do. Action is the fuel that keeps people motivated; that supports a persons dream for having a lifestyle business.

Let's lay out the three steps to support empowered action:

1. The first thing you will need to do is to own that your business is where it is because of your lack of action. The importance of owning this is that you have a base to work from. Ask yourself this question, "where would I be today if I had taken the necessary actions instead of avoiding or being anxious?" The answer helps you to be clear on how taking action will support the growth of you and your business.

Now, let's decide what is the first action you will take to get this ball rolling. Where is your business right now and what specific situations do you want to change or improve? Look at different aspects of your business - financial, development, web presence, customer service, and any other areas that need to be identified. Now pick one easy, productive action you can take today to improve your business. This does not have to be a big action, any action will help to build momentum.

2. Now that you've chosen your action step, you will have to commit to pushing yourself to accomplish this action - no matter what! Whatever has stood in your way, push past it. Ask yourself this question when you encounter fear or uneasiness - "what is the worst thing that can happen if this fails?" If the answer is anything but "death", keep moving forward! Most things we fear really never happen except in our minds.

3. After you have completed the identified action, congratulate yourself and keep moving onto the next action. Remember, action is the fuel of your business like gas is the fuel to your car. A key is to end your day with a list of actions you can take and complete the next day. If you accomplish small actions everyday, in less than a month you will be amazed by the amount of progress you have made and how much better you feel about your business.

Continuing to take action then becomes the new habit versus the old habit of inertia, anxiety, and fear. You made a decision to have a home based business for a reason. Remind yourself what your reason was and what lifestyle your dreams and visions will support for you, your family, your friends, and the world.