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Working from home

Some 5.4 million people now work from home in the UK, some from choice, others from necessity. Around 2m are self-employed freelancers, about 1.6m work for an employer with a separate office base, and around 300,00 are running a business that has employees.

Working from home can seem like a dream come true when you've been stuck in a traffic queue for hours or your dirty, cramped and uncomfortable train was late - again! It has never been easier to start running a business from home, however, due to the advent of broadband and the inexpensive IT packages and equipment on the market. It's also good news for the environment and the local economy.

It isn't all a bed of roses of course, and it can take some getting used to. If you are used to working in a busy environment, it can be lonely and difficult to switch off (especially if you don't have a separate space to use as an office or base). If you are used to having lots of things provided for you, IT support and the like, it can come as a bit of a shock to the system when you have to do everything by yourself. Have a look at the setting up a home office page to get you started.

 

Top Tips for successful home working

• Make sure that you take a break every day - a walk, swim etc to get some exercise and reduce feelings of isolation. Get a cheap, off-peak swimming or gym membership. It reduces the impact of getting RSI (repetitive strain injury) and keeps the weight off.   
• Join networking events in your chosen field not just to find clients, but also join up with allies and supporters to share ideas. I've tried lots and I really like my Business Network group in Cambridge (CBN) because I meet academics, entrepreneurs and business managers who are really good company and a rich source of ideas and contacts.
• Ensure that you have your computer set up with wrist guards, an eye level screen platform and so on in order to reduce or avoid repetive strain injuries or postural problems - trust me I've gone through this agony!
• Learn to prioritise the things that generate income - just looking at your email or organising your expenses simply won't pay the bills
• Get your family to support your work by respecting your space, reducing interruptions and so on
• Use the tips on this site to help you to set up any legal issues, business banking, training, insurance and so on that might be appropriate if you are running a business from home
• Don't reward or distract yourself with cigarettes or junk food - both have serious health consequences.
• Don't allow yourself to become stale - invest in training, keep up with new ideas and developments in your field, go to conferences and business events
• Once your business becomes established, and possibly too big for your home, check out small/low cost business or incubation units available through your local enterprise agency
• Put a separate phone line in for your business calls
• If you have children at home, make sure that that either know not to answer the telephone or, teach them how to answer it and take messages correctly. Your charming three year old may have no qualms about telling your important client that you are in the bathroom or doing something more colourful so best not to risk it!
• Build up your own resource library - check out new or the many bargain second hand titles at the New Life Bookshop.

Essential Resources

If this is what you're trying to escape or reduce - try checking out some of these helpful resources.

Homeworking

Homebusiness

Working Families

Enterprise Nation

BCentral BCentral is Microsoft's site for small business - lots of interesting information about using technology to run your business.

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