| One important consideration for your home | | | | computer and a phone with a good flat rate long |
| business is your work area. You want an area | | | | distance plan. The Internet has truly made the |
| where you can have quiet, non-distracted time to | | | | home business a viable option and with high-speed |
| work on your business. For some people this can | | | | Internet you can view and host online webinars |
| be a spare bedroom converted to an office or a | | | | and meetings, creating a true virtual business. In |
| space in the basement or a kitchen table. For | | | | addition to a phone, computer and high speed |
| others this can be a challenging consideration, | | | | Internet, I suggest a hands free headset as well. |
| especially if there are children or pets in the home. | | | | Several manufacturers make reliable, inexpensive |
| But, you really need dedicated, uninterrupted time | | | | headsets in both wired and wireless models. I |
| to work in order to succeed and that is best | | | | prefer the models from Plantronics, but there are |
| accomplished in a particular area set aside for the | | | | other good units available. This is probably my |
| business. This is even more critical if you starting | | | | most relied upon tool because of the flexibility and |
| your business part-time because the few hours | | | | speed it provides in working my computer or a |
| available for productive business time need to be | | | | notepad while I am on a call. The bottom line is it |
| maximized. | | | | only takes a few key tools to get started, |
| Comfort is also important when creating your | | | | several of which you probably already own. |
| home business area. You need to be comfortable | | | | Finally, the most important component to setting |
| and relaxed talking with people about your | | | | up your home business is time. Establish a |
| business. Whatever way you can best accomplish | | | | minimum goal for time spent working your home |
| that is fine. A good chair can be great investment | | | | business on a weekly basis. Setting up the space |
| in this area. Also, make sure you have enough | | | | and acquiring the minimum tools is the easy part - |
| room to work by having a sufficient, clean space | | | | now comes the real challenge. You must spend |
| to use your computer and make notes if needed. | | | | consistent, dedicated time on your business if you |
| Again, this doesn't have to be an office, but the | | | | desire consistent results. By definition the home |
| space requirements are similar. There are many | | | | business is time flexible, but not time exempt. It is |
| ways to create a comfortable space; in fact, I | | | | still a business, which requires effort. I |
| have heard from other home business owners | | | | recommend you start with an hourly number for |
| that they successfully use their laptop and a | | | | the week, trying different times and days of the |
| phone on the couch for business. This method | | | | week to find the most productive time. If you |
| doesn't work for me...it is too close to the TV! | | | | are starting part-time, as most do, use 10 hours |
| The point is that are many ways to create a | | | | or even less if that is too much. And, remember, |
| comfortable office environment. Experiment and | | | | this amount can be split over different days. But, |
| find what works for you. | | | | whatever number you use, consistently spend |
| Next, you need a few common business tools for | | | | those hours each week on your home business. |
| your home business. Most of the legitimate home | | | | Eventually, your time will be leveraged and you will |
| businesses available today can be run with only a | | | | see increasing results. |
