Over the years, working from home is becoming increasingly popular. Companies are hiring people to work remotely and are an appealing alternative to a 9 to 5 desk job.
With recent mandates around Coronavirus Covid-19, many people who can perform their duties remotely are being asked to do just that… Work From Home… Do NOT Come to the Office
I have been a consultant for 15 years and have learned how to keep an office in a back-pack, and work from a home office as needed… if you are New to working from Home…
Here are Critically Essential Things you Need
1. Internet Service [kind of a no brainer but… ]
The internet is key to getting things done. Whether you are a blogger, an entrepreneur, a consultant, IT Support, developer or just about anything else, you need good, reliable internet service. Make sure you have a consistent and fast connection. There is nothing is worse than not getting things done because your internet went out or is too slow for a Skype or WebEx presentation.
2. Desk and Office Space
Make sure you have a dedicated place that you consider “workspace”. If you have room you can call an office, and close off from the rest of the house, that is the best, and if long term, there are income tax benefits and deductions you can take for Home Office Use. Your laptop on the breakfast or dining room table may not be the best situation, but if that is what you have, make sure everyone know you are in business mode. I have often gone to a Panera Restaurant and setup office with noise canceling headphones… very hard to take a conference call, but otherwise, a great environment with great coffee and food…
3. Phone Service
In this day and age, phone service is in your back pocket… make sure you have connection to your cell service through their internet or with wifi connected to your home service. Fewer people today have a land line to their home office… it might only service as a fax connection [yes, I have a printer that accepts faxes]
4. Get Dressed for Work [at least from the waist up]
Working remote means you don’t have to wear a suit and tie everyday although you may not anyway… Where clothes that if you need to video call, or otherwise engage with people visually appear to be work clothes and not your pajamas or sweats…
5. Computer Desktop Setup
If you company provides all the software you need, you may be able to skip this one.
If they do not, or you are a consultant or contractor, you will want to have the necessary programs. I have a license for Office 365 plus some extras that I need to get the job done. Shop around for some of these products; they’ll likely make your life a whole lot simpler.
6. Connect With Your Team
Working from home doesn’t mean you are an island, connect with your team. Use your company provided app, Teams, WebEx, Yammer, Outlook to stay in contact and know what is going on. And do not forget about professional networking sites. Example, LinkedIn can help you stay in contact with former colleagues, clients and other professionals in the industry. Job and Gig postings can also lead to new opportunities.
7. An Organized Workspace
Just like your office at HQ or on loan while at a client site, your space should be organized and decluttered. Similar, your computer, laptop or desktop, should be a dedicated machine. Especially if a company computer, it is a work computer. It is not a sometimes-work, sometimes-play computer.
8. Strict Schedule – A Time for Everything
Setup a specific time for your workday, everyday including breaks and other essential details. It can get confusing between work and home when the two are in the same place. Your workday must be productive with scheduled breaks. If when in the office you work 8am to 4 pm, make sure you maintain a similar schedule… If you are permanent work from home, make sure your business calendar had appropriate blocks to avoid double booking meetings. For example, you start your day at 7AM but need to take the kids to the bus stop from 7.45 to 8.am, put this in your outlook calendar. It will serve you well when home life and work life need to mix.
9. Stay on the Radar
Oftentimes ‘office’ people, because you work from home all the time, are forgotten… you are not in the break room, or at all hands meetings, or at spontaneous meetings over lunch… Out of sight, out of mind really does apply to the work world. Make sure you are involved with continuous updates through email and phone conversation with your boss or client and your peers.
10. Get Real
Working from home can be awesome, and you can save on transportation and other costs, and improve quality family time. Many people who work from home are contractors, consultants, freelancers and others are self-employed. Your business model must include covering your direct costs plus the cost of self-employment.
