Running your own business from the comfort of your home is becoming more and more common in today’s world. With better technology and internet connections along with the flexibility that comes along with it all, working from home seems like a dream. It is far from the perfect scenario, however, because you still have to put in the hours and, well, work! There are a number of things you can do to make the experience better for everyone involved. Keep reading to learn more. (Image Credit below) 
Take Care of Your Employees
Just because you work from home does not mean you are the only employee. If you happen to have a staff, whether they also work remotely, meet at your home office, or perform their duties at an onsite location, they still require the same care and attention as if you were all together in a traditional work setting.
Here is a list of essential items you should provide for your team.
- Compliance Training
- Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
- Child and Elder Care Time Off
- A Listening Ear
- Opportunities for Growth and Advancement
- Routine Evaluations and Feedback
Watch this video to learn the three keys to conducting an effective performance review when you are the boss.
While there are many other things you can and should provide for your employees, these are some important ones that everyone wants and needs to stay employed, satisfied, and successful in their position with your company.
Create a Functional Schedule
Of course, when you are running your own business, you have a schedule. But, this schedule should look quite different than the one you might have if you worked in a traditional office setting. After all, there you would be surrounded by your employees and management team. At home, you have children, a partner, and parents to contend with during working hours.
Begin creating your schedule by looking at the needs and schedule of those in your home that you are responsible for. Once you have that information, consider your work needs, start and end times, along with anything else that occurs on a routine basis. Put all of that information into an online calendar you can access anywhere.
Next, create new event items for walking the dog, putting dinner in the oven, and picking the kids up from school. Include doctor’s appointments and school plays. Even though these things may occur during your workday, they are part of the reason you are currently working from home and must be accounted for to stay productive. (Image Credit below)
When you run your business from home, you have a lot of proverbial balls in the air. You want to keep your company going strong to achieve the goals you have set forth. In order to do that, you need to provide your employees with everything they need to do their job well. You also need to focus on your needs and scheduling parameters so you can maintain productivity without anything falling through the cracks in your professional or personal life. Stay on track to get where you want to be.
WanderWoMom 