| Maintaining a professional image while working out of | | | | believe that you will be giving his project your full |
| your home can be challenging. But it is a challenge | | | | attention, you can not have proof to the contrary |
| that can be overcome with a little planning. You will | | | | screaming in the background. Obviously if you have |
| need to create a professional "mental image" and, as | | | | children in the house you cannot expect 8 hours of |
| much as possible, a professional physical space. | | | | absolute silence. But even small children can |
| Start by getting dressed. Your dress will affect your | | | | understand that there are short periods of time |
| mental attitude. I have read articles saying that as | | | | when no loud noise is allowed. A fun sign with a |
| long as you are focusing on the client it doesn't | | | | cartoon saying "Shhh" or something else simple can |
| matter what you are wearing. This may be true, but | | | | help them remember. Once you have an established |
| creating "work-time" cues is great for switching gears | | | | relationship with a client, he is more likely to be |
| into business mode. And getting into business mode is | | | | understanding about the occasional family noise. |
| important regardless of whether or not you will be | | | | Speaking of phone calls, have a business phone line |
| on the phone today. A full suit is not necessary, just | | | | with voice mail (NOT an answering machine). Many |
| real clothes. Business casual clothing says "competent | | | | telephone providers do not allow residential lines to |
| professional", while a bath robe and fuzzy slippers say | | | | be used for business. Not to mention, nothing looks |
| "cozy Sunday morning." | | | | more unprofessional than a residential caller ID on a |
| Now that you are in business mode, have a schedule. | | | | business call. |
| Define your "business hours" in advance and STICK | | | | If you absolutely cannot afford a business line right |
| TO THEM. It's fine to break up your work hours with | | | | away, get a virtual phone number. I like the Onebox |
| a chunk of personal time, just make sure you have | | | | service from j2 Global ( With this service, you get |
| defined this ahead of time. Try not to vary your | | | | both a local number and a toll-free number, voice |
| business hours too much from day to day. Clients | | | | mailbox and fax service. You can set the system to |
| need to know when they can reach you "in the | | | | ring to any phone, or even several phones until you |
| office." At the end of each business day plan the | | | | answer one. You even have the option of having a |
| next day, including which hours are for work and | | | | real live person answering the call and then |
| which are for personal time. | | | | forwarding to you, as if you have a secretary. There |
| During your "regular business hours", make sure other | | | | are several service levels and prices are very |
| household members understand you are working and | | | | reasonable. |
| not to be disturbed except for true emergencies. | | | | Return calls with a cell phone if you do not have a |
| This is easier if you can separate your personal and | | | | business line. Cell phones are so ubiquitous today that |
| work space. If you can possibly swing it, have a | | | | nobody questions a business person returning calls |
| separate room with a door you can close. This room | | | | from "on the road" with their cell. Nobody needs to |
| can be multi-purpose, but should be used for only | | | | know that you are actually at home in your office. |
| one thing at a time. If your office turns into the | | | | Really the most important thing is your attitude. A |
| family room at night, turn off the computer and put | | | | professional attitude can overcome most of the |
| away your files before switching into family mode. If | | | | potential pitfalls of working at home. And remember, |
| you have to work late, your family will need to have | | | | EVERYBODY loses clients. If your little one caused a |
| another space they can occupy for those hours. | | | | failed sales call, it's not the end of the world. Remind |
| Make sure you close that door or have some other | | | | him (gently) of the quiet-time policy and move on. |
| kind of signal for quiet when you are making sales | | | | Your next call might just be your dream client. |
| calls. This is critical! If you want a potential client to | | | | |