The '10 Commandments' for Home Based Businesses

By Bonnie Walling
Information Strategies Inc., a media and marketing company serving small- and mid-size businesses, has developed a list of “Ten Commandments for Successful Home Based Businesses.”

The list was based on a survey of more than 200 people who have had success running their workplaces from their homes. Respondents were asked what the most important factors were in running their enterprises.

“Working from home makes for longer business days actually spent in the office space. Therefore, learning how to deal with daily family issues and running a business at the same time is critical,” said JoAnn Laing, ISI president and CEO.
The list is as follows:
1. Do not work from the dining room table. Instead, maintain a designated working space. A spare bedroom or den is best, but the key is having it separate from the general traffic area of the home.

2. The workplace is to be out-of-bounds to anyone who would interfere with good work habits and leave things about.

3. Home Based workers should always have a separate phone line. A customer needs to feel that he or she is dealing with a company, not a family.

4. Home Based workers should also have a separate computer. Having only one computer in the house can be a disaster for a Home Based business.

5. Time should always be set aside during the day for family. Try scheduling in an hour of family time during the day where they will have unlimited attention.

6. The Home Based worker should hire only help that they would have as a houseguest. Inviting someone into the home to work alongside the owner is opening the house to strangers. Be careful who is hired and doubly check their references.

7. Make friends with all delivery service personnel. If they are treated as valued suppliers, the Home Based worker can earn extra services and support in times of need.

8. Keep duplicate records and tape backups off-premises. Every month, records and materials should be duplicated and placed off-site in a safe locale.

9. Always dress for business every day. Many Home Based business owners become lax in their dress and that can lead to lax practices.

10. Never offend the neighbors. Keep outside activities to a minimum and do not arouse the ire of the people next door. They can make life difficult and annoying.