Practical Tips to Create a Safe and Functional Home Office
Written by: Virginia Cooper
If you’ve recently opened a home business or are transitioning to remote work, you may be wondering how to set up and stage your personal space for safe and professional interactions. The process might feel overwhelming at first, but rest assured that with the tips below, which are shared freely by Cultured Focus Magazine, you’ll be up and running in no time.
Protecting Your Business
Protecting your business starts by forming a business structure that reduces your personal liability. When you run a home-based business, this is often an LLC. You may find that it’s relatively simple and inexpensive to file yourself using an online formation service. Do your research, and make sure you fully understand state and local laws before you get started.
Next, think about your digital world. Most IT experts agree that the cloud is much safer than a private server or keeping information stored on your personal computers. According to Norton, this is because cloud servers are typically located out of reach and in a secure warehouse. Further, all information on the servers is highly encrypted, making it much more difficult for cybercriminals to hack your systems.
Smooth Operation
Part of having a functional remote office is looking for ways to ensure that business runs smoothly, even when you don’t have physical contact with your customers. One smart tip here is to make sure that your invoices match your brand and have all the information your customers need to get you paid on time. You can find an invoice template online that lets you insert your logo and customize it with your brand’s colors and personality.
You’ll also want to set business hours. It’s easy to get so caught up in the idea of working from home that you wind up overworking yourself from sunup to sundown. No matter what your hours are, set start and stop times for yourself so that you have time to focus on home. Make sure that you also update your social media and other business profiles to match your current operating hours.
Safe and Secure
Safety and security are more important now than ever. In a world where we don’t know if we’ll see another major disease outbreak again, we have to look for ways to protect our families. One idea here is to make sure that you have functional windows that open and close. According to the Bob Villa website, letting in fresh air can actually keep you healthy. A word to the wise here: keep up with any updates you make, such as adding new windows, if you plan to sell later on. Tracking your upgrades can help you justify a higher selling price when it’s time to list.
A Professional Home Office
Your home office should match your personality as well as be functional for what you do. A few tips to ensure that it remains professional, whether you plan to meet customers in person or stick to Zoom meetings include:
● Have a second monitor. When you do have people over, you can help each other maintain your own space by using a large second monitor instead of sharing a tiny screen when you need to collaborate. Popular Science explains that you probably won’t need any special equipment to do this.
● Keep it quiet. When you have kids, pets, or roommates, you’ll need to take extra steps to keep it quiet when you’re in a virtual meeting. Soundproof your office by sealing holes in the wall, or adding a sound maze to your air events.
In addition to all of the above, you’ll want to make sure that you have the right equipment to run your business. You can also keep a solid supply of face masks, hand sanitizer, and other safety gear to make your clients feel more comfortable. Whatever you choose to do, remember that safety and functionality are key, but don’t forget to keep up with upgrades because your home office might pay you back one day.
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