Home Business Essentials for 2014
Whether you are already established as a home business or are considering starting up on your own in the New Year, it is good to think about the setup of your home office and working space. Working from home can be quite difficult, as it is often hard to detach your professional life from your home life, so making a good working environment is important in helping you make this distinction. Don’t feel you should scrimp or cut back on things like software or reference books either. If you need them to perform your job then you should have them regardless of whether your workspace is 200 people strong, or just you in your spare room.
Furniture
Presentation does not produce productivity, but it certainly helps. Having somewhere to work that you love is very important, as you need to be able to concentrate in this space. Choose decoration that is attractive but not distracting, and that is to your taste. It is your office after all. Do think a little practically though – remember that you will likely be spending a lot of time sat at a desk so you need to have a good desk and chair that adequately support your back and won’t make you ache after a day’s graft. Try out a few in the shops before you buy so you can be sure you’ve made the right choice – and don’t underestimate the power of good posture!
Hardware and software
Most home businesses are computer based, or at least rely on a little computing. For this reason you need to make sure you have a machine that is fit for purpose. If you are only using a computer to write letters, send emails and balance your books then you don’t need the top spec model, but don’t go for the cheapest option as it wont be cost effective in the long run. Depending on the type of business you do there will likely be some software that could make your life easier. Whether this is balancing sheets, design packages or just a good word processor, splashing out on the best versions will save you time and frustration later down the line.
Protection
With no wider company the protection of your business, and ultimately your income, comes down to you and you alone. If something goes wrong your whole company could fold, and you as an individual as well as a business owner could be landed with some hefty bills and have to give up your dream. One protection that is vital is anti-virus software on your computer, as a bad virus will leave you without this important tool, and probably unable to work. There are many anti-virus programs, and some are even free, so there is no reason not to install one. Another protection you will need is public liability insurance, even though you might not have clients or customers visit you at your home. This insurance will cover you for things like damage to property when visiting someone at their office. There are some great specialist insurance companies like Hiscox who can let you know what you need.
Before you decide to set up a business in your home first weigh up the pros and cons. If you are the type of person that finds it hard to switch off it might not be the right choice for you. If however you decide this is the route you want to go down then you can start shopping for all the exciting new business purchases above. Just make sure you keep the receipts for expenses!
This article was written by Roxanne Wells on behalf of Hiscox.
