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[J90]Jobs You Work From Home

by Clint Jhonson, Cli

The face of the workplace is changing as telecommunications becomes more adeptabile and flexible. As bandwidth increases and computers become more capable, more and more workplace duties can be done by people far away. Power plants can be monitored from miles away; network administrators can check in on servers and do aspects of their work from home, miles away from the actual location of the machines.

Projects are now regularly sent across the globe to be completed, and then returned. Some companies run back to back shifts on opposite sides of the globe, sending completed work to the other team as night falls for one part of the company. All these new adaptations are changing what the workplace means, and a growing number of people are now able to simply work at home. Not all can do so, however, and some jobs are simply not appropriate ? it depends on the nature of the specific job.

There are a number of benefits to doing your work from home, such as an increase in flexibility and of course, a shorter commute, so it is worth seeing if yours can be. If it is possible, even if your company doesn't currently have a history of allowing telecommuting, there may still be a way to sell your bosses on it. A couple of factors make it more likely that it's appropriate to do your work at home.

First, your job shouldn't be location specific. If its necessary that you always do your work in a certain place, perhaps because it requires expensive machinery or personal oversight, it will be harder to do your work from home. Problems like this can be mitigated somewhat, though, depending on what technology is available. For instance, if it is possible to monitor and control the machinery by logging into a computer, it may still be possible to do your work at home. If, however, your job requires that you be able to react to problems onsite within a few minutes, it's not as likely, at least unless you live at your office.

Second, you should consider the nature of your meetings with your coworkers. The degree of interaction necessary for your business is a vital part of the decision, and if that communication cannot take place when you do your work at home, then the office may be the only place for you. Never fear, though, software now allows an unprecedented degree of communication. People across the country can be on the same task force, communicating regularly through email, over the phone, and even video conferences, so the likelihood that someone doing their work from home wouldn't be able to communicate as well is remote, so to speak. Still, some types of work, such as more creative areas, as well as those that still insist on personal interaction, like legal advice, probably still require a personal presence.

Overall, though there are still some career areas that don't lend themselves well to doing work from home, that number is shrinking rapidly and it's likely that if you're left out now, you'll be able to join the millions who telecommute within a few years. If you're one of the lucky ones who can now give up the daily commute and do all of their work at home, congratulations.

Every year, more people are working out of their own home or in small office environments. With the current severe economic downturn there are likely to be even more as displaced workers start their own businesses and larger enterprises cut overhead through telecommuting. While working at or close to home can offer significant benefits to workers, it can also result in feelings of isolation and disconnect from the rest of the business world.

Many small office and home office (SOHO) workers, self-employed or not, find it difficult to maintain quality business relationships once they establish an independent office. Though the rules and processes do change a bit, it is even more important to build and maintain strong networking ties in your industry, local area, and the business community overall. Truly successful homebased professionals make networking a priority by carving out dedicated time for various avenues of networking, but are careful not to allow these opportunities to break the bank or take away from day-to-day responsibilities.

SOHO workers have a number of options to build and maintain professional contacts, both through live (in-person) and online networking opportunities. The trick is to define your objectives for networking and develop a balance of options that works for you.

Live Networking

Networking in-person is still the best overall option. Face-to-face contact is more effective because you have the added communication through body language and more realistic reactions…texting and emailing allows people to monitor their responses more closely. In addition, periodic in-person contact can ease the isolation of spending most of your days alone, thus improving your productivity.

The best way to find networking events that are right for you is to join some already established groups, meet other business folks, and keep an ear out for other opportunities. Start with your area Chambers of Commerce. Typically, active Chambers host events once a week or more, though some have only monthly mixers. Meet as many attendees as you can and ask everyone about other networking opportunities. Try several venues, but don't get stuck going to the same event with the same people time after time. A good rule -- you should gain at least three new contacts, leads, or pieces of pertinent information for every hour you spend networking. If an event consistently fails to meet that objective, keep looking.

Toastmasters clubs can also be excellent networking opportunities. If you need to work on your public speaking anyway, check out the clubs in your area. Generally, each club has its own personality, so you may want to try several before you settle on one. Also, there are many Toastmasters clubs that meet over the lunch hour, which can provide an excellent break from working at home. Check your local paper for other business networking opportunities as well. Many colleges have alumni groups in every city as well. If the options are limited in your area, try to find a few other SOHO workers and establish your own informal networking group. Perhaps two or three could get together to plan a larger networking event for your area.

As your contact list expands, make a point of meeting one-on-one with your best contacts -- once a month is usually enough. There is no need to blow your startup budget with these meetings, getting together for coffee is sufficient.

Online Networking

Finding other business owners online is becoming easier every day. Start with your industry trade associations online. Sign up and become as involved as possible. Often, the bigger trade associations have tools to help its members network. Check out the trade associations for home-based businesses online. Though the members won't necessarily be in the same industry, it is always good to have networking contacts across the board.

As a business owner, you should be listed on LinkedIn and Facebook as an online networking and marketing tool. Both these sites host forum boards where others ask questions and you can post helpful responses. Many online venues also host chatrooms for small business owners and home-based workers. Like the live networking opportunities, each chat or forum board may have its own personality. Try out several different sites to find those that are most relevant to you and your business.

Read through the responses to questions relevant to what you do. Often, you will find one or two people who post that strike you as someone you would like to know. Most websites allow you to send private messages to those who post, so feel free to introduce yourself to those who would be good contacts. Limit the time you spend online, but check in frequently enough to be considered a good contact to the regulars. If you plan to network via the internet consistently, schedule dedicated blocks of time to be online. It is very easy to lose track of time while surfing the web, so set a timer if you need to.

Network Like a Pro

Just because you work independently does not diminish the value of effective networking. Make a point to be involved in both local and online business communities, and be sure to get out of the office once in a while. Hone your networking skills, from public speaking to working a room. Build a comprehensive database of networking contacts. Keep in touch with important contacts through email, at least. Make networking a priority, but don't let your other work responsibilities suffer in exchange. Striking the right balance between developing a useful network and not spending too much time socializing is a critical skill for any SOHO worker, and one that can be easily developed.

Article Source : Pg. 28

About Author

Both Clint Jhonson & K. Mackillop are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Clint Jhonson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Modelling, Home Buyers Guide and Gardening. Have you considered doing some of your ? You might be able to do so, there are a number of jobs that allow you to work at home at:. Clint Jhonson's top article generates over 1000000 views. to your Favourites.

K. Mackillop has sinced written about articles on various topics from Entrepreneurship, Start Ups and Finances. K. MacKillop, a serial entrepreneur with a J.D. from Duke, is co-founder of LaunchX LLC and authors a blog. The LaunchX System, a five Unit series. K. Mackillop's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.