Seattle Small Business Blog

In today’s day and age, the internet has completely changed the way many people approach employment. This is because the internet has greatly expanded the ability for companies to outsource work. Really, this should not come as a surprise. The laptops and personal computers that a person owns in the home are really no different than what you would find in an office setting. In some cases there might be a need to purchase certain software to perform the required duties. This however, is hardly an impediment that is difficult to overcome.

Yes, the ability to work from home has created a number of advantages for many people. But, it is important to never lose sight of the fact that certain activities must be employed in order to make a work from home venture successful. Often, people ignore these criteria and do so at their own peril. So, let’s look at the most important aspects of making telecommuting successful.

Find a Schedule and Stick To It

Don’t pay any attention to those lame television commercials professing the ability to sleep until noon and still make mega bucks. Working from home is not about working at your leisure. It is about working without travel and overhead expenses. Haphazard, lazy schedules are extremely self defeating. Don’t use your telecommuting opportunity as a “goofing off” opportunity. Draw up a schedule and stick to it. Success will soon follow.

Set Up a Specific Work Area

Don’t try to do your work lying in bed with our laptop on your chest. This is a be “no-no” because it really cuts into your ability to be efficient. Instead, set up a particular section of the house as a work area. This will provide the cohesion and organization needed to make the workday effective.

Dress for Success

Similar to the aforementioned workspace tip, it is also important not to dress too leisurely when working form home. Remember, anytime you are too leisurely in your approach , your ability to be efficient will be limited. You don’t have to wear a suit and tie or your power outfit, but you should wear something conducive to a professional approach to your work.

Keep an Eye On Those Tax Deductions

If you are employed on contract as opposed as an employee, be sure to take those special deductions related to working from home. For example, you can deduct a percentage of your rent or mortgage based on the amount of space your work area takes up. The other expense deductions can add up so be sure to keep tabs on what you spend related to your work.

As you can see, there are some things to keep in mind when setting up to telecommute. When the basics are followed however, it can be a win win situation for the employee and the employer.

Debt is the curse of our time. We owe so much it would make our ancestors’ heads spin. For some their income can cope with the repayments. For others their income simply does not cover all the outgoing and those debts are rising to ever more unsustainable levels.

The current world financial woes have just heightened the problem and raised the spectra of collapsing economies and the resultant pain and poverty that will inevitably follow. There is no time to be lost. You simply have to set your house in order. Firstly, grab all the family credit cards and lock them away or destroy them. They are way too easy to get into trouble with. Next make a complete list of all your debts. Put them in order of amount borrowed and by the highest interest rate charges. Determine the lowest amount that is required to be paid collectively each month.

Now you need to work out your new budget. List all your monthly expenditures. Do not forget to make a monthly allowance for those periodic payments like rates and insurances. Go through the budget and delete all unnecessary items like membership subscriptions and cable TV subscriptions. Delete everything that is not necessary to everyday living. If there is money left over after this analysis you can look at reinstating those things again later on.

Now work out outgoing compared to income. Hopefully, this will now show a surplus. If this proves to be the case use this surplus to commence paying off the debt with the highest interest rate. Get the first one paid off and then work on the one with the next highest debt. You will now have a higher surplus each month so maybe you can reward yourself with reinstating cable TV or the gym membership, but take it slowly.

If after doing your budget you are still behind the eight ball, you will need to look at reorganizing your debt into one single loan at a better over all interest rate. Shop around to find the best deal. This may prove difficult but keep trying. If all else fails, try getting a better job that pays more or look at moonlighting in a part time job. Maybe you could live with relatives until you get back on your feet.

There are always alternatives but you must make a start on killing off the debt. Nothing will improve if you do not take action. Remember to break the credit card habit and write out and commit to a budget.

Leadership abilities come naturally to some, but for many, leadership skills have to be honed and developed. Observe the following requirements to improve and build upon your leadership skills.

Be Committed & Responsible

People are more likely to follow you if they perceive you as committed. Show commitment by following through on your promises. Accept responsibility for your successes and failures – playing the victim is not an option. Follow up on issues and review projects regularly to make sure you have done all you can. Keep an eye on projects so that you can head off problems.

Don’t accept failure. Look for ways to turn failures into successes. Think outside the box and make an effort to improve your weaknesses.

Education and Training

If your level of education is holding you back, bite the bullet and sign up for the appropriate course. A curious mind is an asset, as leaders are expected to have a good standard of education and general knowledge. Choose a topic and spend half an hour a day researching it – this should build your knowledge base.

Positive Mental Attitude

Be the best you can be by spending time on self development. Condition your mind to reject negative attitudes – try NLP (Neuro-Linguistic programming) to channel your mental energy. Read self-help and motivational books, and the biographies of prominent leaders. Immerse yourself in the arts: do an art appreciation course. A commitment to positivity will bring about that relaxed countenance that many successful leaders exhibit.

Inner Circle

Besides your family, cultivate an inner circle of people who build you up. In your work environment, surround yourself with colleagues you can trust; people who have the right skills for the job. Spend time with friends who make you feel good about yourself.

Be Disciplined

Always arrive early for appointments. This shows that you are disciplined and respect other people’s time. Seek the support of your family in everything you do.

Be Courageous

Strength and courage in the face of adversity is a must. Trouble comes with the territory but be determined to face it off. People will respect you more if you show courage.

Optimize Communication Skills

People make assumptions about your level of education based on the way you speak and write. When speaking, pay attention to the way you form sentences and pronounce words. If need be, do a business English course.

In written communication, avoid long, drawn out sentences. This is frowned upon, as it represents the old style of business communication. Plain English is now the acceptable standard for business English. Sentences should be short and contain simple phrases. Know your audience and tailor your communication appropriately.

Keeping your employees motivated with high morale is the most important function of a supervisor. This article provides a list of actions that can be taken to keep employees producing for the success of the organization.

The first three suggestions are related to the physical characteristics of the work place:

1. Make sure that the work place is clean and well-lighted.

2. Give employees the proper equipment (furniture, computers, machinery) to perform their jobs efficiently and comfortably.

3. Design the work flow such that there are few bottle-necks and downtime.

The following are suggestions for keeping employees’ morale high:

1. Reward employees with the highest rank and status justified by their aptitude, performance, and contribution to the success of the organization.

2. Provide salary and wages based on the employees’ performance and value to your organization.

3. Provide a meaningful annual review which includes recognition for work accomplishments and an honest assessment of areas where the employee could improve.

4. Give employees effective feedback on their work, including giving reasons for work assignments, the assignments contribution to the organization, and how the assignment contributes to the success of the organization.

5. Delegate as much authority to employees as they can handle effectively.

6. Provide positive incentives rather than negative incentives.

Consider the following actions related to communicating effectively with your employees:

1. Listen to employees–really listen.

2. Allow employees to air their grievances–even if they reflect on your perceptions of your own performance.

3. Give credit for actions, ideas, and suggestions for improvement to operations. (Never take credit for actions or ideas of your employees.)

4. Organize your operations so that everyone can make a contribution by offering suggestions for improvement. Consider all suggestions seriously. If you find that the suggestion can’t be implemented, give a full reason for not adopting it.

5. Show a genuine interest in each employee without becoming a bore.

Now that you’ve been presented with a series of actions that you can take to improve the morale and motivation of your employees, here’s one more important point to remember:

Each supervisor comes into the job with a set of attitudes and behaviors that have developed over a period of years. In most cases a new supervisor needs to take stock of his or her attitudes and behaviors that might not be effective in their role as a supervisor.

Most new supervisors don’t take the time (or even realize the need) to assess their skills related to being an effective supervisor.

Let the list above serve as a checklist of areas where you need to make improvements to be successful as a supervisor.