{"id":7647,"date":"2021-01-05T14:30:06","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T14:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/?p=7647"},"modified":"2023-10-09T15:07:40","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T14:07:40","slug":"running-a-business-from-home-5-top-tips-on-how-to-be-successful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/running-a-business-from-home-5-top-tips-on-how-to-be-successful\/","title":{"rendered":"Running a Business from Home: 5 Top Tips on How to be Successful"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/running-a-business-from-home-5-top-tips-on-how-to-be-successful\/#1-avoid-the-kitchen-table-%e2%80%93-set-up-a-dedicated-home-office-area\" >1. Avoid the kitchen table \u2013 set up a dedicated home office area<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/running-a-business-from-home-5-top-tips-on-how-to-be-successful\/#2-dont-break-the-bank-%e2%80%93-aim-to-keep-your-costs-low\" >2. Don\u2019t break the bank \u2013 aim to keep your costs low<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/running-a-business-from-home-5-top-tips-on-how-to-be-successful\/#3-avoid-working-varied-hours-of-the-day-%e2%80%93-stick-to-a-work-schedule\" >3. Avoid working varied hours of the day \u2013 stick to a work schedule<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/running-a-business-from-home-5-top-tips-on-how-to-be-successful\/#4-image-is-key-%e2%80%93-maintain-professionalism-always\" >4. Image is key \u2013 maintain professionalism always<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/running-a-business-from-home-5-top-tips-on-how-to-be-successful\/#5-believe-in-yourself-%e2%80%93-but-nobody-is-an-island\" >5. Believe in yourself &#8211; but nobody is an island<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 4<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p><strong>Whether you\u2019re a seasoned \u2018working from home\u2019 person or new to this way of working, you\u2019ve probably discovered that working from home is not as easy as you first thought.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/home-based-franchise\/\">home-based business<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/home-based-franchise\/\">home-based franchise<\/a> comes with its ups and downs, but that doesn\u2019t mean operating a business from home can\u2019t be successful &#8211; it can. So, blow the cobwebs away and get ready to move your business forward by following our 5 top tips on how to be successful when working from home.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-avoid-the-kitchen-table-%e2%80%93-set-up-a-dedicated-home-office-area\"><\/span>1. Avoid the kitchen table \u2013 set up a dedicated home office area<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We\u2019ve all heard the success stories of entrepreneurs setting up their businesses from the kitchen table; just think Richard Branson or Sir Alan Sugar. But in reality, that\u2019s not a good idea. Start as you mean to go on and set up a home office. Here are a few tips to guide you:<\/p>\n<p>Lighting is important &#8211; if you can set up your home office near natural light, it is even better. Research has shown that natural light helps us focus better and improves productivity.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure your desk is fit for the purpose of work and that your chair is adjustable. You may find that working with a laptop is better than a desktop computer; if that\u2019s the case, raise the laptop to ensure it is at the right height to avoid neck strain.<\/p>\n<p>Set up your home office in a place where you have plenty of space around you. It is also good for avoiding distractions as well as being able to keep your work life and home life separate.<\/p>\n<p>A good example of a home office is the one that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/spoton\/\">it\u2019seeze<\/a> franchisees Nic and Sarah Johnson built in their garden. Nic and Sarah run their home-based web design franchise from this fabulously bright and spacious office.<\/p>\n<p>Nic says: \u201cHaving a dedicated home office means we can separate work and family life while still having the freedom to work whenever we need to. It may only be ten steps across the garden to the home office but it\u2019s enough of a separation to feel that we can focus on work yet still have the comforts of being at home.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-dont-break-the-bank-%e2%80%93-aim-to-keep-your-costs-low\"><\/span>2. Don\u2019t break the bank \u2013 aim to keep your costs low<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Setting up an office to work from home within a small budget just takes a bit of creativity. Consider shopping from independent retailers for your office furniture and stationery rather than heading to the big chains. Look around you &#8211; it\u2019s highly likely that much of what you need is already lurking in a corner of your home. Your office furniture doesn\u2019t need to be brand new so buy second-hand if you can.<\/p>\n<p>A web design franchise offers a great opportunity to tap into a high demand market. You don\u2019t need to hold any stock, and initially, you don&#8217;t have any staffing expenses until the business has grown sufficiently to support this. Once established, you may decide to rent premises, but this just depends on whether you\u2019d prefer to work from home or from an office and is by no means a mandatory step. With more businesses than ever before realising the importance of going digital, there has never been a greater need for these services.<\/p>\n<p>Investing in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/spoton\/\">it\u2019seeze franchis<\/a>e offers everything you need to get your business off the ground and comes with immense support from the it\u2019seeze franchise\u2019s head office team. Our franchise package includes a designated region to focus on, your own website, comprehensive training opportunities, use of a professional CRM system to easily manage your customer base and sales, corporate marketing support, and business networking opportunities.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-avoid-working-varied-hours-of-the-day-%e2%80%93-stick-to-a-work-schedule\"><\/span>3. Avoid working varied hours of the day \u2013 stick to a work schedule<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When running a home-based business, it\u2019s easy to get caught up in working long and often strange hours. This is unproductive. Work out a schedule that\u2019s right for you and stick to it.<\/p>\n<p>Most of your customers and clients will expect you to work standard office hours, and expect you to be available during these hours. If they can\u2019t get hold of you or they are receiving emails from you all hours of the day, it could cause you to become overwhelmed by your workload and look unprofessional.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-image-is-key-%e2%80%93-maintain-professionalism-always\"><\/span>4. Image is key \u2013 maintain professionalism always<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There\u2019s a new phrase on the block: \u2018top dressing\u2019! The latest fashion trend of smart on top and casual underneath is even hitting the online shops with Boohoo reporting a surge in orders for party tops and smart \u2018upperwear\u2019. But anyone who works from home is in good company, particularly when you\u2019ve got celebrities such as Anthea Turner, Annabel Croft, India Hicks, Julia Hartley-Brewer and even legendary Gyles Brandreth sporting a casual look under the table.<\/p>\n<p>When running a business from home, fronting the casual \u2018bedtime\u2019 look is not the best way to present your business. It\u2019s great to be able to benefit from the comforts of home but with online meetings, make sure that at least the top half of you is dressed accordingly. If you haven\u2019t yet changed out of your pyjama bottoms this is fine, but your clients don\u2019t need to know!<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-believe-in-yourself-%e2%80%93-but-nobody-is-an-island\"><\/span>5. Believe in yourself &#8211; but nobody is an island<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A home-based business can be a lonely endeavour at times. Not surprisingly, there will be times when you feel discouraged and begin to doubt yourself, and your business. When this happens, don\u2019t give up. Step outside and go for a brisk walk to boost your mood and mental wellbeing; it\u2019s not good or healthy to stay indoors all day. Meet a friend for coffee or lunch outside of your home office; a change of routine is good for the soul, and it\u2019s great to have a chat. Schedule your workday to include at least half an hour of \u2018me\u2019 time. Walk away from your desk and do something different.<\/p>\n<p>You can be confident that you are never alone when you join it\u2019seeze\u2019s franchise network. The it\u2019seeze franchise team is always on hand to talk through anything you need support with. Whilst franchisees are dotted all over the country, they\u2019re just an email or phone call away and always willing to share their experiences and offer guidance. The team\u2019s Business Development Manager, Alex Brook, is always there to listen and provide business guidance. it\u2019seeze\u2019s network of franchisees offer great support and help in running your business. There is also the it\u2019seeze franchise forum, which is a hub of valuable information and advice from other franchisees.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re a seasoned \u2018working from home\u2019 person or new to this way of working, you\u2019ve probably discovered that working from home is not as easy as you first thought. A home-based business or home-based franchise comes with its ups and downs, but that doesn\u2019t mean operating a business from home can\u2019t be successful &#8211; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7648,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,35,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-spoton-net","category-computer-franchises","category-tips-advice"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/5-Top-Tips-on-How-to-be-Successful.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7647"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7647\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}