Working from home, positive or negative?

[serena tan]

For those of you who work from home, do you find that it is better for your overall image to have a virtual office address in the city; thus giving the impression of being a 'proper' business, or do you find that stating your home address has no detrimental effect on people's opinion of you?

Just wondered as we will soon be moving to a bigger house with more outdoor space and are thinking about building some sort of studio/office on site.

Does this give an image of being small, small, small?

[Coding Monkey]

I think it really depends on the industry. I wouldn't expect any of the copywriters/web designers I hire for freelance work to have an office outside of their home, because it just doesn't make any sense.

As they're freelance, I'd always assume them to work from home. Because I'm a company, it's slightly different and I'm sure some people will perceive us as more developed/successful by working at an office.

I work from home, because it just wouldn't make sense for me to have an office. Extra money, that the client therefore has to pay for, and the only reason I'd need an office is when I start employing the designers, which would cost £60k a year. Not quite sure I'd be too happy to consider that at this stage!

All the same, every client I have knows this and I've had repeat business from them all. I wouldn't stick it on my website as a first impression, but if you're offering an excellent service they couldn't care less. That's my experience anyway.

[Richard Conyard]

I don't know about working from home, but with the amount of time I spend at the office once the shower is installed I'm thinking about moving in here ;-)

[thekitchendesigner]

i agree with Tom. i work from home and have no problems from business clients, large or small. i think if you give a great service then thats essentially what your client is looking for.

there are easy & cheap (some free) ways to get 0800, 0845 etc numbers, email addresses that tie in with your website, smartstamp for professional looking postage.....

I know someone who sells kitchens to the value of £20k - £50k, he works from home (and is a ltd company), no showroom, has been in many glossy mags with his work and gets treated like everyone else. There are many ways to have staff employed remotely and its quite an attractive offer to be given the chance to work for someone from home.

have a good looking website, give an A1 service, get good recommendations, and enjoy the thought of those with the overhead of an office making less dosh!! :-)

[Coding Monkey]

Agreed, Mark.

Added to this, I always freelance the same people again who did fantastic work. I can then employ them later if the opportunity arises. As I know them before employing them, it makes life a lot easier. It means I can get the best people to do the work all the time, so the clients are always happy.

It also works in that if they do crap work, I 'fire' them without any of the legal crap and never see them again.

[babybiz]

Most of my customers have absolutely no idea I work from home with four kids running round my ankles all day long. I don't think your address makes you look small it's the quality of service you offer and the impression you put across. I work very hard to maintain both my lifestyles in one but it is hard, working from home you need to get yourself into a good frame of mind to make sure you don't deviate all the time from what you should be doing.

Tashxx

[DarrenC]

I work from home and it has its advantages and disadvantages.

Disadvantages, I get distracted by Sky Sports, and other TV programs, I realise at 2 in the afternoon that I'm sat at my pc still wearing my boxer shorts, and havent got dressed (if only the clients could see me!)

Advantages, no cost for getting to the office, no rental for an office, which would eat away at my income. I can sit all day in my boxer shorts, and not have to worry about getting dressed :D

Darren

[uksbc]

Disadvantages, I get distracted by Sky Sports, and other TV programs, I realise at 2 in the afternoon that I'm sat at my pc still wearing my boxer shorts, and havent got dressed

never a truer word darren,

i used to find the same thing. when working from home is it is so much easier to say "oh... i will just do this" or "oh... i will just watch that"

to stop the problem i found it handy turning a spare room into a dedicated office and staying in it - not going sitting on the couch

i work from an office now but i have to confess 50% of the decision in getting one was for self motivation - the feeling of getting up and going to work even though it is my business
it also drove me to look at recruiting (had to get staff to help pay for the office)

swings and roundabouts either way - all down to preference

:?

[Cornish Steve]

I realise at 2 in the afternoon that I'm sat at my pc still wearing my boxer shorts, and havent got dressed (if only the clients could see me!)

In all seriousness, this can be a problem. Several studies have shown that the impression we give when speaking over the phone depends on our situation. For example, those who smile while speaking come across as happier. Those dressed formally come across as more professional. If you aren't yet dressed, you probably come across as very informal on the phone. This works for some businesses but not for others.

[WelshPixels]

With my first company I tried working from home and it was a complete nightmare.

Because the phone was right next to my bed and I am lazy so and so I found myself staying in bed longer and then working into the small hours. When I got Sky TV it was even worse.

I soon found the cost of having an office was soon covered by increased productivity.

I also found it helped keep me in the right frame of mind; I would have to get up by a certain time to be in the office to take calls etc. It also helped separate my home and business lives.

That’s just from my personal experience but I expect its different from everyone and it is something you have to try for yourself. Just be prepared to switch if you should end up joining the "This Morning" fan club.

[Coding Monkey]

In all seriousness, this can be a problem. Several studies have shown that the impression we give when speaking over the phone depends on our situation. For example, those who smile while speaking come across as happier. Those dressed formally come across as more professional. If you aren't yet dressed, you probably come across as very informal on the phone. This works for some businesses but not for others.

Oh dear. I hate to think how I came across that time I phoned a client on the toilet. I was probably just talking crap for 30 minutes.

[billhilton]

I've often wondered - in line with what Welshpixels was saying - about whether working from an office would increase productivity. Maybe it would, though I think I'd have to share with someone else.

It may seem obvious, but I think the benefits of working from home can outweigh the productivity loss. I have no problem getting a plumber because he can come round whenever he wants - I'm always in.

The other downside, of course, is that it's pretty easy to get stir crazy. Since I've started working from home I've made more effort to get out and see my mates in the evening, join a band, do some stuff. For freelances managing the work/life balance is a key skill - simply because you're always at work. It can be so tempting to do 'just one more job' when the dog needs walking or the grass needs cutting.

[MarkPearson]

I work from home and it has its advantages and disadvantages.

Disadvantages, I get distracted by Sky Sports, and other TV programs, I realise at 2 in the afternoon that I'm sat at my pc still wearing my boxer shorts, and havent got dressed (if only the clients could see me!)

Advantages, no cost for getting to the office, no rental for an office, which would eat away at my income. I can sit all day in my boxer shorts, and not have to worry about getting dressed :D

Darren

lol Darren

Saves on laundry bills also! ;-)

[multilingual]

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I suppose I should be honoured that SerenaTan has copied and pasted my question from last month :)

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=6562

JB

[Admiral Collections]

How many replies did you get Multi?



Nic :wink:

[bwglaw]

I think it depends very much how you communicate with your clients. As someone said that freelance web designers/developers do not need an office.

For the first 2 years I worked from home. Being in a luxury ground floor apartment surrounded by beautiful gardens near Bushey Park I obviously enjoyed working from home and watch TV now and then. I used to leave the TV on even if not watching it because it then does not feel too lonely.

I later acquired an office in New Malden (yuk!) to try and get some office presence and take the company one step further thus enabling me to employ staff. I hardly visited the office and still spent time at home.

Now, on our 3rd year, I located some premises that were very much ideal for us. We are in a modern converted Chapel sharing with architects. The office is so light, airy, comfortable and we even have a shower. We are on the first floor and have direct access to an open-plan meeting room that has a slanted window from ceiling to floor!

The cost of this office space doubled from the previous but staff are attending the office and productivity is greater. We are taken seriously by our clients and not viewed as a 'one-man band' or a 'one-woman band'(!)

Image is the key in business and it is important how your clients percieve you. Planning to get a Merc to improve my image further!!

We used to have a PO Box which I realised can be perceived negatively. We have attracted larger clients since the change and our clients include Met Police, Inland Revenue etc. We also have an 0870 number and have now stopped using this because customers don't like calling those numbers because they know it is expensive. Our clients being large organisations are happy to email.

Is it essential to publish a contact telephone number? Lets debate (to help me decide!)

[Admiral Collections]

Hi Jonathan

Yes, a telephone number I think is essential, it's still perceived as proof of a base, eventhough you can move those numbers around.

I always look for a contact telephone number as I still prefer that form of contact more than any other because Im a chatterbox!


Nic :wink:

[multilingual]

I don't mind people asking the same question, but what's the point in copying an exact question, word for word. even the title is the same.

Bit odd :?

JB

[Chris Martin]

The best way for home workers to gain a "larger feel" is to obtain a non-geographic telephone number. These are the one with no local prefix like 0870, 0871 etc. That way customers aren't put off by your "small" appearence.

There is a site that provides these for free and also provides the backend switchboard service that goes with it (call queues, on hold music etc) check out www.switchboardfree.co.uk

[Admiral Collections]

Multi, I dont understand your last comment!


Nic :wink:

[DarrenC]

In all seriousness, this can be a problem. Several studies have shown that the impression we give when speaking over the phone depends on our situation. For example, those who smile while speaking come across as happier. Those dressed formally come across as more professional. If you aren't yet dressed, you probably come across as very informal on the phone. This works for some businesses but not for others.

I don't think I come across as informal when I am speaking to clients and holidaymakers on the telephone. When I attend meetings I always appear in a suit as I am promoting my business, and it's important to make an impression.

For some people though dressing formal puts their mind on the job.