When I first began working at home, I was surprised to find that some people viewed working from an off-site, remote location as a challenge. To me, it’s quite simple: If you’re not getting paid for what you’re doing, you’re not making money! And if you are getting paid for what you’re doing, then you’ve already won half the battle. That’s how I started my journey as a business owner who works from home…
- However, as I continued to earn more, I soon noticed other people’s attitudes change about working from home. Some were hesitant to let their employers know that they were working remotely. Others said they felt much more comfortable discussing work issues with their boss over the phone or the Internet. And still, others simply didn’t feel like talking to anyone about business at all. It’s no wonder these people felt so challenged to achieve success in their businesses!
- When I think about the challenges and attitudes about working remotely, one of the biggest areas that people struggle with is communication. You’re cutting out the communication channels that have helped you build a strong business relationship in the past. And this can really weigh down your business because those channels, even when used effectively, are still powerful. This is especially true if you’re part of a small business owner who loves to solve problems over the phone.
- If you’re a small business owner who enjoys getting his hands dirty on the phone and enjoys talking with customers, you’ll be very motivated to use some of those phone calls to communicate with your employees. But that doesn’t mean you should do it haphazardly. Instead, you have to use it in a careful manner. First, get to know your employees. Then, only make those phone calls when absolutely necessary.
- This is particularly important if you’re a small business owner who has an online business. Even though you’re working from your home or a small office, you still need to come across as a real person in order to attract new clients and potential customers. The last thing you want to do is come across as a computer whiz with no common sense. If you make those telephone calls you’ve got to sound and act, like a professional. Otherwise, your customers will perceive you as not being sincere in your efforts to help them solve their problems.
- Here’s where having a virtual assistant comes in handy. A virtual assistant is someone who can take the place of your secretary or receptionist when you’re away from your office. They can answer the phone when you can’t reach an operator, sort your voicemail, forward messages to your employees, answer the phone when you’re away or otherwise help you get the most out of your telephone conversation. The bottom line is that if you don’t have time for your phone calls, your small business will suffer. You can cut down on costs by getting the help you need through a virtual assistant.
- One of the more challenging aspects of working remotely is getting used to working without the directness of your boss. You’ll have to get comfortable with people on the other end of the phone because your boss probably doesn’t expect you to be. It’s okay to say, “I’m thinking of X problem,” but don’t say it every time you pick up. It can be difficult to explain something to someone who doesn’t understand. That said, however, it is important that you do try to build a relationship with the people on the other end of the phone so that you can be clear about what’s going on and you can let them know that you expect them to take responsibility for dealing with any problems that arise.
Working remotely for a small business can be very rewarding and you should take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. If you’re a good communicator with a great deal of patience, then you can make a lot of money as a telecommuting small business owner. Just make sure that you’re comfortable first and that you’re willing to take a back seat when necessary.
