One of the most common, yet often unmentioned problems facing home based business owners is lack of organization and focus. Most entrepreneurs working from their home often find it difficult to stay focused and perform above average. Then they begin to wonder where they have gone wrong and why they are not progressing. Some may even consider moving their business out of their home office but the truth is that the problem lies not in the office; the problem is an organizational failure due to lack of planning.
Importance of Home Office Organization
In whatever you do, your organizational strategy is a crucial criterion for increased productivity. In your home office, the need for home office organization can never be over emphasized because you tend to easily develop a relaxed state of mind and this hinders creativity. Home office organization reflects how you do business. It reflects your ethics and work habit. When it comes to your home office, you may have to handle excessive amount of paper work and documents. If you are unable to keep your home office organized, how can your client expect you to deliver on your promises? Remember, first impression matters.
Getting Started
To run a successful business from the home, you must get it right from the start. Your home office organization and setup must be planned carefully. Do you want to know how to setup your home office successfully? Then read on to get our home office organization ideas.
Home Office Organization Ideas: How to Setup your Office Successfully
Starting a home business is quite an exciting process but it has its own challenges. That's why you must take your home office setup seriously; because it is going to determine your level of productivity and growth rate. To set up your office for maximum efficiency and profitability, there are several factors you must take into considerations. Such factors include your home office environment, settings and decoration, office equipment and furniture, etc.
How to Plan your Home Office Organization Successfully
a. Initial Planning
• The first step to organizing your home office is to decide which area of your house you want the office situated. Will your proposed area be suitable all year round; and in different weather conditions? How is the lighting system of such area? Will you need your own lighting system or can you depend on nature for visibility? Are you going to attend to customers and clients in your office? Will you sell a tangible product or offer a service? Does your business require one on one meeting with clients/customers or do you do business on the web? These are some of the critical questions you must answer before you begin arranging your office?
• You need to choose a quiet place in the house for your office. This is important to avoid distraction and increase productivity; especially when you have young children at home.
• Do you have a written business plan? Is your office factored into your plan? These are questions you must answer because it is always best to work with a plan. This will make you more organized and focused towards your goal.
b. Your Home Office Equipment
In order to operate at high efficiency, you are definitely going to need equipment, tools, etc. At this stage, you need to put into consideration the type of equipment and tools you will need to work faster and better. This is another area where your business plan will come in handy. It's also important you note that the equipment you purchase will greatly depend on the nature of the business you are engaged in and the daily tasks that needs to be done.
But regardless of the business you are into, you will definitely need communication tools such as a telephone line and fax machine to keep in touch with your customers and associates. It is also important to have a separate phone dedicated for business use in your home office, which is separate from your home use. Other equipments that will be beneficial include computers (either laptop or desktop), printers, scanners, internet access, fax machine, etc.
5 More Home Office Organization Tips and Decoration Ideas for high productivity
When it comes to planning a house office, most entrepreneurs become sloppy and take it for granted; without knowing that the office design and environment has an effect of those working within it. When designing, decorating or buying equipment for your office, there are some little details you must put into consideration. Why? The reason is because these little details make big differences. Now what are these little details?
1. A Good Office Desk
When you talk about organizing and decorating your home office, the first thing that comes to your mind is a desk. An office desk is probably the most crucial element of your home office because that's where most of your tasks will be executed. Therefore, you must not take it for granted. You must take care and make sure you choose a good home office desk for yourself and your employees. Most office desks have shelves, drawers, keyboard trays and other convenient features. While they are important, you can opt for a simple home office desk design.
2. Good Office Furniture
Furniture is another important part of your home office because they provide means to store and organize your work materials. For instance, office filing cabinets are essential because it offers adequate space to keep and organize your documents.
3. A Good Office Chair
Home office chairs are another crucial, but often ignored furniture. In fact, it's importance can never be over emphasized. Imagine a situation where you have to sit for hours daily; you will definitely need a good chair else, you are making yourself prone to back pain and fatigue. So it's advisable you invest in acquiring a comfortable chair.
Six features to look out for when buying an office chair
· Adjustable seats
· Backrest
· Swivel base
· Cushioned seat
· Adjustable armrest
· Substantial lumbar support
4. Your Office Decoration
Another ignored feature of most home offices is the decoration. Most people concentrate too much on the materials and furniture; thereby making their office lack character and warmth to boost creativity. Below are two tips that can help you when decorating your home office:
Two tips to consider when decorating your home office
• Place ornamental plants around and within your office environment. The color green inside your office creates a positive mood and gives your office a natural blending; which boosts creativity.
• Don't design your office blindly; work with a design plan for your office. Your home office design plan should explain how and why your office furniture should be arranged in a particular order.
5. Office Computer
Computers are "must haves" in offices nowadays. Therefore, you need to take your time when shopping for a computer for your office. Don't be tricked by the idea that buying an expensive computer will give you a higher productivity. The computer you buy should be dependent on the type of work you intend to use it for. Do you spend a lot of your time working on the computer? Or do you simply use the computer for recording data and other information? These are some things you need to consider. When buying a computer, you need to focus on functionality rather than fanciful features. Shop around as much as you can so you can find the kind of computer you need at a bargain price. The same type of consideration applies too while buying a printer for your computer.
10 Home Office Organization Ideas and Tips
Now this is where we get down to the real details on how to organize your home office. If you have problems trying to organize the disorder in your office, try to solve this problem by taking it one step at a time. Effective organization is not a one-hit affair; it's requires a continuous effort because it is a habit that you need to develop and practice overtime.
· Make an effort to put together your files and furniture every weekend. Soon enough, it will become an instinctive part of you.
· Buy a trash bin and keep it near your desk so you can dispose with ease; any paper, files or documents that is no longer in use.
· Clear your desk regularly. This will enable you have enough work space.
• Regularly defragment your computer; don't allow your memory get clogged up.
• Get a daily planner. This is important if you want to be more organized and productive. It will also help you prioritize your tasks.
• Don't pile your documents on your desk. Buy a container, cabinet or drawer.
• Clean your office daily. Make sure that you return all files and documents where they belong at the end of the day's work.
• Constantly run a virus scan on your computer to ensure that it operates at full capacity and avoid data loss.
• Buy a desktop standing file for documents or files that you will be using regularly. For those that you intend using regularly or for a special project, you can keep them in your drawer where they will be securely stored until you are ready to use them again.
• Label your loose paper files and if possible, put them in a binder. This will avert chaos when you are looking for those files and help you avoid discarding them away unintentionally.
• It is advisable to have a desk clock available at your home office desk. This will provide an accessible means to keep up with time, which is essential at work.
