Article
"The Working Mothers' Revolution - Working From Home And Loving It!"
Copyright © 2004 Lynne Bullen
What's behind this revolution?
The reasons are many and varied. Many Mothers want to work from home; some Moms feel they have to work from home. Then there those whose only option is to work from home.
So just who are those Mothers already working from or wanting to work from home?
- Mothers who have no partner to provide or assist in providing income
- Mothers who need to supplement their partner's income
- Mothers who have no other financial means of support
- Mothers who don't want to lose touch with their skills or their workmates
- Mothers who want to be with their infants and/or toddlers but want to work as well
- Mothers whose children have grown up and left home (the "empty nest" syndrome)
You might fit into a different category altogether, but there is one thing that is common for each of you. You all have children and you all have your dream to run a successful business from home!
Setting up a business needs your full attention and a great deal of your time. Please don't try to do it all by yourself. You have friends and know people in business. Don't be afraid to ask them questions. The only answers or comments you should not take into consideration are things like, "Don't do it", "You're crazy", "No way!" (unless, of course, they can give you some sound and solid reasons which make very good sense).
Upon talking to some new and older Moms, I often hear them say things like "Oh, I'm just a mother and a housewife." You have no idea how angry that makes me. Just a Mother! ... Just a housewife!
What are you THINKING?!!!!!!!
If you're a Mother and/or a housewife you probably have skills some working women don't! What are they? Well, just take a look at the list below; I'd be willing to bet my next cheque that you have at least some of these skills!
- Negotiator
- Communicator
- Budgeting ability
- Conflict resolution
- Time management
- Delegating skills
- Making the best you can with what you have.
Just think about that.
OK. Now before we get into what sort of business you're going to establish, I do want to remind you (as if you need reminding) that you have a precious little person (or two or three) who will also need your attention.
Family First
You need to be aware that your first priority must be those little people. Please don't consider the needs of your children as distractions to your home-based-business. Always put them first.
What happens if your little ones need you when you're in the middle of a phone call to a prospective client or customer; trying to finish an assignment with a tight deadline; negotiating your next project; finalising accounts at the end of the month?
You don't have to go into long and involved explanations to anyone. All you have to do is handle the situation in a business-like manner. Tell the person with whom you're dealing that you will need to get back to him/her ... adding "within the hour". Tend to your child and make sure that you do make contact again within the hour.
If the situation is going to take longer to deal with, then make the call anyway and say that you haven't forgotten and that you would appreciate it if they would give you a little more time.
Safety Issues
If you work alone from your home office there are some things you need to look at in the course of your workday.
Be wary of "strange" phone calls or approaches. If you receive a phone call that rings your alarm bells, you can hang up. Best not to be drawn into conversation or give any information.
Build a rapport with your new clients before allowing them to visit your home, and be careful about going to someone else's home rather than his/her office. Find a mutually convenient time and place to meet your prospective client the first time, saying that you'll be out and about either "picking up" files or products and supplies, or "delivering work" to another client. Suggest meeting at a nearby shopping mall or similar. This will give you a chance to assess whether or not the person is genuine in the need of the goods or services you supply.
When you set up your workspace, be aware of your surroundings, what and who is where. If the person who has just walked through your door is a first time visitor, it's usually a good idea to "pretend" that there is someone else present in the home.
Another way to stay safe when you're working from home, is not to have your physical address on your business cards or other stationery, or anywhere else you may advertise. A Post Office Box is the safe way to go. If your local council or government allows you to hang a shingle, think about who it might attract. My choice would be not to. The last thing you want is someone unknown to you just turning up on your doorstep expecting to be invited in.
Build a reliable backup and support system
Building yourself a reliable backup and support system is the only way you'll stay afloat. You don't want to lose your clients/customers to your competition!
Your family and your friends are a good place to start. With any luck, they've been with you every step of the way while you've been planning, building your foundations and taking the necessary steps to eventually open your doors on the first day.
Your family and friends will have an understanding of what your goals are. They know you as a person as well as you in your professional skin. They will be among the best people to help when you need a hand.
We have already established that your family should come first. There will be, however, times when you need to call in the "reserves".
Family members and close friends may be willing to step in and take care of your child in your "hour of need". Those times when you need to crack that deadline, sign that deal, negotiate the next contract or purchase. You might have to work to someone else's time frame. This can put you in the position where you will need someone to look after your precious offspring. You need to know that the person is reliable and can take care of things for a morning or an afternoon. This will happen every so-often, so be prepared.
Don't abuse the friendships by calling on help every day. Your friends won't be to eager to help if they think you're "overdoing" the "I need help" call.
Your family and your friends are people you know better than any of your business contacts. These people are the most valuable and most important people in your life. Nurture these relationships. Treasure them, but ... and it really is quite a big but ... make sure they are mindful that you are running a business. The very fact that they're family or friends may mean that some of them will just phone or turn up for a chat. They are blissfully unaware that they are intruding on your time and your workspace.
When you work from your home, guidelines for family and friends are sometimes the hardest to put into place. A great deal of tact is necessary. It all depends on the way you relate your message.
Building relationships and making sure you have reliable backup and support is one of the major keys to a successful business enterprise. Fail here, and you won't make it. Start building these relationships now. Have your support system in place before you open your doors.
The Work at Home Mom is one of the fastest growing entities, she's a world-wide phenomenon and she is contributing to her country's economy in a financial and practical way.
With careful planning, you can join the revolution. Get into it! Read, watch, look, listen, question, research, surf the Net!. Go for your dream! Be Inspired to Succeed.
[Editor's Note: Part two of "The Working Mothers' Revolution ... Working From Home and Loving It" will focus on what you want to do ...the type of business you want to set up. In next month's newsletter we'll look at Choosing & Registering Your Business, Taxation & Finding an Accountant, Adequate Insurance, Your Office, Equipment and Essential Software]
Lynne Bullen is a successful businesswoman whose talents include Public Relations; Editorial and Commercial Copywriting; Design and Facilitation of Seminars, Forums and Workshops, Mentoring Services and Secretarial and Administrative support
She is a specialist in Digital Transcription
Contact Lynne via email:
or visit her website at http://www.lynnebullenstrategies.com.au |
