Office is where the home is!

WORKING from home is a very viable option, in terms of money and professional satisfaction, for mothers, experienced professionals, and those who just want to do their own thing without toeing lines drawn by the big boss. More and more professionals are boldly taking this option since it gives them a wider perspective of their field and a larger canvas to work on, without restricting them to routine jobs or incompatible work culture. They are free to choose their assignments and for whom they want to work. The deciding factor is often the level compensation, while the major advantage is that jobs can be turned down if it does not kindle personal interest.

Telemarketing:

Many organisations employ housewives, and women who prefer to work from home to market their respective products over the phone. Each worker is given a particular neighbourhood as a target, and they have to disseminate information regarding the product, gather essential information regarding the client, and record their feedback and report potential customers to their employers. Apart from the telephone bill you are also paid a competitive service charge, which depends on how you meet the targets and adhere to deadlines.

Organisations selling credit cards, head hunters, Internet Service Providers, neighbourhood business concerns, and even the neighbourhood newspaper might be interested in employing a working-from- home executive to sell space in their publication.

Information Gathering:

Mainly private surveyors who have to gather chunks of information on a local and national level employ executives from this sector. You are required to gather specific data depending on the nature and objective of the survey being conducted. In case of detailed surveys the job does not just stop with data collection but also includes data analysis to be done according to standardised procedures. Here again, remuneration depends on accuracy of collected information and whether deadlines are met.

Direct selling:

Many consumer durable and cosmetic manufacturers opt to sell their products through direct distribution and direct sales. This means that anybody, who has a good network of contacts, and can afford to pay the required deposit to the company can become a distributor of the product. Some of the products that you can sell directly are Tupperware (kitchenware), Avon, Oriflame (cosmetics), Modicare products that consist of detergents, and other cleaning agents and many more. Last but not the least certain brand of books, and encyclopedias, education CDs are also being sold through direct marketing. However, the deposit for each distribution right varies according to the value of the product and the major advantage is that one can market more than one product at a time, as there is no restriction.

Each product manufacturer gives you a short training course regarding the features of the product, your target audience and tactics that will help you sell the product. The most preferred way of selling is by throwing a party (Tupperware/Avon), inviting potential buyers and conducting business in a casual atmosphere, which will help one build a relationship with the customers. In this kind of business the earnings at the end of the month depends on ingenuity and salesmanship.

Freelancing:

Any one with some experience in the chosen field can freelance with various organisations and take on assignments according to their convenience. It basically means that you are not on the payroll of any one organisation. A person can freelance in any field they want right from writing, designing to cost accounting. Freelance jobs are difficult because you would need to convince the employer of your capabilities and competence to do the job.

Many a times freelancers are not taken seriously, because people feel that they have chosen to take on a particular assignment just because they couldn't find regular employment. This, in many cases is untrue, because it is experienced people who have been in the particular industry for some time that branch out on their own. A major disadvantage in this field is collection of payment and lack of job security. Very often the mode of payment, the amount, the terms and conditions of working is agreed verbally which can give rise to problems later on.

Oh No. It's not as easy as it sounds...

Even though working from home seems like an easy option, when not established properly it can often become a costly nightmare. To avoid that:

* Focus on what you are good at and enjoy doing and how you can convert this skill into a money-making business. It can be anything from baking cakes to calligraphy.

* Structure a business plan after studying the market, the competition in the field, the target group, investments needed (time, effort, other tangible and intangible resources) and formulate strategies to make your venture a success. Also set a target for breaking even and earning profits.

* Make sure that you have your infrastructure established, should your plan include a need for furniture and office equipment, make arrangements to buy or lease them.

* Always get all job assignment contracts down on paper or on tape, because it will help resolve conflict of any nature which might arise after completion of the job.

* Try reserving a room in your house to work out of instead of working from the living room. If there is a separate entrance to your office, which does not come through your main house, use it. This creates an office atmosphere and clients will feel more comfortable with the professionalism that is apparent.

* Many times people working from home are not taken seriously because of the misconception that work is done in bathroom slippers and in between watching their favourite soaps on television. To dispel this prejudice and to be taken seriously maintain a regular work schedule, do take breaks but make sure that you put in definite hours of work everyday.

* Always dress formally during your working time as it creates a sense of professionalism when your clients drop in for meetings.

* Maintain a detailed log of your expenditure and earnings account, and practice efficient money management to maximise your profits.

Working from home holds a lot of possibilities for almost everybody but it does have its own share of pitfalls that have to be carefully worked through. The success and the failure of the venture solely depend on you and how you manage your resources and time. Since you are your own boss, it is up to you to stay motivated to put in maximum effort. It can be very tempting to sneak into the house for a quick nap, which will prove detrimental when you are trying hard to convert what you like doing best into a profitable venture.

MALINI SURYANARAYANAN

maalini.mds@careercommunity.co.in