However, if you usually had been accustomed to a 9-5 on-site job, you will find transitioning to a home-based job quite difficult. But fret not; we have a few tips for you to make the transition easier for you.

Organize your Data:

Transitioning from an office-based job to a home-based job will not be easy, and the first step you should be covering is to organize all your data and files.

Because of being physically apart, your employees or colleagues will need simpler access to files and data that may be under your attention or being handled by you. To provide all necessary information to them promptly will be essential.

Using cloud-based storage where you can keep everything updated and within reach of everyone else working with you will prove to be important. Programs such as Google Drive and Dropbox must become your go-to applications for keeping everyone up to date.

Re-think your Methods of Communication:

Since you will have less face-to-face interaction with your employer, employees or colleagues, you will need to have access to an easy form of communication that can be done remotely.

While trying to save money, a lot of internet-based applications will let you make phone calls and video calls locally and globally, such as WhatsApp, Facetime, Google Hangouts, and Skype, to name a few.

If calls are not required, communication can also be continuously made through emails and instant messaging. Of course, communication in an office-based environment is different from home-based jobs, but it can still stay fairly efficient through other mediums.

Keep Everyone Working:

Perhaps the most difficult part of transitioning from an office-based job to a home-based job is how you keep a check on your co-workers or employees and see if they’re staying on task and are working the required amount. This seems difficult as it is in an office environment and can become ever harder while working from home.

Getting rid of the 9-5 schedule can make this easier as then assessment of how much work is being done can be done based on project deadlines, so your employees can work at their convenience, don’t need constant checking up and keep getting work done.

Perhaps you can reward your employees for results, so they keep achieving them. You can keep track of the amount of work being put in through software like Trello, Toggl and Tick, to name a few.

Get Rid of Security Risks:

With a team spread out and everyone working from different locations, security risks may fast become a concern considering everyone will be working on separate computers and from different networks. Keeping them secure should be made a priority, and you can do so by taking a few essential steps.

Everyone should be updating their passwords regularly, and the passwords chosen must be well secure. Have individual employee devices encrypted for data and emails? Make use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) for remote network access, which can keep most of your online activity encrypted. Company laptops set up to already be secure can perhaps be the best option.

Don’t let Organizational Culture End:

With everyone working from different locations, the previous company culture that your company might’ve had will probably not be very easy to keep up with. However, having a company culture is not everything. Some teams do find it easier to work without having to meet each other constantly. A successful team is one that can work with each other from anywhere, treat each other with respect and get work done efficiently.

However, that does not mean you don’t have to see each other’s faces at all. You can very well keep the organizational culture alive through meetings such as monthly meetings, holiday parties or any other form of get-together, so you don’t forget how your colleagues look. Making use of regular video conferences and meetings over Skype or other programs to go over plans and tasks can also play its part in keeping the company culture living.

Going through the transition may not seem easy initially if you have never worked remotely before. Still, there are lots of examples worldwide of remotely working companies and organizations that have proven themselves to be quite successful. While the thought of transitioning may seem daunting if you follow the basic protocols, you too can make it a success for yourself!

Working from home may not be everyone’s cup of tea; but it may be a good decision for many. We have here listed some pros of working from home, and if you go through them, maybe you will rethink your contempt towards it.

Independence:

Working from home is not just sitting in a comfortable environment and working according to your own rules. It also helps massively in strengthening your focus, concentration, self-reliance, motivation and confidence.

With no one else breathing down your neck constantly, you are the only one keeping yourself in check, and how you manage your time and get work done when you need to is an important life skill to have.

Your Own Schedule:

You can make your schedule according to your work ethic. If you can’t work continuously for hours, you can give yourself refreshment breaks in the middle to keep your energy levels up. You will need to make still sure that all your work is being done, but you can have more flexibility.

Keeping a certain amount of ‘office hours’ is still essential, but you can divide them; however, you like and set it according to your most productive hours, be it morning or night. You can work with a schedule you’re comfortable with.

Comfortable Environment:

Probably, for many of you, your office’s cramped cubicle, glaring white lights and broken coffee machine is not the ideal environment to work in. One of the pros of working from home is to be able to create a comfortable working environment for you.

You can choose a spot you like, maybe by a large window or somewhere on the patio. You can choose your comfortable chair, and can even set up the noise levels and the temperature to however you like it to be! No more nosy co-workers and boss intruding in your space.

Dress however you like:

While staying productive, it is recommended to at least change out of pyjamas even if you’re working just from home, but it is not needed to wear a crisp ironed dress shirt or khakis anymore!

You can wear regular day clothes that you find the most comfortable as there’s going to be no threat of anyone seeing you in it while you work. Just make sure if you’re attending a meeting on video conference, you’re dressed appropriately, at least from the waist up even if you’re wearing no pants under!

Save Money:

Working from home will come with a major benefit for you: you no longer have to commute from your home to the office! No commuting can itself help you save a lot of money.

While you will also have to no longer pay for other expenses such as expensive lunch, which is not an option if you’re working in an office. You can prepare food at home and have it when you’re hungry, saving yourself a considerable amount of money every month. Your home office expenses can also be written off on your taxes.

More Work can be Done:

While it is a common misconception that working from home is often not as efficient as working from an office, this is not true at all. When you work from home, you can be more productive than the regular office worker.

First off, you don’t waste time commuting to and from the office every day. You also can set your schedule according to your most productive hours in a day and no longer have to take one hour in the morning at office to bring yourself into the working mode. You are free from office interruptions and are relatively more stress-free and can put in more work.

Your Loved Ones get More of You:

With working from home, you will be wasting less time commuting to and fro from work, which means that time can be substituted spending with your family. Your schedule will also have relative flexibility, which means you can spend time with your friends and family more often if you can shift things around a bit.

Perhaps, attending events will also become easier for you if your work was keeping you from them before. Your pets will also surely enjoy you being at home more often!

While working from home may have its cons as well, we like to believe; the pros outweigh them severely. Working from home may be a difficult decision to make for many, but surely one you will not regret in the long run! Working from home, whether, was your choice or not, you can surely make the most of it.

Most companies hiring remote workers don’t have policies regarding it, which can ultimately lead to confusion. Here are a few steps to setting up an effective work from the home policy:

1. Outline Roles Eligible for Working from Home:

Though remote working may seem like a good option and prove to be more effective in the long run, not every employee is cut out to be a remote worker. Some employees require supervision and cannot work independently. Remote workers need to be disciplined, self-reliant and self-motivated.

Thus the remote workers you choose to work from home should be suitable and fit the category. They would not require being physically present at the office and must be well equipped and well-versed with technology to be able to carry out the job efficiently from home.

2. Define the Purpose:

The policy you are setting up should have a definite purpose, which must be clearly stated to your employees. It should be defined in terms of a document and what the opportunity of working from home will benefit in the future.

The policy should improve the experience for your employees at the company and should be in touch with what you believe in. Convey to them properly what role the policy will be playing in the company and how it will be put to use.

3. Establish Expectations:

All remote workers should have it made clear to them what is expected from them by the company. Expectations will generally include the amount of time the employees will be working per day and how they will communicate with the rest of the company.

They should be kept up to date with all meetings and should make themselves present in all of them at times they’re needed. Make the expectations clear and what quality of output is expected from remote workers. Tell them how they should perform, so they keep meeting the expectations that are required from them.

4. Define how your Employees can Request to Work from Home:

Layout the process through which your employees can apply to choose to work from home as an option. Decide whether they need to be putting in a formal request to make it happen or whether they can directly talk about it to their manager.

Also, make it clear whether the employee should be considered eligible before they can request the option of remote working and what would make them eligible. Make the steps and route of application clear to your employees, so they know what needs to be done if they wish to have their request accepted.

5. Set Equipment and Technology Requirements you will be Fulfilling:

Depending on what job is required by your remote worker, you may need to provide them with some equipment and technology to fulfill it, considering they might not have them at their homes. Some specific technologies your workers may need to include software, internet speed, computers and broadband.

Make it clear beforehand whether you will be providing them to your workers or whether they will have to make the arrangements for themselves beforehand. Also, outline the procedure with which technological difficulties will be met with.

6. Guarantee Digital Security:

Digital security is a common concern amongst employees working from home. If employees are using their equipment connected to the company’s network, they may accidentally introduce viruses to it. Likewise, even if they’re using the company’s equipment, they may download files or apps accompanied by viruses.

Hence, a company’s IT team should ensure that the required need for protection is provided beforehand to remote workers, such as encryption, anti-viruses, firewalls and any other form of protection. Protection should be guaranteed on devices and servers.

7. Make Expenses Covered Clear:

Working from home may not be as cheap an option as most would think. Working from home comes with the expenses of making a home office, getting larger broadband or internet connection, phone usage, electricity and other utilities.

Before hiring your remote employees, make it clear to them which of the expenses will be covered by the company or if they will be provided with a form of an allowance to cover such expenses.

A work from the home policy may cover any prerequisites you think will be useful to your company or your employees, as long as all aspects of working from home are being covered by it. An effective work from home policy will make the experience better for everyone.

The average amount may be as low as a $1000 to as high as millions depending on the investments, the market you’re trying to reach and the type of business you want to start.

The more competition you face and the more the demand for your services is what sets the tone for the capital required to run your home business.

How to know how much Capital is required for your Home Business:

If you’re beginning, being able to calculate the amount of capital needed will not be an easy task. If you’re new at this, taking some time, in the beginning, to do some research will set you off on the right foot. Only a few businesses can excel without research or prior experience; thus, consulting someone with experience beforehand is advisable before you set off trying to start your home business.

Research:

• Contact people in the same line of work as you intend to be to know what the starting costs and running costs would be of a similar business.
• Use a cost calculator designed specifically for startups to know what initial amount of money you will be requiring.
• Get in touch with retired business people who have worked in the same industry as you and can give you knowledge about it.
• Contact the suppliers you want to pursue to give you insight on retail prices.
• Hire a business or accounting expert to help you before you start your business.

Estimate:

An estimated average amount of money cannot be given clearly for any business idea because each business has its own needs that cannot be generalized. The above options may, however, be able to provide you with a rough idea before you get started so you have an estimate to work with.

Coming up with a forecasting plan will be beneficial as it will help you figure out the costs you will need to meet in your business and the income you will be getting from the profits.

Calculate:

To be able to fully understand how much money you will exactly be required to start your business, you will need to take into account: Capital expenditures, Expenses and Assets.

Capital Expenditure:
It is the first purchase needed to be made to open your business. This is a one-time thing, and you don’t have to pay tax for this usually. These are the essentials needed without which your business won’t be able to operate, such as equipment, machinery, furniture and other such purchases.

Expenses:
These are regular expenses you will need to be making to keep your business running. These are continuous expenses, and tax applies to them, such as salaries, rent, marketing, utility costs and money for advertisement.

Assets:
These are all the monitory resources that already belong to you, such as your savings, equipment or furniture you may already own, or a house from where you want to work.

Where to Get the Money from for a Home Business:

It is no mystery that you will need capital to start your business as stated earlier, but where to acquire the money from is a question all beginners looking to start a home business ask. People usually start home businesses to earn, which means they may not have a lot of money saved already to assist it. However, there are ways to get the capital you need for your home business:

• Personals Savings if you have any
• Money from friends and family if they’re willing to help
• Grants
• A loan from a bank
• Development or Corporate Programs
• Crowdfunding Websites
• Credit Cards

How much Profit you’ll Be Making:

Lastly, when it comes to calculating capital you need to start a home business, you must also know the reasonable amount of profits you will be made to understand how much of it will be paid back to you. You must know how much your target market will be willing to pay to you depending on the product or service you’re selling and whether you will be able to make a sufficient amount of profit from that.

It is advisable to consider those home business ideas that can produce a considerable amount of profit, so your minimum income requirements per month are being met. It also takes some time for most businesses to start earning a profit, so patience is key.

Starting small is a good idea for a most home-based business, but it does not mean that you cannot dream big. For help along the way, consult business experts to make this process easier for you so you can start a home business that will be successful in the future.