Tips on Creating a Productive Home Office

Some of us are fortunate to have a great home office, but not all home business owners have that luxury.

The comfort, freedom, and convenience can be amazing, and certainly being your own boss is a dream come true for many. 

A large part of whether or not you are successful working from home depends on the environment in which you work.  If you work in a healthy, productive situation, you have a much better chance of succeeding with your internet marketing business. 

Distinguishing between our home life and our work life can be a major problem for those with home businesses.  Because of this, if you have not yet done so, select an area in your home where you will work.  If you have a separate room to use specifically as an office, that’s great.  If you do not, however, choose an area where you will work your business all the time, even if it is a small desk in the corner of your bedroom.  This is psychologically important.  When you sit down to work at the same place each day, you are telling yourself that it is time to work. 

Physically separating yourself from your home life is important, but mentally creating that separation is equally important.  One part of the mental separation is creating a specific work schedule, the hours that you will be working, which should not include the rest of the time that you are simply “at home.”  

Everyone is different, but I have found that getting dressed, fixing my hair and makeup puts me into “work mode.”  People talk about working in their pajamas.  I could not be productive that way.  Even though I am in my own home, I am “going to work,” and I must dress appropriately. 

If your family and professional life is not clearly separated, you may find that you’ll be less productive when you work, and you may not feel as relaxed during your family or leisure time. 

Regarding family life, this is an area that can be challenging for work-at-home parents.  Unless you have very young children, I suggest you discuss your plans for your home business.  Make it clear when you will be working and should not be disturbed.  If you are working in a “communal” area of your home, be sure everyone understands that your work hours are quiet times.  If you do not establish specific rules about what you expect from your family when you work, you will find it next to impossible to accomplish the work required to be successful. 

To prevent headaches and eye strain, whenever possible, use natural light in your work area.  If it is not possible to have natural light, studies have shown that “full-spectrum” light bulbs offer the best light for a work environment.  Although primarily a marketing term, full-spectrum bulbs generally have brightness similar to daylight, and the bulbs have the best color rendering capability. 

If your work chair is uncomfortable, it will become a distraction and you will likely work fewer hours.  The right chair helps keep us be more focused and improves our sitting posture.  Your chair should provide lumbar support and offer height adjustment. I have had a great experience with my own office chair, which was much less expensive than the many other options I found in my local office supply chair.  You are going for comfort, not expensive features that some stores offer.  My chair was less than $100. 

Research has shown that having one or more plants near your work area or office can help you be more productive, lower blood pressure and stress.  So, you may want to consider a plant or two. 

My final tip is to remember to take breaks!  It is easy to become so involved in our work that we sit at our desks too long.  Every three hours or so, take a break.  A 15 to 30 minute, even an hour break once a day can sharpen your mind and give you more energy.  If possible, go outside for some fresh air.  Take a walk.  We need a change of scenery when we work at home to keep us alert and to avoid “cabin fever.” 

Having a comfortable environment in which to work, with no distractions can greatly improve your productivity and frame of mind.  I hope these suggestions help you enjoy “going to work.”

========================

For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

Are You Leadership Material?

When growing a team of powerful leaders, it helps to know what you believe qualifies someone to be a leader.  The following is what I look for in a leader.

·         The main characteristic of a leader – and of a good team member – is that they are coachable.  If you ask 10 people if they’re coachable, they will all answer yes.  In reality, many are not.  Those who are coachable are open to new ideas, to what works for others.  They are willing and able to step out of their comfort zone to grow their business.

·         My team members who have imagination, creativity, self-determination and self-motivation are making sales and growing their business.

·         I don’t believe we can motivate someone to work who is not self-motivated.  We can, however, inspire our team members by doing what we have taught them to do.

·         We can lead by example, so our team members can see that what we teach them to do actually works.  The top team members don’t need someone to hold their hand every step of the way.  They watch, listen and learn from the leaders, and then they get to work!

·         We all run across prospective team members who tell us how great they are.  That doesn’t work for me.  As the old adage says, ‘action speaks much louder than words.”  Show me!  We need team members we can count on to do their part, without having to remind them or urge them on.

·         Leaders are responsible for coaching, teaching, serving people, setting a good example and being available to those they lead.

·         By setting a good example for our team members, we encourage them to grow.

·         A good leader won’t pretend they’re experts in every aspect of their business, nor will they ignore the suggestions and ideas of their team members.  Good leaders encourage their team members to make suggestions and to ask for assistance and problem solving help.

·         Team members are always a priority to a good leader.  If you work your business part time, be sure your team members know your work schedule.  And, be sure they have contact information for who else they can call for help if you are unavailable.

I believe nearly everyone can – if they wish – become a good leader.  However, they must listen to those who have been successful with the company.  Creating your own unique path may seem like a good idea, but in reality, its best not to reinvent the wheel.

http://julie.xpressabo.com/xhc1?=blogger

How to Handle Objections in Network Marketing

As network marketers, we will have questions, objections and concerns from prospects.  It comes with the industry.  So, rather than trying to avoid them, it is important to learn how to address them. 

In my experience these are the questions/objections we hear most often and how I suggest you respond to them.

 `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

·        I can’t afford the (start-up, monthly) fee.

Different network marketers have their own way of dealing with this objection.  Some say, anyone can afford it if they really want it.  If that is your perspective, you would approach the prospect with “How do you plan to change your life so you will be able to afford it?” or “If you can’t afford to get started with us now, you need this more than anyone!” or “By taking advantage of the opportunity I’m offering you, I can help you change your financial situation and ease the burden.”

Others, if they really believe the person is "broke," they also believe they’ll never succeed with the business and quit due to the inability to pay the required fees. 

I have actually had prospects who said they could not afford to join my team, but they loved the business and wanted to join anyway.  Of those, some have been successful; others quit as soon as their first payment came due. 

I’ve had a few who said they didn’t have the money, and I could tell, this would be someone who would waste my time and quit within weeks.  With those, I simply accepted that they truly could not afford it, and I wished them luck.

None of us can always make the right judgment call.  We’ll make mistakes occasionally.  But in general, the longer you’re in the business, the fewer times you’ll read people wrong.

 `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

·        I’m not a sales person. 

In some network marketing companies, they tell prospects, “no selling is required.”  I personally disagree.  If you are with a reputable network marketing company, you have a product or service you must sell, and sales experience can be beneficial.  In addition, we all must sell OURSELVES to sell our product or recruit new team members.  If the prospect doesn’t like you, you’ve lost the sale. 

However, there is selling, and there is SELLING!  If you have to convince the prospect that your product is good, you are selling too hard.  More than likely, you will not sign that prospect.  Instead, I believe in presenting my product, answering the prospects’ questions, and then allowing them to decide what is best for them.  When it comes to recruiting, in particular, I do not want to work with anyone who does not want to work with me.  So, why try to convince them otherwise?  

 `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

·        I don’t know very many people – OR, I don’t like to ask my family and friends to buy my product or join my company.

Neither do I!  Most companies recommend that you talk to your “warm market” first.  Nearly my entire business is done on the internet.  However, although I have never asked my family or friends to purchase my product or tried to recruit them, they are aware of what I do.  Whatever “job” we have had, our families usually know what we do for a living.  It simply comes up in conversation.  By making people you know aware of what you do, they may well send referrals your way, or they may say, “Really?  I can use that!” or “What’s involved in working your business at home?” 

 `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

·        I need to discuss this first with my spouse.

I never discourage anyone from talking to their spouse about the product or opportunity.  I do the same.  However, I always ask if we can schedule an appointment when I can speak to the prospect along with their spouse so that I can explain my service or the opportunity.  There are two reasons for this.  

1)  There are “dream stealers,” those people who automatically look at network marketing as illegal or a “scam,” and I’d like the chance to explain what my company is before they discourage their spouse; and

2)  The prospect doesn’t really know my product or company.  If the prospect tells their spouse about it, important details may be left out, or they simply may not present it well.  If I speak to the spouse, I will be sure they get all the information, and that they will get it correctly.

   `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Of course, there will be other objections, but I have found these to be the most common.  Once you are comfortable with responding to your prospects’ objections, you’ll begin growing your business more quickly.  

What do I need in my home office?

People looking for a network marketing business or just starting out often wonder whether they have everything they need to begin.  Because we’re all trying to earn money, not spend it, you’ll want to start out with the basics, which you likely already have.

Of course you’ll need a computer; either a laptop or desktop will do, with at least two browsers installed.  Fortunately, you can download browsers free online in most cases.  You may run across a website that will not operate properly in Internet Explorer, so you’ll want a back-up browser.

I’ve learned that, while Internet Explorer was once the browser of choice, there are a wide variety available now for both PC and Mac users.  Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Chrome and Safari are all very commonly used.

You’ll need a high speed internet connection, such as cable or DSL.  While rarely you’ll find a network marketer using a dial-up connection, it will not work with most high-tech websites today.  

You must have telephone access, and unlimited calling is preferable.  Some networkers use VOIP and Skype, google talk, etc., all of which are free or very low cost.  In most situations, these will work fine, but I’ve discovered that people using these services are sometimes unable to dial into conference call services.  So, you’ll want to check this out to determine whether that will effect you.

Of course, you’ll need basic office supplies like pens, stapler, paper, and you’ll also need a printer connected to your computer.  You will need a quiet dedicated work area away from the rest of your friends and/or family. The best workspace would be in a room with a door, but many just starting out use their kitchen table or a small computer table in the corner of a bedroom. This works fine for many people.  I also recommend good lighting and a comfortable desk chair.

If you have children, it is best if you can work when they are at school or sleeping, if someone in your home can care for them while you work, or if they play quietly while you work.  However, you may be working at home because you want to stay home with your children, and most callers would understand if there is a little noise in the background.  But if your children are crying for arguing, it is best to terminate the call and call the person back once your children are quiet again.

You do not need the computers and accessories with all the “bells and whistles.”  Most required features are included in today’s basic computers.

I recommend you not invest in your home office or your company - besides those costs required by your company - until you are in “profit” mode.  That is, when you’re earning enough to cover all your required expenses.

So, now you’re set to begin working your home business and earning some money!

Best of luck!