Small businesses can now be operated from a home office, but there are major benefits to working from an office - think about the commute versus the camaraderie as you make your choice.
Weighing your options
The right work space can mean the difference between distraction and productivity. As a small business pro, you have two basic options. You can work out of your own home or you can open up an office outside of your home. Both are great options, but which one is right for you and your business? Unfortunately, there isn’t one right answer that will encompass everyone. The truth is that you can be successful either way, but the important question to ask yourself is which work space will help you to become the most successful.
So, here is the basic breakdown of benefits of each option.
Option one: working from home
Eliminate the Commute – The most obvious perk of working from home is that you no longer have to commute to an office. This can save you hours each week – hours you can devote to your business. Not only will you save time from the commute, but also on going to get lunch. Think of how quickly that time will add up.
Save Some Major Moolah – Because you’ve eliminated your commute, you save on gas money and car maintenance. Also, you won’t have to write a rent check each month for an office space. Not to mention that you can use your home office as a tax write-off later on. Depending on the nature of your business, you could also save money that you would spend purchasing new, expensive clothes for work.
More Flexible Hours – Working from home means that you can work whenever you want or need to. You don’t have to drive anywhere to work, and you can just go back into your home office, shut the door, and focus. If you can’t sleep in the middle of the night, you can choose to work and you can even stay in your pajamas.
Stay in Your Comfort Zone – If you’re anything like me, you prefer to be home than to be out and about. If being away from your home puts added stress on you, working for home may be the perfect option. You can stay in the comfort of your own home – your comfort zone – and still be productive.
Working from an office
Separate Personal and Professional Lives – Going to an office each day will help you separate your personal and professional lives. If you’re easily distracted, you can better focus in an office. That way, your mind and body know when it’s time to get down to business and get to work. If you have a lot of stress in your home life, working in an office can keep your professional stress levels to a minimum.
Get Social! – Working in an office means that you have more opportunities to socialize and network in-person. If you have employees, you can build stronger relationships while working together at the same location. Team work is crucial to a successful business with multiple employees.
A Set Schedule – While owning your own business affords you some flexibility, you’ll more than likely have a set schedule when you work outside of the home. That means that you’ll still work “normal” business hours. If you work better under the umbrella of consistency, limiting your distractions and working the same hours every day can increase your productivity, focus, and the balance of your professional life.
Make it Official – Some professionals don’t feel official without an office. It can boost your professional confidence when you’re in control of your business and you have a place that’s home for your professional endeavors, a home that’s separate from your own home. Put a sign up on your office door and get to work!
A difficult choice
Choosing whether to work from home or to work in an office is a difficult choice to make. Each choice means you have to sacrifice the benefits of the other. Analyze what your business needs in order to grow, and how you can best facilitate that growth. And remember – you can always change your mind later. Try one method, and if it doesn’t work, choose a different office location. Once you’ve chosen correctly, you’ll know it; you’ll be productive, comfortable, and confident.
