Handling postal service disruptions at Christmas
For franchises that sell products online and ship them...
With the uncertainty in the economy and the continuing pandemic, it's no surprise more and more people are deciding to take the leap and start their own franchise business. Mobile and home-based concepts have been gaining speed for a while now, and the current state of things has made them even more appealing to prospective franchisees. Before you sign on the dotted line for any mobile or home-based concept, here's what to keep in mind.
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Check the local rules and regulations for your community
Communities have varying laws when it comes to running a business out of a residential area. Check with your local government or zoning office to ensure you're not going to run into any trouble if you have to have clients come in and out of your home or you need a park a large commercial vehicle, such as a van, at your residence. If you live in any type of planned community, you'll need to confirm what you can and can't do with the organization or board responsible for the community, too.
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Keep it all balanced
Using your kitchen table for your new business may sound like a great idea, but in reality, you need a separate space. If you use a community area, you're likely to be interrupted and distracted. It's wise to set aside a dedicated work space in a private area of your home where you won't be tempted to lose focus because your kids or spouse just ran by.
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Get yourself comfortable
You can make a comfortable, professional workspace for yourself in your home even on a limited budget. When it comes to your desk, get the biggest one you can for the space--this is where you may need to make piles and sort documents, so you want to have the surface area to do it on.
Make sure your computer and other equipment, such as a printer, are up to whatever tasks you need them to do. Your splurge area should be your chair since it will have a major impact on your personal comfort.
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Set a strict schedule
One of the biggest challenges for people working at home is staying on task and focused. It's very easy to get distracted by the laundry, dishes, the family pet and everything else that surrounds you there.
Create a schedule and stick to it. When you're supposed to be at work, only focus on work. Be sure family and friends are aware of your schedule, so they don't interrupt you.
A mobile or home-based franchise could be the ideal fit for your life right now. Be sure to do thorough research into any franchise opportunity before signing, and be ready to set up your home work space.
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